Freudenberg-NOK, High Quality Plastics Division, Findlay, Ohio
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NIOSH HEALTH HAZARD EVALUATION REPORT HETA #2003-0351-2972 Freudenberg-NOK High Quality Plastics Division Findlay, Ohio June 2005 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health PREFACE The Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance Branch (HETAB) of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducts field investigations of possible health hazards in the workplace. These investigations are conducted under the authority of Section 20(a)(6) of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) Act of 1970, 29 U.S.C. 669(a)(6) which authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services, following a written request from any employers or authorized representative of employees, to determine whether any substance normally found in the place of employment has potentially toxic effects in such concentrations as used or found. HETAB also provides, upon request, technical and consultative assistance to federal, state, and local agencies; labor; industry; and other groups or individuals to control occupational health hazards and to prevent related trauma and disease. Mention of company names or products does not constitute endorsement by NIOSH. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND AVAILABILITY OF REPORT This report was prepared by Gregory Burr, Daniel Habes, and Richard Driscoll of HETAB, Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies (DSHEFS). The industrial hygiene field investigation was conducted by Ann Krake of HETAB. Analytical support was provided by Data Chem. Desktop publishing was performed by Robin Smith, and editorial assistance was provided by Ellen Galloway. Copies of this report have been sent to employee and management representatives at Freudenberg-NOK and the OSHA Regional Office. This report is not copyrighted and may be freely reproduced. The report may be viewed and printed from the following internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe. Single copies of this report will be available for a period of three years from the date of this report. To expedite your request, include a self-addressed mailing label along with your written request to: NIOSH Publications Office 4676 Columbia Parkway Cincinnati, Ohio 45226 800-356-4674 After this time, copies may be purchased from the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) at 5825 Port Royal Road, Springfield, Virginia 22161. Information regarding the NTIS stock number may be obtained from the NIOSH Publications Office at the Cincinnati address. For the purpose of informing affected employees, copies of this report shall be posted by the employer in a prominent place accessible to the employees for a period of 30 calendar days. ii Highlights of Health Hazard Evaluation Highlights of the NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) Evaluation of Ring Seals In August 2003 the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a confidential HHE request from employees at Freudenberg-NOK G.P., High Quality Plastics Division (HQP) Findlay, Ohio. They were concerned about potential exposure to airborne particles and fumes from the manufacturing of thermoplastic and polytetrafluroethylene (PTFE) ring seals. Some workers were experiencing non-specific respiratory symptoms and itchy skin. What NIOSH Did Some workers reported muscle fatigue in the arms and low back from lifting heavy loads into We took air samples for chemicals that may be the ovens. present in Teflon® fumes. We saw some physically demanding work that We took samples for glass fibers, metals, and may be improved by redesigning parts containers respirable dust. and handles. We spoke to workers who asked to be interviewed about their health concerns and their What High Quality Plastics work area. Managers Can Do We looked at employee injury and illness records. Redesign the mandrel containers so a full one We observed work practices for ergonomic weighs less than 25 pounds. problems. Redesign the handle on the mandrel containers. We suggest slightly oval-shaped handles about 2 What NIOSH Found inches in diameter and 4 to 6 inches in length. Provide more vacuums to clean machinery and We did not find any overexposures to chemicals discourage the use of compressed air. that may be present in Teflon fumes. Check how well the existing vacuums capture We measured very low levels of metals and dust, and replace with better vacuums or higher respirable dust. efficiency air filters if necessary. Most workers we spoke with did not have symptoms they associated with working What the High Quality Plastics conditions at HQP. Some interviewed workers complained of dry Employees Can Do itchy skin they associated with exposure to fibrous glass in the plastic mix. Do not use compressed air to clean machinery. Instead, use a vacuum. What To Do For More Information: We encourage you to read the full report. If you would like a copy, either ask your health and safety representative to make you a copy or call 1-513-841-4252 and ask for HETA Report #2003-0351-2972 iii Health Hazard Evaluation Report 2003-0351-2972 Freudenberg-NOK High Quality Plastics Division, Findlay, Ohio June 2005 Gregory Burr, CIH Daniel Habes, MSE, CPE Richard Driscoll, PhD, MPH Ann Krake, MS SUMMARY In August 2003 the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a confidential request for a health hazard evaluation (HHE) from employees at Freudenberg-NOK G.P., High Quality Plastics Division (HQP) in Findlay, Ohio. Employees were concerned with potential exposure to airborne particles and fumes created during the manufacture of polytetrafluroethylene (PTFE, Teflon®) and thermoplastic rotating ring seals. The initial request noted that workers were experiencing non-specific respiratory symptoms, itchy skin, and “oven fever” (presumably from exposure to PTFE fumes generated during the manufacturing process). In subsequent conversations with the requesters concerns involving heavy lifting and repetitive movement were also mentioned. Personal breathing zone (PBZ) and general area (GA) sampling was performed for hydrogen fluoride, carbonyl fluoride, glass fibers, elements (cobalt, zirconium, tin, and chromium), and respirable particulate. PBZ and GA air samples were collected from Work Cells 1, 3, 3N, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 10. Workers who requested to speak with NIOSH representatives were interviewed to determine the extent and severity of their health concerns. We also reviewed Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) Illness and Injury logs for the years 1999-2003. The ergonomics evaluation consisted of a walk through of the plant to view the variety of job tasks workers perform to produce PTFE and thermoplastic seals, subassembly systems, and plastic mating components. No overexposures to fibrous glass, gaseous and particulate fluorides, respirable dust, or metals were found, based on PBZ and GA air samples collected on the days of this evaluation. Most interviewed workers did not have symptoms they attributed to working conditions at HQP. However, some interviewed workers complained of dry, itchy skin that they associated with exposure to fibrous glass in the plastic mix, and three workers reported muscle fatigue in the arms and low back from lifting heavy loads into the ovens. We observed some physically demanding work that may be improved by redesigning parts containers and handles. NIOSH investigators conclude that a health hazard does not exist at this facility. However, some work is physically demanding and improvements can be made to the containers used to handle the mandrels. Recommendations have been provided to redesign a container used to transport mandrels around the plant. iv Keywords: SIC 3053/NAICS 339991 (Gaskets, Packing, and Sealing Devices, Manufacturing), Teflon®, PTFE, polymer fume fever, glass fiber, hydrogen fluoride, carbonyl fluoride, cobalt, zirconium, tin, chromium, respirable particulate, ergonomics. v Table of Contents Preface..........................................................................................................................................................ii Acknowledgments and Availability of Report..........................................................................................ii Highlights of Health Hazard Evaluation .................................................................................................iii Summary.....................................................................................................................................................iv Introduction.................................................................................................................................................1 Background .................................................................................................................................................1 Facility Description.................................................................................................................................1 Methods........................................................................................................................................................1 Industrial Hygiene ..................................................................................................................................1 Epidemiology...........................................................................................................................................1 Ergonomics ..............................................................................................................................................2