PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-712
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 712
MARCH 2012
PS 712
39
PS 712
MAR 12
± Follow±local±environmental±laws±and±Army±regulations±to±dispose±of±gloves,±
clothing,±rags,±respirator±cartridges±and±waste±water.
± Unfortunately,±cadmium±is±
also±a±known±carcinogen±and±
can±cause±lung±and±kidney±
damage.±That’s±why±Soldiers±
should±do±everything±possible±
not±to±expose±themselves±to±it.±
Normally,±grinding±and±sanding±
produce±particle±sizes±that±will±
not±be±airborne.±However,±
don’t±use±compressed±air±to±
clean±work±benches,±parts±and±
areas±because±cadmium±dust±
can±produce±an±inhalation±
hazard.±Keep±the±hazard±
limited±to±a±skin±and±ingestion±
hazard.±Maintain±a±clean±
work±environment±and±wash±
frequently.
± You±are±most±at±risk±to±
cadmium±exposure±while±
grinding,±sanding±or±welding±
metal±parts,±particularly±
bearings±and±axles.±The±fine±
cadmium±particles±get±into±the±
air±where±you±can±unknowingly±
inhale±them,±especially±if±
compressed±air±is±used±to±
clean±or±dry±parts.±This±can±
also±spread±cadmium±particles±
to±adjoining±areas±like±break±
rooms±and±offices.
•±
Welding, sanding and grinding
should be done in areas that can
be washed to remove cadmium
waste. These processes are best
done outside the shop to reduce
inhalation hazards. People not
involved should stay away from
these processes
•±
Use exhaust ventilation to capture
cadmium dust at its source. Ensure
the work environment is periodically
evaluated by industrial hygienists or
safety professionals to provide
adequate and appropriate protection.
•±
Never shake or blow dust that might
contain cadmium off clothing. That
just puts the cadmium in the air
where it can be inhaled.
•±
Don’t wash contaminated clothing
with non-contaminated clothing.
•±
Keep your home free of possible
cadmium contamination by leaving
work clothing in designated work
locker areas.
•±
Wash your hands and face as soon
as possible after doing any repairs
that might produce cadmium dust.
•±
Do not
smoke, eat or drink in work area.
•±
Regularly wash work areas. Do not
use a shop vac to clean since it may
spread the cadmium through its
exhaust.
here are some ways
to protect yourself
and your fellow
repairmen when
grinding, sanding or
welding…
cadmium
is covering
the entire
motor
pool!
is therE
nothing
to
be done?!
Wear±a±respirator±and±protective
clothing,±such±as±coveralls,±as±determined
by±a±qualified±industrial±hygienist.
± Cadmium±is±a±silver-white±metal±element±that’s±
commonly±used±as±a±protective±coating,±a±hardener,±
a±battery±component±and±a±paint±pigment.±That±
means±it’s±all±over±any±motor±pool.
712 38-39.indd
1-2
1/31/12
10:31 AM
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