Hi, I'm new here and I just have some real concerns and fears I need answers to. I hope you can help me.
My boyfriend works at a scrap metal yard. The owner doesn't care enough about the workers to provide any real safety measures. At one point one of their shear machines had ten large cracks around the base and they refused to put it out of commission or buy another to replace it. Re-welding it wasn't an option as when it was re-welded more cracks appeared because it was too stressed. They told my boyfriend if he refused to work on it they'd find someone who would, despite that it was likely to kill whomever was on it when it finally broke. He said OSHA will not do anything about it and I'm hesitant to report it too without knowing the full extent and specific violations going on there. But this is the type of person we're dealing with.
My boyfriend tells me one is not supposed to cut manganese more than a couple of hours a day without a respirator. They don't even HAVE a respirator...they don't even have sufficient eye protection. The on-site manager misordered, trying to get the cheapest, and ordered glasses that specifically say they're not meant for welding or eye protection in a professional environment. Anyway, he is DAILY being put on cutting manganese without a respirator or sufficient glasses...and they're putting him on this duty for his entire shift...almost ten hours! Last Thursday he left work and his head was itching. When he scratched it, his hair fell out in droves. Over the weekend he said he felt really weak and just generally "bad". Sometimes his hand trembles and he can't control it. Sometimes he seems to be off-balance and has even been so off-balance I've been scared he's going to fall. He's only 29 and he's only been working in this business for 7 1/2 years.
I guess what I need to know is how quickly someone can suffer ill effects from manganese exposure, if it's true you have to have a respirator to work with it, how quickly it is dispersed into the air considering the ceiling limit is 5 mgs, and what ya'll think of the situation and how I can help him. I am trying to convince him to find another job but we live in an area where jobs are very scarce in the best of times, even less now. I am terrified for him and our future. Of course, he's one of those guys, like I'm sure most of you are, who think they're invincible. The little information I have found online has given him pause though so I'm hoping to find more specific information to convince him. Not only that, the "language" in the CDC and OSHA websites is confusing and hard to decipher, especially when dealing with an area I am pretty unfamiliar with.
I think that hearing the truth from other welders and metal workers may help him also. And I know it'll benefit me.
Please, please help me!
Tami
When inhaled, manganese can cause a myriad of serious health problems, namely manganism, often referred to as “Welder’s Disease.” Manganism, whose early symptoms often reflect those of Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorders, is a deadly condition that is characterized by kidney damage, speech problems, decreased libido, emotional distress, muscle stiffness, walking difficulties, brain damage, lethargy, and psychosis. Although there are some treatments available and others in development, no cure is available for manganism.
Try these links:
http://www.healthdangers.com/toxic-substances/welding-fumes/
http://www.osha.gov/dts/chemicalsampling/data/CH_250200.html
This one looks like a Material Safety Data Sheet and has some good information:
http://home.earthlink.net/~clearh2orev/toxmanganese.html
Try the local Health Department of Fire chief. Maybe they can convince the owner to provide protection.
You need to report call in a complaint to OSHA. Some states have state run Safety and Health Administrations so you need to find out if your state is on of them.
If you call in a safety violation or complaint OSHA has to look in to it.If they do not look into it and something does happen OSHA's butt is in a sling. Best thing for you to do is get the email address for your local OSHA office and send them an email. They will send you a reply saying that the complaint is being looked into. DO NOT DELETE THE REPLY keep it you might need it later. After OSHA does the inspection you will should get another email from OSHA telling you what the found(whether you were right or wrong)KEEP THAT EMAIL TOO.
By the way OSHA cannot give your name out as the one who filled the compliant that is agianst the law.
If it is as bad as you say it is OSHA has to do something about it. If OSHA does nothing then they can be sued too.
He probably needs a lawyer to guide him in how to proceed. Generally the first consultation will be free.
Symptoms like that indicate that he has been injured. He needs a medical evaluation and treatment which should be paid for by workmans compensation, but see above as you might be able to mess that up if you don't proceed in the correct way. There is also a potential compensation for at least whatever permanent damage he has suffered and probably more, also see above.
When the insurance company takes a loss like this, they will almost surely impose corrections upon the policy holder (the employer) who could have avoided this problem by providing a respirator and a set of cutting goggles at a cost of what, 30 bucks?
For you and him I hope he just has the flu and will soon be better but I fear this is not so.
Good luck
Bill
Thank you all so much for your help. I have printed this entire topic out and let him read it. He re-read it twice and once we get ourselves settled in (i.e., moving in together) I think I'll be able to talk him into pursuing it. Meanwhile, things are only getting worse at work and we're actively seeking new employment for him. I don't care about suing nearly as much as I care about getting him away from there permanently to keep his condition from worsening. Thank you so much for your answers. I do think hearing it from professionals moreso than me, someone unfamiliar with manganese and someone "biased", did help a lot.
I hope that future poets use your pairing as an example of the great ones.
Good luck
Bill
Taminator; I see you are in Michigan. I too am in Michigan, where abouts are you located? I'v got a few contacts here who may be able to help.
taminator
i am in the upper pinnensula of michigan
jobs are scarce here for healths sake
buy him a respirator and goggles until
the situation is resolved, my plant
is looking for welders, and we're a
great company-safety wise.
iron mtn
bill r
If your boyfriend needs eye protection now, then i would go and buy it for him (maybe as a gift). Its to late when his eyes are gone.
Hold your receipt, and try to get a refund from the company, later. Sometimes we have to take care of ourselves because some companies really don't care!
Same for the respirator. Metal fumes are almost always fine particulates. Those (particulate) respirators tend to be inexpensive.
Bill
Be careful if you buy your own respirator. OSHA requires a medical evaluation before the use of any "filter" type resoirators are used. If any employee brought their own mask into my shop I would have to refuse them using it until a medical evaluation is given. If the boyfriend is having such bad health problems he may not be able to wear a respirator. That is here in Tennessee, I.m assuming all states are the same, but they may not be.
Michael
Tami,
Industrial safety and health standards for the State of Michigan can be found online at:
http://www.michigan.gov/mioshastandards
Who to contact, complaint procedure and forms can also be found at that site.
MICHAEL B,
Good point. We have the same requirements here in North Carolina.
Dave,
That link was VERY helpful. I found several specific parts that led me to better information I have printed that I am in the process of perusing and taking notes. I may need the complaint forms in the future but I'm not trying to rock the boat too much at this point...I'm mostly worried for his health until I can convince him to take steps to address it. But I do intend to file a complaint in the future, once my mind is somewhat eased regarding him.
Bill,
What a wonderful thing to say, about my boyfriend and me. I'm a bit of a writer myself so you couldn't have picked a more perfect thing to say. :)
Jon,
I am in the UP, if that helps. Thanks for the offer....I could use all the help I can get.
Everyone has been so attentive and given me such great advice. I am honored you have taken the time to address this and touched that you have taken the time to not only express concern but to assist me in finding rules and regulations I was unable to find myself.
Things are okay for now. There is another job locally I have had him call about and we'll see how that plays out. In the meantime, they have an off-site job he is doing the next two weeks. I don't think it involves any substances that can harm him. Even though I miss him, I'm glad he's away from there, even though it's only temporary, and that he's getting a break from breathing those fumes.
Forum
