Document wDQNza5KNn3jZeRVqgBZxwJqE

( ( To B.F. Gaoslrtcti C&emeal Company S/g-/#-'/ Inter-Organization Correspondence D. L. Dowell From J. W, Gressler Location Cleveland Location Pedricktown Department Department Subject NEAR MISS - VINYL CHLORIDE ESCAPE (BLDG. 513), PEDRICKTOWN Date April 22, 1971 On April 15, 1971 at 9:57 a.m., the Pearl-Paste Poly Building gas alarm was sounded. Poly #8 had been charged with 6,000 pounds of fresh VCl. The manhead opened releasing approximately 5,000 pounds into the building. The building was cleared of VCl and the all clear sounded at 10:05 a.m. A Board of Inquiry was conducted immediately following the incident. The following people attended: E. C. Martinelli John Moran J. W. Goetsch J. W. Gressler Jim Harrington A. R. Webber William West Robert Zell Poly #8 was prepared for charging in the normal manner. The pre-charge check sheet was completed, a successful vacuum was pulled and the monometer check was satisfactory. t ponted_Qut-J:hat^he was having trouble ,closing the manhead. He called on the two-way radio and asked for assistance. reported to the second floor and helped secure the manhead. Both men claim that the manhead was secure and the locking latch in place. At this point the vacuum was pulled and the charging operation started. returned to the first floor. After added the catalyst and pushed the addition button, he went to the first floor to work on a plugged line. Several minutes had passed before Moran (working on the seal water rupture disc) and detected VCl vapors. immediately went to the second floor, saw the VCl, returned to the first floor and activated the master gas alarm. time, did not know where the VCl was being released. At this O' (working on the first floor) went up the west fire (iV| escape. ------- checked for personnel lying on the floor. He did not see anyone. __________then activated the fog system and emergency fans, entered__and tried to close Poly #8 manhead. The vapors were too strong p f and his attempt was unsuccessful._____ 1 lead technician, entered The building with a Scott Air Pak and closed the manhead, ^CsoQ.&GCT~ According to the check sheets and charging logs, all operating procedures were being followed. NGC 15682 REDACTED MAY 3 */ 1971 'v r I C NEAR MISS - VINYL CHLORIDE ESCAPE (BLDG. 5I3>, PEDRICKTOWN Page 2 Investigation following the Inquiry revealed the following facts: 1. The VC1 did not activate the gas analyzer. The air flow through the analyzer was found to be off. 2. The contact on the lenape manhead would always read closed. 3. After Poly #8 was recovered the manhead was opened. Several unsuccessful attempts were made to open the manhead accidentally. Corrective Action: 1. All manhead contacts were checked. Three were _found to be defective. 2. The computer logic has been changed to read the contact open while the poly is in the clean position. Previously this contact was not checked. 3. The air flow switch on the gas analyzer is at knee level. It is believed that the switch was accidentally turned off. A protective guard will be installed over the switch. 4. A technician will be on the fLoor until VC1 has been started. 5. This incident will be given full publicity in all shift meetings. Conclusions: We found that our emergency fan switches would only activate the emergency fans on the floor which they are Located. We are looking at the possibility of ^onnecting^allfai^r. We believe the gas escape was caused by failure to secure the locking latch or the locking assembly was opened by mistake while the poly was under vacuum. J. W.Gressler JWG:rp cc: F. Beckmeyer L. Nelson - R. D. Scott W. Harrington - P. H. Lawrence Pow E. Brodine L. Cato E. E. Mitchell A. R. Webber H. T. Evans J. W. Goetsch W. E. Horton J. M. Smith File - P. D. Terry EX. Martinelli -S. M. Evans 7( NGC 15683 CIRnacrf IN TURN. TO: 0. Nft ffPR 1 9 F?-pooUmayrr- 971 11 TlMIIIM'imy E* E HllurtlUll* 4rTvi TOTty-- G.- Row D. L. Dowell , Vv PTWN 031 N CLEJR CLER AKHQ PTWN 04 15 ECM 1535 024 D. U DOWELW 0. F. BECKMEYER W. L. CATO NEAR MISS GAS ESCAPE PEDRICKTOWN ON APRIL 15, 1971 AT APPROXIMATELY 10=00 AM, A GAS ESCAPE WAS EXPERIENCED IN BLDG 513. VINYL CHLORIDE ESCAPED THRU AN OPEN MAMHEAD OF A PEARL POLY WHILE tt'wAS BLTNC (flMGED. nu> juries hesulifd:----------------- - ------ A NARRATIVE REPORT WILL FOLLOW. JOHN GRESSLER PTWN 032 N CLER CLER AKHQ PTWN 04 15 ECM 1535 024 D. L. DOWELL 0. F. BECKMEYER W. L. CATO NEAR MISS GAS ESCAPE PEDRICKTOWN ON APRIL 15, 1*71 AT APPROXIMATELY 10=00 ?Mt A GAS ESCAPE WAS EXPERIENCED IN BLDG 513. VINYL CHLORICE ESCAPED THRU an OPEN MANHEAD Oh A pearl POLY "HILE IT '-'AS BEING CHARGED. NO I JURIES RESULTED. A NARRATIVE REPORT WILL FOLLOW. JOHN [ TSSLER NGC 15684