Acme Automotive Parts Case
Instructions
After your initial review of the operations and safety data sheets (SDS), you have determined the sampling you want to perform at Acme Automotive Parts (AAP). The table below lists hazards you want to sample and the sampling/analytical methods you decide to use. You can access the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) methods at https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nmam/default.html and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) methods at https://www.osha.gov/dts/sltc/methods/toc.html.
| Hazard | Possible Method | Occupational Exposure Limits (OEL) |
| Manganese Fume (Welding) | NIOSH 7302 | 5 mg/m3 (OSHA Ceiling) |
| Copper Fume (Welding) | NIOSH 7302 | 0.1 mg/m3 (OSHA 8-hour TWA) |
| Lead Fume (Welding) | NIOSH 7302 | 0.05 mg/m3 (OSHA 8-hour TWA) |
| 1,2,4 trimethylbenzene (Paint) | OSHA 1020 | 25 ppm (ACGIH 8-hour TWA TLV) |
| Toluene (Paint) | OSHA 111 | 50 ppm (ACGIH 8-hour TWA TLV) |
| Xylene (Paint) | OSHA 1002 | 100 ppm (OSHA 8-hour TWA) |
| Metal Working Fluids | NIOSH 5524 | 0.5 mg/m3 (NIOSH 10-hour TWA REL) |
| Noise (throughout plant) | None | 90 dBA (OSHA 8-hour TWA) |
Choose one hazard from the welding area, one hazard from the paint area, and the metal working fluids, and prepare one paragraph for each hazard (three paragraphs in total) answering each of the following questions:
1. Which sampling media will you be using?
2. What flow rate will you use?
3. How will you calibrate the sampling train?
4. Calculate the minimum sampling time you will require to be able to detect concentrations at the OELs listed in the table. Show your work in calculating the sampling times.
5. Will you collect personal or area samples? Explain why.
6. Are there any compounds listed in the method that might interfere with your sample?
7. Are there any special storage or shipment requirements for your samples?
Prepare one paragraph that concludes how you would evaluate noise exposures in the facility. Discuss what type of sampling instrument you would use, how you would perform calibration, whether you would use personal or area samples, and which areas at the facility you would include in the evaluation.
Your assignment must be a minimum of two pages in length, not including title or reference pages. Your assignment must use at least two references. One must be gathered from the CSU Online Library; the other may be your textbook. All references and in-text citations must be formatted according to APA standards.
Acme Automotive Parts Case Sample Answer
Three hazards selected are copper fume from welding, Toluene from paint, and metal working fluids.
Hazard 1: Copper Fume
Filter – MCE is presented by NIOSH and OSHA as the suitable sampling media for copper fluid and other metal fluids. When this method is used, air samples are collected on mixed cellulose ester filters using a calibrated sampling pump (NIOSH, 2014). The appropriate flow rate will be between 1 and 4 L/min as presented by NIOSH. With the flow rate of 2 liters per minute (L/min), the maximum sampling time of 8 hours or 480 minutes will be attained as per the guidelines of the Standard Operating Procedure. In calibrating the sampling train, I will use Jarless Cyclone Calibration Method, which is recommended by OSHA. This method involves three broad steps: connecting the sampling train, increasing the load, and adding the cyclone to the sampling train. Minimum sampling time is calculated as a minimum sample volume divided by the flow rate. With the maximum sample time of 480 minutes or 8 hours and flow rate ranging from 1L/min to 4L/min, the minimum sample volume will be 480 minutes multiplied by 1.
480 X 1 = 480 Liters
With the flow rate of 2L/min,
Minim sampling time will be:
480/2 =240 minutes or 4 hours.
I will only collect personal samples as recommended by OSHA that only personal sampling should be collected during the first 8-hour shift. In the table, the time is limited to 8 hours, making personal sample as only suitable ones in this context. The area samples can only be collected during the extended work shift. NIOSH presents spectral components as the primary interferences encountered while using the MCE method involving the ICP-AES technique. NIOSH recommends that, while sampling using mixed cellulose ester membrane (MCE) shipment should be done routinely.
Hazard 2: Toluene
Toluene is sampled using CSC, Anasorb 747, SKC 575-002, or 3M 3520 as the sampling media, which is recommended by (OSHA, 1998). The flow rate using this method is usually recommended at 50mL/min. NIOSH, on the other hand, recommends a flow rate of between 0.1L/min to 20L/min. However, based on the table, the OSHA recommended flow rate should be selected. I will calibrate the sampling train by using adsorbent tube samples recommended by OSHA. The sampling devices will be connected within the flow rate of 50mL/min, which will be maintained within a range of ±5% (OSHA, 1998). As per the table, the maximum sampling time will be 8 hours or 480 minutes (60 x 8). With 480 minutes and assuming that the minimum flow rate per min will be 10mL, the minimum sample volume will be:
480 x 10mL = 4800 mL
With the flow rate of 50mL per min, the minimum sampling time will be:
Minimum sample volume divided by flow rate
4800mL/50mL per min = 96 minutes or 1 hour and 36 minutes.
OSHA recommends the sampling time of less or equal to 240 minutes (OSHA, 1998). With 480 minutes or 8 hours shift, there is an extended shift of 4 hours. Therefore, in the first 4 hours, I will collect personal samples and in the next 4 hours, collect area samples. Solvents and typical substances in the sampling are sources of interference. However, these compounds do not have a significant effect on sample results as presented by OSHA. The bulk samples should be shipped and stored in a separate container from the air samples. Refrigerator and ambient are recommended for storing air samples.
Hazard 3: Metal Working Fluids
Thoracic particles: FILTER + CYCLONE Is recommended by NIOSH as the appropriate sampling media for metal working fluids (NIOSH, 2014). The sampling media is applied using a gravimetric technique. NIOSH recommends a flow rate of 1.6L/min for thoracic and a total of 2 L/min. Therefore, I will use a flow rate of 2 L/min. The calibration of the sampling train will be undertaken by taking each personal sampling pump with a representative sampler in line as recommended by NIOSH. This will be done in line with the guidelines of ASTM Class 1 weights whereby the same microbalance for weighing filters before and after sample collection will be used. This will be followed by processing media blanks at least three times via the measurement procedure for total aerosol and extraction of materials. With a 10-hour 600 minutes shift and a minimum flow rate of 1.6 L/min, the minimum sample volume will be:
1.6 L/min x 600 min = 960L
Minimum sampling time = Minimum sampling volume divided by flow rate
Minimum sampling time = 960L/2 L/m
= 480 minutes or 8 hours.
During the 10-hour shift, both personal and area samples will be collected. The personal samples will be collected in the first 8 hours while the area samples will be collected in the last 2 hours as recommended by OSHA. The interferences components as presented by NIOSH are any materials that might be collected on the filter and can dissolve while extracting solvents. NIOSH recommends overnight shipment of a metal fluid in a refrigerated container as the appropriate storage.
OSHA admits that unwanted sound or noise is among the leading occupation hazards in the workplace. Therefore, there is a need to evaluate noise exposure in the workplace. (OSHA, 2013) presented the use of a dosimeter as appropriate for evaluating the noise exposure. The instrument helps to determine the personal noise and works best when applied alongside personal sampling. With personal sampling, noise exposure is averaged over time, and results are reported. With 8- hour shift, personal samples would be recommended. The noise-measuring instruments will be subjected to two types of calibration: periodic factory level and pre- and post-use calibrations. This will be done to ensure accuracy. While evaluating the noise exposure, the sound fields will be highly considered. These fields comprise both near field and far field. The near field is the space surrounding the noise while the far field is the external space of the near field.
References
NIOSH. (2014, July 21). Elements by ICP (Microwave Digestion). Retrieved from Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2014-151/pdfs/methods/7302.pdf
NIOSH. (2014, December 29). Metalworking Fluids (MWF) All Categories. Retrieved from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2014-151/pdfs/methods/5524.pdf
OSHA. (1998, April 2). Toluene. Retrieved from United States Department of Labor: https://www.osha.gov/dts/sltc/methods/organic/org111/org111.pdf
OSHA. (2013, August 15). Section III: Chapter 5. Retrieved from https://www.osha.gov/dts/osta/otm/new_noise/#appendixe