Document jBQa5Y7L69kdaeRrgajkOEZBk

^5 - z/tf/'n INTERNAL CORRESPONDENCE UC 149- z RECEIVED MAR 1 6 19/9 :hemicals and plastics P. O. BOX 471, TEXAS CITY, TEXAS 77590 TO (NAME) ;OMPAN Y .OCA T I ON :opy TO Mr. J. H. Barrett Mr. T. 0. Blum Mr. C. W. Casey Mr. D. L. Engle Dr. D. H. Glenn Mr. R. E. Graebert - 5'11 Mr. J. S. Knight Mr. W. P. Nickles Mr. F. S. Provenzano Mr. D. R. Reem Mr. R. Rrtchie Mr. H. R. Schulz Mr. R. J. Taylor Mr. R. Van Mynen - 501 (21) Mr. J. W. Whittlesey - 501 (46) Mr. A. P. Yalcinkaya > Gentlemen: DATE March 14, 1979 subject OSHA Investigation March 14, 1979 OSHA Industrial Hygienist, Richard Miller, entered the plant at 7:30 a.m., March 14, 1979 to investigate an employee complaint alleging that: 1. Retubing operations in the boiler shop produced exposure to mercury catalyst. 2. Exposure to mercury catalyst existed during changing and dumping operation for vinyl plastic production in buildings 110 and 111. 3. Exposure to vinyl chloride in building 110. Mr. Miller held a private discussion with Mr. Sam Munn, a T & I mechanic, who is the union representative to the Plant Health and Safety Committee. Mr. Miller then proceeded to building 110 accompanied by njyself, Mr. Munn, Ms. A. P. Yalcinkaya, Mr. H. R. Schulz, and Mr. Bob Narvaez. Mr. Chris Smith, Vinyl Acetate Department Head, explained to Mr. Miller that no mercury catalysts or vinyl chloride were presently used in the VA-5 operation. Mr. Miller then sampled for vinyl chloride with a length of stain detector tube and for mercury with a direct reading mercury vapor detector. All results were negative. The group then proceeded to the boiler shop, building 215, where heat exchangers are retubed. Again, Mr. Miller sampled for vinyl chloride and mercury, and again had negative results. While at the shop, Mr. Miller held an informal private discussion with Mr. Munn and Mr. Gene Jurek, an ironworker, about working conditions in the shop. UCTC 20880 Mr. J. H. Barrett, et al March 14, 1979 Page 2 After returning to my office, it was explained to Mr. Miller that building 110 was on the site of the former vinyl chloride plant which did use mercuric chloride as a catalyst; however, it was shut down approximately ten to twelve years ago, and the hazards as alleged in the complaint could not currently exist. Mr. Miller stated that based upon sampling and interviews that he could see no substance in the current complaint and the matter was resolved in his opinion. Mr. Munn agreed with his position. Mr. Miller departed the plant at approximately 10:45 a.m. Should you have any questions regarding this inspection, please call me at 5213 or H. R. Schulz at 5488. Yours very truly, JBL:ir UCTC 20881