Unit VI Scholarly Activity
Instructions
This assignment will consist of two parts. Both parts will be compiled into the same document for submission.
Part I: Thus far at Acme Automotive Parts (AAP), you have determined that controls are required in the paint booths, at the hand-welding stations, and on the machining lines. You have also determined that you cannot substitute any alternate chemicals in these areas because of requirements from your clients. You decide to use general dilution ventilation for the machining lines and local exhaust ventilation systems for the paint booths and the hand-welding stations. Complete the following tasks.
For the general dilution ventilation used in the machining lines:
Discuss why you believe a general ventilation system is appropriate for this operation.
State where you would you place the fans associated with the ventilation system.
Explain how you would test the effectiveness of the ventilation system.
For the local exhaust ventilation systems:
Describe the local exhaust ventilations (LEVs) you would use for each area (paint booths and hand-welding stations).
Choose a hood type for each of the two LEVs.
Calculate the flow rate that would be required if you placed the LEV for the welding operation 24 in. from the weld and desired a capture velocity of 100 ft per minute (ft/min) given W=12 in. and L=24 in. for any of the three hood types.
Discuss any barriers you might face in implementing the use of the LEVs for these two operations.Part II: You also determined that engineering controls are needed for the hydraulic press area.
Discuss some types of engineering controls that might be implemented for the hydraulic press area.
Describe the information you might require prior to designing engineering controls for the hydraulic press area.
Explain how you would evaluate the effectiveness of the engineering controls for this area.
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, and the other may be your textbook. All citations and in-text citations must be formatted according to APA standards.
Unit VI Scholarly Activity Sample Answer
Part I:
A general ventilation system is highly recommended for contaminated systems. The machine line comprises of the exhaust system, meaning it will run during all operations. Even when the operations are over, and the workers remain in the machine line work area, the general ventilation system will continue to run (OSHA, 1998). As such, it will be advisable for the machine lines to be fitted with the general ventilation system to protect workers from the contaminations of the exhaust system. The general ventilation system is also recommended for its effectiveness in reducing the concentration of the contaminated air by mixing it with clean air. Also, the inability to substitute any alternate chemicals in machine line areas presents a general ventilation system as the best.
The fans will be placed on the roofs or ceilings and walls of the operations building. This is done to facilitate the supply and exhaustion of air in and out of the machine lines area. The effectiveness of the ventilation can be increased by locating the fan close to the exposed workers (Fuller, 2014). Therefore, placing the fan behind the workers is also recommended since it will remove the contaminated air from the workers’ breathing zone.The ventilation system can be said to be effective if it contains various vital components, as presented by (ACGIH, 1998). The elements determining the efficiency of the ventilation system comprise air intake efficiency, ducts ability to move air, air cleaning devices, and fans. The failure of any of the components will lead to workplace contamination, and I will test this using tracer gas. Tracer gas is recommended by OSHA (1990) for testing the efficiency of the ventilation system to assess the quality of air based on carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide levels.
Paint booths will use Enclosing Hood LEV. This LEV is effective for enclosing the source of contamination. The Hand-welding station will require Movable Hood LEV. Since the welding is being done by hand, using this LEV will allow the worker to move the hood near the practical work. Based on their names, the Enclosing Hood LEV uses an enclosing hood while Movable Hood LEV uses a movable hood.
Calculating flow rate
Volumetric flow rate = Q = VA
V = air velocity in fpm
A = Area of face in square feet.
In this case
Q = W x L x V
First, we need to convert into ft
W = 12 in = 1 ft
L = 24 in = 2 ft
V already given as 100 ft/min
A = x1 x 2
Q = 1 x 2 x 100
= 200 ft3/min
Converting into ft3/sec
= 3.3 ft3/sec
While the LEVs are useful in ensuring a safe and healthy workplace, at times, barriers can affect their effectiveness. For example, the fault ventilation will adversely affect the performance. Other barriers that might reduce the performance of LEVs are inappropriate hood that interferes with work, poor system design, forcing workers to bypass them, clogged air cleaner, fault fan, holes in ducts, and dented ducts.
Part II.
Almost all types of engineering controls presented by OSHA will apply in the hydraulic press area. These controls comprise isolating or enclosing the hydraulic press process, employing wet approaches to reduce the generation of dusts, using fume hoods, and employing interlock to halt the operation when the sensing fields are disturbed. These controls will be useful for preventing workers from coming into contact with hazardous conditions.
Before designing the engineer controls, the individual needs to understand potential hazards. For example, noise hazards will require different control when compared to falls. The cost-benefit of the control should also be put into consideration. This will avoid designing control that might be costly but unable to execute its intended purpose.
The effectiveness of engineering control is paramount to avoid putting workers into hazardous conditions. In the hydraulic press area, the hierarchy of controls will be used to determine how important are the engineering controls. Based on the hierarchy of controls presented by OSHA (2017), engineering controls are implemented through a physical change in the workplace. Therefore, the engineering controls’ effectiveness will be assessed based on their ability to address physical-related hazards.
References
Fuller, T. P. (2014). Basics of Occupational Safety and Health. Illinois: National Safety Council.
ACGIH. (1998). Industrial Ventilation: A Manual of Recommended Practice. Ohio: American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists.
OSHA. (1990, June 26). Carbon Dioxide Backup Data Report. Retrieved from Occupational Safety & Health Administration: https://www.osha.gov/dts/sltc/methods/inorganic/id172/id172bkr.html
OSHA. (1998, January 8). Safety and Health Regulations for Construction. Retrieved from Occupational Safety & Health Administration: https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.57
OSHA. (2017). Chemical Hazards and Toxic Substances. Retrieved from Occupational Safety and Health Administration: https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/hazardoustoxicsubstances/control.html