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How do you approach employer about 'breathing fumes'?

2005

Hello,
My name is Jim [last name deleted by editor], and I'm a welding foreman at [company name deleted by editor]. Just recently, my company installed a mill which was shipped over from Italy. The mill produces a product which is galvanized. The product utilizes zinc which protects the product with a coating which is impervious to rust and corrosion. As a result of the welding process, the smoke and fumes which is a result of producing this material, is overwhelming, as we haven't created a 'venting system' or any other means of protecting myself, or my fellow co-workers. Every man in the shop has complained, yet, we don't know too much about 'zinc' and the effects of being exposed to the fumes and smoke. We (myself included) are afraid to 'make any waves' because we are afraid that we might lose our jobs, if we say anything that doesn't have any 'evidence' to back up our claim. So my question is this. What is the proper way of telling the company that we are basically working in a gas chamber, without getting fired for making such allegations? We have had OSHA in here quite a few times, yet the company hasn't followed their guidelines, so it's as if they never stepped foot in here before. Please, any advice would be most helpful.
Sincerely,

James [last name deleted by editor]
- [city deleted by editor] PA, USA

Dear James,

The manner in which you approach your supervisor or management, I will leave up to you. What I have to offer are many studies regarding metal fume fever. OSHA and many health organizations have conducted studies with following results. I am sure if you search this site for metal fume fever, you will get many results. There are inherent hazards to many operations in the fabrication and surface finishing industry, that if properly mitigated, are rendered harmless, i.e. respiratory protection. I do not advise going straight to OSHA, however inform yourself of the hazard, and professionally address it with your supervisor or management. A responsible management will address and mitigate the issue to help employees and reduce insurance costs.

Best of Luck,

Ira Donovan, M.S.F.
Kansas City, Missouri

You can file a complaint with your State OSHA (it may have a different name in PA), and if you ask they will conduct an inspection of your specific problem, and will not reveal your name. That's not to say your employer can't guess who filed the complaint, but there are laws against firing you for contacting OSHA, and a lawyer could likely make mincemeat of them.

On the other hand, if your employer truly does not care about employee safety, maybe you should find another job. Most employers have learned to comply with health and safety regulations.

Jeffrey Holmes, CEF
Spartanburg, South Carolina

If the regulators have been in and the company is not following the guidelines issued to them then won't an anonymous call to these regulators regarding the conditions you are exposed to stimulate some action from them? Don't you have a safety forum or union representation?

J Martin
- Wales

Make suggestions in the most non-threatening manner as possible,
1.Turn in a maintenance request to vent the area and follow up on the request.
2.Turn in a purchasing requisition for respirators for everybody.
3.Ask for permission to make ventilation improvements on your own(you and your crew).You shouldn't have to do it and it's not your job, but you can't sacrifice your health over a pi**ing contest
If nothing works, there are government agencies that you can call anonymously and file complaints. Keep records(CYA) of any action that you take to change the situation, keep dates and names of who(in management) you've talked to and what their response was, make sure that you are making your concerns very clear so that there isn't any confusion(they can't claim later on that they didn't understand what you were asking for)
I would think that if OSHA gave the management guidelines, then there IS a health risk, why they haven't shut you down yet is anybody's guess. Good luck with this, I've been in your position before and it sucks.

Sheldon Taylor
supply chain electronics
Wake Forest, North Carolina

Jim,
Safety in the workplace should always be number 1 on your priority list and I strongly believe good communication is very important in resolving safety issues. I suggest you read up of the issue then get your workmates together and discuss the issues with your boss as a group. don't be worried about losing your job for its better to lose an unsafe job than to lose your health!
read the link below about welding fumes:
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/healthguidelines/weldingfumes/recognition.html

I think you should talk to your boss asap! the best way to do it is to be polite, straight to the point and honest and don't forget to ask him how he is going to resolve the issue and the time frame.
best of luck,
Peter

Peter Van de Luecht
- melbourne, vic, australia

2005

James,

Being that I am from PA. also I am familiar with the OSHA laws, and I am also the safety director for the plating shop which I work in. In the state of Pennsylvania, they have what is called "The Whistleblower Act" (they probably have it in other states as well), but this gives you the right to lodge a complaint against your employer,and they can not retaliate against you. Safety is #1 where I work at,and should everywhere else as well,but a lot of places disregard safety,which is truly SAD. Another thing if I am not mistaken zinc contains lead wich is not good to breathing in.

Good Luck

Regards,

Brian C. Gaylets
- Scranton,pennsylvania,U.S.A.

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