Expert: Mike Smith Date: 4/25/2008 Subject: Industrial toxicology
Question A 36 year old man job involves stripping down machinery, cleaning it using degreasing agents and subsequently machining it. He uses many machines including lathes and powered hacksaws all of which are cooled using an oil water emulsion. He had previously worked in another area of the workshop as a storeman. Since moving to his current job he has noticed that he has developed headaches and also says that his hands seem rather dry and the skin cracks in cold weather.. What could be possible causes for his symptoms and how can i investigate them?
Answer Hi Aisha,
I would start with the (Any) chemicals he is exposed too. Pull up the MSDS on the substance and find out exactly what to expect. Secondly, find out if personal protective equipment is required for his job? Find out by quiet observation if he is using the PPE all the time.
Check out his personal life and see if he is worrying about work or home problems. Ask him directly what is causing his problems?
Working with cleaning products many people are adamant that they are safe.DO NOT TAKE HIS WORD FOR IT! Pull out the MSDS and look for yourself. If all of the above fails, take him to the doctor and find out if he has an allergy to anything he works with.
See if anything above works and let me know.
Sounds to me like he is having a reaction to one of the chemicals.
Good luck,
Mike
BTW: the safety department should be doing this evaluation, you may want to force the issue by asking for the environmental data for that specific job?
