|
WELDING OPERATIONS AT CAESAR'S PALACE
- "COVERED-UP" TOXIC POISONING ILLNESSES AND DEATH BY OSHES AND FORD
CONTRACTING
By Mark Clark, Las Vegas
Tribune, 11-14-02
During welding operations at Caesar's Palace in 1997, Mr. Jessie R.
Battey and his Tommy Ford Contracting co-workers were exposed to toxic
fumes while welding closure strips used to close gaps between walls and
floors. The workers became very ill.
According to Battey, his wife was also exposed to the toxic
materials after being exposed while washing his clothes. She later
died. He contends that the toxic exposure and its respective results
have been "covered up".
An
acoustic sealant (caulking) was applied into the cracks between the wall
and floor prior to their welding these strips. When heated up by a
welding torch, the chemical ingredients in this sealant released toxic
fumes. Not having any personal protection devices such as a proper
respirator or exhaust fans, which should have been supplied by Ford
Contracting, the workers began to get very ill from the
fumes.
In a
meeting with Nevada Occupational Safety and Health Enforcement Section
(OSHES) supervisor Ron Parker, Mr. Jessie Battey was told by Mr. Parker
that "benzene when burned is harmless."
When
confronted in writing about the false statement, and about the real
properties of benzene, Parker later wrote a letter dated July 2, 1998 to
Mr. Battey. In the letter, he denied the fact he'd said it. "I
have no recollection of ever making a comment like that during any meeting
or conversation we may have had. I would have never made a comment
that benzene was harmless when burned or that benzene is harmless. I
am well aware of benzene being classified as a human
carcinogen."
This
false statement about the properties of benzene was audiotaped by Mr.
Battey and when Mr. Battey made Mr. Parker aware of the fact that he'd
taped their conversation, Parker no longer wished to talk about
it.
The
effects of toxic chemicals such as benzene, ethylene glycol and toluene on
the human body are unpredictable at best and nearly always fatal if
ignored. Studies show that the use of proper respirators, exhaust
fans for ventilation or well-ventilated work areas and safe handling
procedures reduce illness, disease and death caused by these
chemicals. Both state and federal law requires the use of safety
equipment, proper handling, and shipping and disposal procedures for these
chemicals.
Educating workers in safety meeting about the use of protective
gear, handling, use, and storage of toxic chemicals in the work place is
the key. Notification of a possible exposure to toxic chemicals and
securing proper medical attention and testing for their employees is the
responsibility of the employer and failure to do so is a criminal act
under the law, tantamount to murder.
Once
the human body is exposed to these chemicals by inhalation, ingestion or
skin contact for duration of at least 14-days it becomes acute.
Medical attention is not only suggested, but is also
necessary.
Immediate medical testing (blood and urine) of the body to detect
the effects of the exposure should be done as soon as possible, in the
event there is damage, medical treatment or therapy should be administered
to lessen, slow down or reverse the effects of these
chemicals.
In
some cases, the symptoms of toxic chemical poisoning do not present
themselves - from several hours to a few days and the damage caused is
masked; sometimes not revealing how serious the exposure is until it's too
late.
Occupational or environmental exposure to benzene or
benzene-containing materials usually occurs through the inhalation or
dermal route. The main route is considered to be inhalation.
Case reports of fatalities due to acute benzene exposures have appeared in
literature since the early 1900's (Hamilton 1922; Cronin 1924, Greenberg
1926; Flury 1928). Deaths can occur suddenly or within several hours
after exposure. The benzene concentration encountered by the victims
was not often known. However, it has been estimated that 5-10
minutes of exposure to 20,000ppm of benzene in the air is usually
considered fatal.
Lethal in humans, it has been attributed to asphyxiation,
respiratory arrest, central nervous system depression, or suspected
cardiac collapse. Congestion or hemorrhage of organs was reported in
the cases for which there were autopsy reports. Death from
various causes, including cancer, has been associated with chronic
inhalation exposure to benzene.
Since
the discovery that benzene produces aplastic anemia from bone marrow
depression and leukemia, and that benzene exposure can possibly lead to
the development of Hodgkin's disease, it has become essential to find a
substitute without such health problems.
Benzene is used as a constituent in motor fuels (gasoline contains
3% benzene), as a solvent for fats, inks, oils, paints, plastics and
rubber, in extraction of oils from seeds and nuts, and in photogravure
printing. Benzene is also used in the manufacture of detergents,
explosives, pharmaceuticals and dyestuffs.
Short-term inhalation exposure symptoms may produce both nerve and
blood effects.
Irritation of the nose, throat, and lungs may occur. Nerve
effects may include an exaggerated feeling of well-being, excitement,
headache, dizziness and slurred speech. May also cause the skin to
redden and blister.
Long-term occupational exposure may cause loss of appetite, nausea,
weight loss, fatigue, muscle weakness, headache, dizziness, nervousness
and irritability. Mild anemia and severe irreversible blood change
and damage to liver and heart may occur. Temporary partial paralysis
has also been reported.
Ingestion may cause bronchitis, pneumonia and even death.
Main points of attack are the blood, central nervous system, skin, bone
marrow, eyes and respiratory system.
Medical surveillance would include periodic examinations of the
blood and bone marrow. Biologic monitoring by sampling and analysis
of urine for total pheno content would be performed to be
certain no worker absorbs an unacceptable amount of benzene.
Examination of the lungs by x-ray and medication applied by breathing
therapy.
If
this knowledge about benzene had not been covered up by Mr. Parker and
OSHES in 1997, Mr. Battey and his co-workers would not be under the deadly
medical threat they are today! Mr. Battey also contents that his
wife would most likely still be alive.
WORKING TOGETHER TO ATTAIN
FAIRNESS | 
