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Evaluation of Skin and Respiratory Symptoms among Employees with Exposure to Metals, Metalworking Fluids, and Noise at an Orthopedic Implant Manufacturer
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2015/07/01
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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 2013-0033-3238, 2015 Jul
[PDF-1.41 MB]
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Description:The Health Hazard Evaluation Program received a request from employees who were concerned about exposures to metalworking fluid mists, and metals at an orthopedic implant manufacturer. Our 2013 evaluation was in one building where 26 employees manufactured cobalt chromium femoral implants, titanium femoral stem implants, and plastic patellar implants. All employees were required to wear safety glasses and steel-toe boots
use of company-issued coveralls, earplugs, protective gloves, and respirators was optional and varied by department. We observed work practices, measured noise levels, tested for metals and metalworking fluid mist, reviewed sampling records and written policies and procedures, collected urine from employees to check their cobalt and chromium levels, and surveyed employees about their health and work-related symptoms. We measured an overexposure to cobalt before the local exhaust ventilation system was improved. The improvements helped lower airborne cobalt levels. One air sample for hexavalent chromium was more than half the NIOSH REL. Cobalt and chromium levels in employee urine samples were low. Some surfaces in the break room were contaminated with cobalt, chromium, and aluminum. Noise exposures were above the OSHA and NIOSH limits. Air sample concentrations for metalworking fluids were low. We recommended the company improve engineering controls for protection from metals and noise exposures, start a hearing conservation program, improve employee training, and conduct medical evaluations for employees with persistent work-related symptoms. We also recommended the company stop employees from using compressed air to clean work clothing, stop using latex gloves, require nitrile glove use when skin contact with metalworking fluids or metal dust is possible, and encourage employees to report potential work-related health conditions to their supervisor.
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Pages in Document:46 pdf pages
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Contributor:Booher, Donald E.;Feldmann, Karl D.;Galloway, Ellen;MacKenzie, Barbara;Watts, Shawna;
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NIOSHTIC Number:nn:20046492
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NTIS Accession Number:PB2015-105628
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Citation:NIOSH [2015]. Health hazard evaluation report: evaluation of skin and respiratory;symptoms among employees with exposure to metals, metalworking fluids, and noise;at an orthopedic implant manufacturer. By Beaucham C, Tapp L, Mueller C, Oza A.;Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease;Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, NIOSH;HHE Report No. 2013-0033-3238,;
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Federal Fiscal Year:2015
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Peer Reviewed:False
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