Document evn5oGVb3EznjDdrRmv67M5Zg

 i..*' X" -. MtW i THE ASSOCIATED ETHYL COMPANY LIMITED - C'"' A R T IL L E R Y H O U SE , A R T IL L E R Y ROW , L O Y D O Y , S.W. 1 telep h o n e: A B B E Y 3 9 7 4 Jelegi-am s: E T K Y L P O R t. S O W E S T . L O N D O N O U R REF. 3T/3/310 YOUR REF 12th October, 1950 Dr. H. A. Kehoe, University; of Cincinnati, College of ;Medicine, Cincinnati;, OHIO, U.3.A. Dei O I regret to advise yon that we recently had a tank cleaning incident in this country, the first since 1945. This resulted in five cases of Tetraethyl Lead intoxication, but I am glad to say that on this occasion there were no deaths Inclosed is a copy of a report prepared by Dr. Davison which I think contains just about all the information that is at present: available on this incident. ue are advised that a Branch Engineer of the Regent i Company, who operated the tank concerned on behalf of the Air Ministry, contacted the tank cleaning contractors Messrs. Uhelan - prior to the work being started and informed them that the tank had contained leaded gasoline, ne also outlined the hazards involved and supplied copies of our Tank Cleaning Regulations,, As Usual in such cases the evidence of the men involved is for from clear. It seems, however, that in an effort to complete the job in a short space of time and thereby reduce the cost, ^corners were cut wherever possible and, in consequence the men were exposed to a dangerous T.S.L. vapour. During his investigation Dr. Davison discovered that some of the men involved had previously been engaged on a similar job during August and apparently that they observed only minimum precautions in that case also and, therefore, before starting on the job at Stourport were probably exposed to T.B.L. vapour. It is evident upon reading Dr. Davison's report that the cause|of the incident was, as usual, the result of only a partial |observance of the regulations^ for' tank cleaning. Me are undertaking a further drive not only with the oil ' companies|in this country, but also with the Air Ministry 0021343: Continued to point cut to them that in spite of the carefully thought out regulatio ns this i.ncident has occurred, in our' opinion due to the pr escribed regulations not being adhered to, and that cons tant and. m i ormed supervision is absolutely ess entia 1 to ensure tm!is. ' If vie are to prevent incidents sue ri as these during the current extensive tank cleaning pro gram:.e which has been initiated in this country at installations similar to the -Stourport one, adequate supervision must be provided, and we hope to persuade those concerned to act ucon our advice. When further reports are received from Dr. Davison on the progress of the two men who are at present in hospital vie will send them on to you. His latest advice is that Hr. Bhelan will be discharged from hospital this week, and Bert Cart in about two weeks' time. ' fours sincerely, /. JEII/bjw K ? 0021344