POTENTIAL MEDICAL HAZARDS AT THE DAMMAN PORT CARC PAINT SITE

File: 110596_aug96_decls26_0002.txt
Page: 0002
Total Pages: 3

Subject: POTENTIAL MEDICAL HAZARDS AT THE DAMMAN PORT CARC PAINT SITE    

Unit: 22D SUPCOM  

Parent Organization: ARCENT      

Box ID: BX005154

Folder Title: CARC  ISSUES                                                                                    

Document Number:          9

Folder SEQ  #:         72









                                    DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
                     MEDICAL GROUP (PROVISIONAL) PREVENTIVE MEDICINE TEAM
                                    XINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA
                                      APO NEW YORK 09616

              AFRD-MD-PMS                                              26 May 1991

              MEMORANDUM FOR COMMANDER                   GROUP


              SUBJECT: POTENTIAL MEDICAL HAZARDS AT THE DAMMAN PORT CARC PAINT
                         SITE

              1. PROBLEM: On 24 May 1991, a safety inspection was conducted at
              the Damman Port CARC paint site. Several deficiencies were noted
              that present a severe medical threat to the soldiers at the site.

              2. FINDINGS:

                   a. Several soldiers and DOD personnel were working inside or
              around the paint tents without proper personnel protective
              equipment. While everyone had a respirator on, personnel were not
              wearing gloves or paint suits. The problem was compounded because
              the individuals were not even wearing a shirt with long sleeves.
              Several soldiers were noted to have paint spray on them.

                   b. The soldiers that are cleaning tools and other equipment
              in the solvent are not wearing the recommended personnel protective
              equipment (PPE) .   Soldiers are not wearing respirators, rubber
              gloves,    long sleeve shirts, and aprons.    The soldiers and the
              chain of command are aware of these short comings.           But for
              convenience, it has been decided to allow the soldiers       to work
              without proper PPE. If not properly used, the solvent is a    medical
              hazard. The MSDS for the solvent list the medical hazard as: "Eye
              irritant.     can cause dermatitis, anestetic respiratory tract
ey or liver
              damage. Can be absorbed through the skin." Several soldiers have
              complained about feeling sick and had to be removed from the
              cleaning operation.

                   C.    There are several noise hazards throughout the area.
              Personnel in or around these areas are not being protected from the
              hazards.   The  following is a list of several locations that are
              noise hazards:

                         (1)  Generators located by the reefer - 85 dB at 20 feet.
                         (2)  Light generators - 85 dB at 6 feet.
                         (3)  Generators/air compressors by the fence - 85 dB at
                              20 feet. In the middle of the generators and
                              compressors the sound level was 97 dB.
                         (4)  Tent with the air compressors - 95 db inside.
                         (5)  Vehicle wash area   levels ranged from 87 to 98 db.
                         (6)  Tracks driving by    sound levels reached 103 dB.
                         (7)  Soldiers are driving track vehicles without hearing
                              protection.

Document 3 f:/Week-34/BX005154/CARC ISSUES/potential medical hazards at the damman port car:110496091426133
Control Fields 17
File Room = aug96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-34
Box ID = BX005154
Unit = 22D SUPCOM
Parent Organization = ARCENT
Folder Title = CARC ISSUES
Folder Seq # = 72
Subject = POTENTIAL MEDICAL HAZARDS AT THE DAMMAN PORT CAR
Document Seq # = 9
Document Date =
Scan Date =
Queued for Declassification = 01-JAN-1980
Short Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Long Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Permanent Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Non-Health Related Document = 01-JAN-1980
Declassified = 04-NOV-1996