| Abstract |
A control technology survey was conducted at Bethlehem Steel Corporation's Steelton facility (SIC-3295) in Steelton, Pennsylvania, on April 15, 1983. The facility's dust control operations during bag opening, dumping, and disposal were examined. The facility employed 125 workers. An automatic bag opener with separate bag compacter was used to empty bags of silica (14808607), flour, fine clay, bentonite (1302789), and cereal binders in various molding sand formulations. Bag opening, emptying, and disposal involved potential respiratory and dermal exposures to settled dust and the contents of the bags. After the bags entered the bag opening machine, the workers were isolated from dust generation. The opening and compacting operations were conducted in a completely enclosed area and a small bag house air cleaner was mounted on top of the bag opener's inlet. Workers opened the bags carefully. Periodic air sampling was performed with an average respirable dust concentration of about 0.5 milligrams per cubic meter. Workers received safety training before beginning operation of the bag opener and personal protection items were required including safety glasses and shoes. |
