Health hazard evaluation report HETA-95-0393-2633, Clinch River Power Plant, Cleveland, Virginia
In response to a request fromm the Building and Construction Trades Department oof the AFL-CIO, an investigation was begun into possible exposures during rebuilding of coal fired boilers at the Clinch River Power Plant (SIC-4911), Cleveland, Virginia. During the sampling period, boilermakers removed secondary inlet and secondary outlet boiler elements and removed and replaced portions of the steel boiler casting, exposing them to fly ash and fumes from air arc gouging, welding, and torch cutting. Laborers maintained the walkways and prepared work areas using sweeping and vacuuming techniques, primarily exposing them to fly ash. The highest personal breathing zone (PBZ) air sample concentrations of arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, nickel, lead, and respirable dust occurred when boilermakers performed job tasks inside the boiler and outside the boiler on the steel boiler casing. Air arc gouging, welding, oxyacetylene torch cutting, or grinding on or near the scale greatly increased the potential for the generation of airborne particles. Cristobalite was found in one PBZ sampel at 0.03mg/m3. The author concludes that there appears to be a potential for a health hazard at job sites where similar activities take place. The author recommends lowering worker exposures through the use of engineering controls and improvements in housekeeping procedures.
- Research Organization:
- National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 538817
- Report Number(s):
- PB--97-196968/XAB; HETA--95-0393-2633
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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