Comprehensive Report

I’m currently the entry level safety consultant of Be Safe Consulting, Inc. (BSCI). Recently, BSCI has been contracted by Acme Manufacturing Co. to conduct a study to determine employee exposures to various particulates and gases. In addition to determining the exposures to particulates and gases, BSCI has also been contracted to determine if the current ventilation systems that are in place are adequate to protect employees from an over exposure to these chemicals. As the entry level safety consultant, I report directly to Bob Sanders the supervising Certified Safety Professional (CSP). I was directed to conduct a field assessment of the welding room, hazardous material storage room and foundry room. Upon my completion of the field assessment, I’ll prepare a written report for Bob Sanders to prepare a final comprehensive report for the Board of Directors.

Report details

Welding Room

The company has six welding booths, or areas that are partitioned only for the use of welding curtains. The booth is open to mixing in the front and top. The company is concerned about the welder's exposure to iron oxide (PEL 10 mg/m³). It is important to know that for a valid sample, you must have a minimum of six hours of sampling (The remaining two hours of the work day is considered to be equal to or less than the sampled exposure. The calculations for the employees were as followed:

Booth 1. Anne Welding -3.2mg/m3 for 9 hours

Booth 2. Frank Worldly-2.7mg/m3 for 9 hours

Booth 3. Jim Young-1.37mg/m3 for 8 hours

Booth 4. Betty Johnson-11.6 mg/m3 for 6 hours

Booth 5. Jack Jones-10.08 mg/m3 for 7.98 hours

Booth 6. Joey Apperton-3.83 mg/m3 for 4.85 hours

Minutes were converted to hours and numbers were rounded. Calculations are as followed:

Booth 1

TWA = (4.3) (2.5) + (3.7) (2.5) + (2.2) (4.0) / 9

TWA = 10.75 + 9.25 + 8.8 / 9

TWA=28.8/9

TWA = 3.2 mg/m³

Booth 2

TWA= (2.1) (3)+(2.8) (2)+(3.1) (4)/9

TWA= 6.3+5.6+12.4/9

TWA=24.3/9

TWA=2.7 mg/m³

Booth 3

TWA= (1.7) (3.42)+(1.25) (2.08)+(1.03) (2.5)/8

TWA= 5.81+2.6+2.57/8

TWA=10.98/8

TWA=1.37 mg/m³

Booth 4

TWA= (12.8) (2.75)+(11.2) (1.2)+(9.8) (2.05)/6

TWA= 35.2+13.44+20.09/6

TWA= 69.6/6

TWA=11.6 mg/m³

Booth 5

TWA= (7.8) (3.17)+(14.2) (2.48)+(8.8) (2.33)/7.98

TWA= 24.73+35.22+20.5/7.98

TWA= 80.45/7.98

TWA=10.08 mg/m³

Booth 6

TWA = (3.9) (2.58) + (4.6) (1.5) + (2.1) (.77) / 4.85

TWA = 10.06 + 6.9 + 1.62/ 4.85

TWA= 1858/4.85

TWA = 3.83 mg/m³

All of the samples were valid with the exception of Joey Apperton at booth 6. Booth six had a sample reading of 1.78mg/m3, but it was only for 4.85 hours. There must be a minimum of six-hour testing in order to collect a valid sample. There were two employees exposed to iron oxide over (PEL 10 mg/m³). Betty Johnson at booth four had a reading of 11.6 mg/m3. Though the reading was over the required PEL, she wasn’t exposed for an 8-hour workday. Jack Jones at booth five had a reading of 10.08 mg/m3 for 7.98 hours. Though the reading was over the required PEL, he wasn’t exposed for an 8-hour.

After taking the air samples for employee exposures to iron oxide, then measuring and calculating the performance of the local exhaust ventilation. I took a look at the lowest sample readings and determined what they had in common. Booth 1 had a reading of 3.2mg/m3 for 9 hours, Booth 2 had a reading of 2.7mg/m3 for 9 hours, and Booth 3 has a reading of 1.37 mg/m³. Recommendation would be to increasing duct size.

Hazardous Materials Storage Area

After evaluating hazardous materials storage area, it was determined that the area has adequate ventilation and meets the requirements of Acme's insurance carrier. The hazardous materials storage area has a 12.12 air changes per hour. The Acme's insurance carrier requires that they have a minimum of 12 air changes per hour. Calculations are as followed:

22x30x14=9240ft3

874+993=1867

60x1867=112,020

112,020/9240=12.12 air changes per hour

Foundry Room

My recommendation for a new type of exhaust system would be the Enclosure Hood. The enclosure hood removes odors, vapors, dust as it forces contaminants in the opposite direction away from the worker.