HHE Report No. HETA-91-007-2163, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia.
NIOSH 1991 Nov:21 pages
In response to an employer request, an evaluation was undertaken of heat stress in steam tunnels at the University of Virginia (SIC- 8221), Charlottesville, Virginia. Thirty one wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) measurements were taken at various locations in two portions of the 5.5 mile steam tunnel system. Measurements were taken at each manhole and at the midway point between manholes. Measurements were also taken for steam fitters in three locations. The mean of the WBGT measurements made in the tunnel was 84.7 degrees-F with a range from 76.0 to 100.8 degrees. Air velocity measurements ranged from 23 to 379 feet per minute (fpm), with a mean air velocity of 219fpm. The 1 hour time weighted average WBGTs for installing a steam blowoff and replacing a union were 90.8 and 84.7 degrees, respectively. The author concludes that workers in the steam tunnels were at risk of harmful exposures to excessive environmental heat. The author recommends informal preventive measures be supplemented with a written heat stress control program. This program should include a survey of conditions in the steam tunnels and a determination of feasible engineering controls.
NIOSH-Author; NIOSH-Health-Hazard-Evaluation; NIOSH-Technical-Assistance-Report; HETA-91-007-2163; Hazard-Confirmed; Region-3; Heat-stress; Hot-environments; Heat-exposure; Occupational-exposure;
Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance;
NTIS Accession No.
Hazard Evaluations and Technical Assistance Branch, NIOSH, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Cincinnati, Ohio, Report No. HETA-91-007-2163, 21 pages, 12 references