Document ym9NaQwGQRRww763RmgaMbqk2

^O' v=3 <. s Westlnghousa Electric Corporation May 14, 1976 HeaOQuirters intiusirm Hygiene Research anti Development Center Beutan Road Pmsourgti Pennsylvania '5235 412 2565847 BEDFORD INCIDENT Chronological Events Wednesday - May 12, 1976 - 3:00 p.m. Employes Complaint^*^; Plant Manager^^- Contacted Physician for appointment (3) ; Complaint was shortness of breath and dizziness. Time - 3:30 p.m. , Clean Room - Operation failure resulted in accumulation of adhesive that required a cleanup by hand - 1,1,2 Trichloroethane used. (Methylene chloride normally used for this operation). Two employees complained of nervousness and rapid pulse. Employees hospital^^. saw doctor at 4:00 p.m. Two men sent to e Time - 4:30 p.m. Industrial Hygien Laboratory notified^^. Industrial Hygiene conversation with Dr. Delasalas (See Attachment 1) Weather Conditions Inversion - Monday - not unusual Tuesday - Clearing Wednesday - A good day, however wind direction changed -- exhaust coming back into building, e Operational failure of this type (Clean Room) occurs five or six times a year. . e Ho situation like this has existed in the past where so many employees complained with the type symptoms described above. .(Chemical Involved: 1,1,2 Trichloroethane in a 1-gallon covered can) 00115035 r JWJJB-0007164 r.) Rage 3 OBSERVATIONS (Cont'd) Weather conditions could have created a situation where exhaust air could be coming back into the plant resulting in the other six employes complaint who were working in the general plant area outside the clean room. The general health profile of the employes in the-plant indicates that pre-employment conditions exists which could become worse with the age of the employe and low level (non- hazardous) chemical exposure. See Attachment 3. This probably is the most alarming discovery. Labor relations might be a factor. In the future, one may expect health evaluation from NIOSH. OSHA Inspector Indicated that he will call in results of air sampling and I.H.L. before sending a citation. Study being conducted in the Cumberland, Maryland area to study high incidence of heart problems. e Employes have history of working on farms. RECOMMENDATION Training - Employes should know what they are working with and understand hazards. Will eliminate reactions and psychosomatic responses. FOOTNOTES: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7.) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) (14) (15) (16) Bailey Adams Hildegass Plant Manager Zimmerman Dr. Delasalas Turner and Miller Dick Mitchell, Jerry Shilling, John Adams, Zella Beasley Not NIOSH Approved. Guy Shaffer and George Holller D. Cessna Bill Ziefel to Zella Heasley Heasley and Perrieilo Leonard J. Renner Lindahl, Zimmerman, Shilling, Nolvak. Charcoal Tubes, Gravimetric Pump Lindahl, Zimmerman, Shilling, Heasley, Perrieilo, R. Hart, K. Bodden, J. Shilling, M. Perrieilo, Z. Heasley N. Goldberg, R. Hart, K. Bodden, M. Perrieilo, Z. Heasley, Zimmerman, Nolvak, Shilling, C. Kepple. ` N. Goldbi Lindahl, 03115097 JJUBB-M07166 HHBB-0007167 ^=3 &3 Attachment 1 Dr. DeLasalas is the Bedford M.D. (814-623-6791). He called here for toxicity information on 1, 1, 2. After advising him of central nervous system depression and possible sensitization to adrenalin he agreed to hospitalize the two men for observation overnight. He will followup later with tests for toxic hepatitis. He was also advised of probable synergism with.alcohol. J. Adams 03115033 t M flfi-4 0 0 7 1 6 8 Attachment 2 SUMMARY MEETING WITH OSHA INSPECTOR (1) Clean Room - Can not issue citation. Suggested new procedures for clean-up be Initiated. And that the use of an air supply respirator during clean-up may be necessary for future incidences such as this. (2) Citations that will be made: (a) Asbestos Products (Paper Products) 1. No monitoring 2. No record of physical exams (X-ray, pulmonary function) 3. Storage Area - No labeling program. (b) Respirator Usage 1. Approval has expired on respirator furnished (can be adopted to an approved respirator) 2. Slitting operation - Respirator (Flexafoam) not NIOSH approved. 3. No written program for use, care and selection of respira tors. (c) He will wait for lab results (2 weeks) before making citation. Will call results to Bedford and Industrial Hygiene. j 03lf5099 MMBB-0007169 U----- J Attachment 3 Ron Springer - heart Ray Turner - heart Clair Barefoot - heart Bill Napaline - heart Chuck Kepple - heart Tony Steffler - heart John Winyaudner - emphysema Koontz - pneumonia and emphysema Robintti - nervous condition D. Cessna - nervous condition Holler - blood pressure C. Arnin - cancer Bailey - respiratory Adams - respiratory Hildegass - respiratory Shoffer - respiratory Kennin - respiratory Miller - respiratory Ulgsong - heart?? Funy - stomach 03115100