Industrial Hygiene Walk-Through Survey Report of Armstrong World Industries, Inc., Lancaster Floor Plant, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

摘要

A walk through industrial hygiene survey was conducted at the Lancaster Floor Company (SIC-3996, SIC-2851) in Lancaster, Pennsylvania to determine possible employee exposure to acrylates or methacrylates. Tote tanks or drums were used to hold primer cost during formulation. Blending of inks to various shades was done using acrylic inks purchased outside. These inks and coatings were used in a tile application line. An acrylated polyester, manufactured at the facility, was used as an adhesive on vinyl material. The manufacture of the monofunctional acrylate and the formulation of top coats were done in enclosed systems with local exhaust ventilation. There was also a local exhaust ventilation system on the acrylated polyester application line where the adhesive was applied to the vinyl. Of 2388 employees, 61 had a potential for exposure to acrylates. Three cases of illness have been reported at the company and traced to skin contact with the acrylates. There was a structured medical, safety and industrial hygiene program in place at the facility, and personnel records were maintained on all employees. The authors recommend that disposable gloves be used for operations that do not require rigid handling to prevent cross contamination of the gloves. It was also urged that a substitute to methylene-chloride (75092) be considered for cleaning the tile coating line.