Methods to Lower the Dust Exposure of Bag Machine Operators and Bag Stackers

Abstract

This article reviews various dust control technologies developed over the years at the Pittsburgh Research Laboratory of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to provide various options and alternatives to lower bag machine operators' and bag stackers' dust exposures. Dust exposure records for the past 20 years show that bag machine operators and bag stackers normally have the highest respirable dust exposures of workers at mineral processing plants. A substantial amount of research has been performed over the years to minimize the dust exposure to these workers and the intent is to present all this information together in one article. Most of the research describes engineering controls that were adapted to existing facilities to reduce the dust generated during bag filling, bag conveying, and bag stacking. In some cases, a single technique succeeded in lowering respirable dust concentrations for all three processes, thus reducing the dust exposure to both the bag machine operator and the bag stacker. In other cases, a technique was developed to specifically reduce the dust exposure of one process or the other. This research also reviews various controls for secondary dust exposure, including general ventilation requirements to mill buildings, the effects of background dust sources, and personal work practices. This information is presented to help industrial hygienists, plant managers, engineers, and workers lower the dust exposure of bag machine operators and bag stackers.

The cost effectiveness of occupational health interventions: Prevention of silicosis

“…As used in mineral processing operations, the cost of installing a Total Mill Ventilation System is $6,000 [Cecala et al, 2000]. The cost of a Pallet Loading Dust Control System is in the range of $6,000 -8,000 while a Bag & Belt Cleaner Device would cost $10,000.…”

“…It is a small ventilated chamber with brushes to clean the bags, and ventilation to collect the escaped product. It reduces dust exposure of everyone in the workplace [Cecala et al, 2000].…”

“…Clean air is brought in to the building through louvers or doors located at the base of the structure while the dust-laden air is exhausted near the top of the building [Cecala et al, 2000].…”

Genotoxicity and Oxidative Stress Due to Exposure to Wood Dust Among Carpenters

“…Cigarette smoking was found to have additional genotoxic effect as shown in table (4). There was higher frequency of CA and lower GPX among exposed smokers compared to exposed non-smokers although the differences were statistically insignificant (P>0.05).…”

“…This can be explained by the poor ventilation in that workshop. Some authors emphasize the importance of good housekeeping and ventilation for reduction of exposure ( Cecala et al, 2000 andVermeulen et al, 2000). It was reported that, local exhaust ventilation reduces the exposure to wood dust with a factor 3 to 10 ( Thrope and Brown, 1994).…”