Mercury control technology assessment study: wiring devices of Puerto Rico, Ponce, Puerto Rico. In-depth survey report for the site visit of March 16-18, 1982. Final report

Technical Report · Thu Sep 09 00:00:00 EDT 1982

OSTI ID:6409602

An on-site visit was made to the Wiring Devices of Puerto Rico Corporation, Ponce, Puerto Rico to evaluate control measures in force to reduce exposures during mercury filling operations, as part of the production of mercury buttons. The mercury vapor concentration was reduced significantly over the years through the application of almost every major method of mercury control. The mercury button filling operation was isolated, a local exhaust ventilation system added to the manufacturing equipment, and work practices were established. A description is given of the local exhaust ventilation, welding-machine exhaust, conditioner enclosure, leak-detection hood, mercury storage containers, mercury vacuum cleaner, floor coating, and general-containment methods in operation. Personal protective equipment, work practices, and biological and air-contaminant monitoring systems were discussed. Other items reviewed included the medical and training programs offered by the company. Exposures could be reduced further if workers adhered more strictly to work practices and changed their disposable clothes more often. The investigators conclude that this facility is a good example of where a problem of mercury exposure existed and was handled correctly.

• Research Organization: Dynamac Corp., Rockville, MD (USA). Enviro Control Div.
• OSTI ID: 6409602
• Report Number(s): PB-89-130249/XAB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS//MATHEMATICS, COMPUTING, AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
MERCURY
AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
INSPECTION
MONITORS
PROGRESS REPORT
SAFETY ENGINEERING
VENTILATION
DOCUMENT TYPES
ELEMENTS
ENGINEERING
MATERIALS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
METALS
SAFETY
500200* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
552000 - Public Health