Health hazard evaluation report HETA 85-538-1667, General Telephone Company, Sherman, Texas
Following an employee request, potential health problems among telephone cable splicers were investigated at the General Telephone Company Sherman, Texas. Information was collected on materials used, work procedures, and personal protective equipment employed. Materials of primary concern were petrolatum in the filled cable, petroleum distillates used as cable cleaner, and isocyanates in the two-part reenterable encapsulant. Personal air samples taken by OSHA during pouring operations with the encapsulant revealed no detectable isocyanate concentrations. Observation of a large splicing operation showed the head of the splicer was positioned over the top of the casing while pouring encapsulant components allowing potential exposure. Petrolatum was determined to be physiologically inert. Nine of 32 potentially exposed workers completed questionnaires. The most frequently reported symptoms were head congestion and headaches at work; 67% reported warts and 33% reported skin rashes. The author concludes that a health hazard to employees does not exist under normal operating conditions. Workers are advised not to use cable cleaner for personal cleanup. To avoid potential isocyanate sensitization, minimizing exposure, use of personal protective equipment, and good work practices are recommended. Cuts and abrasions among splicers may be implicated in wart formation.
- Research Organization:
- National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 5044216
- Report Number(s):
- PB-86-221645/XAB; HETA-85-538-1667
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS//MATHEMATICS, COMPUTING, AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
COMMUNICATIONS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
INSPECTION
NIOSH
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
TOXICITY
AIR POLLUTION
MATERIALS
MEDICINE
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
POLLUTION
SAFETY
US ORGANIZATIONS
500200* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
552000 - Public Health