Health Hazard Evaluation Report: HETA 2001-0109-2835, Lac Vieux Desert Resort and Casino, Watersmeet, Michigan.

摘要

On December 13, 2000, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a management request for a health hazard evaluation (HHE) at the Lac Vieux Desert Resort and Casino in Watersmeet, Michigan, to determine if workplace exposures during counting operations are related to reported health problems that some employees have experienced. Specifically, NIOSH was asked to evaluate exposure to metal dust and other contaminants associated with machine counting of coins and paper money at the casino. Reported symptoms included eye, nasal, and respiratory irritation, and other respiratory problems. On January 25-27, 2001, NIOSH researchers conducted a site visit at the Lac Vieux Desert Resort and Casino. The purpose of this site visit was to review the coin counting process, interview employees, and characterize the work environment to determine factors that may contribute to the reported symptoms. During the first shift (12:00 a.m.-8:00 a.m.) on January 26 and January 27 2001, environmental monitoring was conducted to evaluate count employees' personal exposure to nickel, copper, zinc, and other metals that may be present in coin dust, and to the total dust present in both the Hard (coin) and Soft (paper) Counting areas. Surface samples were collected to determine the extent of metal contamination in various areas, and personal noise monitoring was conducted to evaluate worker exposure to noise.