Preliminary Survey Report: Control Technology for New Plastics Processes at Zefflamb Industries, Inc.: Fenton, Michigan

Details

• Personal Author:
  O'Brien, Dennis M.
• Description:
  A walk through survey of control technology for reducing exposures to isocyanates, petroleum naphtha (8030306), and polyurethane (9009545) dust at Zefflamb Industries, Incorporated (SIC-3079), Fenton, Michigan, was conducted. Engineering controls consisted of isolation and enclosure of the reaction injection molding process, exhaust ventilation of the isocyanate pumps and the oven, and dilution ventilation of the presses. There was no provision for makeup air in the ventilation system. Use of the mold release agent, petroleum naphtha, caused a visible fog that persisted in the facility. Resin or isocyanate spills were removed by using a clay absorbent. The facility did not perform routine air monitoring. Employees were given a preemployment physical by a local clinic that also provided first aid services to the facility. No routine physical examinations were given. The author notes that the company intends to install plastic curtains around the presses with exhaust ventilation to reduce the fog associated with the mold release agent. He concludes that isocyanate exposures are more likely to occur in brief, unplanned episodes than from normal process emissions. Recommendations include adding makeup air to the ventilation system and providing annual physical examinations. An in depth survey should be conducted. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Dermatitis Epoxy Resins Occupational Health Plastics Preceptorship Safety Skin
• Keywords:
  Autonomic-nervous-system Control-technology Dermatology Field-Study NIOSH-Author NIOSH-Survey Plasticizing Plastics-industry Region-5 Resins
• Series:
  Engineering and Physical Hazards Survey Reports
• Subseries:
  Workplace Survey Reports
• DOI:
  https://doi.org/10.26616/NIOSHECTB14811a
• Publisher:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Field Study ; Standards
• Place as Subject:
  Michigan ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DPSE - Division of Physical Sciences and Engineering
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  8 pdf pages
• Contributor:
  Todd, William F.
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:00145216
• NTIS Accession Number:
  PB85-220317
• Citation:
  Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, ECTB 148-11a, 1984 Feb; :1-7
• CAS Registry Number:
  Naphtha (CAS RN 8030-30-6)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  1984
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• NAICS and SIC Codes:
  3079 - Miscellaneous Plastics Products - (SIC)
• Source Full Name:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:76598858b5234e8f75ae8a83dd22d3df854d90dce2dfecc26bd690602da082ca6554b8dfaa4df70ec0c8ae65dc600a1d02a33c40cbcb63d21983eb8c46cfc5bd
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/182882/cdc_182882_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 268.26 KB ]