Re: HEAT STRESS/Radsafe: help!

[Gordon Miller <miller22@llnl.gov>]

Any good safety equipment distributor will carry cooling vests. The most
complex involve circulating chilled water. Simpler ones have pouches for
blue ice packs. A variant of blue ice is pouches containing a high mw
hydrocarbon that liquifies at body temperature worn in lieu of blue ice -
less heat capacity, but greater comfort.

Quest makes a solid state in-ear thermometer to observe core temperature.
This is the bottom line for heat stress controls. Safety distributors carry
Quest's line of instruments.

PPE is a serious problem because evaporative heat transfer, the most
effective means the body has to dump heat, no longer works when the lost
water vapor is trapped in the suit with the user. The heat stress TLV has
guidance about adjusting the measured "WBGT" temperature by up to 6 deg. C
which will have a major impact.

All in all, it is advisable to contact an IH about this.

Gordon Miller, CIH
miller22@llnl.gov

--------------------------------

>	A possible suggestion, for dealing with the heat stress problem, is
>the use of a cooling vest (one with circulating ice water)
>underneath the PPE.  I remember that some nuclear plants have used
>these, when workers have been required to work in above normal
>temperatures.
>
>	All opinions expressed are my own
>
>Joan Stovall,
>joans@pcez.com
>>From: "David Levy" <david.levy@fernald.gov>
>>Date: 11/5/98  1:06:23PM
>>To: "Multiple recipients of list" <radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu>
>>Subject: HEAT STRESS/Radsafe:  help!
>>
>>     People,
>>
>>     I'm certain many of you have been caught up in the heat
>>stress/stay
>>     times vs. PPE issues in which I am currently embroiled.  I'm
>>seeking
>>     friendly advice, anecdotes, ... anything that might help.
>>
>>     Here's my situation (grossly simplified to cut down on
>>bandwidth):
>>
>>     CONTROLLING ISOTOOPE  thorium 230
>>
>>     WASTE FORM:  product (heterogeneous), debris, and soil
>>
>>     WASTE CONTAINERS:  covered pits in the ground
>>
>>     PROJECT:  excavate pits, process material, load into railcars,
>>ship
>>     off-site.  This is a DOE facility.
>>
>>     PROCESSING FACILITY:  large building with high walls open at
>>the top,
>>     roof, garage door openings at far ends, passive ridge roof
>>ventilators
>>     on top.
>>
>>     ANTI-CONTAMINATION CLOTHING:  double layer of coveralls (outer
>>layer,
>>     disposable) and PAPRs (and gloves, booties, ...)
>>
>>     PROBLEM:  heat stress and stay times.
>>
>>     I am seeking ways to cut back on the PPE, but at best I think
>>we'll
>>     only be able to trim it back a little (if I'm lucky, we'll be
>>able to
>>     get it back to single coveralls and a full-face air purifying
>>     respirator).
>>
>>     I am exploring innovative ways to get the workers as close to
>>the work
>>     site as possible before having to don their anti-contamination
>>     clothing.
>>
>>     I am currently against a physiological monitoring program to
>>extend
>>     stay times due to the potential for cross-contamination, but I
>>am
>>     interested in anyone's experience with this type of monitoring
>>in the
>>     rigid environment of a thorium area.
>>
>>     I am pretty much working in an environment where the workers
>>have
>>     never been satisfied with cool suits or ice vests or any of
>>that type
>>     of control, but I am open to suggestions regarding new
>>products out
>>     there.
>>
>>     Also, does anyone have any experience getting water to workers
>>in a
>>     contamination area while ensuring radiological cleanliness?
>>
>>     Any ideas?
>>
>>     Thanks!
>>
>>     David A. Levy, david.levy@fernald.gov
>>     Fernald, Ohio
>>     (513) 661-3563
>>
>>*********************************************************************
>>***
>>The RADSAFE Frequently Asked Questions list, archives and
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>>information can be accessed at
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>>
>>
>
>
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