Document Ozomr6JLbwZMVmjVEKrnLNM6M

BUREAU OF WORKERS' COMPENSATION Division of Safety A Hygiene, 6929 Americana Parkway, Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068 Pbooc: (614)575-1190 Toll bee: 1-800452-7464 Fu: (614)575-1198 May 29, 199 2 Ms Judy Spencer Legal Department Industrial Commission of Ohio 30 w. Spring Street, 9th Floor Columbus, Ohio 43266-0581 Douglas McKay re: OD# 44962-22 GM Fisher Guide Risk t SI 2647 Dear Ms Spencer: The above-named person has filed an occupational disease claim for occupational asthma. The employer has not certified the claim. The undersigned visited the place of employment on May 4, 1992, and met with David Amos and Ruth Rehak of the Employee Benefits/Workers' Compensation section, and Herb Eabes, Tool Room Supervisor. Summary: Historically, tool and die workers are not an increased risk of contracting occupational asthma. There was no industrial hygiene monitoring data available to evaluate this claim. The file presents two differing medical opinions on the likelihood that the claimant's condition was contributed to by his occupational exposures, and therefore a decision on the claim's validity must be based on further medical opinion. Occupational history: According to the claimant's GM work application--see attachment #1--he worked from 1954-79 in three tool and die jobs. The claimant began working at GM 2/4/80, where he continued his trade. See attachment #2 detailing GM jobs in the period 1983 through 1990. OD 44962-22 / Douglas McKay Workplace observation: There is reported to be no welding done routinely in the tool and die area? dedicated# locally exhausted welding booths are operated by specifically designated personnel. No manufactured parts are painted# so there is no exposure via such a source. Water soluble cutting oils have been used at least since the claimant began work there? the use of such products avoids some health related problems of mineral oils# although if not maintained properly# water soluble oils do pose potential health hazards. No stainless steel is worked# thus avoiding a potential source for allergies to nickel and chromium. It was alleged that there are no other sources to those two metals in the plant. Grinding is only occasionally performed within the tool and die section? there is a separate grinding area which has always had local exhausts at each station. (The claimant did not work in the grinding department.) The tool and die section is some distance from the plating department# and it seems unlikely that the claimant would have been exposed to that operation's vapors. Relevant employer medical information: see enclosed letter from John Picken# M.D.# dated June 6, 1991 (attachment #3). Medical evidence: James Lockey, M.D. (10/17/90): "severe asthmatic condition with severe airway obstruction." John Picken# M.D. (6/6/91): "non atopic ('intrinsic') bronchial asthma." Dr. Lockey believes that one or more occupational agents induced the claimant's asthma. In contrast# Dr. Picken found no evidence that Mr. McKay's condition was occupationally related. Industrial hygiene evaluation: No industrial hygiene monitoring results are available for the tool and die area. Note: Based on anecdotal information# the claimant is alleged to own and operate a mink farm? therefore, competent medical authority should address the likely contribution of, for example# animal dander exposure on his medical condition. Gary Chambers Industrial Hygienist South Central Region Office Division of Safety & Hygiene 2 yv 3 RECORDS CERTIFICATION I, the undersigned, an employee of the Bureau of Workers' Compensation, do hereby certify that the microfilm images on this reel of microfilm or microfiche are complete and accurate reproductions of the original records of the +> // as accumulated during the regular course of business, and that it is the established procedure of this department to microfilm its records for permanent file and to dispose of the original records after microfilm reproductions have been made.