Health hazard evaluation report: HETA-84-074-1476, Grundy Industries, Inc., Denver, Colorado.
Source
Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, HETA 84-074-1476, 1984 Jul; :1-10
Abstract
Worker exposures to asbestos (1332214) were surveyed on April 5, 1984 at Grundy Industries, Incorporated in Denver, Colorado. The evaluation was requested by the owner and manager of the company on behalf of five employees manufacturing an asphalt and asbestos roofing compound. Personal and area air samples were collected for asbestos determinations, and a bulk sample of the asbestos used in the compound was analyzed for asbestos type. The asbestos material contained 80 to 90 percent chrysotile. Personal air samples contained 0.2 to 0.38 asbestos fibers per cubic centimeter, compared to the OSHA standard of 2 fibers per cubic centimeter. General area samples contained 0.3 to 0.88 fibers per cubic centimeter. The employees used improper respirators, wore street clothes under disposable coveralls and head coverings, and smoked in areas where asbestos was processed and handled. One employee had a full face beard, which impaired the fit of his respirator. The author concludes that an asbestos hazard exists at this facility and recommends substitution of another material for the asbestos, use of engineering controls such as ventilation, use of respirators approved for asbestos exposure, better housekeeping and personal hygiene, and worker education about proper procedures for working with asbestos.
Keywords
NIOSH-Author; NIOSH-Health-Hazard-Evaluation; NIOSH-Technical-Assistance-Report; Hazards-Confirmed; Asphalt-industry; Region-8; Exposure-levels; Asbestos-fibers; Air-samples; Personal-protective-equipment; Work-practices; HETA-84-074-1476;
Author Keywords: Paving and Roofing Materials, Asphalt Felts and Coatings; Asbestos; Roofing Compounds
Document Type
Field Studies; Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance
NTIS Accession No.
PB85-187698
Identifying No.
HETA-84-074-1476
Source Name
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
