Hazards associated with the men's apparel industry were surveyed on April 15, 1974, at F. Jacobson, Incorporated (SIC-2321) in Seymore, Indiana. The company employed 23 cutters, 242 stitchers, 60 pressers, 43 launderers, 10 boxers and 4 shippers. The personnel manager was trained in first aid, and the safety committee was composed of foremen. Materials used included permanent press cotton and cotton blends. Sewing machines were fitted with needle, belt and motor guards. Work processes generated significant amounts of dust and lint. A 1,1,1-trichloroethane and ethylene-dichloride solvent was used for spot cleaning, and a hot wire system was used to melt synthetic knit materials. General ventilation was provided by exhaust fans, and some machines were equipped with local exhaust systems. Noise levels ranged from 76 to 94 decibels relative to the A-weighted scale. Lighting levels were 50 to 700 foot candles. The author concludes that hazards exist from exposures to noise, solvent fumes, and synthetic knit thermal decomposition products. Recommendations include characterization of airborne dusts and the products generated from the synthetic knits, use of local exhaust at hot wire operation and solvent cleaning sites, and determination of time weighted average noise exposures.
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