Biomedical subjects

R S Brief

Publications and source records attributed to R S Brief.

17 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1986

Occupational health aspects of unusual work schedules: a review of Exxon's experiences.

Today more than 300,000 persons in the U.S. work unusually long shifts (longer than eight hours per day) during which they are exposed to airborne toxicants. This paper reviews EXXON's experience in managing the various potential occupational health problems associated with such work schedules. A review of mathematical approaches to modifying exposure limits for such shifts is included; special emphasis is placed on the potential role of circadian rhythm effects as they serve to affect the physiological adjustment of workers to these schedules. A listing of the kinds of physical ailments which have been associated with unusual work schedules is included also. A fairly thorough list of references accompanies the text.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed1980

Benzene in the workplace.

Benzene is a major commodity chemical of great value to industry. It has long been recognized that overexposure to benzene could result in damage to the blood-forming organs of the body. More recently, it has become apparent that chronic high levels of exposure are associated with the development of leukemia. Animal experiments have also suggested that overexposure to benzene may result in certain reproductive risks.

Air Pollutants↗

PubMed1980

Applying industrial hygiene to chemical and petroleum projects.

An effective strategy to prevent health hazards will utilize industrial hygiene principles in all phases of a project, including process development, the design bases, the final design, during construction, and during and after start-up. The involvement of industrial hygiene in engineering design results in cost-effective minimization of health hazards from toxic chemicals and harmful physical agents. Measurements of post start-up emission levels and employee exposures can be utilized to evaluate the performance of the controls which were implemented in the design. This will aid in the development of future designs and identify where research is needed to develop better controls to prevent health hazards.

Chemical Industry↗

PubMed1979

H2S alarms.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Environmental Exposure↗

PubMed1978

Industrial hygiene engineering in the petrochemical industry.

Industrial hygiene engineering can be utilized most effectively when it is employed in the design or construction phases of new or modified chemical manufacturing processes. Minimization of leaks, spills, fugitive emissions and other releases is the goal. Some chemical and physical agents can still be released during normal or non-normal operations and during plant turnaround procedures and these require continuous industrial hygiene surveillance. It follows that industrial hygiene principles must continue to be applied in all phases of the petrochemical industry from the beginning of the design and throughout the life of the unit.

Chemical Industry↗

PubMed1976

A statistical technique for determining compliance with dual hygienic standards.

A mathematical technique was developed to calculate log-normal distribution for sample results. This is then compared with a Limiting distribution defined by the sampling time, the Time-Weighted Average and the Ceiling Limit standard for the material tested. The technique provides a more effective means to decide if either or both the T.W.A. or Ceiling Limit has been exceeded. Sample times from 10 minutes to 4 hours are considered. A similar technique has previously been reported for evaluating benzene exposures. Examples are provided to illustrate the procedure.

Environmental Pollutants↗

PubMed1975

Occupational exposure limits for novel work schedules.

Work schedules other than 7 to 8 hr/day and 40 hr/week are being introduced in many industrial operations. Novel work schedules, such as four 10-hour workdays per week or three 12-hour workdays per week for three weeks followed by four 12-hour workdays for three weeks and several other plans are presently being used. The Threshold Limit Values (TLV) do not apply to such novel schedules. Modified occupational limits, which are calculable from the methods suggested in this report, estimate the needed reduction in the TLV to provide protection for exposed workers. A simple system is suggested, but should be cautiously applied with good medical surveillance. Industrial hygiene experience with novel work schedules will ultimately provide the real requirements for acceptable exposures under such work conditions.

Environmental Exposure↗

PubMed1975

Interpreting noise dosimeter results based on different noise standards.

Three types of noise dosimeters were exposed on workers during routine work in a synthetic rubber plant, two refineries, a petrochemical plant, a petroleum marketing terminal and an off-shore producing platform. The dosimeters represent different methods of noise integration.

Ear Protective Devices↗

PubMed1975