Health Hazard Evaluation Determination Report, No. MHETA-80-119-9007, Peabody Coal Company, Ken Surface Mine Processing Plant, Beaver Dam, Kentucky

摘要

Possible adverse health effects caused by welding in coal washboxes at the Peabody Coal Company (SIC-1211) near Beaver Dam, Kentucky, were evaluated. The request was made by the United Mine Workers of America following an incident involving a worker suffering a stroke after welding in a coal washbox. The industrial hygiene survey was conducted on January 24, 1982. A total of eight welders were potentially exposed in the coal washboxes. Exposure to total welding fume, iron-oxide (1309371) fume, manganese (7439965) fume, fluorides, ozone (10028156), carbon-monoxide (630080), and nitrogen-dioxide (10102440) were monitored. The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) exposure limits for these substances are 5 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3), 5mg/m3, 1mg/m3, 2.5mg/m3, 0.1 parts per million (ppm), 50ppm, and 3ppm, respectively. All exposures were less than the ACGIH limits or the NIOSH recommended health standard. The authors conclude that the work practices and ventilation control measures are effective in controlling welder exposure to welding fumes and gases. It is suggested that these procedures continue as company policy when welding maintenance is required inside the washboxes.