Health Hazard Evaluation Report MHETA 88-214-1952, Flying W Plastics Company, Glenville, West Virginia

摘要

An investigation was made of possible hazardous working conditions at Flying W Plastics Company. Particular concern was expressed regarding noise, dust and vapor exposures arising from the fabrication of polyethylene, polystyrene, and polyvinyl-chloride (9002862) (PVC) pipe and pipe fittings. Analysis of air samples indicated that largely aliphatic hydrocarbons, toluene (108883), xylene (1330207), methylene-chloride (75092), and 1,1,1-trichloroethane (71556) were present at low levels. In the samples tested, di-n-butyl-phthalate (84742) and di-cyclohexyl-phthalate (84617) were below detectable levels. Some of the workers were exposed to PVC dusts at concentrations ranging from 0.06 to 1.3mg/m3. Workers remained in the high dust exposure jobs for 1 year or less. Sections of the asbestos (1332214) insulation on the Braybender machine were damaged and could present an exposure hazard. Some employees were exposed to hazardous levels of noise, including the grinder, line take off attendant, and hopper attendant. Hearing protection was used by workers in the grinding area but not in the other noisy areas. A large unguarded chain drive was noted in the warehouse grinding area on the blending machine which did present a hazard to the workers. Hazards existed at the facility due to exposure to noise, asbestos insulation and PVC dust; a safety hazard existed from an unguarded chain drive.