Document MMY2eqxnvBoJ6OX2MYX305mB9

INTERNAL CORRESPONDENCE IHEMICALS AND PLASTICS P. O. BOX 471, TEXAS ClTV, TEXAS 7758J O (NAME) IOMPANY .OCATION Messrs. T. 0. Blum D. L. Engle D. H. Glenn, MD J. S. Knight J. B. Leverton R. P. Melton R. R. Rankin - 803 R. Ritchie R. J. Taylor J. W. Whittlesey - 501 DATE SUBJECT March 14, 1980 OSHA Investigation Amine Exposure of Mr. Terrance Lemmond Gentlemen: On March 13, 1980, Mr. Jeff Sayers, DOL Industrial Hygienist, conducted an Investigation into a formal complaint lodged by Mr. Terrance Lemmond against Union Carbide. Mr. Lemmond alleges in this complaint that management assigned him to the chemical area of the plant with knowledge that he was medically restricted from that area. Lemmond also stated this assignment resulted in the development of an allergic reaction to "diethylene amine." The complaint is attached. An opening conference was held with Messrs. J. Sayers, J. B. Leverton, L. Smith, R. E. Kirkland, Dr. D. H. Glenn, J. D. Summers, K. E. Martin, E. Adair (Texas Metal Traide Council representative), and Ms. A. P. Yalcinkaya. Mr. Sayers informed us that this complaint had been previously addressed In a letter of Inquiry authored by Mr. R. Davis Layne, OSHA Area Director.. Mr. Davis' letter and our response are attached. The complainant, Mr. Lemmond, was not satisfied with our response and filed a formal complaint In which he authorized OSHA to reveal his identity In the Investigation. Mr. Sayers requested to Inspect the 1979 OSHA Form 200 Log and copies of the page that recorded the incident in question. Sayers then produced for our Inspection the following documents that had been supplied by Mr. Lemnond: A. Work Restrictions from Medical Department on T. Lemmond. B. Memo from Bob Kirkland dated November 2, 1979, by which Mr. Lemmond was transferred to Area II. C. November Accident Report/Monthly Summary from J. D. Summers which reflected that a RII had resulted from amine exposure. D. Physician statement from Dr. J. Buchanan indicating he had suffered from exposure to diethylene amine. UCTC 21235 Mr. T. 0. Blum, et al March 14, 1980 Page 2 Mr. Sayers was informed by Mr. Kirkland, Lemmond's supervisor, that Lenmond had requested the transfer into the chemical area of the plant, and it was carried out with their mutual agreement. Mr. Kirkland at the time did not recall that Lemmond was restricted from this area. Mr. Lenmond is now assigned to #2 Olefins which is permitted under his restrictions. Mr. Lemmond was sunmoned for a private interview with Mr. Sayers and Mr. Adair. Sayers then took a signed statement from Mr. Kirkland describing his actions in this affair. Mr. Sayers offered the following comments in the form of a closing conference: A. Entire event resulted from a lack of communications between management and the field. B. Mr. Lemmond did not remind Kirkland of his work restrictiions because he alleged that he had been intimidated in 1975 over a similar incident which was not clearly defined. (Mr. Leverton advised the OSHA officer that this was a new allegation that Union Carbide was not aware of, and had not been given the opportunity to investigate.) C. A reevaluation of our Medical restriction program should be initiated in order that a similar accident might be avoided in the future. D. If a citation Is Issued, it would be 5al, General Duty Clause, and we should receive It within two weeks. Mr. Sayers was then escorted out of the plant. If you have any questions con cerning this investigation please contact me at ext. 5589. Sincerely, KEM:1r Attachments UCTC 21236