Health-hazard evaluation report HETA 87-232-1948, Consolidated Freightways, Pocono Summit, Pennsylvania

Technical Report · Wed Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:5721105

Blade, L M; Savery, H

A study was made of possible hazardous working conditions at Consolidated Freightways, Pocono Summit, Pennsylvania. The request concerned potential exposure of dock workers to exhaust emissions from diesel-powered forklift trucks brought about by the health complaints of several of the workers there. Twenty-one workers were identified as symptomatic of exposure to diesel exhaust fumes. This included at least half of the midnight shift. Upper respiratory tract irritation was mentioned by all of these workers. Some reported eye irritation, cough productive of black-tinged sputum, and sore throat. These symptoms lessened during periods away from work. Airborne concentrations of all components measured at the site were well below the applicable exposure limits. A potential health hazard associated with exposure to diesel engine exhaust existed. The authors recommend that whenever a forklift truck is to be left unattended for more than the shortest of periods, the motor should be turned off. The newer forklifts should be used on a shift before the older, less emission controlled, lifts. Roof exhaust fans ordered are to be installed at the facility and their effectiveness evaluated.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5721105
• Report Number(s): PB-89-200984/XAB; HETA--87-232-1948
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
552000 -- Public Health
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
AIR POLLUTION
AIR QUALITY
DIESEL ENGINES
ENGINES
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
EQUIPMENT
EXHAUST GASES
FLUIDS
GASEOUS WASTES
GASES
HAULAGE EQUIPMENT
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
HEAT ENGINES
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
INSPECTION
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
MATERIALS
MATERIALS HANDLING EQUIPMENT
MEDICINE
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
POLLUTION
RECOMMENDATIONS
SURVEYS
TERMINAL FACILITIES
TOXIC MATERIALS
TOXICITY
VENTILATION
WASTES