Responses to Carbon Dust and Skin Irritation PART 1

Responses to Carbon Dust and Skin Irritation PART 1

Meg Sligar

9/4/2009

Thank you all for your responses. The most common responses were relating to ensuring a proper vacuum system, stockinette sleeves, gloves, baby powder coated arms and a skin barrier from SPT. Here are the responses.
 
**********
 
There some protective creams for use for this purpose. Apply to exposed
skin directly. Used in the fiberglass working environments. I suggest
looking in the Lab Safety Supply catalog, maybe online as well.
RS Marchisio RTP

**********
 
GOJO makes a skin barrier lotion. That has worked for me.
 
Brent

**********
 
I'm too lazy ever to ever use this material, but the times that I have, I was impressed. You rub it in and let it dry and it makes cleaning up your hands (and arms) amazingly easy when working in dirty greasy environments. I can't say I've used it for carbon (see above) but always thought it should work.
 
Here is a link:
 
<URL Redacted> < <URL Redacted>>
 
Hope this helps,
Charles
 
**********
 
Meg, sorry you had such a traumatic experience with the trautman. But covering your arms is really the only thing to keep those carbon hooks off your skin--I don't know of any other way. Just don't let anything dangle and keep yourself at a respectful distance from the spinning sandpaper. Hopefully you have a good dust collector, too. What I do is wear (tight) 2 stockinette up to the end of my short sleeves with thumb hole cut outs, and gloves over that. Sure, the guys used to make fun of me. But the socks come off my arms black with dust, and my arms don't bother me. I have sensitive skin, too.
Kelly Jensen, CPO

**********
 
Lots and lots of baby powder on your arms
 
**********
 
You could use a vet latex glove that goes up to the shoulder or a better method for dust collection,


Greg Frank
Prism Medical Systems
 
**********
 
Meg,
     Try Penetone protective cream. Use it like hand lotion. Make sure it
dries before handling dry carbon for layup etc and gridding. Also it is
water soluble so you re-apply every time you wash your hands. It is very
important to apply BEFORE you start your project; once the carbon is on your
skin its to late. (before you start the project put the lotion ON -
liberally). It will also work with strong solvents. This is available
through SPS. Reference SPT barrier lotion for carbon.
Mary
 
**********
Coat arms with petroleum jelly vasaline
Wes

 
**********
 
Use old lab coat with sleeves rolled up above elbows,
2 layers of tight cotton stockinette from wrists over lab coat at elbow
clip tighty shut at neck (yates clamp works)
Cotton stockinette over face/neck with cut out for eyes
tight latex gloves
tape edges of gloves to stockinette
add hat + respirator + googles
 
This looks ridiculous and really messes your hair up, but works for me. Just be very careful when removing this junk. Blow off lightly first. Wash up with cold water.
 
:)
Amy Wallace Street CPO

 
**********
 
You might look into paper arm sleeves used in the OR. They go from wrist to
shoulder and have elastic at each end and will cover the end of glove if
used. Should just tear away if caught.

Jim Dryden, CPO
Orthopliance Group

 
**********
 
use baby powder. I pour it on thick before I grind and it really cuts down on the carbon getting into your skin.
 
Mark R. Kuhn BOC O, CPed.
Abbott O&P Labs, L.L.C.
 
**********
 
And you didn't trust me around the grinder?! P
 
(I have no idea who that is)
 
**********
 
Hi Meg, I use a heavy dusting of baby powder and rub it in good that seems to help me a great deal. Also if you take duct tape and stick it on the areas that really bother you after the fact it will pull it right off. Good luck, Trace KleinC.P.
 
**********
 
Meg,

You must have sensitive skin as I do.

I found using full hand with the fingers cut out help. I've Kevlar
gloves in combination as well. Even just using home made arm sleeves
using plan stockinet work. I vacuum them off then I wash them out after
using a mild soap and water let dry over night or place them on top of
the oven on a towel

These Kevlar items I use are the type that are used by warehouse
employees are available from Lab Safety.

Thank you

Donald Horner
CO

**********
 
I know that this may not be the answer you are looking for but....
Try thermo plastic for your finished sockets. I have been doing this
For many years. It's much cleaner and easier to work with. You can
Adjust it quickly heat or grind. It's durable too.
 
**********
 
They do make motorized flexible wand shafts that you can chuck in a
grinding part. It is better to front end your time during casting
than think of grinding away a socket later.
Kenneth
RRI

**********
 
Sounds like time to reexamine your vacuum/dust collection system rather than
some sort of physical barrier on yourself. In my case I have attached a
section of 6 metal flexible ductwork pipe to my vacuum system that allows
for an more up close and personal placement near the router and can also be
manipulated to various other positions when needed. Good Luck.

 
**********
 
Send it to an outside fab facility. It's worth it
 
**********
 
Meg
you could try powdering you skin (use plenty). It is an extra step but seems to help some. I just blow it off after grinding and repowder each time. I prefer the cornstarch but don't know that the talc wouldn't also work. Good luck as it can be a real problem.
Mike Fenner CP LPO

 
**********
 
I use a tyvek suit and tape the wrist with masking tape.
bill cornell bocp. rtp.
cornell orthotics & prosthetics entp. LLC

 
**********
 
Dear Meg,
I am sorry that the problem with containment of the carbon graphite particulate is affecting you in the manner your described. In reality is is affecting all your other co-workers but they are just not experiencing the skin reactions like yourself. I would suggest the following if you are looking for cheap and simple. Let me say also that I am not an expert or licensed to give this type of advice. I am only giving you some suggestions of what I would do if I had my own office with the problem(s) you describe.
With the permission of the person in charge (PIC) of the practice ask them if you can use the suggestions given to you by a old CPO who answered your question on the O&P Web Server. Obviously you need to move the particulate away from you, and this is not easy considering the many angles you may hold a prosthesis or orthosis when doing an excavation or sanding adjustment. A: Make sure the dust pick up hopper is angled properly to pick up the dust and the router height is appropriate. Since your name is Meg I am assuming you are a female. That being the case you may be shorter than your co-workers and the router height maybe too high for you. This will bring the discarded material closer to your face and upper body. If this is one of the problems then you will have to ask your PIC if one of the routers can be set up to accommodate yourself and if your lucky some other co-workers who can use the same height of the grinder you need for better collection.
The routers we use in the U.S. are very heavy and difficult to adjust. Most co-workers do not adjust the router because they are in a hurry, but in your case it is an important issue. So see if one router can remain at one height for half the co-workers approximately your size, and one for the other half.
B: Ask your PIC if the company will purchase and mount one posterior fan, two or three facing the backside of the clinician working with the router. This will carry the material away from you. This is not a satisfactory solution unless you have placed a light cloth/gauze like material for a catch wall to trap and hold the particulate and dust. This can be a simple frame made up of 2 x 4 board with two horizontal extensions attached to the side of the frame facing the floor to hold the frame up. The material should be cheap, and is allot easier to change if it will hold to the hook side of Velcro around the side of the frame, or just be able to push through finishing nail heads. If you want to go further it is easy by enclosing the poster side of the frame and add a small exhaust fan that can exhaust out side the room into a containment receptacle or into another barrier system such as a simple gauze bandage bag for an example. Dispose these materials properly to the appropriate disposal center in your area; these are toxic materials and not regular trash. I believe these suggestions could be a cost effective solution if you and your co-workers supply the labor.
B: There is a over the counter lotion or salve called Invisible Gloves. This is a skin barrier some auto mechanic's use so the grease is easier to remove from their hands. I would recommend you use this on your arms and hands if they are going to be exposed. I think the bottle says it will last through 8 hand washings. Be careful the drying wipes you use are not reused, unless you know there is no particulate on the wipe.
C: Due to the concave and convex shapes of the appliance's we adjust air currents can move the particulate in many infinite patterns. All the external safety guard pickups and air movers are not enough to trap everything. Use eye protection. Many, many, types exist. Your PIC will by law provide you with a brand that should be OSHA recommended but it is up to you to protect yourself. Buy the protection you need that is comfortable for you to wear. The same is true for wearing a particulate filter/respirator. I think the standard OSHA recommended filter is a canister type. You should find the information on the web. Making this investment in time to find what fits your personal body features has many personal rewards. Remember this equipment will be with you through your career until something better comes along.
C: ALWAYS/ALWAYS wrap the areas that are not being modified so the particulate matter does not find its way into the threads of a socket vacuum valve, or somewhere the patient might wipe there skin against it. This is true for any upholstery like closures, or liners. A terrible reaction could occur for our patients whom have mild to sever neuropathy. Scratching an itch for patiets who have neuropathy would be more like a scrape. You will have created an opportunity for your patient to create a wound, and open a window to infection(s). We know from experience that some patients hygiene is atrocious, and that includes the neglect of their applicane. So be conscientious and return the adjusted or serviced device without any potential hazards for them to experience.
I am starting to get these questions often. I give credit to an individual who encouraged me to take the time and answer them. He is a CO named Steve Hill. He has been very helpful by publicly bringing workplace safety awareness to the O and P population with lectures, web-seminars, and articles written for the O and Biz. News, and other publications. Check out his articles on line, and you can take one of his web-seminars for CEC credit. His web site is: delphiortho.com < <URL Redacted>> and his office # is 828-777-1032.
Take care, Rick/cpo
**********
 
Meg Sligar, CP/L