High Safety Helps Defend the Nation — sort of!

High Safety Consulting Services, Ltd. was called in by a local construction contractor who was performing work in the basement of the Pentagon in Washington DC. While working with motorized equipment, the company's air monitors alarmed for hydrogen sulfide levels and employees were complaining of irritation of their mucus membranes. The safety consultant for the site recommended that the work be stopped because of the toxic effects of hydrogen sulfide. High Safety Consulting was called to investigate the situation and, using various sampling methods, determined that the work could continue. The company's meters were responding to peaks of carbon monoxide in the area causing a cross-sensitivity of the Hydrogen Sulfide sensors. The welding operations being performed also created fluorides, which were responsible for the irritation that the employees were experiencing. Some adjustments to the air flow and ventilation systems were made to improve the air quality for CO and the fluoride exposures.

HSCSL eliminates on-going cost and nuisance problem for local firm

A manufacturer of consumer products had on-going problems with a "black dust" that covered all of the products in the plant and warehouse. A consultant had been called in previously to determine the composition of the material and source. The consultant determined that the source was non-fibrous and thus did not contain asbestos. The source and solution to the problem was never determined by that consultant, however the roof surface and the HVAC were possible suspects. HSCSL was asked to evaluate the problem. HSCSL consultants determined immediately that the source was from the heavy use of forklifts and the degradation of the rubber wheels. To confirm this theory, samples were taken of the "black dust". The analysis nearly matched the chemical make-up of the forklifts' rubber tires. A program was recommended by HSCSL to eliminate the problem, which was implemented. The company no longer needs to clean products prior to shipment and has quantified a significant savings in addressing this issue.

HSCSL solves foul odors in a public facility

Intermittent complaints of a sewer type of stench coming from a local public building resulted in the officials contacting HSCSL to resolve the concern. After testing for a number of constituents, it was determined that sewer gases were entering the building as a result of an improperly constructed sewer trap. Water was added to the trap and recommendations were made for permanent fixes to the piping system.

HSCSL provides assistance to manufacturer in reducing product noise exposure

A manufacturer of large industrial equipment recently added cabs to their equipment in hopes of reducing the noise exposure for users of the equipment. To their disappointment, the noise reductions they were hoping for were not achieved. HSCSL was called in to determine the source of the noise and develop some solutions to improve the situation. An octave band analysis was performed and it was determined that the controlling noise source was resulting from hydraulic lines against the cab of the equipment. The manufacturer re-designed the equipment and eliminated the hydraulic lines.

HSCSL recommends improvements for hospital nursery

A hospital contacted HSCSL with concerns about a nurse who had some hearing loss. She was working in the hospital nursery, and the hospital was concerned about her ability to hear infants crying and the floor call bells. After reviewing the audiograms and using an octave band analyzer, HSCSL determined which sounds would be especially difficult for the nurse to hear. A recommended tone and volume level was provided for alarms on the floor. Other options were also proposed that would notify the nurse of situations in ways other than using audible signals.

Casket company wants to prevent employees from becoming early customers

A company manufacturing caskets requested that HSCSL determine the exposure of its employees to radio-frequency radiation coming from a radio-frequency glue-setting process. A survey was performed to determine exposures being incurred by employees involved in the operations. Some over-exposures were noted and recommendations were made to reduce the exposures. In addition, HSCSL was then contracted to provide training to the employees on the findings and work practices that would protect them from any future exposure.