Unit VI Journal

• Weight: 2% of course grade
• Grading Rubric

Instructions

As you travel around your area while studying this unit, view some of the hazards associated with pressures, contaminants, and potential radiation that you see. What controls did you see in place to reduce risks, or what controls do you believe should have been in place? If you do not have any radiation sources in your area, review Internet websites and/or find a story about a work area that does (e.g., hospital, industrial facility), and apply the question to that article.Your journal entry must be at least 200 words in length. No references or citations are necessary.
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QUESTION 1

1. The maintenance manager of your facility has asked you to evaluate a particular welding booth that utilizes a local exhaust ventilation (LEV) system to remove the contaminant at the source. The exhaust system does not appear to be drawing enough of the welding fumes away from the employees to reduce the iron oxide below the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 10 mg/m³. During your investigation, you determine that the diameter of the duct system is 8 inches and has an air velocity of 350 fpm (feet per minute). The welding operation is performed at a distance of 1.5 feet from the exhaust opening. Determine the flow rate, and provide your recommendations on the control measures that could improve the capture of the iron oxide contaminant.Your response must be at least 200 words in length.

   QUESTION 2

   1. Your quality control/quality assurance manager has requested your assistance in the testing and repair facility. One of the test procedures utilizes a radiation source that is emitting gamma radiation at a rate of 50 mrem/hour at a distance of 1 foot. This testing is done for approximately 2 hours per day, 2 days per week. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has a PEL of 1.25 rem per quarter and 5 rem per year.

      1. Determine the employee’s exposure for 1 year.
      2. Calculate the exposure rate if the employee was moved to a distance of 3 feet from the radiation source.
      3. Calculate the exposure rate of the employee if a 5 cm lead shield was installed between the source and the detector. The employee is working at a distance of 1 foot from the source. [µ for lead, (662 keV gamma ray) = 1.23cm^-1]

      Your response must be at least 200 words in length.

      QUESTION 3

      1. There are several gas cylinders that are under pressure, which are located outside of the maintenance department. As the safety professional, you have been asked a couple of questions regarding this issue. Please provide the correct responses, and discuss your recommendations for any control measures.

         1. The volume of the gas cylinder is 25.7 liters and exerts a pressure of 670 mmHg. If part of the gas is used, the pressure drops to 595 mmHg. What would be the remaining volume of gas?
         2. One of the cylinder’s content is under pressure at 1900 psi (per the gauge) at 70°F. As the day heats up because of the sun, the temperature increases to 105°F. What is the pressure at 105°F?

         Your response must be at least 200 words in length.

         QUESTION 4

         1. A process involves the removal of oil and other liquid contaminants from metal parts using a heat-treat oven, which has a volume of 15,000 ft³. The oven is free of solvent vapors. The ventilation rate of the oven is 2,100 cfm, and the safety factor (K) is 3. The solvent used in the process evaporates at a rate of 0.6 cfm (cubic feet per minute). The operator would like to know how long it would take the concentration to reach 425 ppm.Your response must be at least 200 words in length.