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Iron and steel industry - 375 entries found

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  • Iron and steel industry

1990

CIS 91-1891 Bonde J.P., Hansen K.S., Levine R.J.
Fertility among Danish male welders
Welding may be detrimental to the male reproductive system. Fertility was examined in a Danish cohort of 3702 male metalworkers over a follow-up of 47,674 person-years. Occupational histories were gathered by postal questionnaires. Information on births was obtained by record linkage to the Danish Central Population Register. Among persons who had ever workerd as welders, the probability of having a child was slightly reduced the year after a year of welding exposure. The reduction in fertility was associated with the welding of mild steel, but not with the welding of stainless steel. These findings are consistent with results of previous studies of time to conception and semen quality in welders.
Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health, Oct. 1990, Vol.16, No.5, p.315-322. Illus. 14 ref.

CIS 91-1588 Corhay J.L., Delavignette J.P., Bury T., Saint-Remy P., Radermecker M.F.
Occult exposure to asbestos in steel workers revealed by bronchoalveolar lavage
A study was carried out among 65 retired steel workers in Belgium to investigate possible exposure to amphiboles in a steel-plant environment. Asbestos bodies were counted in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of the workers, who had worked for at least 15 years in the same area of the plant as maintenance or production workers. On the basis of occupational anamnesis, 28 had had occasional exposure to asbestos, while the others denied any contact with asbestos. 54 white-collar workers who had no occupational exposure to asbestos were included in the study as controls. An increased prevalence and concentration of asbestos bodies was found in the BALF of the steel workers. Electron microscopy and EDAX analysis of asbestos from the steel workers revealed that the core fibres were mainly amphiboles. The study demonstrates that steel workers may be subject to an occult exposure to amphiboles in the steel-plant environment.
Archives of Environmental Health, Sep.-Oct. 1990, Vol.45, No.5, p.278-282. Illus. 25 ref.

CIS 91-448 Choi B.C.K., Farmilo J.A.
Microscopic haematuria as a predictor of urological diseases among steel workers
A cohort of 501 workers in a steel mill in Ontario, Canada was followed up from 1974 to 1986. The 13-year cumulative incidence of urological diseases among workers who were positive for microscopic haematuria in 1974 was 1.3 times that of those who had a negative result. This relative risk remained the same after adjusting for age and smoking. Thus, urinary screening for microscopic haematuria could be a useful predictor of urological disease.
Journal of the Society of Occupational Medicine, Summer 1990, Vol.40, No.2, p.47-52. Illus. 23 ref.

1989

CIS 95-2257 Horns H., Wettschureck R.
Bundesanstalt für Arbeitsschutz
Catalogue of noise-reducing measures in the manufacturing industries - Metalworking industry
Katalog lärmmindernder Massnahmen in der Fertigung - Metallverarbeitung [in German]
More than 150 examples of noise control in the metal-working industries as well as in foundries, steelworks and the aluminium industry are described. Included are, for example, the noise control measures applied to machines such as rolling mills, rolling machines for metal forming, presses, shears, metalcutting saws, grinding machines, hydraulic pumps, conveyors, hammers and drills.
Wirtschaftsverlag NW, Verlag für neue Wissenschaft GmbH., Postfach 10 11 10, Am Alten Hafen 113-115, 2850 Bremerhaven 1, Germany, 1989. 391p. Illus. Bibl.ref. Price: DEM 40.50.

CIS 91-708
Gosgortehnadzor
General safety rules for metallurgical plants [USSR]
Obščie pravila bezopasnosti dlja predprijatij i organizacij metallurgičeskoj promyšlennosti [in Russian]
These rules (ratified 13 May 1987) replace the previous edition of 1976. Contents: general aspects; plant premises and structures; heating, ventilation and air conditioning, water supply and waste-water disposal systems, lighting; general requirements for safe working conditions; equipment layout and workplace design, safety of production processes, control stations, desks and panels, instrumentation and automatic devices, signalling systems and communication, interlocks, exhaust ventilation, industrial pipelines, guards, platforms and ladders, roasting of mixtures and concentrates, in-plant transport (belt, platform, overhead conveyors, bucket elevators, pneumatic and vibration transport and off-track vehicles, aerial tramways), stockhouses, overpasses, bins and feeders, materials handling, materials crushing, milling and screening, oxygen supply; requirements for electrical equipment; fire protection; maintenance, inspection, repair and cleaning of production equipment; hygienic requirements; gas rescue services; responsibilities for violation of safety rules.
Izdatel'stvo "Metallurgija", Krasnoarmejskaja ul. 166, 454000 Čeljabinsk, USSR, 1989. 64p. Price: SUR 0.20.

CIS 91-502
Commission of the European Communities
Fourth ECSC research programme on technical control of nuisances and pollution at the place of work and in the environment of iron and steelworks: Status of research at 31 Dec. 1985
Quatrième programme de recherche CECA - Lutte technique contre les nuisances sur les lieux de travail et dans l'environnement des installations sidérurgiques: Etat des travaux de recherche au 31 déc. 1985 [in French]
A general review of 83 research projects in the areas of: air and water pollution from coking plants; limiting NOx emissions from sintering plants and improvement of electrostatic precipitators; fume emission and noise from blast furnaces; fume emission, noise and dust in melting shops; effluent treatment and noise from rolling mills; methods and equipment for the measurement of atmospheric pollution, aqueous effluent analysis and harmonisation of sampling methods; general problems of pollution associated with all activities of an integrated iron and steelworks. The report includes a list of the projects covered by this research programme.
Office des publications des Communautés européennes, 2, rue Mercier, 2985 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, 1989. 87p. Price: ECU 8.75.

CIS 90-1881 Higashi T., Baba Y., Sakurai H., Omae K.
Healthy worker effect among Japanese industrial workers: A commentary from the viewpoint of industrial health
Waga kuni no seizōgyō ni oite kansatsu sareta Healthy Worker Effect: sono seiin ni kansuru sangyō hoken kanrigakuteki kōsatsu [in Japanese]
Healthy worker effect (HWE) was evaluated in the active work populations engaged in large manufacturing companies which were members of the Japan Iron and Steel Federation (JISF) and The Japan Chemical Fibres and Textile Association (JCFTA). The standardised mortality ratios (SMR) for all the causes of death from 1969 to 1981 were within the range of 50 to 81 in JISF, and 34 to 41 in JCFTA, and an evident HWE for cancer was observed in each of the populations. These SMRs were equal to or lower than for comparable industrial populations in the US. Selection of work force has been emphasised as the strongest cause of HWE, although this effect was not thought to be sufficient to explain the present findings given Japan's lifetime employment system. Changes in life style and health promotion programmes in Japanese industry may have had a relatively important role in the findings, especially for workers in large companies.
Journal of UOEH, Sep. 1989, Vol.11, No.3, p.305-311. Illus. 25 ref.

CIS 90-1266 Borroni A., Ferrario F., Mazza B., Nano G.
Measurement of particulate pollution in the vicinity of electric arc furnaces in the steel industry
Mesure de la pollution particulaire au voisinage de fours électriques à arc pour la production de l'acier [in French]
Four electric arc furnaces used for steel production and corresponding to different plant and operations types were investigated. Pollution in the furnace areas was determined and the occupational risk assessed, and the possible relationship between dust emissions and various furnaces operations was investigated. In all cases dust deposits were composed mainly of: ferric oxide, lime, silica, magnesia and carbonaceous residues, amounting to 90-94% of total dust weight. Airborne pollution was measured in various places inside and outside the work cabin. In most areas ventilation ensured a low level of pollution. However, it was not sufficient for a significant reduction in pollution in areas such as tapping area and the furnace door. Personal sampling indicated concentrations close to the airborne values in the most polluted areas. An occupational risk did exist for some jobs of short duration. People controlling operations and driving the equipment, however, were exposed to lower dust concentrations. The risk was assessed on the basis of total dust concentration and, in some specific plants, of lime and lead emissions: there was significant exposure to these substances for furnace workers and cranemen, while concentrations of more toxic metals (Ni, Cr, Mn, Cd) used in carbon or low-alloy steel production were not excessively high.
Cahiers de notes documentaires - Sécurité et hygiène du travail, 3rd Quarter 1989, No.136, Note No.1748-136-89, p.509-523. Illus. 13 ref.

CIS 89-1879 Scotti P.G., Arossa W., Bugiani M., Nicoli E.
Chronic bronchitis in the iron and steel industry: Prevalence study
A significant increase in the prevalence of functional respiratory impairment and chronic bronchitis among 733 foundry workers, when compared with 1041 controls, was found in this 5-year longitudinal study. Age and smoking were allowed for.
Medicina del lavoro, Mar.-Apr. 1989, Vol.80, No.2, p.123-131. Illus. 26 ref.

CIS 89-1533 Sitas F., Douglas A.J., Webster E.C.
Respiratory disease mortality patterns among South African iron moulders
To assess the influence of foundry exposure on malignant and non-malignant respiratory disease, the proportional mortality ratio (PMR) was used to compare the cause of death distributions of the 578 dead members of the Iron Moulders Society of South Africa, recipients of the union's death benefit fund between 1961 and 1983. Comparisons were made with the age and period specific white male deaths. For the 419 members where job information was available, the influence of occupation (journeyman, production moulder) was assessed using different techniques - the relative proportional mortality ratio, the mortality odds ratio and the proportional cancer mortality ratio for comparison. Excess PMRs were found for cancer of the trachea, bronchus, and lung for those over 65 and for non-malignant respiratory disease and for injuries and poisonings in those under 65. Reduced PMRs were found for all cancers and all circulatory disease in those under 65. The raised PMRs due to respiratory disease are unlikely to be due to smoking because of a poor association with other causes of death related to smoking. A more likely explanation is that these excess rates for malignant and non-malignant respiratory disease are due to exposure to the foundry environment. Of additional concern are the high PMRs due to injuries and poisonings, which could be related to the high accident rates in the iron and steel industry.
British Journal of Industrial Medicine, May 1989, Vol.45, No.5, p.310-315. 28 ref.

CIS 89-1157 Steelworkers' lung diseases - A review and hazards guide
Training and information manual aimed at workers. A detailed literature review of the problem of respiratory disease in steelworkers is followed by a list of substances (metals and their oxides, mineral dusts, gases, organic chemicals) to which steelworkers are exposed at the workplace, together with corresponding exposure limits, sources, measured exposure levels and possible health risks. In the appendix: detailed results from epidemiologic studies; tables associating steelworking jobs with diseases and causes of death; results of questionnaire surveys.
Sheffield Occupational Health Project, Birley Moor Health Centre, 1 East Glade Crescent, Sheffield S12 4QN, United Kingdom, 1989. 63p. Illus. Bibl. Price: GBP 2.50 (for trade unionists); GBP 15.00 (for others).

CIS 89-831 Becher H., Jedrychowski W., Flak E., Gomola K., Wahrendorf J.
Lung cancer, smoking, and employment in foundries
A case-referent study on lung cancer was conducted in Cracow, Poland. Men dying of lung cancer within a 6-year period (1980-1985) formed the case group. The reference series was selected from death registers and was frequency-matched with the cases by sex and age. Deaths due to other respiratory diseases were excluded. Information on the occupation, smoking habits, and residency of 901 cases and 875 referents was collected from their next-of-kin. The combined effect of smoking and industrial exposure, in particular employment in steel or iron foundries, was investigated by multivariate analyses and was very well fitted by a multiplicative model. Foundry employment, in particular in the younger age (<70 years) group, occupational exposure to known carcinogens in other industries for more than 20 years, and smoking were found to be risk factors.
Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health, Feb. 1989, Vol.15, No.1, p.38-42. 22 ref.

CIS 89-900 Sorahan T., Cooke M.A.
Cancer mortality in a cohort of United Kingdom steel foundry workers: 1946-85
The mortality experienced by a cohort of 10,491 steel foundry workers in the United Kingdom during the period 1946-85 was investigated. These workers were all male operatives first employed in any one of the 10 participating foundries in 1946-65; all had worked in the inudstry for a minimum period of 1yr. Compared with the general population of England and Wales, statistically significant excesses relating to cancer mortality were found for cancer of the stomach (E = 77.4, O = 106, SMR = 137) and cancer of the lung (E = 229.2, O = 441, SMR = 147). A statistically significant deficit was found for cancer of the brain (E = 19.4, O = 10, SMR = 51). Involvement of occupational exposures was assessed by the method of regression models and life tables (RMLT). The RMLT analyses provided evidence of an occupational involvement in the risk of death from lung cancer from work in the foundry area or fettling shop, and weaker evidence of an occupational involvement in the risk of death from stomach cancer from work in the foundry area.
British Journal of Industrial Medicine, Feb. 1989, Vol.46, No.2, p.74-81. 19 ref.

1988

CIS 91-1229 Poliščjuk L.L., Matveeva T.V., Klenyševa L.D.
Cleaning of corrosive waste water at iron and steel plants
Očistka agressivnyh stočnyh vod na predprijatijah černoj metallurgii [in Russian]
A method is proposed for cleaning alkaline silicate-laden electrode and powder wire shop waste water with acid Fe2+-containing liquid waste from pickling departments and, next, with lime. Tests showed the efficiency and practicability of a two-stage procedure: at the 1st stage, the waste water is adjusted to pH 6.5-7.0 with used sulfate pickling solution and, at the 2nd one, with calcium hydroxide to pH 9.0-9.2. The cleaned water is recycled and the isolated precipitate (sludge) is dewatered by filtering equipment.
Vodosnabženie i sanitarnaja tehnika, Dec. 1988, No.12, p.23-24. Illus. 6 ref.

CIS 90-1925 Zaborov V.I., Kljačko L.N., Rosin G.S.
Noise and vibration control in the iron and steel industry
Zaščita ot šuma i vibracii v černoj metallurgii [in Russian]
The book is intended for engineers and technical staff engaged in the iron and steel industry and in machinery production. Contents: noise effects on production personnel (basic concepts and relationships, sound pressure level determination at workplaces, determination of the required noise reduction); noise reduction at source (mechanical and aerodynamic noise); noise control measures (sound isolation, sound absorption, silencers, antivibration mountings); noise control in different production plants (mining, sintering, steelmaking, rolling, metalware production, refractory and ferroalloy production, cake and by-product process, service shops, personal protective equipment); vibration effects on production personnel (basic concepts and relationships, vibration health effects, exposure assessment and regulation); vibration isolation design (basic concepts, calculations for major structures, design of vibration insulators); vibration control measures for working with hand pneumatic and impact tools, grinders, die-forging and forging hammers, vibration isolation at workplaces, economic efficiency of vibration control measures.
Izdatel'stvo Metallurgija, 2 Obydenskij per. 14, 119857 Moskva, USSR, 1988. 214p. Illus. 100 ref. Price: SUR 0.85.

CIS 90-1941 Buharov I.I., Nemcov N.S., Savčenko A.F., Lysenko V.A.
Shot-blasting chamber dust control
Očistka vozduha ot pyli drobestrujnyh kamer [in Russian]
Chemical and particle-size analysis of dust discharged into the atmosphere by a foundry shot-blasting chamber revealed high loads of free silica (92-94%) and respirable particles of less than 5µm (≈72%). Currently used dust collectors (cyclones) proved to be very inefficient, with outlet air dust concentrations averaging 1060mg/m3 for the iron foundry and the steel-casting department, respectively. To correct the situation, a two-stage dust control installation was designed, consisting of a cyclone and a dust capturing device with an adjustable fibrous vibration-cleaned filter packing of lavsan-type textured fibres (description and diagramme presented). Introduction of the collector at a mechanical engineering plant helped to bring outlet dust concentrations down to 10-15mg/m3 and to prevent an annual economic loss of 167,000 roubles. Filtration efficiency was 99.2-99.5% and the time between regenerations 24-25hrs.
Litejnoe proizvodstvo, Aug. 1988, No.8, p.28-29. Illus.

CIS 90-344 Jha S.S.
Job stress and employee strain in Indian executives
This paper reports on a study examining the effects of job stress on strain, the pattern of stress and strain in 3 different work groups, and differences in the levels of job stress and strain at various occupational levels. The respondents consisted of executives of a large steel manufacturing enterprise. Regression analysis indicated that job future ambiguity had a significant negative effect on job satisfaction in each group of executives. Furthermore, role overload (in the case of production executives) and role ambiguity (in the case of data processing executives) had negative effects on job satisfaction. Role overload accounted for fatigue among the personnel as well as among production executives. The data indicated that the patterns of stress and strain were different in the three groups of employees. The examination of differences due to occupational level indicated that middle-level executives had more role ambiguity than those at the higher levels. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Work and Stress, July-Sep. 1988, Vol.2, No.3, p.233-237. Illus. 14 ref.

CIS 89-1876 Steenland K., Schnorr T., Beaumont J., Halperin W., Bloom T.
Incidence of laryngeal cancer and exposure to acid mists
To determine the relation between exposure to acid mist and laryngeal cancer, the smoking habits, drinking habits, and incidence of laryngeal cancer among 879 male steelworkers exposed to acid mists during pickling operations were ascertained. These men had an average duration of exposure of 9.5 years. Exposures to sulfuric acid in the 1970s averaged about 0.2mg/m3, and earlier exposures were probably similar. Nine workers with laryngeal cancer were identified. Using data from national surveys of cancer incidence as referent rates, 3.44 laryngeal cancers would have been expected. Excess smoking by the exposed cohort compared with the United States population resulted in an upward adjustment of the expected number of cases of laryngeal cancer to 3.92. The standardised incidence rate ratio for laryngeal cancer was 2.30 (9/3.92). The finding of excess laryngeal cancer in this cohort is consistent with four other studies published since 1981.
British Journal of Industrial Medicine, Nov. 1989, Vol.45, No.11, p.766-776. Illus. 23 ref.

CIS 89-847 Yokomizo Y., Koshiba T.
Evaluation of the ability of middle-aged and older workers and their transfer to new jobs
Chūkōnenreisha no kinō-hyōka to haichi-tenkan [in Japanese]
Because of recent innovations in microelectronics and an increase in the aged population in Japan, many older workers have been transferred to workplaces using new technologies. Because of this, new tests and questionnaire surveys to measure and evaluate the vocational ability of older workers and the influence of transfer on their daily lives were developed. These tests were conducted at a steel company and the vocational ability of 23 workers was measured. Their individual vocational profiles and data of merit rating were compared. In order to know the influence of transfer on the daily lives of older workers, the questionnaire survey was conducted at another steel company on 104 workers. Conditions before and after the transfer were compared by means of this questionnaire to find out the influence of replacement on their daily lives.
Japanese Journal of Ergonomics - Ningen Kogaku, Feb. 1988, Vol.24, No.1, p.23-28. Illus.

CIS 88-1831 Iron and steel industry: Its effects on the environment
Instruction manual based on material developed by a Swedish labour union organisation and aimed at workers. This version is adapted to circumstances in Malaysia, but it is easily adaptable to any English-speaking country. Contents: general discussion; the iron and steel manufacturing process from ore to steel; the rolling mill; the work environment (lighting, draughts, air pollution, noise); measures to improve the work environment; the external environment (dust elimination); preventive maintenance; heat, thermal radiation and exposure to cold.
International Metalworkers' Federation, 54 bis, rte des Acacias, C.P. 563, 1227 Genève 22, Switzerland, 1988. 29p. Illus.

1987

CIS 90-1539 Izmerov N.F.
Guide to occupational hygiene
Rukovodstvo po gigiene truda [in Russian]
Second of 2 volumes addressed to industrial physicians, specialists in occupational medicine, plant physicians and other medical personnel. Vol.2 is arranged in 16 chapters devoted to occupational hygiene problems in the following industries: mining; coal-mining (opencast and underground); iron and steel (sintering and iron-ore pellet plants, cakes and by-products, blast-furnace processes, steelmaking, ferroalloy smelting processes etc.); non-ferrous metals (manufacturing of alumina, aluminium, copper, lead, mercury, zinc etc.); machinery (foundry, press forging, heat-treating, machine shops etc.); electronics; chemicals; oil and gas extraction and refining; microbiology; synthetic polymers (plastics, man-made fibers, synthetic rubber, rubber products); construction and building materials; asbestos processing; textiles and light industry (textile, clothing, leather goods, shoe making); wood, pulp and paper, woodworking; printing; work with ionising radiation (nuclear power plants, radioactive sources, x-ray equipment, particle accelerators, etc.).
Izdatel'stvo "Medicina", Petroverigskij per. 6/8, 101000 Moskva, USSR, 1987. Vol.2, 446p. 58 ref. Price: SUR 1.90.

CIS 89-175 Beetz M., Steinecke-Fittkau V.
Industriegewerkschaft Metall für die Bundesrepublik Deutschland
Diseases of occupational origin among women in the metalworking industry - Literature survey
Arbeitsbedingte Erkrankungen von Frauen in der Metallwirtschaft - Eine Literaturübersicht [in German]
Contents of this literature survey: metal production, surface treatment, machine construction; the automobile industry; the aircraft industry; the electronics industry; precision engineering and optical equipment (including watchmaking); jewelry and sport equipment; work on computer terminals and pregnancy. The 4 most commonly occurring health problems are: cancer; allergies; musculoskeletal problems; headaches and eye trouble connected with precision work.
Union-Druckerei, Theodor-Heuss-Allee 90-98, 6000 Frankfurt am Main, Federal Republic of Germany, 1987. 58p. 224 ref. Index. Price: DEM 2.50.

CIS 88-1421
Arbetarskyddsstyrelsen
Foundries [Sweden]
Gjuterier [in Swedish]
These directives (effective 1 Jan. 1990) apply to foundries with an annual production exceeding 10 tonnes of iron, steel or other metals. The environmental problems referred to are: accidents, unsuitable workloads and chemical health hazards. Coverage: general rules concerning the way the work is planned, directed and performed, including a stipulation of written instructions for particularly dangerous tasks; scrap handling; work at furnaces, moulding machines and core machines, teeming, desanding and fettling; personal protective equipment; inspection and supervision of ladles and moulding boxes. Detailed commentaries are appended.
LiberDistribution, 162 89 Stockholm, Sweden, 12 Oct.1987. 21p.

CIS 88-866 Ortiz Lastra E., López Vicente J., Rivera Pomar J.M.
Study of the inorganic substances in human bone tissue in steelworkers by means of energy dispersion X-ray analysis
Estudio de las sustancias inorgánicas en tejido oseo humano de trabajadores siderometalúrgicos, mediante energía dispersiva de rayos-X [in Spanish]
The bone tissue is one of the most important tissues for the evaluation of concentrations of inorganic substances in humans. In this study, 32 steelworkers with more than 10 years of exposure were examined. The reference group was composed by a group of children less than 10 years old. Some interesting mean values found were: sulfur (32.83%), copper (5.41%), zinc (3.76%), arsenic (0.01%), silver (0.72%), cadmium (0.06%), tin (0.07%), lead (0.44%), selenium (0.01%), mercury (0.02%), silica (1.74%), titanium (0.46%), nickel (0.21%), vanadium (0.05%) and chromium (0.03%).
Medicina y seguridad del trabajo, Jan.-Mar. 1987, Vol.34, No.134, p.55-60. 17 ref.

CIS 88-360
Gosudarstvennyj komitet SSSR po trudu i social'nym voprosam, Sekretariat Vsesojuznogo central'nogo soveta professional'nyh sojuzov
Approval of a standard list of work under difficult, dangerous, very difficult and very dangerous conditions for which supplemental payments to workers on account of working conditions may be established in enterprises of the ferrous and non-ferrous metal industries [USSR]
Ob utverždenii tipovogo perečnja rabot s tjaželymi i vrednymi, osobo tjaželymi i osobo vrednymi uslovijami truda, na kotoryh mogut ustanavlivat'sja doplaty rabočim za uslovija truda na predprijatijah černoj i cvetnoj metallurgii [in Russian]
This decision of 2 Oct. 1986 ratifies the given list, which replaces the list approved by decision No.333/34 of 14 Dec. 1972, as amended. The list, which is appended, contains 2 parts: difficult and dangerous jobs (production of oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, argon and other gases; servicing of evaporators in metallurgical plants; neutralisation of acids and bases; gas recovery; roasting and drying of wastes; etc.) and very difficult and very dangerous jobs (exploitation of slag dumps; collection and sorting of metal waste from refinery slag dumps, etc.).
Bjulleten' - Gosudarstvennyj komitet SSSR po trudu i social'nym voprosam, 1987, No.2, p.33-35.

CIS 88-500 Ong C.N., Phoon W.O., Iskandar N., Chia K.S.
Shiftwork and work injuries in an iron and steel mill
A study on work injuries that occurred over a five-year period was conducted in a mill employing over 1000 workers. Of all the 921 injuries which required more than one day's sick leae, over 40% (383 cases) happened during the morning shift (0700-1500 hours), 210 cases occurred in the afternoon shift (1500-2300 hours) and only 150 cases were reported during the night shift. There were two injury peaks throughout the day, one at mid-morning (between 0900 and 1000 hours) and the other towards the mid-afternoon (1400-1500 hours). Hand injuries were more common during the morning and afternoon shifts and foot injuries normally occurred at night. 'Fall' was one of the main causes of accidents at night, whereas 'struck by' heavy objects and 'burn' were more common during the day. Although there were more accidents during the morning and afternoon shifts, work injuries which occurred at night generally required a longer duration of sick leave. This suggests that accidents which happened at night were more serious. It is believed that the work habits, shift systems and work environment have a substantial influence on these accidents.
Applied Ergonomics, Mar. 1987, Vol.18, No.1, p.51-56. Illus. 21 ref.

1986

CIS 87-678 Židkov V.D., Kudzin N.A., Sokolov V.I., Janina L.K.
Enhanced safety in converter steelmaking
Povyšenie bezopasnosti processa vyplavki stali v konverterah [in Russian]
In order to prevent spills or projections of liquid steel through the converter mouth, a device has been developed which monitors continuously the level of the steel bath: A gamma-ray source is mounted on the brim of the converter mouth, and the diffuse radiation deflected by the surface of the bath is picked up by a detector and converted into electric pulses which are transformed into a constant signal for use on the control panel. Main advantages are that the signal is a direct function of the measured level, that there is no contact with the liquid metal, that the result is unaffected by heat and dust level, that the measuring range is practically unlimited, and that the response is fast. To facilitate the operator's task, a level indicator has been designed which imitates the converter outline and displays a rising or falling level.
Bezopasnost' truda v promyšlennosti, Sep. 1986, No.9, p.31, 34.

CIS 87-599 Balev A.I., Kul'pa L.S., Jančuk V.F.
Development of a two-zone exhaust system for removing gases from low-capacity arc furnaces
Razrabotka processa dvuhzonnogo gazootbora dugovyh pečej maloj vmestimosti [in Russian]
When one metric ton of steel is refined in an electric arc furnace, 80-90kg of carbon monoxide, approx. 10kg fine dust, as well as sulfur monoxide, nitrogen and other substances are set free. The effectiveness of exhaust hoods rarely exceeds 70%. Description of a two-zone system which enables an effectiveness of 93-95% to be attained by exhausting 16,000-18,000m3/h (t=80°C): In the first zone, the gases are drawn from the charging door, and in the second, through the openings in the roof round the electrodes, from where the gases pass into a telescopic and articulated duct allowing the furnace to be tilted. While the gases are exhausted, air penetrates into the furnace and helps to burn part of the carbon monoxide.
Litejnoe proizvodstvo, July 1986, No.7, p.24.

CIS 87-249 Deswaef R., Jeanfils G.
Strategy for the determination of pollutants in the iron and steel industry
Stratégie de mesure des polluants atmosphériques aux postes de travail de la sidérurgie [in French]
The aim of the strategy described is to be able to determine, from a small number of measurements, the average and the maximum exposure levels of various pollutants in the workplace.
Annales des mines de Belgique - Annalen der Mijnen van België, 1986, No.5-6, p.667-681. Illus. 27 ref.

CIS 86-1426 Productivity improvement and its effects on the level of employment and working conditions in the iron and steel industry
L'amélioration de la productivité et son influence sur le niveau de l'emploi et les conditions de travail dans l'industrie du fer et de l'acier [in French]
Chapter III of this document assesses the consequences of high labour productivity on levels of employment and working conditions of steelworkers. A recent survey of developments in blast-furnace technology indicates that labour conditions and environmental quality have improved in advanced blast-furnace plants. Available statistics on industrial accidents suggest that, on balance, steelworks safety has improved.
Report III, Iron and Steel Committee of the International Labour Organisation, 11th session, Geneva 1986. International Labour Office, 1211 Genève 22, Switzerland, 1986. 66p. Price: SF.12.50.

CIS 86-1422 Leonard R., Lechien P., Vo Chi T., Brogniaux L.
Ergonomic study of protection against flames and molten metal splashes
Etude ergonomique concernant la protection contre les flammes et les projections de métal en fusion [in French]
A study of burn accidents among blast-furnace workers of a steel plant allows an understanding of the circumstances and location of accidents, and an analysis of the comfort and effectiveness provided by presently used means of protection. Materials used in protective clothing and equipment (aluminised or non-aluminised) were tested in a laboratory and in the field. Prototypes of protective clothing were made and tested objectively and subjectively. A complete set of protective clothing and equipment, providing a good combination of protection and comfort to foundry workers, is described and recommended.
Cahiers de médecine du travail - Cahiers voor arbeidsgeneeskunde, 1986, Vol.23, No.1, p.1-8. Illus. 41 ref.

CIS 86-1368 Kjuus H., Andersen A., Langård S., Knudsen K.E.
Cancer incidence among workers in the Norwegian ferroalloy industry
Cohort study of 6,494 men employed for more than 18 months in 6 Norwegian ferrosilicon and ferromanganese plants before 1970. The follow-up period was 1953-1982. The standardised incidence ratio (SIR) for all cancers was 0.94. Significant increases were found for lung cancer (SIR=1.75) and prostate cancer (SIR=1.56) in the workers at one ferrosilicon plant and for colon cancer (SIR=1.90) in the workers at another ferrosilicon plant.
British Journal of Industrial Medicine, Apr. 1986, Vol.43, No.4, p.227-236. Illus. 26 ref.

CIS 86-1421 Blázquez Martínez M.
Occupational health hazards in foundries - Efficient removal of air contaminants
El riesgo higiénico en las fundiciones - Captación eficaz de sustancias tóxicas contenidas en el aire [in Spanish]
Contents: stages in the ironmaking process; elimination of mechanical and health risks; local exhaust ventilation equipment to be used during various stages of operation; general recommendations.
Prevención, Jan.-Mar. 1986, No.95, p.8-16. Illus. 8 ref.

CIS 86-815
Commission of the European Communities
Fifth ECSC Research Programme on: "Technical control of nuisances and pollution at the place of work and in the environment of iron and steel works"
5ème programme de recherche CECA: "Lutte technique contre les nuisances sur les lieux de travail et dans l'environnement des installations sidérurgiques" [in French]
Priorities of this research programme: control of air contamination in the workplace and in its environment; pollution control of fresh and sea-water; the problem of wastes; impact studies; the problem of noise.
Office des publications officielles des Communautés européennes, 5, rue du Commerce, 2985 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, 1986. 128p.

1985

CIS 87-1246
FITIM - Conselho de Segurança Laboral
Our working environment: The iron and steel industry
Nosso meio ambiente - A indústria de ferro e aço [in Portuguese]
Instruction manual on safety and health in the iron and steel industry, based on material developed by a Swedish labour union organisation, and to be used in safety courses for workers in Brazil. After a survey of safety and health problems common to all industries, the manual discusses the specific problems occurring in the iron and steel industry (including detailed descriptions of the various processes in iron and steel production).
Departamento Profissional dos Metalúrgicos, Rua Curitiba, 1.269, CEP 30170, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; International Metalworkers Federation, 54bis route des Acacias, 1227 Carouge, Switzerland, 1985. 61p. Illus.

CIS 87-941 Lang Y. et al.
Retrospective survey of the deaths caused by malignant tumours in 11 years at the Beijing Coking and Chemical Works
Beijing jiaohuachang exingzhongliu siwang shiyinian huiguxing diaocha [in Chinese]
A retrospective survey of the deaths caused by malignant tumours in an 11-year period was carried out at the Beijing Coking and Chemical Works. Both the standard mortality ratio (SMR) and the proportional mortality ratio (PMR) for malignant tumours among 2.106 workers were excessive in comparison with control groups, particularly in workers of a workshop. The incidence of lung cancer was not, however, higher than in the controls. The possible reason for this was that the length of service was comparatively short in the case of workers at this works, and environmental pollution was comparatively low.
Industrial Health and Occupational Diseases, 1985, Vol.11, No.6, p.329-332.

CIS 87-524 Dong D. et al.
Proportional mortality ratio study of iron and steel workers
Gangtie gongren bili siwangbi de yanjiu [in Chinese]
A study of proportional mortality ratios (PMRs) for cancer and other selected chronic diseases was conducted in male workers of 31 major plants of the Anshan Iron and Steel Company (China). The cause of death was determined for 2903 workers who died between 1971 and 1981. Age- and cause-specific PMRs were compared with those of the Anshan male population in general. Excesses for overall cancer, accident, leukaemia, malignant lymphadenoma, lung cancer, liver cancer, coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular disease were found, and the standardised PMRs were 1.21 (p < 0.01), 1.21 (p < 0.01), 1.72 (p < 0.01), 2.31 (p < 0.01), 1.46 (p < 0.01), 1.22 (p < 0.05), 2.10 (p < 0.01) and 1.22 (p < 0.01), respectively, for these causes.
Industrial Health and Occupational Diseases, 1985, Vol.11, No.6, p.339-342. 7 ref.

CIS 87-523 Yuan C., Zhang D.
Frequency of lymphocyte sister chromatid exchanges in coke-oven workers
Jiaoluzuoye gongren waizhou xuelinbaxibao zimeiranseti huhuan [in Chinese]
The analysis of sister chromatid exchange (SCE) is a useful technique for the study of genetic damage in humans exposed to environmental mutagens and carcinogens. In the present study, lymphocyte sister chromatid exchange frequencies were determined for 12 long-term coke-oven workers and 20 controls. The duration of exposure to the coke oven emissions ranged from 15 to 32 years. The mean SCE frequency for the exposed group was 13.04 ± 1.47 SCEs per cell and that for the control group was 8.82±1.26. The increased SCE frequency in coke-oven workers may be related to the long-term exposure to coke-oven emissions.
Industrial Health and Occupational Diseases, 1985, Vol.11, No.6, p.336-338. 6 ref.

CIS 86-1729 Ferrous foundry industry safety and health guide
The material in this guide illustrates to everyone involved the types of safety and health hazards commonly encountered in this industry. Charts indicate what the hazards are, how they are likely to occur and the means to reduce or eliminate them through engineering controls, work practices, personal protective equipment, administrative controls, and education and training.
Industrial Accident Prevention Association, 2 Bloor St. East, Toronto, Ontario M4W 3C2, Canada, 1985. 193p.

CIS 86-1177 ECSC Ergonomics Conference
Conférence ergonomique de la CECA [in French]
This issue is devoted to ergonomics in the coal and steel industries. It reproduces material presented at the ECSC Ergonomics Conference (Luxembourg, 28-30 Oct. 1985), reflecting the results of the IVth ECSC Community Ergonomics Action Programme. Contents: presentation on contributions of ergonomics to the humanisation of working conditions; list of projects funded under the Vth ECSC Programme on Ergonomics for the Steel and Coal Industries; summaries of semestrial reports on Community Ergonomics Action; list of publications appearing in the international scientific literature on ergonomic activity within the ECSC.
Information Bulletin of the ECSC - Community ergonomics action, Dec. 1985, No.17, p.1-68. Illus. Bibl.

CIS 86-744 Hemminki K., Sorsa M., Vainio H.
Occupational hazards and reproduction
Papers by participants in the 1981 International Course on Occupational Hazards and Reproduction in Helsinki, Finland. Contents: human reproductive biology; toxic effects on reproduction (effects on male and female reproductive organs and on the developing foetus); indicators of reproductive failure; epidemiology of reproductive hazards (industrial chemical exposures, exposure of medical personnel to anaesthetic gases, maintenance and use of registers).
Hemisphere Publishing Corporation, 79 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10016, USA, 1 Dec. 1985. 333p. Illus. Bibl. Price: US$69.95 (USA and Canada).

CIS 86-34 Nemery B., Van Leemputten R., Goemaere E., Veriter C., Brasseur L.
Lung function measurements over 21 days shiftwork in steelworkers from a strandcasting department
The evolution of lung function indices in 25 steelworkers from a strandcasting department and in 11 steelworkers not exposed to dust was investigated over an almost 21-day working period and over 3 different workshifts. The mean total dust level in the strandcasting department was assessed by personal sampling to be 11.8mg/m3. The most pronounced difference between the 2 groups occurred during the night shift: decreases in FEV1 and FEF25-75 in the strandcasting group were significantly larger than in the control group. Other respiratory indices presented less pronounced differences, or no significant differences at all.
British Journal of Industrial Medicine, Sep. 1985, Vol.42, No.9, p.601-611. Illus. 31 ref.

CIS 86-233 Safety in scrapyards
La sécurité au parc à ferrailles [in French]
Contents: general aspects of the function, layout, characteristics, installations and activities of scrapyards; nuisances and hazards due to the transportation, machinery and installations, noise, dust and climate; ergonomic aspects; general recommendations for improving working conditions and reducing safety and health risks; influence of the activities of scrapyard workers on the safety and health in steelworks personnel; inspection of equipment and repair.
Information Bulletin of the Steel Industry Safety and Health Commission - Bulletin d'information de la Commission générale de la sécurité et de la salubrité dans la sidérurgie, 1985, No.6-7, p.7-28. 38 ref.

CIS 86-232 Accidents
Accidents [in French]
Description of accidents in steelworks and of preventive measures taken as a consequence. Accidents included: breakage of the lifting mechanism of an overhead travelling crane; death of a worker when he was stuck between an overhead crane and a metallic partition; injury in the legs and one hand due to the toppling of slit coils; explosion of a building site container; serious accident in a forging shop; fatal accident in an electric steelworks; fatal injury by falling skull; workman crushed in a sinter bin; gas leakage due to lack of identification of gas lines; amputation of legs due to injuries sustained while trapped between an emplty mould and an ingot moved by a passing locomotive.
Information Bulletin of the Steel Industry Safety and Health Commission - Bulletin d'information de la Commission générale de la sécurité et de la salubrité dans la sidérurgie, 1985, No.6-7, p.1-6. Illus.

CIS 86-90 Hansén L., Sollenberg J., Uggla C.
Determination of dimethylethylamine in air samples from iron foundries by isotachophoresis
Static gas standards of the amine in air were used to evaluate different sampling techniques. The collection device of choice was a midget impinger containing 10cm3 of HCl (50mmole/L). The dimethylethylamine concentration in the air of 3 different iron foundries ranged from 0.5 to 155mg/m3. No pretreatment of the samples was necessary and no interfering substances from the air in the foundries affected the analysis by isotachophoresis.
Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health, Aug. 1985, Vol.11, No.4, p.307-310. Illus. 10 ref.

CIS 85-1418 Deswaef R., Jacquemart D.
Development of a new method for determining respirable dust and free silica at workplaces in the iron and steel industry
Mise au point d'une nouvelle méthode de dosage de la poussière respirable et de la silice libre aux postes de travail de la sidérurgie [in French]
A new type of sampler was developed to collect alveolar respirable dust according to an internationally recognised retention curve, and standard curves for each type of dust were established. Free silica (quartz, cristobalite and tridymite) in the respirable dust was determined by x-ray diffraction, and the composition of the samples by weight was determined by indirect methods (reflectometry at visible wavelengths and measurement of absorption of β radiation).
Annales des mines de Belgique - Annalen der Mijnen van België, Mar.-Apr. 1985, No.3-4, p.143-163. Illus. 18 ref.

CIS 85-1344 Low I., Mitchell C.
Respiratory disease in foundry workers
A survey of respiratory symptoms and ventilatory function among 46 Australian steel foundry workers exposed to moulding fumes and vapours, and of 17 after-cast workers not exposed to these substances. 11 of the exposed workers developed a wheeze while working at the foundry. Wheeze and other respiratory symptoms were attributed by the workers to substances at work, particularly phenol formaldehyde resin and hexamethylenetetramine. The evidence of ventilatory function changes was not consistent. Both irritant and hypersensitivity mechanisms seemed to be present.
British Journal of Industrial Medicine, Feb. 1985, Vol.42, No.2, p.101-105. 10 ref.

CIS 85-1343 Johnson A., Chan-Yeung M., Maclean L., Atkins E., Dybuncio A., Cheng F., Enarson D.
Respiratory abnormalities among workers in an iron and steel foundry
A study of the health of 78 workers in an iron and steel foundry in British Columbia (Canada), and of 372 controls (workers in a railway repair yard). The foundry workers were exposed to the chemical binding system PepSet, consisting of diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), phenol formaldehyde, and a catalyst containing a pyridine derivative. They were also exposed to silica particulates. The study included a questionnaire survey, chest radiography, allergy skin tests, pulmonary function tests, methacholine inhalation tests, and measurements of dust and MDI levels. The foundry workers had significantly more respiratory symptoms and significantly lower respiratory function indicators than did the controls. 3 of the workers had radiographic signs of pneumoconiosis and 12 had asthma, probably caused by sensitisation to MDI.
British Journal of Industrial Medicine, Feb. 1985, Vol.42, No.2, p.94-100. 31 ref.

1984

CIS 86-1248 Hedendahl J., Jacobsson E., Landström U.
Low-frequency noise and pure tones in control cabins. I. Background and estimation of low-frequency noise and pure tones in control cabins. II. Low-frequency noise and pure tones in sawmills, wood pulp factories and iron- and steel-works
Lågfrekvent buller och rena toner i hytter - I. Bakgrund samt bedömningsförfarande avseende lågfrekvent buller och rena toner i hytter. II. Lågfrekvent buller och rena toner i hytter inom sågverk, cellulosaindustri och järn/stålverk [in Swedish]
Part I describes methods for recording and analysing low-frequency nose and pure tones in control rooms and cabs. A procedure for estimating infrasound perception thresholds and changes in noise level is also given. Part II gives results for 87 control cabs in sawmills, pulp factories and iron- and steel-works. In only one cab (a sheet-metal cab for a chip crusher) were Swedish limits for infrasound and pure tones exceeded. In approximately one-fourth of the cabs, infrasound was perceptible. In 35% of the cabs, the infrasound level was higher inside than outside.
Arbetarskyddsstyrelsen, Publikationsservice, 171 84 Solna, Sweden, 1984. 73p. Illus. 8 ref.

CIS 86-1104 Itoh Y., Ohtani M., Niiya Y., Shima S.
Relationship between blood vanadium concentration and blood lead level in lead-exposed workers
Analysis of the blood of healthy lead-exposed steel-industry workers revealed that blood lead level correlated with blood vanadium concentration and blood ALA-D activity decreased with the increase of blood vanadium concentration.
Medicine and Biology, Aug. 1984, Vol.109, No.2, p.109-112. Illus. 9 ref.

CIS 86-1101 Itoh Y., Ohtani M., Niiya Y., Shima S.
Relationship between blood vanadium level and serum bile acid concentration in lead-exposed workers
Blood lead and vanadium levels in healthy lead-exposed steel-industry workers were measured and compared with serum concentrations of bile acids and several enzymes. Vanadium levels were significantly correlated only with bile acid concentration. This suggests that vanadium inhibits the secretory function of the gall bladder.
Medicine and Biology, Aug. 1984, Vol.109, No.2, p.113-115. Illus. 9 ref.

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