Walk-Through Survey Report, Central Brass Manufacturing Company, Cleveland, Ohio, March 20, 1987

摘要

In order to evaluate controls used to reduce or eliminate worker exposures to lead (7439921), a survey was undertaken at the nonferrous foundry, Central Brass Manufacturing Company (SIC-3432), Cleveland, Ohio. After a review of the exposure and blood lead monitoring data, along with interviews with management and union officials and a tour of the facility, the investigators conclude that there is evidence to support excessive exposures to workplace lead at the time of compensation claims made early in 1985. Since that time the company has taken steps to reduce these exposures. Some engineering controls had been installed in October of 1984, including portable flexible duct local exhaust hoods, side draft local exhaust systems and traveling hoods. Improvements or replacements were also made to existing equipment including doubling the ventilation capacity of the exhaust system on polishing equipment and replacing local exhaust hoods on all grinding machines. All new employees receive a complete physical examination including audiometry, pulmonary function test, and blood lead screening. The frequency of subsequent blood lead monitoring was based on the previous blood levels. The respiratory protection program seemed generally adequate. With the improvements which have been made, a correlation between the decline in ambient lead and blood lead levels was noted.