Document wDo5eqzz3RNggnNyQQEaZXO2E

INTER-OFFICE CORRESPONDENCE Et hyl Gasol ine Corporat ion Ma n u f a c t u r i n g a n d T r a f f i c D e p a r t m e n t MAIL ADDRESS: BOX 688.WILMINGTON.DEL FREIGHTADDRESS: CARNEYS POINT. N. J. TELEPHONE: PENNSGROVE.U.J, 280.EXTENSION5 Dr, Robert A. Kehoe, December 16, 1936 Dear Bob: Tiber. Willard Machle was in my office the other day I discussed with him at some length our Safety Committee's Circular Memorandum W-131 of November _ . in connection to tank cleaning instructions for welders and repairmen. As I wrote Oscar, I certainly take exception to the statement in this memorandum that "in our opinion it is probably wholly unnecessary for repairmen and, welders to use airline masks in their work, if the tank has been thoroughly cleaned of sludge and scale in advance". I wrote to Oscar about this and he told me that this has* been the subject of much discussion and thought by your department but I also took it from Willard that it was generally acceptable that airline masks should not be used by repairmen and welders, if the tank has been thoroughly cleaned* My thought was that unless we had some very elaborate method of testing to assure ourselves that the tank x?as thoroughly cleaned, no one could make a definite decision that it did or did not still contain enough lead fumes to be dangerous and therefore in order to run no risk, I saw no reason why we should say it was wholly un- ^ necessary. Rather I feel that it would be very necessary to use the airline masks and not run any chances. Willard also mentioned the fact that possibly there ivas no approved . type of airline mask available, but I would like to point out that the ones used here at the plant appear to be suitable and even though they would not be the ' final word for an approved type, they would at least be better than nothing. I reiterate all of this in view of my discussion with Willard to assure that such a situation has not been overlooked and to again state that I feel very strongly that it would be inadvisable for us to broadcast the information that the use of these masks is wholly unnecessary, predicated merely on an opinion that the tank was thoroughly cleaned of toxic materials. Very truly yours, J. /iif Schaafwr K E - 0000793