Health Hazard Evaluation Report MHETA 80-000-117, La Rosa Fuel Company, Clarksburg, West Virginia

摘要

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) evaluated possible hazardous working conditions at the La Rosa Fuel Company, Clarksburg, West Virginia. Particular attention was given to the prevalence of pneumoconiosis in the working population. Chest radiograph and spirometric testing was performed on the workers and a questionnaire was distributed dealing with occupational and smoking histories along with pulmonary symptoms. Of the 87 workers eligible to participate, responses were received from 70. Sixty of these men had no exposure to drilling and no evidence of pneumoconiosis was found among them. The other ten men had surface drilling experience. Three cases of silicosis were identified in these ten men. Acute silicosis associated with severe respiratory impairment was diagnosed in one and the other two had simple silicosis and normal lung function. Of 20 personal dust samples collected for these men, only 1 exceeded the Mine Safety and Health Administration limit of 2mg/cu m respirable dust. Recommendations were made based on an earlier study regarding means of controlling the dust generated on the job. Suggestions were also made for training and medical surveillance of workers.