more on Dow 2,4-D death

[ttweed@wildrockies.org (Tony Tweedale)]

>X-Originating-IP: [198.110.19.25]
>From: "Diane Hebert" <dianekhebert@hotmail.com>
>To: ttweed@wildrockies.org
>Subject: Dow death
>Date: Fri, 30 Oct 1998 02:31:03 PST
>
>Hi
>
>
>Here's the latest Midland Daily News(Oct. 29,1998)
>
>DOW DEATH PROBE RESULTS
>Employee Was Not Wearing Proper Gear
>
>  James P. Keeley,head operator at Dow Agrosciences phenoxy herbicide
>plant,was exposed to 2,4dichlorophenol at his work site in the early
>morning hours of Oct. 12.He was pronounced dead a short time later at
>Mid-Michigan Medical Center.
>  Because there were no witnesses, a team from The Dow Chemical Co.,and
>Dow Agrosciences conducted simulations to try to determine what
>happened.
>  Keeley's last known task was that of cleaning a pump that was shut
>down for maintenance.A piece of the tubing connected to the pump
>leaked,exposing Keeley's leg and arms to the chemical.
>  The team has concluded that Keeley did not have a Dow safe work permit
>that would have been required for this task. Usually,an employee fills
>out the document and has it cosigned by another worker before starting
>the task,according to Cindy Newman,senior manager of public relations
>for Dow's Michigan Operations. That co-worker "knows what your intended
>work is,knows what your intended risk might be,and kind of watches out
>for you" she said.
>  "It would have specified the personal protective equipment which was
>required in order for him to do the task." Newmann said.
>   Newmann said all employees receive training on plant policies and
>procedures. Keeley had received training to know that the permit was
>required,she said.
>  Keeley was not wearing a rubber suit and boots,chemical resistant
>gloves and a face shield which would have been the personal protective
>gear the permit required,according to a news release.
>  Keeley bypassed the nearest shower for unknown reasons and entered a
>more distant locker room shower instead,the investigation found.
>  Specifications for the tubing material on the pump were not found in
>plant documents,the release said.There could have been more written
>specifications about how the tubing material would react in various
>situations,Newman said.There will be more in the future,she said.
>  The tubing was made of copper,which is susceptible to corrosion when
>it comes in contact with this chemical,the news release said.
>  The tubing already has been replaced with another material,Newman
>said.
>  Although Dow's investigation is finished,there is much to communicate
>to employees,officials said. First and foremost the company needs to
>institutionalize the idea of sticking to safe work practices and of
>expecting the unexpected,said John Tomke,vice president and global
>leader for operations at Dow Agrosciences.
>  What is not completed,Mewmann said "is full implementation of the
>(things learned)from this incident.We are working very hard to
>communicate what happened and to put in place whatever extra training or
>extra emphasis or extra extra focus is required to ensure that something
>like this doesn't happen again."
>  Corrective actions include emphasizing to employees the importance of
>following work procedures and safe work permit requirements,the newa
>release states. A review of other pipe and tubing connections throughout
>the process is in place with the idea of using appropriate materials.
>  "We have lost a friend and coworker" said Vince Smith,director of
>Michigan operations at Dow."A father at our site has lost a son. We will
>continue to feel great sadness over this. It was a lesson for all of
>us-and a distinct challenge to us all-that we will evaluate our safety
>performance.
>  "From this incident,we've been reminded of how tragic putting our
>guard down for safety can be",said William L. Laney Jr. president of
>United Steelworkers of America Local 12075. "We must take the time to
>look at all jobs,second guess what we are doing and intervene with other
>employees if need be to ensure our safety at Dow Michigan Operations."
>
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