In-Depth Survey Report: Control Technology for Manual Dye Weigh-Out Operations at211 Multi Color Industries, Inc., Brooklyn, New York (Revised November 1995)

摘要

This study addresses manual dye weigh-out operations in a small dye house. In211u001ethese operations, powder dye is quantitatively transferred from drums and boxes 211u001eto small paper bags. The weigh-out operator can be exposed to dye dust when 211u001escooping, transferring, weighing, or bagging the dye. The objective of the study 211u001ewas to determine whether engineering controls can effectively reduce worker dye 211u001edust exposures during weigh-out operations. The engineering control selected for 211u001eevaluation during this study was a semi-down draft, recirculating ventilation 211u001ebooth. Additionally, the effect of drum height was to be evaluated as previous 211u001estudies of powder scooping operations had found substituting short drums for tall 211u001edrums reduced worker exposures. A pre-control study was conducted to obtain data 211u001ebefore installation of any engineering controls. Air samples showed that worker 211u001edust exposures were below the permissible exposure limit, however, the levels 211u001ewere above outdoor ambient concentrations for total suspended particulate. 211u001eAerosol monitoring results indicated that the individual tasks during the weigh-211u001eout operation contributed about equally to the worker's overall dust exposure.