Document 8N3GGQjjQXzjyRXQL7onga6Z

I ETHYL CORPORATION INTER-OFFICE CORRESPONDENCE TO FROM Dr. R. A. Kehoe Mr. 0. B. Lewis 1 < SUBJECT Tank Cleaning Accident - Continental Oil Refining Company Artesia, New Mexico ADDRESS Cincinnati ADDRESS New York DATE January 15 I, too, am concerned about the tank cleaning accident at the Continental Oil Refining Company at Artesia, New Mexico. The questions brought out in your letter of January 5, 194-5 are very similar to those which have been troubling me. A study of the somewhat conflicting reports which vie have on this case confirms at least the two serious mistakes in judgment which you mention. I cannot understand our representative permitting men to enter the tank, which he pronounced not thoroughly clean, without full protective equipment. There is evidence, however, from a description of this tank cleaning job that the tank might justifiably have been declared thoroughly cleaned, since apparently all of the material had been removed and a condition created which normally would have permitted the tank: to be pronounced safe for entering from the standpoint of lead. However, steaming, and the factor of the broken bottom viould seem to introduce certain imponderables. I believe that we cannot afford to overlook the possibility that lead poisoning occurred from some such factor or factors on which we have no exact information. Possibly, you do have, through Dr. Schradin's report, or as a result of the analysis of material. Your statement that it is not altogether an unusual practice; for men without suitable protective equipment to be permitted to enter; tanks that have not been pronounced thoroughly cleaned comes to me as a complete surprise. Certainly nothing that we have said or implied from this office would condone this procedure; further more, a cursory study of our tank cleaning reports does not support this viewpoint. If such a condition exists, it has come about without ray knowledge and in spite of the emphasis that has been placed on this point at almost every opportunity when discussing the subject of tank cleaning with Division personnel. \ 9 Despite everything that has been said and written, this apparent instance of lack of sound judgment is profoundly disturbing. I agree with you that a letter should be written to the field outlin ing the circumstances of this accident and emphasizing anew the responsibility that our Safety Engineers must assume. A draft of such a letter is attached, and I hope you will alter it as seems fit, and return it to me for issuance. You mention certain unusual features of lead exposure in this case, and that in Cincinnati you are now analyzing data that has been collected. I should appreciate an opportunity for discussion with you and possibly, if you concur, with Dr. Schradin, since he has first-hand knowledge of this accident. If you agree, I should like to come to Cincinnati at an early date convenient to both of you. Y ours very truly, r3 Att: Draft of Circular Letter ftp 0021470