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Evaluation of Occupational Exposures and Indoor Environmental Quality in an Underground Cavern Workplace (superseded)
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2023/08/01
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Source: 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, HHE 2018-0181-3389, 2023 Aug; :1-40
[PDF-1.45 MB]
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Description:This document has been superseded and the new version can be found here. An employer representative of a warehouse facility, located in a former underground limestone quarry, requested a health hazard evaluation concerning employees' exposures to carbon monoxide, wood dust and other airborne particles, noise, and radon. During our visits, we (1) observed work processes, practices, and workplace conditions, and spoke with employees; (2) measured carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, temperature, and relative humidity, and radon; (3) collected air samples for wood dust, other airborne particles, and noise; (4) used tracer gas to measure the air exchange rate in the workspace; (5) took sound level measurements when powered woodworking equipment and tools were used; and (6) measured illumination levels at various locations throughout the space. We found employees' noise exposures in the woodshop exceeded the NIOSH recommended exposure limit due to noise generated during the use of powered woodworking equipment. Wood dust exposures in the woodshop could exceed occupational exposure limits depending on how much time woodworking equipment was used. Carbon monoxide and radon levels were well below occupational exposure limits. The air exchange was very low as the warehouse as there was not a mechanical ventilation system to bring outdoor air into workspace. Temperature and relative humidity levels were within ASHRAE guidelines. Our measurements indicated that illumination could be improved in some areas of the workspace. We recommended including woodshop employees in a hearing loss prevention program, which includes audiometric testing, proper hearing protection use, and employee training; improving wood dust capture at the saws; increasing lighting in various areas of the workspace; and adding a portable toilet, handwashing station, emergency eyewash, and drinking water within the work area.
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Pages in Document:40 pdf pages
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Contributor:Booher, Donald E.;Hamilton, Cheryl;Moore, Kevin;Roberts, Jenniefer;Watts, Shawna;
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NIOSHTIC Number:20068482
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Citation:NIOSH [2023]. Evaluation of occupational exposures and indoor environmental quality in an;underground cavern workplace. By Brueck SE, Hammond DR, Zwack LM, Hatcher S. Cincinnati,;OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,;National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Health Hazard Evaluation Report 2018-0181-3389,;
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Federal Fiscal Year:2023
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Peer Reviewed:False
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Resource Number:HHE-2018-0181-3389
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