Health-hazard evaluation report MHETA 89-009-1990, Consolidation Coal Company, Humphrey No. 7 Mine, Pentress, West Virginia

Technical Report · Fri Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1989

OSTI ID:7181731

Kullman, G J

An evaluation was made of worker exposure to hydraulic fluid used on the longwall-mining operations at Consolidated Coal Company's Humphrey Number 7 Mine, Pentress, West Virginia. Employees were complaining of headache, eye and throat irritation, congestion, and cough. A particular emulsion oil, Solcenic-3A, was used with water in the mine's hydraulic roof-support system. An analysis of the oil indicated the presence of methyl-isobutyl-carbinol (MIBC), dipropylene glycol, and paraffin hydrocarbons. Personal breathing-zone samples for MIBC were collected from all workers on the longwall mining operation during the two days of the visit. All the analysis indicated concentrations of MIBC below the limit of quantification, which was 0.6 parts per million for an 8 hour sample. These levels were well below the exposure recommendations of the Mine Safety and Health Administration. Exposure to MIBC may be occurring through skin contact with oil through hydraulic line leaks, accidents, and maintenance activity on the hydraulic machines. The report concludes that Solcenic-3A oil constituents in air did not pose a health hazard at the time of the survey.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7181731
• Report Number(s): PB-90-179284/XAB; MHETA--89-009-1990
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
012033 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Underground Mining-- Mine Environment-- (1987-)
016000* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Health & Safety
COAL MINES
EQUIPMENT
FLUIDS
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HYDRAULIC FLUIDS
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
INSPECTION
LONGWALL MINING
MATERIALS
MEDICINE
MINERS
MINES
MINING
MINING EQUIPMENT
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
ORGANIC SOLVENTS
PERSONNEL
SAFETY
SOLVENTS
TOXIC MATERIALS
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
UNDERGROUND MINING
WORKING FLUIDS