Assessment of Dust Control Technology for Selected Ceramic Production Processes

摘要

Surveys of dust control technology for selected ceramic industrial processes at four facilities were conducted. The first site involved crushing and grinding of pyrophyllite ore to production specifications for wall and floor tiles. Exposures to dust were maintained below OSHA standards by isolation of major dust producing operations, enclosure and ventilation of processing and transfer equipment, and good housekeeping practices. The second site involved crushing of ball clay and shale for the quarry wall and floor tile industry. Personal samples averaged 106 percent of the OSHA standard for respirable dust and 361 percent for total dust. Inadequate planning and maintenance of local ventilation systems were considered responsible for the high dust concentrations. The third site involved finish grading of tile in the quarry wall and floor tile industry. Dust exposures were held below OSHA standards by the use of local exhaust ventilation on all grinding machinery. The fourth site involved batching, mixing, and packaging of ceramic materials. Dust exposures were kept below OSHA standards by enclosure and ventilation, good housekeeping, and a personal protective equipment program.