PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Cheryl Fairfield Estill

Publications and source records attributed to Cheryl Fairfield Estill.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

The impact of maintenance and design for ventilation systems.

Ventilation systems need to be designed to include access for cleaning and preventive maintenance. Without such access, the exhaust volume will deteriorate. Because of access difficulties and the many demands on their time, plant managers are sometimes errant in performing proper preventive maintenance. Three surveys measuring workers' exposures to methylene chloride were conducted at the same furniture stripping facility. A new ventilation system was installed for the first survey, resulting in an exhaust volume of 2900 cfm and worker exposure to methylene chloride of 59 ppm (geometric mean). Immediately after the first survey, the gasoline-powered fan was replaced by a smaller capacity electrically powered fan. Deterioration in the ventilation system was seen after seven years. Problems included clogged slots, paint chips and sawdust deposits in plenums, and a loose and frayed fan belt. The second survey indicated a reduction in exhaust volume to 1060 cfm and increased worker exposure to 330 ppm. With the smaller capacity fan still in place, the system was otherwise upgraded to allow for easier access and maintenance was performed. The third survey showed that the ventilation system performance was better (exhaust volume improved to 2080 cfm) and the worker exposures were reduced to 73 ppm. This study shows the benefits of designing for preventive maintenance and the necessity of keeping the ventilation systems clean.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Engineering controls for furniture strippers to meet the OSHA methylene chloride PEL.

This case study demonstrates how methylene chloride exposures during furniture stripping can be reduced to below the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 25 ppm (as an 8-hour time-weighted average). Five surveys were conducted at one facility; the first four resulted in employee exposure geometric means from 39 to 332 ppm. For the fifth survey local exhaust ventilation was used at the stripping tank and the rinsing area, which together exhausted 138 m3/min (4860 ft3/min). Additional controls included providing adequate make-up air, adding paraffin wax to the stripping solution, raising the level of the stripping solution in the tank, and discussing good work practices with the employee. The employees' methylene chloride exposures during the fifth survey resulted in a geometric mean of 5.6 ppm with a 95% upper confidence limit of 8.3 ppm, which was found to be significantly lower than the OSHA PEL and the OSHA action level of 12.5 ppm. The cost of the ventilation system was $8900.

Data Collection↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Research and dissemination needs for ergonomics in agriculture.

In 1998, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health convened a conference of researchers interested in the ergonomics of agricultural workers. Participants included 20 representatives from universities, state governments, private agricultural and insurance companies, migrant worker organizations, agricultural industry organizations, and the Agricultural Extension Service. The attendees divided into three groups and brainstormed about research ideas and dissemination methods related to ergonomics for farm workers. The groups separately reported that interventions, cost-benefit analyses, and cultural belief systems were the main topics that needed to be researched to reduce physical risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders. The participants also presented ideas for disseminating information to farm owners and workers.

Agricultural Workers' Diseases↗