A Case Study of Behavioral Approaches to Controlling Occupational Exposures

1. 1 A Case Study of Behavioral Approaches to Controlling Occupational Exposures References: �Behavioral Technology for Reducing Occupational Exposures to Styrene� Hopkins BL, Conard RJ, Dangel RF, Fitch HG, Smith MJ, Anger WK �Effective and Reliable Behavioral Control Technology� Hopkins BL, Conard RJ, Smith MJ

2. 2 Styrene: C8H8 Primarily a synthetic chemical, also known as vinylbenzene, ethenylbenzene, cinnamene, or phenylethylene Colorless liquid that evaporates easily and has a sweet smell; it often contains other chemicals that give it a sharp, unpleasant smell Dissolves in some liquids, but doesn�t dissolve easily in water. Used to make products such as rubber, plastic, insulation, fiberglass, pipes, automobile parts, food containers, and carpet backing Low levels also occur naturally in a variety of foods

3. 3 Styrene: Health Effects Toxic substance contributing to lung disease and cancer Enters body through inhalation, ingestion, and absorption through skin >100 ppm causes eye and nose irritation Short-term exposure to high levels can cause neurological effects such as: depression, concentration problems, muscle weakness, tiredness, and nausea Long-term exposure leads to neurological damage, and possibly liver and kidney damage as well Federal standard limit: 8 hours at 100 ppm, Time Weighted Average (OSHA recommends 50 ppm, TWA)

4. 4 Styrene in the U.S. 7.5 billion pounds produced annually >30,000 workers in 1,000 plants exposed to styrene full-time >300,000 come into contact with styrene periodically Highest exposures: fiberglass-reinforced plastics manufacturing industry For more info on Styrene, visit ATSDR web site

5. 5 Ways to Control Human Exposure to Styrene Engineering controls provide direct solutions to remove the exposure. For example, through ventilation, new production processes where the hazard has been removed (e.g. automation in letter sorting) or new technologies (e.g. to reduce vibration) Work practice controls such as personal protective equipment or modified work practices (e.g. rest breaks) Administrative controls such as worker rotation The second two types of controls require behavioral and/or social change

6. 6 Behavioral Controls Behavioral means for minimizing workers� exposure through changing behaviors: wearing gloves, respirators, etc. Considered less reliable Recommendations often no more than �common sense� Challenge to implement programs that work

7. 7 Basic Process for Making Fiberglass-Reinforced Styrene Plastic Products

8. 8 Behavioral Intervention Focused on Two Classes of Behavior: Work Practice Behaviors Housekeeping Conditions

9. 9 Work Practice Behaviors Turning on spray booth exhaust fans Keeping breathing zones 18in from styrene sources Working upwind of airborne styrene sources Working in specific areas to take advantage of airflow and exhaust ventilation Avoiding standing in front of a person using a spray gun Avoiding spraying towards another worker Spraying toward the exhaust ports of the booths Spraying so most of the spray hits the mold Locating molds to take advantage of airflow

10. 10 Housekeeping Conditions All spray booth filters in place Overspray buildup on booth filters, floors, and walls kept low Floors covered by disposable material Floor and table coverings not torn or soaked through with resin Resin-soaked debris removed Floors and work table tops free of spills Spray booth lights operational and visible Waste cans available in spray booths

11. 11 Housekeeping Conditions (cont) Work areas free of empty chemical containers Curing parts removed from work areas when work on them is completed Wheels on mold carriages turn freely Resin and gelcoat containers covered Spray equipment gauges visible Acetone containers closed when not in use Spray guns and hoses not leaking Work areas free of food and drink

12. 12 Behavioral Interventions Training Modelling Testing and Feedback Maintenance

13. 13 Training Videos of behaviors, and meetings to discuss behaviors Videos familiarized the workers with styrene and demonstrated the usefulness of the housekeeping conditions and behaviors At the end of the meeting, the trainer gave each person a test form they would be responsible for passing regarding behaviors they can maintain On the job modeling of appropriate behaviors, including corrective feedback if behavior was wrong and positive verbal feedback is behavior was correct

14. 14 Testing Use of Appropriate Behaviors From 2 days to 1 week after watching a videotape, workers were given: $25 for passing a test on housekeeping $25 for passing a test on behaviors that took advantage of the airflow of the plant $5 for passing each test on keeping breathing zones from sources of styrene � keeping styrene off the skin, avoiding a position in front of a spraygun, not spraying towards another person, and spraying so that most of the spray hits the mold (totals $25)

15. 15 Behavior Maintenance Trainer conducted tests daily following completion of the training, paying $5 for passing all the maintenance tests for work behaviors and $5 for passing all the housekeeping tests Verbal praise of appropriate behaviors and corrective feedback

16. 16 Experimental Design