| Publication Date |
1976 |
| Personal Author |
Ludwig, H. R.; Sandusky, T. E. |
| Page Count |
12 |
| Abstract |
A walk-through survey was conducted at Cyprus Industrial Minerals (SIC-1499), Keeler Mill, in Keeler, California, as part of a larger study to compile necessary data to characterize talc (14807966) composition in the United States. Cyprus Mines Corporation acquired the Keeler Mill from Sierra Talc and Clay in 1964. This mill processed talc from five different mines in California and Nevada. Five employees were employed at this site, 5 days a week during the single 8 hour shift. The stockpiled talc was picked up by a front end loader and dumped into a crusher before being sent to a roller mill. This product may be bagged or loaded in bulk or may be further reduced in size in a vertical mill. Over a dozen blends and grades of talc from the various mines were processed for use in paints, ceramics, and pharmaceuticals. The health hazards include potential excessive dust and noise exposures. Work histories and Social Security numbers were available, including lost time accident data back to at least 1964. The report recommends that an audiometric hearing program be instituted to ascertain the effectiveness of the current hearing protection offered, that more effective ventilation around packing machines be used to control dust levels, and that a vacuum type system be used for cleanup of spillage instead of sweeping or shoveling. |
| Keywords |
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| Source Agency |
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| NTIS Subject Category |
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| Corporate Authors |
National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH. Div. of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies. |
| Document Type |
Technical Report |
| NTIS Issue Number |
199009 |
