Occupational Exposure Limits For Novel Work Schedules

Abstract

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.

Exposure to Lead of Boatyard Workers in Southern Thailand

“…A model that addresses unusual work schedules is the Brief and Scala model (1975) 14) . In the boatyards of this study, the working day was 9 h so the TLV-TWA for workers' exposure to lead in the boatyards was equal to 41.7 µg/m 3 and 166.6 µg/m 3 according to the US and Thai recommendations, respectively.…”

Evaluation of Volatile Organic Compounds at Petrochemical Complexes in Iran

“…The Brief and Scala model reduces the threshold limit value (TLV) proportionately for both increased exposure time and reduced recovery time (12). After samples were taken, they were transferred by icebag, and analyzed immediately; some samples were stored in a refrigerator for a few days at 4°C to 10°C.…”

Modelling the health risks of exposure to respirable crystalline silica from hydraulic fracturing operations in the USA shale plays

“…[14] . workers in pl handled by 4-6 ubsequently co nstant commun nto the wellbo eld workers, an ift for each we Administration th detectable qu e PEL in this st more than the standards, whi and Scala dail et al [14] Figure 4 ased on OSHA [37] ion 1) for expo r both the expo everity values EL data [14] [38] and was used to very times (1) 0-hr work m Esswein The adjusted OSHA PEL exposure and severity value (Adapted from Esswein et al [14] ) The highest median occupational exposures of RCS after the adjustment to the standard 8-hr TWA, were the (L) Sand Mover and (M) T-belt Operators, with median exposures of 27.43 mg/m and 32.62 mg/m respectively, which is consistent with the NIOSH study [14] .…”