Inspection Detail

Inspection: 104201686 - Wci - Laundry Div./Jefferson, Ia

Inspection Information - Office: Iowa 0751910

Investigation Summary

EIGHT MACHINE OPERATORS WERE GRINDING, THREADING AND TAPPING HOLES FOR WASHING MACHINE PARTS IN MACHINE AND ASSEMBLY DEPARTMENTS A, B AND D. THE MACHINES THE EMPLOYEES WERE OPERATING INCLUDED: CINCINNATI MILICRON CENTERLESS GRINDERS, AUTOMATIC SCREW MACHINES AND MULTI-HEAD DRILLS. THE MACHINED PARTS ARE FLOODED WITH CUTTING OIL (MINERAL SPIRITS). THE TRADENAME "HOCUT 757" IS A TYPICALLY USED CUTTING OIL. IT CONTAINS P-CHLORO M-CRESOL AS A BIOCIDE. AT THE POINT OF USE (20:1 DILUTION), A 0.1% TO 0.5% OIL MIST IS GENERATED. CONCENTRATIONS OF 2.1 MG/M3, 1.2MG/M3 AND 1.8 MG/M3 ARE GENERATED AT THE CENTERLESS GRINDERS DUE TO THE SHEARING ACTION OF THE HIGH SPEED (1250 PPM) GRINDING STONES. FOUR EMPLOYEES EXPERIENCED RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS SUCH AS COUGHING, PHLEGM, SORE THROAT, TIGHTNESS OF CHEST AND BRONCHITIS. ONE OF THESE EMPLOYEES EXPERIENCED VASCULAR PROBLEMS SUCH AS TACHYCARDIA AND VENTRICULAR ARRYTHMIA. FOUR OTHER EMPLOYEES CONTRACTED DERMATITIS. THE PROBLEMS WERE CAUSED BY THE LACK OF SPLASH GUARDS AND THE FAILURE TO USE MIST ELIMINATION PROCEDURES.

Keywords: THREADING MACHINE, DERMATITIS, WORK RULES, INHALATION, RESPIRATORY TRACT, CHEMICAL VAPOR, TOXIC FUMES, GRINDING MACHINE, UNGUARDED, COUGH