Document o470a4m2EaVY7j7bE6pL8M6w

ViR: -rrvr CRalleT; fittsbukuh ' INTERNAL CORRESPONDENCE SEPTEMBER 4, 1964 From INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE COMMITTEE To MR. W. F. KNEELAND MR. G. H. WALTER DAVENPORT WORKS DAVENPORT WORKS cc: PLAINTIFFS EXHIBIT AL-301 Mr. T- B. Bonnev. Pittsburgh Dr. rr V. Cralley, Pittsburgh Mr. W. C. Harvey, Davenport Mr. J. H. Lowry, Davenport [Mr. B. D. Kent, Davenport Dr. A. W. Shafer, Davenport |Mr. Ron Small, Davenport r. G. J. Myers, Davenport Mr. C. L. Huey, Davenport Mr. B. T. Evans, Davenport Mr. R. G. Wardrop, Davenport CONFIDENTIAL RE: INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE COMMITTEE MEETING AUGUST.- SEPTEMBER, 1964________________ August and September meetings 'of the Davenport Industrial Hygiene Committee were combined into a single meeting September 3., 1964, in the small dining room of the Main Cafeteria at 12:30 p.m. Attending the meeting were the following members: Dr. A. W. Shafer, Messrs. C.. L. Huey, Bruce Evans, B. D. Kent, V,r. C. Harvey, and J. H. Lowry. The noise dampening material has not as yet been applied to the ducts of the scalper chip conveying systems. The Plant painters have been assigned to a high priority Job in the Remelter Area and have been unable to perform this operation. It' is planned to apply the material on one system and evaluate its dampening effect before completing the job. A letter has been received from Mr. Bonney outlining a procedure for sampling oil mist in Industry. Messrs. Don Kunkel, A.R.L. , and Herman .Smith, Cleveland Research, and Mr. Bales of Davenport Electrical were contacted by Mr. Harvey.after f the last meeting concerning radiation hazards from the use of Beta Ray gauges. Mr. Harvey reported that these gauges presented no problem as used at Davenport if normal X-Ray precautions were taken. Precautions for handling raw materials for the R325 process have been given Mr. Hansen of Engineering and Mr. Green of Operating. r 9i) IMM .ia fRINtlO W U.S'A. 9 ARD 044137 SEPTEMBER 4, 1964 No -2- Wilson Muff No. 258 has been selected for use in those areas requiring ear protection as reported in the minutes of the last meeting. Further investigation will be made by the Committee to determine means of protection distribution to employees and extent of the areas exceeding threshold limits. Engineering will proceed immediately with ventillating system improvements to the Coater House as soon as it is learned that the RA Is approved. Mr. Kent presented the attached accident prevention bulletin, copies of which he has already sent to the interested Operating and Maintenance people at Davenport. ' The meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.m. WCH/jHL:kk Attachment . . '. W. C. HARVEY J. H. LOWRY r. PPHNTCO IN U. . A. t ARD 044138 Sr. P. D. Kent -7 ' `Davenport 41 nALCOA ALUMINUM N U M B E R 237 IW V E--W TION m rim September 1, 1.96k RE: INERT GAS LEAK IN PIT CLAIMS LIFE--QUICK ACTION SAVES ANOTHER - ANOTHER COMPANY ..1 Description: A'contractor employee (apprentice pipefitter) yas asphyxiated when he entered a pit, apparently to check-for an inert gas leak from piping in*the valve :pit. rjjjg welding on a piping system in underground tunnels, and pits was being tested for V possible leaks by using compressed nitfogen. After the nitrogen supply was exhausted, cylinders of; argon gas, which were available close at hand, were used to continue pressurizing the piping during the, test. Since the piping would not hold pressure, more gas was needed and the apprentice was sent by the pipefitter to arrange for additional cylinders of gas. Shortly thereafter, the pipefitter was walking .to the ..-pipe shop by way of the valve pit and, as he. glanced into it, .he, ..saw the apprentice lying .in the pit bent backward over the pipe. Another pipefitter, hearing the first . i shout, for help, ran to the pit and started squeezing into the restricted hatch opening. At the same time, an engineer directed someone.else to call the ambulance " and then went.to the:pit. .Another, man ordered the. air compressor started and a'hose from it was handed .to the engineer. In. the meantime, another man was sent to cut- i the remaining gas pressure on the pipeline . - The engineer then observed that'.the pipefitter who had entered the pit had also . .. collapsed. . He then directed the airstream from the hose into the pit and then, with. ; s the air stream blowing, across his own face, climbed-down into the'pit. ..While he . ,. was .lifting the two unconscious men into upright positions, other men were, ripping . . and saying the form lumber from the hatch- opening to provide more -space for removal of the men. With this done, the pipefitter and the apprentice were lifted from the pit in that order. Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation was immediately given-to both men. One or two minutes ..later, medical assistance arrived. By this time, the pipefitter was breathing unassisted. A doctor immediately took charge of the resuscitation effort, on. the " still unconscious apprentice but subsequently pronounced him dead. Preventive Measures:' There are many safety standards and procedures that, have been '.- .published outlining safe practices for entering and/or working in pits, tanks, etc., iwhere .there may be a deficiency of oxygen and/or the presence of toxic of flammable gases. Most.such standards or procedures caution: Never enter small confined spaces until the atmosphere has been checked with reliable instruments or until adequate forced ventilation has been provided to remove contaminated air and assure an oxygen- ARD 044139 2 efficient atmosphere or until men are equipped with the proper type of self-contained breathing equipment, safety belts or harnesses, and lifelines and attendants. (See MCA Safety Guide SG-10, "Entering Tanks and Other Enclosed Spaces") V--U. S. Atomic Energy Commission r!-vCase History TO: Safety Directors i- * ' M . 1* i.` : ARD 044140