The National Shipbuilding Research Program, Application of Industrial Engineering Techniques to Reduce Workers' Compensation and Environmental Costs - Deliverable C
Abstract
During 1996 and 1997 the Blast and Paint Department incurred 118 eye injuries 99 first aid injuries and 19 recordable 15 in 1996 and 4 in 1997. The types of eye injuries were abrasions infections irritations rust rings embedded foreign bodies and loose foreign bodies. Eye injuries have always been difficult to prevent in Blast and Paint due to the nature of work which includes painting, solvent washing, grinding, sanding, abrasive blasting, and mechanical cleaning. Due to the decrease in abrasive blasting it was now standard operating procedure to mechanical clean and solvent wipe fabricated units in the on-block area. With the increase in mechanical cleaning and solvent wiping dirt sand and other debris embedded in the workers clothing became a source of problems. When a worker is mechanical cleaning in the overhead areas of an fabricated unit for instance dust particles fall downward and collect on clothing safety glasses respiratory protection hands and face. The dust can only be removed by air blowdown hoses vacuum hoses and by the workers dusting themselves after completion of work tasks. This procedure tends to be a problem because of dust particles remaining in the atmosphere or settled dust on eye or respiratory equipment. When the employee removes Personal Protective Equipment from their face loosened particles fall into the eyes causing a variety of first aid injuries such as loose foreign body or embedded foreign body injuries.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA446634
Entities
Organizations
- National Steel and Shipbuilding Company