Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health
Abstract
Ispitani su uvjeti u radnoj okolini i zdravstveno stanje radnika u Ljevaonici. Kemijske i fizičke karakteristike radne okoline mjerene su u dva navrata u 1985. godini, i to u zimskom (siječanj) i ljetnom (srpanj) razdoblju. Rezultati mjerenja pokazali su da su na svim radnim mjestima (osim u laboratoriju) toplinski uvjeti nepovoljni - preniska temperatura zimi, previsoka ljeti, previsoka relativna vlažnost, preveliko strujanje zraka na pojedinim poslovima zimi, značajno toplinsko zračenje pri lijevanju i istresanju odljeva. Koncentracija lebdećih čestica pri lijevanju i čišćenju odljeva s obzirom na visok sadržaj slobodnog Si02 višestruko su veće od MDK, a oko 50 % čestica je respirabilno. Buka prelazi dopuštene vrijednosti kod strojnog kaluparenja, kod rešetke za istresanje odljeva i u cijeloj prostoriji čistionice. Prosječne koncentracije fenola, formaldehida i ugljičnog monoksida ne prelaze MDK, ali je vrlo vjerojatno da se u prosjecima većim od 1/3 MDK kriju kratko¬trajne vrijednosti veće od graničnih. Rezultati zdravstvenog pregleda upućuju na to da se u aktualnim radnim uvjetima mogu očekivati određena oštećenja odnosno veća stopa pojedinih bolesti u razvoju kojih je profesionalna izloženost štetnim faktorima jedan od potencijalnih uzročnih činilaca. To se odnosi na kroničnu opstruktivnu bolest pluća, oštećenja sluha bukom i vjerojatno oštećenja lokomotornih organa (bolesti kralješnice). Zasad je u pregledanoj skupini radnika utvrđen samo jedan slučaj početne silikoze, ali je s obzirom na izloženost prašini s visokim sadržajem Si02 moguće očekivati i nove slučajeve posebno u radnika na čišćenju odljevaka. Na kraju su izložene preporuke o sanaciji uvjeta na radu.An investigation was performed of the working conditions in a smelting works and of the workers\u27 state of health. Chemical and physical parameters of the working environment were measured in 1985 on two occasions: in winter (January) and in summer (July). At all the workplaces, except in the laboratory, the conditions were unfavourable: temperature was too low in winter and too high in summer, relative humidity was very high, there was excessive draft in some places during winter time, and excessive heat irradiation during the process of casting. The concentration of airborne dust particles containing free silica was considerably higher than the MAC values and 50°/o of the particles were respirable. Noise was found to exceed standards acceptable for work posts in mechanical casting, those close to the grates for emptying casts and in the rest of the cast cleaning premises. The average phenol, formaldehyde and carbon monoxide values did not exceed maximum allowable concentrations. It is very likely, however, that among the values exceeding 113 of MAC there are short-term concentrations which are greater than the borderline ones. The results of medical examinations indicate that some health impairment among exposed workers may be expected, as well as a greater incidence of certain occupational diseases associated with excessive exposure. This applies in particular to chronic obstructive lung disease, hearing damage and impairment of the locomotive system, the spine in particular. Only one case of silicosis was identified, but more cases may be expected. Recommendations are given for improving working conditions
