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Evaluation of Metal and Noise Exposures at an Aircraft Powerplant Parts Manufacturer

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Evaluation of Metal and Noise Exposures at an Aircraft Powerplant Parts Manufacturer Evaluation of Metal and Noise Exposures at an Aircraft Powerplant Parts Manufacturer HHE Report No. 2018-0001-3349 April 2019 Authors: Karl D. Feldmann, MS, CIH David A. Jackson, MD Analytical Support: Jennifer Roberts, Maxxam Analytics Desktop Publisher: Jennifer Tyrawski Editor: Cheryl Hamilton Industrial Hygiene Field Assistance: Scott Brueck, Jessica Li, Kevin Moore Logistics: Donnie Booher, Kevin Moore, Mihir Patel Medical Field Assistance: Deborah Sammons, Miriam Siegel Statistical Support: Miriam Siegel Keywords: North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code 336412 (Aircraft Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing), Oregon, Welding, Tungsten Inert Gas, TIG Welding, Inconel, Stainless Steel, Chromium, Hexavalent Chromium, Hex Chrome, Chrome Six, Chrome 6, Chrome IV, Crvi, Cr(VI), Nickel, Cobalt, Biomonitoring, BEI, Noise Disclaimer The Health Hazard Evaluation Program investigates possible health hazards in the workplace under the authority of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 [29 USC 669a(6)]. The Health Hazard Evaluation Program also provides, upon request, technical assistance to federal, state, and local agencies to investigate occupational health hazards and to prevent occupational disease or injury. Regulations guiding the Program can be found in Title 42, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 85; Requests for Health Hazard Evaluations [42 CFR Part 85]. Availability of Report Copies of this report have been sent to the employer and employee representative at the facility. The state and local health department and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Regional Office have also received a copy. This report is not copyrighted and may be freely reproduced. Recommended Citation NIOSH [2019]. Evaluation of metal and noise exposures at an aircraft powerplant parts manufacturer. By Feldmann KD, Jackson DA. 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 2018-0001-3349, https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/2018-0001-3349.pdf. Table of Contents Main Report Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................... 1 Our Approach ................................................................................................................................................... 1 Our Key Findings .............................................................................................................................................. 1 Our Recommendations .................................................................................................................................... 3 Supporting Technical Information Section A: Workplace Information ............................................................................................................ A-1 Site Information ....................................................................................................................................... A-1 Employee Information ............................................................................................................................ A-1 Process Description ................................................................................................................................. A-1 Section B: Methods, Results, and Discussion .......................................................................................... B-1 Methods: Health and Safety Program and Document Review .......................................................... B-1 Results: Health and Safety Program and Document Review ............................................................. B-1 Methods: Observations of Work Processes, Practices, and Conditions .......................................... B-2 Methods: Exposure Assessment ............................................................................................................ B-4 Results: Exposure Assessment ............................................................................................................... B-5 Methods: Employee Health Assessment and Biomonitoring ............................................................ B-6 Results: Employee Health Assessment and Biomonitoring ............................................................... B-7 Discussion ............................................................................................................................................... B-10 Limitations ............................................................................................................................................... B-13 Conclusions ............................................................................................................................................. B-14 Section C: Tables .......................................................................................................................................... C-1 Section D: Occupational Exposure Limits ............................................................................................... D-1 Chromium and Hexavalent Chromium ............................................................................................... D-2 Cobalt ........................................................................................................................................................ D-3 Nickel ........................................................................................................................................................ D-4 Noise ......................................................................................................................................................... D-4 Welding Fumes ........................................................................................................................................ D-6 Section E: References .................................................................................................................................. E-1 This page left intentionally blank Introduction Request We received a request from welders at an aircraft powerplant parts manufacturing facility concerned about their exposures to chromium, hexavalent chromium, and nickel. In addition, noise levels in the welding area were potentially above noise exposure limits. Workplace The facility consisted of two buildings with three dedicated welding areas. We observed a total of 21 welders and 8 welding supervisors working at the time of our first visit. We observed 16 welders and 10 welding supervisors working at the time of our second visit. Welders used tungsten inert gas welding to patch and repair aircraft powerplant parts after casting. The welders occasionally used small, air-powered belt grinders to smooth surfaces on welded parts. The welders reported that the amount of work performed in the facility during our second visit was less than typically expected. To learn more about the workplace, go to Section A in the Supporting Technical Information Our Approach We visited the facility twice to learn more about health concerns and to measure exposures. On our site visits, we completed the following activities: • Reviewed facility health and safety programs and documents. • Observed work processes, work practices, and workplace conditions. • Measured employee exposures to both airborne metals and noise. • Held confidential medical interviews, administered medical questionnaires, performed nasal examinations, and tested urine for nickel, chromium, and cobalt. To learn more about our methods, go to Section B in the Supporting Technical Information Our Key Findings One employee was exposed to airborne nickel levels above an established occupational exposure limit • One welder was exposed to airborne nickel levels above the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommended exposure limit on a day we monitored. No other employees evaluated were exposed to airborne nickel levels above occupational exposure limits. 1 • Four welders and one welding supervisor had urine nickel levels above the normal general population level. • All employees who participated in personal air sampling were exposed to low levels of airborne chromium, hexavalent chromium, and cobalt. None of these results were at or above the lowest occupational exposure limit. • One welder had a urine cobalt level that was above the normal general population range. • Welding booths were not equipped with local exhaust ventilation (LEV). Mobile LEV units were available; however, welders reported receiving no training on their use. • Several work practices, such as using compressed air or dry sweeping for cleaning and inconsistent hand washing before eating, drinking, or leaving work, may have contributed to these exposures. • Welders and welding supervisors were not enrolled in the respiratory protection program. Employees were exposed to noise levels above the NIOSH recommended exposure limit • All five welders evaluated were exposed to noise levels above the NIOSH recommended exposure limit on at least one of the days of monitoring. • Two welders evaluated were exposed to noise levels above the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) action level for noise, but no welders were exposed to noise levels above the OSHA permissible exposure limit. • One of three welding supervisors evaluated was exposed
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