Prevention of Silicosis

Our Construction Materials segment has long been recognized as the industry leader in occupational health. In 1996,the U.S. Department of Labor cited our program as a national example for the prevention of silicosis, a lung disease associated with overexposure to silica-containing dusts. All production employees are entitled to regular medical tests at their facility, and we regularly monitor employee health for possible adverse impacts from dust and noise.

Testing for Dust and Noise

Exposure monitoring in our aggregates facilities began in 1976 and has matured into a sophisticated, statistically oriented sampling program in which random testing for dust and noise is conducted seasonally.

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In 1999, we rolled out a computerized data entry system for exposure monitoring. Samples are emailed directly to the central Occupational Health Office for more efficient processing. In early 2001 we will complete a system that provides 24-hour computer access to material safety data sheets for all chemicals used at our Construction Materials plants.

We record all exposures. As controls are installed, follow-up assessments ensure they are effective. Ongoing controls commonly include water trucks and water spray systems for dust control; enclosed workstations and air-conditioned operator cabs for dust and noise control; and modified work practices and ventilation systems for dust and fume control. Personal protective devices, such as respirators and hearing protection, are provided when engineering or administrative controls are not feasible.

From 1996 to 1998, Vulcan hired an industrial hygiene statistician to develop statistical software to help analyze dust and noise exposure data. Determining appropriate sample sizes for each operation, then calculating exposure distributions, greatly enhanced our analysis of monitoring data. In addition, we proposed and helped develop a joint government/industry program for teaching mining companies how to sample employee dust and noise exposures. As a result, three-day sampling workshops are conducted throughout the United States.

Respiratory health screenings, consisting of a chest X-ray and a pulmonary function test, began in 1985 and are given regularly to production employees. Tests are conducted on-site by an independent mobile service. Professional audiologists, pulmonary specialists, physicians and occupational health staff review all medical test results and share results with employees. Any individual with an abnormal chest X-ray potentially associated with dust overexposure is referred to a pulmonary specialist for a comprehensive medical examination, a definitive diagnosis and treatment if appropriate. Preliminary findings are also reported to MSHA. Respiratory problems occur more commonly in employees hired with recently acquired operations; they have not yet benefited from our comprehensive exposure control program.

Approximately 26,000 industrial hygiene samples have been collected and analyzed since 1980. In mid-1991, we initiated a new program to track our efforts to control dust and noise exposures. As a result of this program, our performance in reducing employee exposures improved significantly.

After six consecutive years of results that beat the industry standard, our 1999 MSHA over-standard dust sample data were disappointing. However, 45% of the over-standard results were in newly acquired operations. Another 27% were the result of exposures during non-routine maintenance activities. To address this issue, we are increasing our efforts to make employees aware of their responsibilities when performing non-routine maintenance activities. Two simple steps are to regularly wash down maintenance areas and use respirators. All employees receive ongoing training on how to fit and use respirators.

New acquisitions are folded into our comprehensive occupational health program, but it is difficult to quickly bring them up to our standards. We have begun industrial health monitoring and medical testing at all recently acquired plants, and anticipate improved safety and health results as these programs take effect. Our goal remains 100% compliance on a consistent basis.

The noises from crushing, screening, hauling and dumping stone at our various mining operations can be complex and difficult to address. We began hearing testing in 1976 and test all Construction Materials production employees annually. Since 1980, we have given nearly 48,000 audiograms.

Most large mining equipment generates considerable noise, so MSHA has established exposure standards designed to protect the hearing of miners. Noise exposure samples collected by MSHA indicate we have consistently performed better than the industry as a whole. In 1998, we achieved the best compliance in the history of MSHA sampling at our operations -98% compliance. In 1999 our MSHA noise exposure compliance was 96%, still markedly better than the industry's 86% average.

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