Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: CHEMICAL

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to Heat Stress: (a) Plant 4, F-270 Mixer Area - A compounder employee was exposed to excessive heat from the clean out operations conducted in the F-270 Mixer Hopper. The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) was found to be 24.5 degrees Celsius (C). This was 1.408 times the Threshold Limit Value (TLV) found in the American Conference of Governmental Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances and Physical Agents and Biological Exposure Indices, 1992-1993. The sample was taken inside the Mixer Chamber where the employee was conducting cleaning activities for approximately 135 minutes, on or about August 11, 1993. (b) Plant 4, F-270 Mixer Area - A Mill Room Service employee was exposed to excessive heat from the clean out operations conducted in the F-270 Mixer Gate. The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) was found to be 22.9 degrees Celsius (C). This was 1.316 times the Threshold Limit Value (TLV) found in the American Conference of Governmental Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances and Physical Agents and Biological Exposure Indices, 1992-1993. The sample was taken inside the Mixer Gate area where the employee was conducting cleaning activities for approximately 46 minutes, on or about August 11, 1993. (c) Plant 4, F-270 Mixer Area - A clean-out employee was exposed to excessive heat from the clean out operations conducted in the F-270 Mixer Gate. The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) was found to be 23.4 degrees Celsius (C). This was 1.342 times the Threshold Limit Value (TLV) found in the American Conference of Governmental Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances and Physical Agents and Biological Exposure Indices, 1992-1993. The sample was taken inside the Mixer Chamber where the employee was conducted cleaning activities for approximately 135 minutes, on or about August 11, 1993. FEASIBLE ENGINEERING CONTROLS MAY INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: 1. Institute a "Work-Rest" Regiment to allow employees time to recover from heat stress conditions. A Permissible Work - Rest Regimen may be as follows: ACTIVITY PERMISSIBLE WBGT Continuous Work 16.5 0 Celsius - 61.7 0 Fahrenheit 75Work 25Rest 17.4 0 Celsius - 63.3 0 Fahrenheit 50Work 50Rest 19.4 0 Celsius - 66.9 0 Fahrenheit 25Work 75Rest 21.5 0 Celsius - 70.7 0 Fahrenheit 2. Provide and require employee wear of air-supplied respirator systems while in F-270 mixer. 3. Provide and require employee wear of cooling vests or jackets while in the F-270 Mixer.