A Strategy to Validate Work Practices: An Application to the Reinforced Plastics Industry.

Conrad-RJ; Hopkins-BL; Fitch-HG; Smith-MJ; Anger-WK; Dangel-RF

NIOSH 1980 May:494-526

00123086

The effectiveness of training in reducing worker exposure to styrene (100425) in a reinforced plastics manufacturing factory was evaluated. High exposure areas and jobs were determined from momentary air samples and three workers from high exposure jobs and one other worker were selected for further study. Baseline exposure data were obtained and work practices were observed. The workers then received training in work practices designed to reduce exposure, including use of appropriate personal protection, use of engineering controls, and avoiding high exposure areas. Work practices were observed and styrene exposure was measured after the training period. Urine mandelic-acid concentrations were measured before and after training. Daily personal styrene exposure decreased from 36 to 57 percent after training for the three workers with high exposure and 8 percent for the other person. The authors conclude that the approach can be applied generally to validate work practices and to develop methods for training workers to participate in their own occupational health protection.

Plastics; Polymers; Safety-programs; Plastics-industry; Air-sampling; Industrial-health-programs;

100-42-5;

19800508

Conference/Symposia Proceedings;

1980

Proceedings of the First NCI/EPA/NIOSH Collaborative Workshop: Progress on Joint Environmental and Occupational Cancer Studies, May 6-8, 1980, Rockville, Maryland, H. F. Kraybill, I. C. Blackwood, and N. B. Freas, Eds. National Cancer Institute, Environmental Protection Agency, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

MD;