A company specialising in production of magnetic components for car and aerospace industry has asked me to evaluate their employees’ exposures to various industrial contaminants such as oil mist some specialised acids and toxic volatiles. In addition to these relatively common contaminates I have also asses the microbiological contamination of metal working fluids.
The company employs 6 operatives using metal working lathes to process metal components. The machines are cooled with water based metal working fluids of various compositions. The metal working machinery is ether fully open or martially enclosed with a shield. I have evaluated the metal working operatives’ exposure in accordance with MDHS 84 & 95/2 and concluded that none of the operatives was exposed to significant amount of oil or water based aerosols. However the assessment of water cooling liquids for microbiological contamination showed significantly elevated levels of total bacteria and potentially pathogenic Pseudomonas bacterium. Following the test a clean of the system and fluid treatment was strongly recommended.
Another group of operatives was working in resign/epoxy areas fixing various magnetic and metal components. The resin used in this particular setting contained high levels of amino-based compounds and therefore exposure assessment was required. The monitoring program was carried out in accordance with NIOSH 2010 method. Thorough monitoring program of a significant proportion of operatives confirmed that the exposure levels were very low mainly due to high efficiency extraction and administrative controls.
Another potentially problematic area was soldering workshop. The operatives working in this area carried out assembly of small components using various resins and lead free soldering. The main hazardous component were Solder flux, methacrylic acid and butanone oxime released during application and curing of the resign and soldering. The assessment shows that the existing extraction systems was working to design specification. However the employees’ exposure to solder flux was significant. The reason for high level of exposure was in adequate use of the flexible arm extraction system. Based on the results of the soldering flux assessment a re-training program was recommend for the operatives.
We have provided out client with a thorough an comprehensive assessment of his employees exposure to hazardous substances, identified several areas where improvements can be easily made. Our assessment has reduced the overall health risk to employees from exposure and ensure that the employer maintained his legislative compliance.
