Document VJZzdMZV4657VJjV1R2gYn2kw

Chemicals INTEROFFICE / LAKE CHARLES TO Distribu FROM J Murry DATE September 3, 1975 SUBJECT VC Medical Surveillance Attached is a copy of the vinyl Chloride Medical Surveillance Procedures adopted by the Lake Charles Plant. JMD/bc Attachment Distribution Z. G. Bell L. B. Grant R. E. Sourwine SL 072909 VINYL CHLORIDE MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE LAKE CHARLES PLANT I. Pre-Employment Examination - As a part of pre-employment physicals all job applicants whose job assignments could possibly include the VCM areas must pass requirements by OSHA in paragraph (k) Medical Surveillance 1910.1017 vinyl chloride as well as the usual PPG pre-employment medical standards. If any of the 5 tests on the serum specimen as required are abnormal the applicant shall be rechecked one time and if still abnormal shall be dis qualified for employment. II. Pre-Placement Examination - All employees prior to being assigned to a job which will potentially expose them to VCM will be provided an initial medical examination in accordance with federal regulations. If the medical examination reveals that the employee's health could possibly be materially impaired by exposure to VCM, he will not be assigned to a job that will potentially expose him to VCM. The plant physician will certify as to the suitability of an employee to work in a job potentially exposing him to VCM and to use protective equipment including respiratory protection. Certification will be in writing utilizing a health certificate form as shown in attachment #1. A copy of this form will be given to the employee, a copy will be placed in the employee's plant medical record and the third copy will be given to appropriate management personnel. The terms, approved, conditionally approved, disapproved shall mean: 1. Approved - The employee has met all medical requirements for potential VtM exposure and can be assigned to work in that area. 2. Conditionally Approved - The employee has a slightly abnormal physical condition that would not materially impair his or her health. He or she shall be scheduled for a follow-up examination as designated by the plant physician. An employee conditionally approved should not be assigned to potential VCM exposure unless it is a part of his normal job assignment. 3. Disapproved - The employee has not met all medical requirements for potential VCM exposure and shall be restricted from the area until approved by the plant physician. III. Periodic Examination - All employees working on a job which potentially exposes them to VCM will be provided medical examinations at specified intervals. Those who have worked in VCM ten or more years shall be examined every six months. Employees with less than ten years will be examined annually. If in the physician's judgement the employee's health could be materially impaired by exposure to VCM, he will be removed from such potential exposure. The plant physician will certify in writing as to the employee's suitability as described above. IV. Employees Foimerly Assigned To Vinyl - Employees whose job assignments have included work in the VCM areas and have been reassigned elsewhere shall have annual routine physical examinations for the duration of employment which will include the 5 tests on serum specimens. SL 072910 * Vinyl Chloride Medical Surveillance Page 2 V. Emergency (Massive Release Of VCM) - Any employee involved in same will be seen by the plant physician as soon as possible. VI. Abnormal Liver Function Tests - If any of the required five tests on the employee's serum specimens are abnoimal the employee will be evaluated in the plant medical department and advised of the necessity to repeat tests within 2 or 3 weeks prior to which time he should avoid such non-related activities as might be expected to cause a test to be abnormal. Plant manage ment shall be advised as to the necessity to repeat the abnormal tests. The employee shall be classified as conditionally approved until the tests have been repeated and the results revealed. If the repeat tests are abnormal, the plant physician will certify in writing as to the unsuitability of the enployee to continue working in a job potentially exposing him to VCM. If in the judgement of the plant physician the abnormality or abnormalities could be job related, he will arrange for a more comprehensive examination of the enployee with appropriate medical specialists. Such examin ation may include but not be limited necessarily to the following specific procedures: liver scanning, liver angiogram, and liver biopsy. VII. Return Of An Employee To Potential VCM Exposures - If in the plant physician's opinion, an enployee who has been removed from potential VCM exposure for health reasons, has sufficiently recovered so that VCM exposure would not materially impair the employee's health, the plant physician may so certify as described above. Such a decision might be appropriate if the abnormal tests return to normal and remain so for at least 3 months. VIII. Enployee Termination - All employees who have had exposure to VCM and whose employment is terminated shall be given a physical examination including the required five tests on serum specimens. They shall be advised as to the inportance of follow-up examinations every three years. September 3, 1975 /be SL 072911