AboutMike Brown CSP Retired Expertise I specialize in the professional management of occupational safety and health as well as workers` compensation to reduce losses and improve production and address related issues through a comprehensive approach by senior management using proven principals.I worked for over twenty (20) years in the management of occupational safety, health and workers` compensation and safety training (Retired from employment in 1996 due to a stroke, which prevented the extensive travel required).
Question I work at a plastic refinery where there was a severe chromium catalyst leak that released anywhere from 100lbs. to 200lbs. of catalyst into the air, from what some operators have confirmed. However, plant supervision is stating that only 15lbs. were released. No alarm was sound and no warning was given. Supposibly it was cleaned up before allowing the dayshift employees and contractors to resume work in the unit that same morning, however we were later informed on Wednesday the 18th of June that it had not been effectively cleaned up and we may have potentially been exposed. Many safety protocols were flat out ignored by supervision such as properly informing personel in a timely manner about the incident or preventing personel from entering the unit before the catalyst was adequately disposed of. My crew and I were working in the immediate area that supervision and safety acknowledged as the affected zone and could have possibly been contaminated. Exactly how much catalyst was released into the area I'm still skeptical about, but by word of mouth from a few operators it was a substantial amount. Plant supervision claims that they are still investigating the incident and have not released much more information to us contractors. I'm obviously concerned about my health as well as the health of my co-workers since we were the closest to the affected area. Should I see a doctor on my own and have test done to determine if I've been exposed? Should I take legal action? Your advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you."
Answer Subject: Chromium Catalyst Exposure
Question: I work at a plastic refinery where there was a severe chromium catalyst leak that released anywhere from 100lbs. to 200lbs. of catalyst into the air, from what some operators have confirmed. However, plant supervision is stating that only 15lbs. were released. No alarm was sound and no warning was given. Supposedly it was cleaned up before allowing the dayshift employees and contractors to resume work in the unit that same morning, however we were later informed on Wednesday the 18th of June that it had not been effectively cleaned up and we may have potentially been exposed. Many safety protocols were flat out ignored by supervision such as properly informing personnel in a timely manner about the incident or preventing personnel from entering the unit before the catalyst was adequately disposed of. My crew and I were working in the immediate area that supervision and safety acknowledged as the affected zone and could have possibly been contaminated. Exactly how much catalyst was released into the area I'm still skeptical about, but by word of mouth from a few operators it was a substantial amount. Plant supervision claims that they are still investigating the incident and have not released much more information to us contractors. I'm obviously concerned about my health as well as the health of my co-workers since we were the closest to the affected area. Should I see a doctor on my own and have test done to determine if I've been exposed? Should I take legal action? Your advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you."
Answer: It is hard to make specific recommendations since it appears that exact information that satisfies everyone is not being distributed. Having been through these types of situations I would tend to discount the levels of release given by the operators and the supervisors. I would hope that the safety (industrial hygiene) personnel for the plant would be able to give an accurate accounting of the actual release and related issues. The problem is that odds are that someone is more interested in covering their ass than providing detailed and accurate information. This could be an operator or supervisor or even both and without the cooperation of that specific individual(s), the truth may never be known. The first step should be to review the matter with all those who may have been affected and if anyone shows any symptoms of exposure, they should receive appropriate medical attention. The second step would be to calmly review the incident with the safety department (the company’s and yours) with an eye towards preventing similar problems in the future. You need to be concerned but I recommend you not be threatening. Seek a solution and prevention from concern. That may go further than a confrontational approach. If that fails you should ask yourself why you are willing to work under such circumstances. No one is or will be more concerned about your safety than you. If you can’t have a safe work environment – you have some tough decisions to make. As far as legal actions, you could file a complaint with OSHA or the state equivalent and hope for a thorough review; however that would not be guaranteed. Or you could meet with an attorney and explore what is any specific legal remedies may be available (a subject area that I am not qualified to address). That could also lead to complications that perhaps you and your employer do not want to face. I think that if you will proceed calmly in working with the plant you may be able to resolve the issues. If that doesn’t happen, your alternatives may be very limited. I( hope this will provide some basic guidance in seeking a resolution to these issues. Michael Brown, CSP Retired
