Document QJ773oe54QR9YM034X6MB0Re7

<*V' * i - 'L TO: CHEMICAL/PLASTICS DIVISION ATTENTION: Mr. R. E. Garber INTER-ORGANIZATION QMG o FROM: R. W. Laundrie DATE, April 1, 1974 SUBJECT: VISIT TO ASHTABULA PVC OPERATION BY U.R.W. INDUSTRIAL HYGIENIST cc: M. Glenn J. Mudd J. Wetzel At the request of the Local U.R.W. union executive board, L. Belicsky the Industrial Hygienist for the U.R.W. International was asked to make 4 visit to the OTC plant. Per Mr. Belicsky the local made the request because it - > 41. Wanted Mr. Belicsky's direct input to the angiosarcoma problem. 2. Hoped to speed up the medical surveillance program. 3. Wanted Mr. Belicsky to see General Tire's mode of operation. 4. Was desirous of Improving coumunications in safety matters. 5. Had several specific safety items they wanted solutions for (generally Involving the emanations of gases and oc^ors from Olin and the hazards involved in burning ortho-TDA in our boilers.) The visit was cleared with the local and division managements and the Corporate Safety^Industrial Relations and Legal Departments notified. Mr. Belicsky arrived at 9:20 a.m. and the people assembled en banc in Mr. Mudd's office (attendees - Mudd, Allen, Laundrie of General Tire - the Union Executive Comnittee consisting of Wayne Wagner, President, Francis McKinley and Dale Carlew - and Mr. Belicsky). Mr. Belicsky reviewed all he knew about the problem and distributed a copy of the CDC (Center for Disease Control) recoranendatlons for medical surveillance. Mr. Mudd reviewed our mode of operations at the plant especially emphasizing - our yields, the use of the gas - holder and our present low level of exposures to MVC with our revised reactor cleaning system. It was also explained that our frequency of vessel entry would decrease considerably with the use of solvent cleaning which should be ready about June 1. Belicsky specifically asked about the proposed 50 ppm level of OSHA and we informed him that under normal operations we would have no problem. We did state that we felt to go lower would be most difficult to attain. Belicsky mentioned 1 and 10 ppm as distinct possibilities but offered nothing as to the probability of these low levels being adopted. Mr. Belicsky adced about our plans for medical screening and continued surveillance. It was explained that on this very afternoon, a meeting was set to meet with our consultants on the protocol and timing. He asked who our consultant OHw I ftONO GENC 19226 BETTER Service Is Our Business Mr. R. E. Garber Page 2 April 1, 1974 was and we told him. After lunch, all but Mr. Mudd (met with Company Doctor and the consultant, Dr. Merritt Alcorn of Hilltop Laboratories)made a 3 hour tour of the plant. Mr. Belicsky armed one onion man with a sound level meter and another with a velometer. Measurements were taken at various locations by the two men no data were recorded* I did request that the Sound Level Meter not be turned on and off (spark producing) in the hazardous areas. He complied. At a post walk through meeting Mr. Belicsky stated that his greatest concern was the poor or non functioning joint Union-Management comnittee. He wants a walk through and separate (from grievance meeting) meeting once a month. The request is reasonable and should be followed through. I would discourage an entourage parading the plant but acquiesce to say a maximum of 4 people making an hour or less tour. A different section of plant could be covered each month. Other items brought up in the review meeting by Belicsky concerned - 1. Availability of first aid people and the availability of amyl nitrate ampules for acrylonitrile exposures - explained to him that all foremen and guards were trained (and retrained`periodically) in first aid measures and that the ampules were available for treatment. Also explained that hospital was 10 minutes away, that nurse was available on day shift and that nurse and doctor were always on call should need arise. 2. Explanation of meaning of TLV's to Union and presentation of 1973 ACGIH bulletin to Union. Education for union officers, 3. Non-ventilation where dry chemicals are weighed out in poly explained that this was on list of items to be done. 4. MSA alarm syaten - he was happy to see that lower level was set at 10% LEL instead of at 25% in most other plants. He feels deluge system should be tied into alarm system. This is an engin eering and fire protection decision not an industrial hygiene decision. VC1 safety association has discussed this many times those that have done this aren't all pleased. Too many unexpected baths of all personnel and equipment and It requires much water. One outfall has been a tightening up of process leaks to prevent the deluge. 5. Housekeeping was no better than other plants in polymer building and finishing. 6. Lockout systd - stated we had a good system. 7. New reactor ventilation system - unfortunately only one unit was doing Its job. Other ventilator could not overcome high east GENC 19227 Mr. R. E. Garber Page 3 April 1, 1974 wind or else orifice was plugged by polymer. A regular (daily check) on units must be made. Reliability must be improved to avoid such embarrassments and to avoid exposure to MVC. 8. Rescue Equipment in Polyroom lockerroom - corroded, no inspection tags and not in clean dry place. Obviously the units get hosing down with rest of room. 9. TDA burning - Mr. Belicsky didn't know much about TDA, He thought it was shovelled into boilers. He is concerned with the emanation of hazardous gases from boiler. 1 don't believe we have a problem, but it should be checked out. Refer to work that Feely of Olin did.before we started and determine just what products of combustion are. A higher stack may be in order. 10. Dust masks at centrifuges - Belicsky noted these and warned that they do not remove MVC vapors. If necessary, when dryers ar cleaned, used full face air line mask. 11. Noise problems - noted high levels at transfer units. It was pointed out that ear protection is required in these areas. a 12. Laboratory Hoods - measurements were made of all lab hoods. All were wide open like yawning chasms and some did not have ventilation turned on. However, only one was in use. Lou gave a lecture on closing of hoods and on the best manual on ventilation. 13. Autobagger line - Belicsky suggested a safety line from one end to the other that would shut all parts down. This is a good suggestion and such a safety line will be provided (be sure to test daily and record results). 14. MVC Leaks - Mr. Belicsky stated that we like all FVC plants had problems with the escape of MVC but he believed we had no problem meeting the SO ppm level. He stated that he and all locals are concerned with MVC in polymers that are evolved in fabrication plants. In general, I believe we had a constructive day with Mr. Belicsky and the local conmittee. Communications on safety at the local management level must be given greater attention. Mr. Mudd explained that as a result of the afternoon meeting with our consultant and the company doctor^ medical screening and surveillance would be started next week Thursday. Mr. Belicsky and union appeared delighted. RWL/byo OENC 19226