Workers Safe from Airborne Contaminants
Issue: Tennalum Rod and Bar Group in Jackson, Tennessee needed documentation on employee exposures to airborne contaminants including dust and various metal particulates. The manufacturing process produces particulates and employees have the potential for airborne exposures. Tennalum needed to know if existing engineering controls were adequate to protect the health of their workers.
Approach: Pickering developed a sampling plan to assess worker exposure over the course of a 48-hour period. Using a combination of area and personnel sampling devices Pickering was able to assure the efficacy of facility airborne pollutant controls.
Task: Specific project components included:
- Sampling was conducted on all of Tennalum's work shifts
- Sampling equipment monitored total dust, respirable dust, aluminum and lead
- Samples were taken in "worst case" locations
- Personnel sampling was conducted on hand selected individuals that worked throughout the plant
- A review and assessment of laboratory results was performed to include facility environmental conditions
Results: Analytical results showed that even in worst case area sampling locations, concentrations of airborne pollutants were below regulatory thresholds, providing Tennalum with the piece of mind that engineering controls were protecting their employees.