THE CHEMICAL WORLD THIS WEEK

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J. E. Nichols, Reynolds Metals Co., new secretary of the chemical section, talks to R. H. Albisser, Merck & Co., new chairman, at the National Safety Congress

Equipment Inspection Saves Lives and Money C&EN REPORTS: National Safety Congress

CHICAGO.—Inspection is the foundation of any program designed to save lives, ac­cording to A. P. Dunlap, Union Carbide & Carbon Corp. Speaking here before the chemical section of the National Safety Congress, Dunlap pointed o»ut that equip­ment inspection in particular is sure to be a leading factor in the success of any-safe ty program.

He listed five key points in establishing any effective inspection program: define inspection policies and objectives; delegate responsibilities for and specify the inspec­tion work to be accomplished; establish desired performance standards; qualify inspection personnel; and administer the inspection program effectively.

Dunlap stressed the importance of proper liaison within an organization, and showed charts illustrating the scope and distribution of inspection reports in a chemical plant.

J. E . Middleton, American. Guaranty and Liability Insurance Co. engineer, told the group that constant and proper inspection remains the most important factor in pre­venting accidents involving pressure equip­ment.

"Insurance companies ha"ve contributed greatly toward improving the design of this type of equipment a n d have unques­tionably saved millions of dollars, as well as many accidents involving injury and death," Middleton said. H e also empha­sized thoroughness in all inspections.

Concluding the inspection symposium was a paper by W. J. Fester, Du Pont & Co., explaining several devices available

for checking wall thickness of pressure vessels.

The importance of design, layout, and construction of a building housing high pressure chemical equipment was stressed by Andrew B. Ritter, Hercules Powder Co.

Speaking before the chemical section, Ritter urged that more thought be given to proper equipment selection, instrumen­tation, remote control systems, color cod­ing, safety training, and inspection and maintenance programs in chemical plants. He pointed out that accident prevention in high pressure chemical operations has become increasingly important as this par­ticular field has grown in capacity and diversity in the last few years.

A familiarity with accident hazards which causes an employee to avoid them was recommended by Howard Fawcett. General Electric Co. Fawcett suggested that potential hazards of an operation be recognized and integrated into the think­ing just as cost, yield, scale of operation, and quality are recognized.

A seven-point safety program for fore­men was explained to the glass and ce­ramics section by D. W. Gibson, Columbia Chemical Division, Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co. Highlights of the program are: ( 1 ) proper safety training of the foremen, ( 2 ) frequent contact of the foremen with each worker on some safety subject, (3 ) regular comprehensive reports on lost time injuries, (4 ) checking the workers on observation of safety precautions on the job, (5 ) placing the foremen in charge of all safety meet­ings, ( 6 ) submitting all suggested safety

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changes in writing, and ( 7 ) writing their own individual departmental safety pam­phlets.

Gibson pointed out that when this safety program was first adopted by his firm in 1948 its accident frequency rate was 12 disabling injuries per million man-hours. Last year it dropped to 1.35 and is holding at approximately the same level so far this year.

Hazards of tank cleaning in oil produc­tion work were outlined to the petroleum section by J. W. Baldwin, Humble Oil and Refining Co. Three separate types of hazards were explained: fire and explo­sion, asphyxiation or suffocation due to a gas or deficiency of oxygen, and toxicity of various petroleum components such as hydrogen sulfide.

Occupational Dermatitis Studies of occupational dermatitis have

shown that major causes include failure to do a thorough job of washing at lunch time and at the end of the shift, failure to change into clean work clothes, and ex­posure to high concentrations of disinfec­tants and solvents, according to \V. F. Scholtz, Allis-Chalmers Mfg. Co.

Speaking before the food section, Scholtz indicated that a concentrated program of personal cleanliness and proper selection of solvents and disinfectants by his company had resulted in a 74% decrease in their dermatitis cases.

Safety in its broadest implications was discussed by Clarence C. Little, Roscoe B. Jackson Memorial Laboratory, in an ad­dress before the banquet meeting. "Safety is ours if we have the courage to seek it, the wisdom to live by it, and the love of our fellow men to share it," declared Dr. Little.

Safety attire from shoes to hoods, warn­ing signs, fire extinguishers, first aid equip­ment, and a host of other related safety devices were displayed at the exposition held in conjunction with the congress. An estimated 12,000 people attended the vari­ous sessions of the congress and exposition during the Oct. 16 to 20 period.

New officers of the chemical section of the National Safety Congress are: R. II. Albisser, Merck & Co., chairman; J. R. Bollman, Procter & Gamble Co., vice chairman; and J. E. Nichols, Reynolds Metals Co., secretary.

Olin Buys Interest In Polyethelene Plant

Olin Industries, Inc. has purchased a substantial interest in the Harwid Co., Cambridge, Mass., manufacturer of poly­ethylene film, a joint announcement says. There will be no change in the present Harwid management or sales distribution, it was added.

Olin's interest in polyethylene film will complement its sale of cellophane. The company is now building a cellophane plant at Ecusta Paper Corp. Olin subsidi­ary at Pisgah Forest, N. C.

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