Health Hazard Evaluation Determination Report No. 74-97-286, Blaw Knox Foundry and Mill Machinery, Inc., Warwood Plant, Wheeling, West Virginia

摘要

Based on the results of environmental and medical studies by NIOSH, a toxic exposure to crystalline free silica is determined to exist among foundry workers in the Blaw Knox Foundry and Mill Machinery, Incorporated, Warwood Plant, (SIC-331) Wheeling, West Virginia. The workroom air concentrations exceed the current NIOSH standard of 0.05 milligram per cubic meter. Employees were also transiently exposed to phosphine generated in the machining of nodular iron rolls. The possibility of metal fumes and calcium-oxide transiently exceeding the current safety limits during tapping operations was suspected because of the episodic and transient symptoms of mucous membrane and skin irritation noted by cranemen and pitmen. Recommendations include use of low silica containing sand, good housekeeping, better exhaust ventilation, regular wetting of foundry sand with water, mechanizing the shake out procedures, use of breathing apparatus, long sleeve shirts and gloves by cranemen, and repairing the seal on the crane cabs.