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Health hazard evaluation report: HETA-95-0244-2550, Arkansas Aluminum Alloys, Inc., Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Kiefer M; Salisbury S

Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, HETA 95-0244-2550, 1995 Dec; :1-30

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/1995-0244-2550.pdf

00231089

In response to a confidential employee request, an evaluation was begun into exposure to contaminants during scrap aluminum recycling operations at the Arkansas Aluminum Alloy, Inc. (SIC-3341), Hot Springs, Arkansas. The health problems noted included nausea, dizziness, and tingling in the fingers at the furnace and product stacking stations. The facility was a secondary aluminum smelter which employed about 165 workers. Full shift and activity specific personal breathing zone air sampling was conducted. Personal air monitoring did not show an inhalation exposure hazard for the workers during the period studied. Improved work practices over the past including engineering enhancements through the use of additional ventilation had also served to reduce metal dust and fume concentrations. There were heat overloads at the furnaces, but these were based on continuous work at these monitoring stations. It was deemed unlikely that workers remained at these stations for 60 continuous minutes. There was a high level of attention given to safety and health by management and employees. The authors conclude that exposures to contaminants were below the relevant criteria at the time of this study; however, excessive heat loads were measured at some locations. The authors recommend specific measures to improve the heat stress management at the site and to provide respiratory protection for the workers.

NIOSH-Author; NIOSH-Health-Hazard-Evaluation; NIOSH-Technical-Assistance-Report; Region-6; Hazard-Unconfirmed; Aluminum-industry; Metal-dusts; Metal-fumes; Metallurgical-processes; Smelters; Heat-stress; Author Keywords: Secondary smelting and refining of nonferrous metals; heat stress; WBGT; aluminum; carbon monoxide; metal fume; nausea

19951201

Field Studies; Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance

1996

PB96-210067

A03

HETA-95-0244-2550

DSHEFS

3341

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

AR; OH