Document jNzNgDR1pd1dqOQD65k1pOvDN

Et h y l Ga s o l in e Co r p o r a t io n v; Ch r y s l e r Bu il d in g 403 Le x in g t o n Av e n u e SAI'ET Y C< >MMITTKIi O. . LKWIS CHAIRMAN Ne ^t Yo r k Soveaber 2, 1958 Mr* C. C. Benedict Socony Vacuum OilCoapany 26 Broadway, Sew *ork City Bear Sir* \% We are writing this letter in accordance with yoH^v*quest that review the discussion which we hgt^fr^mr office, panting out the various arguments used to our hW plan of placing a metal tag on tanks which have been for bidding concentrated fluid. It has come to our attenvl<S\h the past several years that despite tho efforts of oil cospar^.'&dy several cases of sickness end even death have resulted in connsctYda with the cleaning of tanks. The history of these tankes thal\cancentrated fluid either through a regular blendi^^^laiit'^xthrougKxsibffia past * sulking opera tion had been used. 3e/ leaded storage tank hatf: being used in the gasoil |ancs at this bias of any regular sdven ani trouble as the result of lead This would seeiav$>-in^^ate that as an issedlate progress, we should investigate carefsxUy^TTtanks where concentrated fluid had been used.//denerally speaking, the Safety Departments of oil companies are not f&ftliar with this type of hazard, and we believe if safe to say. that fbfiey have notftealized tho full extent of this danger. J^sibly a^a coincidence, the record shows that all poison ings have odcfered^Sirthin companies of the so-called 9Standard9 group. These companies, we feel, are those most likely to have adequate Safety Departments* Possibly pom lesser exposures have been encountered by the smaller companies, but nothing of a serious nature has been re ported to us. So it would appear that some additional precaution should be taken even by well managed companies in the hope that future acci dents may be avoided. We have no objection to a company tagging all its leaded gasoline storage tanks if it so desires but xa feel in view of our past experience that tha particular tanks mentioned should definitely Mr. W C. Benedict Sovoaber S, 19?G contain a sign as described to yon, I" an individual is careless after having first had your safety engineers' instructions, or if be ignores the necessity for such instructions after having been compelled to see the warning sign on the tank, your company would seen to have nade every effort to protect him, ana could not be charged with negligence. On the other hand your failure to comply with srhat is to be made general prac tice in relation to blending tanks may place you in an unfavorable posi tion if difficulties should occur. e quite agree with, your argument that dependence upon signs is a rather poor substitute for adequate safety measures, fie believe tnese should be used on dangerous tanks, however, until a complete study of the matter can be made as a lards for final action. I a sure oar Medical Department would agree to the removal of the warning tags, if the study indicates tii&t such tags are unnecessary or impractical. In addition to the aetal signs, one of which we ere including, ws suggest that placards be placed in the office of all refineries, ter minals, etc., where blended or spiked tanks may be found. Iwo of these are enclosed, one with our signature, che Ethyl Gasoline Corporation, and one blank, either one of which say be used. Attached hereto is our incomplete list of points where emer gency blends were made for your company. I?e believe there were several hundred points in all and ore understand from our discussion the other day that you are going to investigate this scatter that se may have proper information on those tanks which may offer some unusual hazard. Very truly yours. A I A- fsGGL Enclosure cc: Dr. R.A. Eehoev' cc: l*r. `Tl .C.- Murphy- - KS 0022846