Walk-Through Survey Report of the Bagging Operation at Tennessee Valley Authority's National Fertilizer Development Center, Muscle Shoals, Alabama

摘要

A site visit was made to the Tennessee Valley Authority's National Fertilizer Development Center (SIC-2873, SIC-2874) (NFDC) in Muscle Shoals, Alabama to determine the effectiveness of control measures used to lessen possible hazardous working conditions. The NFDC was to provide products, processes, and processing beneficial to the fertilizer industry. At the time of the visit 46-0-0 granular urea was being packaged into 50 pound plastic bags. Attention was paid to the control of airborne dust in dry chemical bagging and filling operations. Engineering control technology observed during this process included ventilation systems, work practices and protective equipment. While there were some controls worth noting at the facility, the packers were in need of repair. Product was continually leaking from the fill spouts into the environment of the workers whenever a bag was not on the spout. Employees were required to wear safety shoes, safety glasses, and hard hats. Respirators were not required. The author concludes that control techniques in use were not exemplary.