I am an employee for Great Lakes Chemical Corporation filing a report.

ITEM 1: 9:45 a.m., Friday, July 30, 2004, Mr. Jim Smith, who works in the Safety Department, told Mr. Steve Calk and me that Great Lakes Chemical Corporate Office sent word down that we have been having way too many methyl bromide releases, and that they wanted a 100% improvement. He had difficulty talking to us, because Mr. Lawrence Robinson was beating on the tops and sides of the recently re-tested methyl bromide cylinders with a 2 lb. Ball-peen hammer.

Mr. Smith asked me why Mr. Robinson was beating on those cylinders like that.

I explained the procedures of the "Hammer Test" to Mr. Smith. I told him that when the valve is in the cylinder, you can hit the top and side and get a sharp ping to check the integrity of the inner walls of the cylinder as I understood it was written in the C-6 Pamphlet.  I told Mr. Smith that we did not follow the C-6 Pamphlet as we say we do in the Standard Operating Procedures for Methyl Bromide Cylinders, and nobody in the Cylinder Prep Area is aware what we are required to do [what the] C-6 Pamphlet tells us to do, except for me, because I am the only one who has read and understood it. I told him that we would have a reduction in methyl bromide releases at the Cylinder Fill Station if we would follow the procedures in the C-6 Pamphlet.

I told Mr. Smith that if he asked Mr. Robinson why he was beating on that cylinder, Mr. Robinson would tell him that he was knocking the rust (corrosion) off of the top and the side of the cylinder.

Mr. Smith asked Mr. Robinson why he was beating on that cylinder and Mr. Robinson told him that he was knocking the rust off of the top and sides of it.

Then, I told Mr. Smith that we did not inspect the cylinders as Mr. Calk and I showed him many defects in some cylinders that we were preparing to place into service, which were in such conditions that would require us to remove them from service and scrap them if we were following the procedures of the C-6 Pamphlet.

Then, we took Mr. Smith inside the Cylinder Prep Area office, showed him the C-6 Pamphlet, pointed out the procedures for the Hammer Test, and showed him where it said that we were supposed check for the following:

Corrosion or pitting
Crevice corrosion
Isolated pitting
Line corrosion
General corrosion
Cuts, gouges, or digs
Dents
Defective Foot Rings
Defective Neck Rings

I told Mr. Smith that we didn’t have a form to fill out to show that we were conducting visual inspections of these cylinders. I told him that we didn’t have the equipment that is necessary for conducting these visual inspections.

Mr. Smith responded to this by saying, "That sounds like a potential law suite." Then, he asked if he could take the C-6 Pamphlet with him to read it.

I said, "Please do."

Mr. Smith took the C-6 Pamphlet with him, and brought it back at about 3:00 p.m. He said nothing about the condition of those cylinders Mr. Calk and I had pointed out to him. In fact, he didn’t say anything at all.

I told Mr. Calk that I thought that after Mr. Smith had read the C-6 Pamphlet, and seen what we were actually doing, he and his department (Safety) would have shut that process down until we could figure out how to do it correctly.

ITEM 2: July 26, 2004, Mr. Calk asked Mr. Smith why we weren’t painting the cylinders in booths like the ones that the EPA requires body shops to use.

Mr. Smith told Mr. Calk that he would check with the Environmental Manager, Mr. Pete Howard, to find out.

On July 30, 2004, Mr. Smith came back and told us that Mr. Howard said that we were "permitted to release this paint."

Respectfully Submitted
Walter R. Bricklen

Scott Kempen was working as the Site Manager. As he was getting ready to advance to a position in the corporate office, in about 2000, he made some personnel changes, which included the following:

Paul (Bud) Albritton was Supervisor of the BOC unit. He was transferred to the Hydrogen Bromide (HBr) Unit to work as Water Press Operator.

Joe Taylor was Supervisor of the HBr Unit. He was forced to retire.

Scott Kempen combined the Supervisor responsibilities for both Units: BOC and HBr, and he gave this position to James Langston.

Kenny Maddox was Supervisor of the IOB Unit. He was transferred to the lab to work as a lab technician.

Harold Paterson was Supervisor of Fine Chemicals. He was fired from GLCC-Central, and has been driving a truck since about 2000.

Ricky Boone was Supervisor of the Alkyl Bromide (Methyl Bromide) Unit. He was transferred to the Packaging and Shipping Unit to be a Drum Cleaner at the Drum Steaming Station.

William Buddy Adkenson was a lab technician. He was transferred to work in the BOC Packaging Unit.

Richard (Dick) Owens was in the Environmental Department. He was transferred to be a Dry End Tech at the BOC Unit.

Glenn McAwee was in the Environmental Department. He was transferred to the HBr Unit to be a Water Press Operator.

Nurse, Wanda Hurst, was asked to lie for GLCC about an employee. She said she wasn’t going to do it. Then, she wasn’t working there anymore.

Kenny Maddox was Supervisor of the IOB Unit. He was transferred to the lab to work as a lab technician. A few years later, the Supervisors position for the IOB Unit was reopened. Kenny applied for it, but Craig Jones got the job. Kenny was more qualified. (see IOB defintion)

Ron Lane was in charge of making sure that all of the truck drivers had all of their certification records up to date, shipping small items, handling records for Hazmat, the Department of Transportation. In April 2004, Great Lakes Chemical Corporation was getting into to some trouble with the US Department of Transportation. He was asked to lie, but quit instead.  He was asked to lie about records.

Robert Mullins was Ron Lanes assistant. He was transferred from this position to the position of Packaging and Shipping Cylinder Tracking Technician. When Ron Lanes job opened, Robert applied for Ron Lanes position, and everybody thought he would get this position, because he had filled for Ron Lane on several occasions, and all who knew this area believed he was more qualified. He had done the job. He needed no training to do the job. The person, who got the job, had to be trained.

Sheila Paterson was an operator at IOB packaging. She was transferred to the Cylinder Prep Area where she is physically incapable of carrying her load. She has medical restricting regarding lifting, which is a big of the job at the Cylinder Prep Area. So the rest of the employees at Cylinder Prep carry her load for her.

Steve Calk was an operator at OCP. He was transferred to the Cylinder Prep Area where he is physically incapable of carrying his load. He has bad knees, and is forced is forced to stand on concrete all day. He has medical restrictions, prohibiting him from climbing, even on a stepladder. He works, but is in constant pain.

When James Langston became Supervisor of the BOC Unit, he started giving paint projects to all employees of the BOC Unit, which required these employees to leave their jobs unmanned. He said that, if we did the painting, instead of hiring contractors to do it, it would save the company money. He approached me, one afternoon, and asked me why I hadn’t done a paint project yet. The reason I hadn’t done a paint project was that I ran the control board manually, so I would have complete control over it. I didn’t have 100% faith in the dependability of placing the control board on automatic. Below is a list of things I monitored.

-3 water cooling towers temperatures
-3 methanol refrigeration units
-3 air compressors
-1 nitrogen unit
-3 brominators
-3 diphenol oxide scrubbers
-3 stripper reactors
-2 bromine acid dryers
-2 slurry tanks
-2 filter belt flash dryers
-2 filter belts and wash water rates
-2 dispersion slings
-2 wet bromine tanks
-1 Zinc or Calcium bromide absorber
-1 Zinc bromide or Calcium bromide adjustment tank
-4 Bromine storage tanks
-4 industrial sized Ventura jets
-6 Bromine Heat Exchangers with 6 different reactions taking place at the same time
-3 caustic scrubbers
-1 sulfuric acid storage tank
-1 diphenol oxide storage tank
-2 rotary vacuum filter drums|
-3 Zinc storage tanks
-1 Calcium bromide storage tank
-3 caustic scrubber vent tanks
-all pumps, level indicators, reactor temperatures, refrigeration temperatures, transfers between reactors and units, etc... of the above listed process, and more
-all incoming phone calls
-all incoming radio transmissions on hand held radios

But in response to James Langston asking me why I had not done a paint project was that we didn’t have any paint.

James stomped off to the next unit, and brought back two spay cans of paint and slammed them down on a table by the BOC Unit Control Room Panel Board. Then, he told me to go do a paint project, and watch me go outside as I sprayed some paint into the air, and sprayed some paint on some pipes for a few minutes.

There is a test that is required for operators to take for ISO Certification called a Job Skills Matrix. The first time we took this test, Bud Albritton supervised us as we took the test. I passed all 5 job skills tests that I took.

The second time that I took the Job Skills Matrix, James Langston gave us the tests. I chose to only be qualified on 4 tests. And I passed all 4 of these tests.

I had been the Lead Senior Control Board Operator of the Brominated Organic Chemicals (BOC) Unit since 1979. In 2000, I was transferred by James Langston to be a Dry End Tech in the BOC Warehouse without any explanation of why I was being removed from my position.

While being transferred to the BOC Warehouse, I was required to study and the ISO Job Skills Matrix Test for being a Dry End Tech. James Langston told me to learn to operate the Wyssmont in the Warehouse, so that I would be qualified for two jobs to keep my level of pay. The Wyssmont is a roaster, like a giant peanut roaster, that is used for cooking out excess Bromine.

While I had been the Lead Senior Control Board Operator of the BOC Unit, I often put in extra overtime hours, filling in for operators who didn’t want to work their overtime hours. After I was transferred from the Control Room of the BOC Unit to the Warehouse, downstairs, James Langston didn’t allow me to continue working these overtime hours in the upstairs in the Control Room.

When I asked James to let me work overtime hours upstairs in the Control Room, he told me that I would have to get the person who didn’t the overtime hours to come to James and tell him that I was able to do the job. So I asked William Allen to tell James that I could do the job. William told James that I could do the job. James still didn’t let me do the job. 

I asked James Langston to allow me to work the overtime hours for the jobs that I was qualified to do upstairs in the Control Room several times between 2001 and 2003. He always refused to let me. Blocking my ability to work these overtime hours in jobs that I was qualified to do, cut my income nearly in half, resulting all of my savings being depleted, and in me having to file bankruptcy in 2004.

Ralph Tucker was a Stripper Operator in the BOC Unit, who worked on my shift. He was transferred with me to be a Dry End Tech in the Warehouse.

Stacey Tucker, Ralph Tucker’s son, was a Wyssmont technician in the BOC Warehouse. He was transferred to the OCP Unit.

Larry Davis was a Utility Tech in the BOC Unit, who worked on my shift. He was transferred to the OCP Unit.

Gary (Bugger) Wright was working at the Spray Dryer. He was transferred to work as a Floor Hand for the BOC Unit. On his first day at BOC Unit, Dick Owens made Bugger run 5 pallets of DE-83R. The process of running a pallet of DE-83R involved putting 2,204 pounds of DE-83R powder into forty 55.12 pound bags. Bugger had to lift each 55.12 pound bag and place it on a scale. Then, he had to lift each 55.12 pound bag again, and twist his body around to place the bag onto a cardboard starter tray on a pallet. Bugger ran 5 pallets of DE-83R. Dick Owens made him re-stack 120 55.12 pound bags. When Bugger was done with re-stacking the these bags of DE-83R, Dick Owens made him run a jack hammer to bust up pans of DE-79 into small rocks. Then, Dick Owens made Bugger take part in sweeping warehouse floor. Making Bugger lift all of these heavy bags, run a jack hammer, and sweep the floor is significant, because, Bugger, who was over 50 years old, had previously had 4 back surgeries, and was not physically capable of doing this. This was the last day that Bugger worked for GLCC.

James Langston has a friend named Ray Richards, who has a painting business that does contract work GLCC. James goes with Ray to Can Coon Mexico on scuba diving trips. Ray pays for these trips. This is violating GLCC’s Code of Conduct.

Several years ago, Victor Nipper, Manager of the BOC Unit, hired Ray Richards to paint the BOC Control Room. Ray deliberately charged a ridiculously amount for painting the BOC Control Room. Victor Nipper told Ray not to bring his paint crew back to the BOC Unit, or any of the other Units that Victor was in charge of, including the OCP Unit and the HBr Unit.

James Langston gave his scuba diving friend, Ray Richards, a contract to bring his paint crew back into Victor Nipper’s Units. Victor didn’t want this, but he couldn’t do anything, because a Supervisor has more pull than a Manager.

Buddy Bradly is a contractor for GLCC, who has some vacuum trucks used for sucking fluid out ditches and sumps. About once a year, he takes James Langston down to Florida spend a week on Buddy’s cabin cruiser. James Langston’s son works for Buddy Bradly. This is violating GLCC’s Code of Conduct.

On January 30, 2004, I was transferred from my position of Dry End Tech at the BOC Unit to a position Cylinder Prep Hand in the Packaging and Shipping Cylinder Prep Area of GLCC-Central. Soon after being transferred into the Cylinder Prep Area, I noticed that the paint we were using to paint cylinders had a strong odor. On my first day in the Cylinder Prep Area, my job involved dragging cylinders across a concrete floor from the cylinder-painting turntable to a spot for drying them between 20 and 40 feet from the turntable. We were painting cylinders for about 2 hours on that day. While working in this area with paint being sprayed, I became nauseous and dizzy. I got this paint on the skin of my wrist. It was hard to wash off, because we had no facility to wash our hands in the Cylinder Prep Area. I got this paint on my clothes, and on my boots.

In the morning of January 31, 2004, my second day in the Cylinder Prep Area, I was buffing cylinders (see Buffing Cylinders). After buffing cylinders, I noticed a black dust coating on the skin of my neck and face. My clothes, also, had this dust them, and my boots were coated with this dust. I blew black snot out of my nose a few times before 11:30 am. I went to the Department where I had worked for more than 24 years before January 31 to get some Tyvek suites to keep the paint off of my clothes. That afternoon, my job was to drag cylinders in the painting area, again. Like the first day, we painted cylinders for about 2 hours. I felt nauseous and dizzy, again, and my boots had black paint on them.

February 1, 2004, my third day in the Cylinder Prep Area was the same as the second day, with buffing during the morning, and painting for two hours in the afternoon. I blew black mucous out my nose several times while working during this day. I blew black mucous out my nose several times between 5:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. that evening, while I was washing my nose out with water. I had a couple of days off from work, and then started my fourth day on February 4, 2004. We followed the same schedule of work, with buffing cylinders about an hour and a half or two in the morning, and painting cylinders for about two hours in the afternoon. On this day, I wore a cloth mask. I still felt nauseous and dizzy.

February 5, 2004, we followed the same schedule of work, with buffing cylinders in the morning for an hour and a half or two, and painting them in the afternoon couple of hours. I felt nauseous and dizzy. I starting having difficulty seeing, and noticed that I was taking a double step once in awhile.

I had February 6 through 8 off, and went to work again on February 9, 2004. I started using a full-face mask and have continued using a full-face mask as I have work with buffing and painting cylinders to this day. My coworkers started calling me the "OSHA POSTER CHILD," because I was the only one wearing any kind of mask while buffing cylinders and painting them. After the first 15 minutes of painting, the full face mask stops working. I don’t know what it is that causes it to stop working. I tried changing filters, but this hasn’t done any good. I think it is because the seal between my face and mask gets broken from the sweat at about 15 minutes of painting.

February 9, 2004 is the first time I ask my supervisor, Nicky Thomas, for a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for the cylinder paint. He said that he would get it for me. Our company’s computer has a link to access MSDSs for GLCC products and raw materials. I searched on the company’s computer for the cylinder paint MSDS, several times, with no success. I asked Nicky Thomas for the cylinder paint MSDS, again, on March 3, 2004. He said that he would get it for me. I continued searching for this MSDS on the company computer, and on the Internet. I asked Nicky Thomas for this MSDS, again, on March 22, 2004. He said that he would get it for me. I asked Nicky Thomas for this MSDS, again, on April 7, 2004. He said that he would get it for me.

I’ll have to check my logs for exact dates, but I remember asking Jim Smith, of the Safety Department, if he could give me any information about the paint that we use for painting cylinders. I told Jim that I had read, on the container of this paint, that it had a level 3 by Flammability, and a Level 2 * by Health. He told me that he would check into it. He also told me not to worry about it, because it didn’t really mean 3. He said that’s because "when you are dealing with paints, it’s a little bit different; it’s probably a two."

I remember asking Nicky Thomas for the MSDS for the cylinder paint in front of Pete Howard, the Environmental Manager. Pete told me that you had to inhale so much of this dust, and get it in the right spot, before it will hurt you. So I didn’t need to worry about it.

On May 26, 2004, I informed Greg Ables, in Human Resources, that I had been asking Nicky Thomas, Pete Howard, and Jim Smith for an MSDS for the cylinder paint, and that I could not get one.

On May 28, 2004, Jim Smith gave me a copy of the MSDS for the cylinder paint, which actually is not paint, but is an industrial chemical coating with product number: F77A3. Jim said, "there are some things in that….reducers, but they’re not that bad."

On June 8, 2004, a 2500 lb. Anhydrous Ammonia cylinders was transported by forklift from the Anhydrous Ammonia Filling Station to the Cylinder Prep Coating Area. The route of travel that the forklift took with this 2500 lb. Anhydrous Ammonia cylinder involved carrying it approximately half of a mile on a road that has several bumps and rough areas, and carrying it across 2 railroad tracks (4 rails). The forklift operator set this cylinder down on the southwest corner of the Cylinder Prep Area close to the wall.

Lawrence Roberson was coating cylinders in the Cylinder Coating Area when this 2500 lb. Anhydrous Ammonia cylinder started leaking.

Loye Albritton went into the Cylinder Coating Area to tell Lawrence Roberson to get out of the Anhydrous Ammonia fumes.

Loye Albritton told Nicky Thomas that they needed to sound the alarm.

Nicky Thomas asked Loye if he sure that they needed to sound the alarm.

Loye Albritton grabbed the radio, and told the guard to sound the alarm.

John Henry and Loye Albritton put on Self Contained Breathing Apparatuses (SCBAs), and went into the Cylinder Coating Area together (without backup) to access the problem. Neither of these gentlemen knew anything about Anhydrous Ammonia. They were unable to determine the origin of the leak. They came out the Cylinder Coating Area, and discussed the situation with Nicky Thomas (Supervisor of the Cylinder Prep Area), Phil Haymaker (Supervisor of Anhydrous Ammonia Unit), Bennie Adams (Safety Supervisor), John Clark (the person who fills Anhydrous Ammonia cylinders), and an engineer.

Haz/Mat Responders came, and stood around.

John Henry and Loye Albritton went back into the Cylinder Coating Area several times. They changed out the air bottles in their SCBAs, and kept going back in. They tried to install a device on a valve, but found that it wasn’t the valve that was leaking. They put so much torque on the valve that they feared that anymore torque would break the valve off. They used the forklift to carry the leaking cylinder outside, and let it leak the rest of the Anhydrous Ammonia into the air.

On June 22, I called OSHA, and talked to a message machine at 4:41 pm. The message on the message machine told me to leave specific information, and a description of what I was reporting. While this machine was recording what I said, a recorded voice kept coming on telling me how much time I had left, i.e. "You have 30 seconds to complete your message, you have 20 seconds to complete your message, you have to 10 seconds to complete your message. This kept breaking my train of thought, and making it nearly impossible for me to describe what I needed to describe. So I called back again, to make sure my message had gotten through to OSHA. One might think that, the way the message machine was programmed to interrupt me like it did, this was done to confuse and discourage me from reporting anything to OSHA.

At 5:07 pm, on June 22, 2004, Mr. Pinrose returned my call. He told me that he would make sure that my report about F77A3 and other safety issues would be given to OSHA on the following morning.

After being off-site for approximately 60 hours on my off days, I returned to the chemical plant. I had been studying the MSDS for F77A3, and had finally gained a general understanding of this MSDS. I sent an email on page 7 to Bennie Adams of the Safety Department, to my supervisor Nicky Thomas, and to Pete Howard of Environmental.

Then, I sent Greg Ables an email, which is retyped below.

From: Walter Bricklen
To: Greg Ables
Date: 6/24/04 6:27 AM
Subject: MSDS

Greg,

I made a copy for your review. If you would like to see it. I’ll need you to ask Nick Thomas to send me to your office.

I placed a copy in our MSDS and place one on Nicky Thomas desk.

Walter Bricklen.

Then, I went to the Cylinder Prep Area, and gave a copy of the MSDS, and a copy of the email that I had sent to Bennie Adams, Nicky Thomas, and Pete Howard to 3 of my coworkers. I said, "put these in a safe place, because they will be coming get me, sometime, today." I explained to each one of these coworkers that the purpose of me sending the email entitled: "F77A3" and giving selected coworkers copies of it and copies of the MSDS for F77A3 was so that if something happened to me these coworkers would have proof that management was fully aware of the unsafe conditions they were placing employees in.

At about 9:45 a.m., Nicky Thomas told me that I needed to go talk to Wendy Williams, the nurse. Nicky drove me to the nurse’s office. As I was going into the nurse’s office, Nicky went into Scott Wright’s office. Scott is the Area Manager of Packaging and Shipping and other areas.

Terry Steens, the Personnel Manager, was talking to the Wendy Williams as I came into the nurse’s office. I noticed that Wendy had my health file already open and on the counter as if she had been sharing this information with Terry Steen. Wendy Williams informed me that she needed me to fill out a form for Workers’ Compensation, and handed me a Form AR-N, which has "ARKANSAS WORKERS’ COMPENSATION COMMISSION" written on the top of it. I filled it out this form as I was instructed to until I came to part where it said the following:

"I here by authorize any hospital, physician, psychotherapist or practitioner of the healing arts to furnish the bear any information, written or oral, including, but not limited to, copies of medical records concerning my past, present or future physical, mental, emotional condition. I hereby waive my physician – and psychotherapist – patient privilege. A photo static copy of this authorization shall be as effective and valid as the original. My signature below also indicates that I have been provided with my rights regarding change-of-physician. (See additional information on back side of form)"

I read the above statement to Wendy, and told her that I wasn’t going to sign it.

Wendy said, "I don’t blame you. I wouldn’t sign it either." Then, she told me to go back to work.

I walked through the Cylinder Fill Area on my way to the Cylinder Prep Area. Dennis McCullar, the Methyl Bromide Expert, stopped me while I was in the Cylinder Fill Area, and told me to wait in the Break Room until Nicky Thomas got back.

I sat in the break room until about 11:00 am when Nicky Thomas showed up. He told me that he wanted to take me "up front for another meeting with Greg Ables."

I told Nicky that I needed to go get a few things from my lunch box.

Nicky said, "you won’t need that."

I told Nicky that I needed to get my card to log out at the gate. He walked with me as if he was a prison guard, and I was prisoner. Then, we rode in Nicky’s truck to the Brine Department Conference Room to meet with Greg Ables. Nicky sat down beside Greg, and, with both of them looking at me like I had done something wrong, Nicky told me that they had reason to suspect me of drugs, and that I was jeopardizing the safety of other employees. Greg told me to sign a form that he said would give consent for them to conduct a drug and alcohol test on me. I signed the form.

We walked out to Nicky’s car, and they took me to Doctor Ezzel’s office. Wendy Williams was waiting outside for us at Dr. Ezzel’s office. We all walked into Doctor Ezzel’s office together and sat in the waiting room.

I was directed to go into a patient room. Wendy Williams entered the patient room with me. While visiting with Doctor Ezzel, he treated me like he and I were friends. Wendy Williams left the room.

Then, Doctor Ezzel made a circle with his index finger and thumb of his left hand. He placed the index finger of his right hand in this circle and slid it back and forth as if to represent sexual intercourse, while saying: "They are fixing to fuck you." Then, he treated me as if I had broken the rules, or done something wrong. He questioned my motives, but played the part of being a friend, a supportive person to whom I could tell anything. He appeared to be trying to get me to say bad things about the company, and/ or people in the company. One of the things he said was, "Did they piss you off? Are you trying to get back at them for something?" He also said, "Let me cushion this for you. I tell you what, you get back with Doctor Shaw, and see if he thinks you need to be put back on any of your meds."

Doctor Shaw is a neuropsychiatrist, who I had seen because I was having some neurological disorders that I have good reason to believe were caused by chemicals I have been exposed to for more than two decades at Great Lakes Chemical Corporation. When I first started seeing Doctor Shaw, I asked him what he thought about the possibility of these chemicals causing the neurological disorders I was having. He told me that he didn’t feel like it was connected to any of the chemicals that I had been exposed to. He diagnosed me as having four or five different neurological disorders, and gave me medication for each of them. Toward the end of 2002, I slowly started taking myself off of these medications, because they weren’t doing me any good.

On January 21, 2004, I took a computerized mental evaluation that I was told was impossible to cheat on. The psychiatrist, who implemented the evaluation, told me that everything was "normal." He said, "If anything you are a little bit on the boring side." I didn’t tell Doctor Ezzel about this, because this is none of his business.

We didn’t have Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) for many years. The MSDSs that I am seeing now are alarming when I know that the company is knowingly placing employees in unhealthy and unsafe working conditions. For example: Quick Dry Enamel, Machine Tool Gray, F77A3.  Frank McKinnon, who is typing this for me, tells me that he has read a Sherwin Williams web site that calls it Quick Dry Enamel, Machine Tool Gray, Chemical Coating, F77A3. But it is my understanding that as an employee of Great Lakes Chemical Corporation, I am only allowed to call this substance by its product name: Quick Dry Enamel, Machine Tool Gray, or by its product number: F77A3. In fact, there was meeting regarding this on July 8, 2004 that I will talk about later.

Nicky Thomas and Greg Ables then drove me to another office, just down the street from Doctor Ezzel’s office. We were at this office for the purpose of them conducting a drug and alcohol test on me. While we were in this office, Greg Ables told me that I was not going to be able to go back to the plant to get my car, because this was a "REASONS OF SUSPINSIONS DRUG AND ALCOHOL TEST." They made me pee in a cup, while Greg Ables was watching me. I felt uncomfortable with Greg watching pee. This made it difficult for me to pee. He kept saying loudly, "JUST PEE IN THE CUP." I don’t think Greg had any business watching pee. He is not a doctor.

Nicky Thomas and Greg Ables drove me home without any offer to bring my car home for me. Greg Ables told me that when they got the results back, Great Lakes would call me to let me know what they found out.

Frank McKinnon, who is staying at my house for a few weeks, had talked with Jean Floyd at the El Dorado Branch of the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality for a few minutes on about June 23. He had asked her if he could come back to lend her a booklet that he had compiled documents in to show Gerold Fontenot (Director of Enforcement for the Region 6 EPA) what was going on at Great Lakes Chemical Corporation, Central Plant. She had told him that she was usually there in her office between 9:00 and 10:30 a.m. He attempted to deliver this booklet on June 24 at about 10:00 a.m., but she wasn’t there. He was going to attempt to deliver this booklet on June 25. Since it was my day off, I went with him.

I stood in the hall, while Frank McKinnon walked into Jean Floyd’s office, a little before 10:00 am on June 25, 2004. Frank McKinnon was holding his booklet in his hand, and said, "This, right here, I want to explain a little bit "Do you have five minutes?"

Frank McKinnon looked at me and said, "Walter."

I said, "Yes sir."

Frank McKinnon said, "Come on in here."

So I walked in and introduced my self to Jean Floyd, and we all sat down.

Frank McKinnon, addressing Jean Floyd, said, "You said you were aware of my research project.

Ms. Floyd nodded yes, and said, "mnh hu," indicating that she had.

Mr. McKinnon continued by saying, "It’s involved 2 years of trying to figure out what Great Lakes Chemical Corporation has done to my family, about 500 kids from Roswell, New Mexico, or more, and my relatives living around here, and me. And that’s involved a lot of studying of a lot of documents. I was at the Region 6 EPA last week, visiting with Gerald Fontenot, Director of Enforcement. And he said if you see anything that’s...This conversation was recorded, and should be published during the near future.

The following is more of Walter Bricklen's story.

Sometime, during this week, I received another call from OSHA. A woman told me that they wanted it in writing. She told me that I needed to put this in writing and send it to Paul Hansen Jr.

I had already sent much information to Paul Hansen Jr. I sent information in writing to him some signed and notarized copies of letters regarding activities at Great Lakes Chemical Corporation through Registered Mail on May 28, 2004. The following are copies of the information sent on at that time.

Date: May 3, 2004
To: To Everyone Concerned at the EPA and the ATSDR
From: Walter R. Bricklen
Subject: Conversation with Mr. Sheldon Krantz L.L.P Piper Rudrick Law Firm Washington DC and Mr. Pete Howard Great Lakes Chemical Environmental

April 29, 2004 @ 10:10 A.M: Mr. Robert Mullin was called on the hand radio in the P & S Area. Mr. Mullin was told to tell me to go to the Great Lakes Chemical Engineering Conference Room. When I arrived at the conference room Mr. Pete Howard Great Lakes Environmental Manager confronted me. Inside the Conference room was Great Lakes Chemical Personnel Manager Mr. Terry Steen and a man I didn’t recognize. When Mr. Steen left the conference room Mr. Howard was asked into the room. I stood outside the building until I was asked to enter the conference room.

Mr. Krantz informed me that he was interested in the conversation that had taken place with an EPA Criminal Investigator and myself. I told Mr. Krantz " I had no problem sharing my conversation with anyone."

Mr. Krantz asked me "what type of questions did the EPA Criminal Investigator ask, and if I had seen proof or a badge?" I told Mr. Krantz, "yes, Mr. Mike Centola showed me proof with a badge and an identification card on April 14, 2004." As to the types of question ask by Mr. Centola, he ask "if I have knowledge of ongoing violations being committed by Great Lakes Chemical?" I informed Mr. Krantz and Mr. Howard, "I was not going to I lie to Mr. Centola about Great Lakes Chemical, Misleading a Federal Criminal Agent involved in an Investigation is against the law."

Mr. Krantz informed me that he had spoken with Mr. Centola on the telephone. Mr. Krantz asked if Mr. Centola had recorded our conversation. My answer " I don’t know, I didn’t feel like he did."

Mr. Krantz asked did I mention anything to Mr. Centola that may have sparked his interest? My answer "no."

Mr. Krantz asked, "do you think you might hear from Mr. Centola again?" My answer "yes."

Mr. Krantz asked, "have you talked to other people from the EPA?" My answer "yes."

Mr. Krantz asked, "have you seen anything at Great Lakes Chemical that bothered you?" My answer "yes."

I informed Mr. Krantz and Mr. Howard about the Chloropicrin Soaked Soil that had been disposed of into an AIC Trash Roll Off.

I informed Mr. Krantz and Mr. Howard, about how Great Lakes Employees bleed the pressure off cylinders of Meth-O-Gas and Meth-O-Gas 100. "They set two pallets of ten cylinders at the Blow Back Station with just enough room to allow them to walk between them. They check wind directions to determine which side of the two pallets they will start. They check to see where I am and if I’m able to watch what they’re fixing to do." The process is done very quickly. "They start on one side of the ten-cylinder pallet and walk past each valve opening it as they pass. If I listen, I hear PSSsssss PSSSSssss PSSSssss until all twenty cylinders have finished releasing pressure. This is emitting. The proper way is to connect a line to each cylinder and allow the pressure to be relieved into the blow back tank. It takes me twenty to twenty five minutes to blowback ten Meth-O-Gas cylinder if they’re almost empty. I have seen sixty to a hundred cylinders done in about thirty minutes when they walk by opening valves.

I informed Mr. Krantz and Mr. Howard of a fifteen hundred pound Cylinder of Brom-O-? {Gas} Brom-O-? {Pic} chained to an I-Beam since I was transfer into the Cylinder Prep Area in January. This cylinder looked like it was there for quite a long time. The reason it was chained to the I-Beam was to keep it from being knocked over. There is a hole in it and it can’t be off loaded. This cylinder was moved on about April 23 or 24. Now this cylinder is sitting alongside the same type of fifteen hundred-pound cylinders in an effort to hide it. I asked, " what’s going to happen if it falls over."

I informed Mr. Krantz and Mr. Howard in 2003 that Great Lakes painted a yellow arch on the BOC Warehouse floor. All Dry End Technicians received e-mail from Mr. Jim Smith Certified Safety for Great Lakes, informing us not to work within this arch without a Tyvek Suit on and a full gas mask. If we’re caught inside the arch while the DE-79 process is going on without our protection, disciplinary action will be taken against us. Also it stated in this e-mail for employees not to wash our family’s clothes with their work cloths. After the Safety Department found out that Tyvek Suit would not keep the DE-79 off from us, we didn’t have to wear them anymore.

I asked many Great Lakes Employees, never receiving an answer, what is in DE-79 that we need to protect ourselves from or what health signs should we be looking for. I stated that for more than fifteen years of exposure to DE-79 allowing my family’s clothes to be washed with mine, it is a little late to tell me this. When DE-79 was first produced the product was placed into cardboard boxes eight to a pallet. I had to pry the boxes apart with a pry bar. Then take a sledgehammer and carefully beat these boxes removing the DE-79, trying not to damage the boxes so we could reuse them. Then with cotton gloves on, hold the larger rocks of DE-79 and strike them with the hammer reducing their size. I’d have to use my forearm and rake the DE-79 into the hammer mill. There were times that the Toluene was so strong that my eyes would burn excessively. 

I informed Mr. Krantz and Mr. Howard I was forced to sign Documents concerning DE-79 and other items that I did not understand.

I have reasons to believe Mr. James Langston removed me from my position of Senior Control Board Operator with twenty-three years experience for questioning the documents that Mr. Langston demanded I sign. When I did question any documents Mr. Langston would scream at me " Just sign the God Damn Thing." 

I informed Mr. Krantz and Mr. Howard about the Vacuum Blower that is located on the roof of the P & S Chemical Fill Station. It blows Hazardous Chemicals out onto the roof and into the air. This is emitting; we’re talking about Level Two through Level Nine Hazardous Chemicals. I informed Mr. Krantz and Mr. Howard about the five fans located in front of and on the Westside of the P & S Chemical Fill Station. These fans are used to pull Hazardous Chemicals away from the employees when filling drums or cylinders. This is emitting; again we’re talking about Level Two through Level Nine Hazardous Chemicals.

I informed Mr. Krantz and Mr. Howard that, when it rains, water runs off the roof on the Eastside of P & S Chemical Fill Station and travels Southwestward along the Railroad Tracks. The water that runs off the South end of Central Warehouse also runs Southwestward. The rainwater from the South side of Central Warehouse runs Southeastward down between the Cylinder Prep Area and the Spray Dryer flowing into grating that drops down and feeds into a pipe that runs underground at a forty five-degree coming out at railroad tracks running Southwestward. 

I informed Mr. Krantz and Mr. Howard about the rainwater that runs off the Central Warehouse Southeast corner, [and] flows through an eighty-foot section of six-inch PVC pipe running Southwestward toward the edge of the chat that runs to the same Railroad Tracks. The distance to the Sump Pump that pump to Process Water Plant is twenty feet.  I informed Mr. Krantz and Mr. Howard that "the Cylinder Prep area has a six-inch plastic flex pipe hooked to the drain that is twenty-five feet long and also runs Eastward to the same area out toward the Railroad Tracks. The distance to the sump that pumps to Process Water Plant is seven feet. 

I informed Mr. Krantz and Mr. Howard that there is a Sump located less than twenty feet from both drops that pump to Process Water Plant.

I informed Mr. Krantz and Mr. Howard of the Drum Steaming Station just West of the Chemical Fill Area. Every drum that is emptied at Great Lakes finds it way to this station. The Hazardous Labels that I have read before they were painted with black paint range from Zero to Level Nine Marine Pollutant. The Sump that pumps these mixed Hazardous Chemicals out is set up on an automatic level control system. This Sump is allowed to pump these chemicals to the Process Water Plant without any notification. 

I informed Mr. Krantz and Mr. Howard about the six pallets plus cases of Brom-O-Gas and a few Meth-O-Gas and Meth-O-Gas 100 one and a half pound cans that are being allowed to deteriorate because of weathering. There are twenty-four one and a half pound cans in a case. A few Lot # 8201PJ214 # 7201PJ014 the total of product is twelve thousand six hundred seventy pounds. 

Mr. Krantz asked me if I felt like any chemicals at Great Lakes have harmed me. My answer "yes." 

Mr. Krantz asked if I knew a Mr. Frank Mckinnon. My answer "yes." 

Mr. Krantz asked if I had ever met or had ever talked with Mr. Mckinnon? My answer "yes." 

Mr. Howard asked if Mr. Centola had asked anything about the Great Lakes South Plant,  Great Lakes Central Plant North and South Land fields, I said "no but he said something about the water table" 

Mr. Howard asked "did he mention Fallout 1, Fallout 2, Fallout 3 or Cell." That’s when Mr. Krantz stopped Mr. Howard from speaking and giving me any more information to look into.

At 3:30 P.M: A Contractor performing maintenance on a line Informed Mr. Lawrence Robinson, Mr. John Henry, Mr. Steve Calk and myself that Chloropicrin was leaking out of a line that he had just broken open. The Chloropicrin was washed Southeastward to the grate between Cylinder Prep Area and Spray Dryer.

May 3, 2004, A Great Lakes Employee inform me and showed proof that Methyl Bromide Monitor Checks are suppose to be done every two hours, at seven different points through out the P & S Department. "I have never seen any Great Lakes Employee perform these checks."

Thank You,
Walter R. Bricklen

Subject: Charles Johnston

Mr. Charles Johnston placed the drum pump that Loye Albritton mentions in his chemical spill.doc inside the broom closet. The drum pump was not properly cleaned, hose had not been removed and not put into the proper storage area. This resulted in EDB splashing on Mr. Albrition. Supervisor Mr. Nicky Thomas failed to report this to the nurse Mrs. Wendy Albritton. GLCC is trying to place the blame on Mr. Albritton.

The first aid injury report claims Mr. Charles Johnston was wearing the proper Personnel Protective Equipment. T-65 is 98% Methyl Bromide 2% Chloropicrin. Mr. Johnston would not have been sprayed on his forearm or hands had he been wearing the Personnel Protective Equipment.

Mr. Johnston has overfilled T-65 three times and GLCC has looked the other way.

Mr. Johnston was transferred out of the Bromine Department and was almost fired. GLCC thought heavy on firing him at that time. They placed Mr. Johnston in the P & S Fill Area.

Date: May 9, 2004
To: Everyone That Maybe Concern at the EPA and the ATSDR
From: Walter R. Bricklen
Subject: No Alarm Sounded and Methyl Bromide

May 3, 2004 a G.L.C.C employee approached me and said "come here I want to show you something." This employee showed me a pad of forms titled Methyl Bromide Monitor. The employee said, "these checks are suppose to be done every two hours to insure your safe from Methyl Bromide poisoning, they don’t take them." There are seven areas’ to check.

May 5, 2004 Mr. John Henry told me "Mr. Gray Hollaway P & S Supervisor had Mr. Gary Yancey, wash on a set of drums for two weeks for an upcoming Stack Test." Mr. Henry said, "Mr. Yancey only pretended to fill these drums while the test were being monitored."

April 29, 2004 @ 3:25PM Mr.Bert Buckwater notified Mr. Lawrence Robinson, Mr. John Henry, Mr. Steve Calk and myself that he had broken a line open and out came Chloropicrin. I’m not sure what the item he was removing from the plant is called. Mr. Buckwater had to have environmental approval to remove this device off plant site. The Chloropicrin was very strong. Mr. Henry washed the Chloropicrin down with water towards the Southeast area between the Spray Dryer and The Cylinder Prep Area. The Chloropicrin was still very present as I returned for my lunch box @ 4:15PM.

May 7 @ 3:30AM the wind is blowing into the North. I open the door of my auto and found myself in a Bromine cloud. I made a run for the guardhouse. A contractor unknown to me also had the same thing happen to him. I asked the guard on duty why hasn’t the alarm been sounded. The guard ignored me. Mr. Cowart a truck driver also commented about the Bromine. Mr. Cowart drove for Groendyke OK. Truck cab # 1679.

May 7 2004 @ 4:05AM n-Butyl alcohol D O T # 1120 Mr. Cowart Trailer # 3696 Lice # 865 4BX began unloading by Mr. David Billingly G.L.C.C employee. Mr. Billingly took the cap off the connection device it was full of product and poured onto the concrete. The fittings began to leak as soon as the valves were opened. The product leaked a steady stream onto a concrete pad unloading station that runs east and west. The G.L.C.C employee took fifteen minutes before he found a bucket. Then the employee laid water hose with a slow flow above the spill. The water flowed into the steam rack station.

May 8 2004 @ 3:15 PM Mr. Charles Johnson and Mr. Ross Cates connected up an ISO Backwards, These G.L.C.C employee hooked the fill line to the vent and the vent to the fill. 98% Methyl Bromide, 2% Chloropicrin Export. Lot # 4201PE084 ISO # AIDU-102028 Seal Number ALB043606, Chassis Number 91-3633.

@ 3:50 PM, Mr. Henry walked pass Akly Bromide Department and noticed the strong odor of Chloropicrin and made a dash for the guardhouse. Mr. Eugene William from the Bromine Department also noticed the odor and had to run for the guardhouse. These men wonder why the Alarm was not being sounded. Relief’s are coming into the plant from 4:00PM through 5:00PM.

@ 4:00PM the wind is blowing into the North.

@ 4:05 PM Mrs. Lisa Bryant called P & S on the hand radio she said "P & S come in, P & S your killing us, your killing us."

@ 4:10 PM Mr. D. Smith contractor and a G.L.C.C employee stop the filling process. Mr. Smith was choking and gasping for air. Mr. Smith said " the hardware that holds the handle on the valve is missing and made it very hard to close the valve."

@ 4:45PM G.L.C.C employee informed Mr. Lawrence Robinson and myself, that the dragger tube was reading 5ppm and was safe to leave, we still went to the gate via railroad tracks.

May 9, 2004 G.L.C.C employee informed me that three thousand six hundred pounds of Methyl Bromide had been recovered and six thousand three hundred twenty five pounds of Methyl Bromide had been lost. There was a busted line at the Akyl Bromide Unit Scrubber and a leaking line at the BRU Department; the leak was all over the ground. I was informed that the liquid was blowing out on both side of the flange. This G.L.C.C employee told me that ISO had two to three hundred pounds of pressure on it.

May 9, 2004 G.L.C.C employee informed me that Mr. Nicky Thomas had a meeting with P & S personnel and said " I want Walter Bricklen out of this Department." Mr. Smith contractor and Mr. Almer Boone G.L.C.C made confirmation this conversation had taken place.

Thank You,
Walter R. Bricklen

Date: May 10, 2004
To: Everyone That Maybe Concern at the EPA and ATSDR
From: Walter R. Bricklen
Subject: EVD…Documents and Much More

There is a very large stack of Documents in the P & S department that G.L.C.C is requesting all employees to sign. They pertain to training records and Environment issue that I have discussed with Mr. Sheldon Kantz and Mr. Pete Howard. Some of these Documents, Subject matter is empty. I have seen this type of action with G.L.C.C about matters of DE-79 and Supervisor Mr. James Langston. The Documents say that I’ve received training about procedures, when I have not.

May 10, 2004@ 3:45AM a G.L.C.C employee informed me "the ISO Loading Platforms were unsafe and did not meet OSHA requirements."

I mention this to Mr. Pete Howard Environmental Manger and Mr. Nicky Thomas P & S Supervisor in a meeting we had.

@ 10:45AM –11:15AM. Mr. Howard and Mr. Thomas informed me "a load of new platforms had just came in and they should be replacing these old ones soon."

May 11, 2004 @ 4:00AM I searched the central plant for these platforms, I found none.

May 10, 2004@ 4:30AM I began to make my rounds. I’ve noticed for a very long time, liquid was always present and seemed to be coming from somewhere behind the DE-79 empty pan area. I went to the South side of the pan area and found that the liquid I’d seen everyday is coming from four Methyl Bromide & Chloropicrin Mixture Vent Scrubbers. I could only find these three equipment numbers. VS-03-011, VS-03-005, VS-03-009 and unable to find the forth VS #.

Drum Steam Rack: Documents pertaining to this area state that the drums are to be placed in a containment area, this is not what I see. These drums are lined up East to West on an area of chat. Sometimes they’re upside down; drum labels are either removed or painted over. The drums have not been touched sense I mention this procedure to Mr. Kantz and Mr. Howard. The correct PPE on the document states PVC Apron, PVC Gloves, PVC Boots and a five-minute, Egress air bottle.

Less than a year ago Mr. John Webb, contractor for Miliam Construction was handing these drums, he began to vomit blood, blood also spewed out as he tried to talk. This young man was taken to the hospital. The combination of mixed chemicals is unknown. When Mr. Webb was able to return to work, he talked about what had happen to him. The company Miliam Construction told Mr. Webb to shut his mouth, if he wanted to keep his job.

Johnson manpower contractors and G.L.C.C employees have taken over the Drum Steaming Station. They have been performing the steaming without any PPE.

March 10, 2004 I asked these men about PPE the contractors Mr. Demetrius Smith, Mr. Frank Wilson and G.L.C.C employees told me "there were no SOP’S on steaming these drums out." This rack was modified last summer; it has been in service to my knowledge for five plus years. G.L.C.C employees Mr. Loye Albritton, Mr. Frank Galbraith, Mr. Flody Goodwin offered the above information concerning John Webb and Drum Steaming Station. This is a list of Chemical Drums I have seen placed on the rack.

March 17, 2004 PENTABROMODIPHENY OXIDE BLENDE
March 17, 2004 ETHYL BROMIDE
March 17, 2004 ACETONE
March 17, 2004 ETHYLENE DIBROMIDE INDUSTRIAL
March 22, 2004 N-BUTYL BROMIDE Lot # 4096PC07A
March 22, 2004 MOLSIV ABSORENT MAT # 89363-556P
March 22, 2004 N-PROPYL BROMIDE
April 8, 2004 STABILZED N-PROPYL BROMIDE
April 9, 2004 TOLUENE
April 9, 2004 METHANOL
April 9, 2004 9.5 MOLE NONYLPHENOL HUNTSMAN MAT’L Lot # P0494G
Surfonic N-95 G497T37 N-460 LBS
April 9, 2004 METHYLA UN 1234 Lot # 000807 "BRUSSELS" BELGIUM
April 12, 2004 SODIUM BROMIDE 46%
April 12, 2004 P-801E FLOCCULANT

These are just a few of the many that were being processed through the Drum Steaming Station.

Documents I’ve seen pertained to Cylinder fill: I asked Mr. John Henry if he knew how to correctly handle cylinders? " Mr. Henry was not aware how the cylinders are to be handle. We are not to drop, slide or shock. In other words handle with care. The way these drums are handle: They are thrown onto a buffing stand that is thirty-two inches tall. Then they are dropped from the stand onto the floor. When we paint these cylinders they are pulled of a turntable with a hook and drop ten and a half inches. We than drag the cylinder across the concrete floor farthest point forty feet and shortest point twenty feet.

@ 9:00AM Mr. Loye Albrittion realized two cylinders of Meth-O-Gas had holes in them. Mr. Albritton told me "that when he lift the pallet there was a puddle of Meth-O-Gas the size of a large pizza under it."

Some of the cylinders P & S want to fill are twenty years and older. These two cylinders should get a Blue Ribbon for service:  C-4B300, S-13499 DOW 10-45 PST used last on lot # 3200Pl196 and 1cc-4BA240 56572 GWECCO 11-56 PST Lot # 3200Pl196 Meth-O-Gas 100.

May 11, 2004 @ 4:30AM I decide to check out a Stack that had gassed me with Ammonia many times in the pass. This Stack is located just southeast of the end of the Cylinder Scrap yard behind the Cylinder Prep Area. I don’t fully understand it purpose but this I do know " there is a Ten foot wide and Forty foot long section with completely no grass. Everywhere around this spot grass is growing just fine.

May 11, 2004 @ 9:00AM The Cylinder Steam Cabinet was used today. We processed over one hundred. There are five slots for cylinders with a quarter inch stainless steel nozzles. Steam is forced into Cylinders for the purpose off cleaning them out prior to sending Cylinders off for testing. I noticed first that the Steam Cabinet has a very large Vent on top of it. The Steam and Chemical present inside the Cylinder were emitting into the air. When the wind change direction I realized there were chemicals present. The Steam Cabinet also drip condensation onto the concrete pad. It has a drain that runs to the sump but most the condensation is running onto the floor and I was standing in it most the morning. When the doors open I smell Chloropicrin. Wouldn’t anything that emitted into the air need approval or a permit?

May 11, 2004 @ 2:30PM Supervisor Mr. Thomas accused me of stealing time. He claimed I left the plant on May 10, 2004 without staying twelve hours. Unknown to Mr. Thomas I stayed thirteen hours and forty-five minutes on that day. I will be signing the log at the front gate from now on showing proof beside G.L.C.C computer read outs.

Thank You,
Walter R. Bricklen

Date: May 17, 2004
To: Everyone That Maybe Concern at the EPA and ATSDR
From: Walter R. Bricklen
Subject: Report Document G.L.C.C

May 17, 2004 @ 4:15PM Mr. Steve Calk and I we’re leaving the Central Plant G.L.C.C, I pointed out to Mr. Calk the leaking Vent Scrubbers. I also brought to Mr. Calk’s attention a Tank Farm with Double Valves leaking DPO between the two valves. I showed Mr. Calk the DPO on the ground and informed Mr. Calk that these valves started leaking May 15, 2004 in the morning.

May 17, 2004 @ 4:00 PM Mr. Loye Albrittion informed Mr. Calk and myself that the Chillier for Methyl Bromide was not working and they wanted him to fill Meth-O-Gas Cylinders tonight. Mr. Albrittion said " the methyl bromide would flash off and make out of spec product." Mr. Calk said, " it wouldn’t be the first time that ever happen."

May 16, 2004 @ 6:00AM I noticed a white liquid in the ditch that runs North and South along the Railroad tracks. I asked Mr. John Henry to come and take a look at the ditch. I asked Mr. Henry " Is that milk?" Mr. Henry said, "no I don’t know what that is." I also asked Mr. Ralph Tucker the same thing and received the same answer. @ 7:00AM I walked down passed the Spray Dryer Unit to look into the ditch area there. It was as I thought "white and a much larger quantity of this liquid." Something had to have happen last night.

May 16, 2004 @ 6:15AM Started filling Totes with DE-62 a Hazard 9 Chemical. A single fan located on the Westside of that filling station pulls this chemical out the Westside of the building was running. Employee’s are in the direct line of the airflow that is being sucked outside. PPE is not enforced.

May 16, 2004 @ 6:30AM Mr. Floyd Goodwin pointed out many of Twenty Tall Cylinders that have 11-56 DST on them. This is Lot # 4200PEl56 Fifty pounds of Meth-O-Gas.

May 15, 2004 @ 4:30AM Mr. Loye Albrittion told Mr. Frank Galbraith, Mr. Floyd Goodwin and myself that the MSDS says Not to leave plant with EDB on cloths and the EDB pump, should have been placed in a sealed bag and disposed of at the NASH Unit.

May 14, 2004 @ 11:00AM IOB Unit released a large plume of Bromine and Mr. Lawrence Robinson, Mr. John Henry, Mrs. Sheila Patterson and myself began to wonder if G.L.C.C was ever going to sound the alarm. The alarm finally sounded but not until the plume had started taking over the exit route in the Cylinder Prep Area. @ 12:30PM another plume of Bromine was released at the IOB Unit.

I’d like to bring up just a few items before I continue this document. First Item: I have so much information it’s hard for me to keep everyone up to date. Second Item: I should change my name to "Hey Come Here, Look At This" Many G.L.C.C Employee’s want everyone to know, but nobody is going to stick their neck out.

May 12, 2004 @ 4:45AM Mr. Ralph Tucker informed me in front of Mr. Floyd Goodwin. The twenty-four-inch pipe that is hooked up to the vacuum blower on the roof doesn’t pull enough chemicals out from the filling station. Mr. Tucker is referring to Ethyl Bromide a Hazard 6 Chemical. Lot # 4040PE12A Drum 1-50. This Vacuum Blower emits chemicals onto the roof and into the air.

May 12, 2004 @3:40PM Mr. Robert Mullin made the discussion to use an out of Test Cylinder. DOT 6 – 99 Serial # M 02560 Mr. Mullin did this after Mr. Lawrence Robinson and Mrs. Sheila Patterson question the Test Date. Earlier that day all cylinders that have the Test date of 10 – 99 were being pulled from service. Mr. Mullin on 5-15-2004 had three cylinders out of test 9 – 99 Lot # 4200PE156V one hundred seventy-five pounds of Meth-O-Gas, Mr. Mullin okayed the test date.

Thank You,
Walter R. Bricklen

Date: May 21, 2004
To: Everyone That Maybe Concern at the EPA and the ATSDR
From: Walter R. Bricklen
Subject: JC Penny Mattress

May 21, 2004 @ 4:45AM I walked into the G.L.C.C Central Plant traveling South along the road to the P & S Department. I noticed that the Tank farm that is located on my right side or West is still leaking DPO know as Diphenyl Oxide and a combination of water. The first valve is cracked and the second valve is closed. This mixture is running into the ditch that runs North and than turns east and runs to the railroad tracks which runs South West.

@ 4:50AM I noticed a large stream of fluid running North to the same grating as mention above. This liquid is coming out of the Drum Cleaning Station Sump. It appears that the sump has a busted containment wall that is not visible.

@ 5:10 AM I walked Eastward along the Drum Cleaning Station. The rack has eight, fifty five-gallon drums mounted on it. The SOP’s state only six drums may be placed on the cleaning rack at a time. Lined up on the chat Westward are thirty three, fifty five gallon steel drums, 3 medium size steel drums and seven five gallon steel drums. To my South and against the North outside area of the Central Warehouse, forty-nine Ethyl Bromide drums. These drums are turn upside down; the bungs have been removed and labels painted over.

@ 6:00AM I pointed out to Mr. Alvin Crawford the steady flow of water in the ditch running Southwest along railroad tracks.

@ 7:00AM I talked with Mr. D. Smith in order to make confirmation about this Drum Cleaning Station Sump.

@ 4:30PM all leaks still continue to flow.

Today Truck USF Dugan cab # 15184 delivered seventy-two Meth-O-Gas Cylinders. Inside this trailer 495636 placard read poison gas. There were four mattresses inside this trailer that were lying on these Meth-O-Gas Cylinders the plastic around the mattress has been torn in places. I had to unload two of these mattresses before we could unload the cylinders. I read the tag and these mattress are headed to JC Penny in El Dorado, AR. I made an attempt to call JC Penny and inform them of my findings. I believe they should know. Could this not be consider[ed] route of exposure?

Thank You,
Walter R. Bricklen

Date: May 22, 2004
To: Everyone That Maybe Concern at the EPA and ATSDR
From: Walter R. Bricklen
Subject: May 22, 2004

May 22, 2004 @ 4:50AM as I walked South to the P & S Filling Department. I notice to my West or my right side the large Brine lines had no less than three leaking spots and salt build up is obvious. These leaks may be in violations, I’m not sure. I do know they have not had any attention in quite sometime.

@ 4:53AM I noticed as I continued my walk that on my left side or to my East a Dark Brown Liquid which is unknown to me. It is located just as you start through the Fine Chemical Unit.

@ 4:55AM I approach the DPO Tank Farm on my right side or West. The leak has now turned into a dripping situation.

@ 4: 57AM I see that the Drum Cleaning Station that is on the West or my right side is still leaking. The color of liquid on the concrete is a Green with a Yellow tint.

@ 5:00AM I noticed on my right front side or West forward a liquid leaking out of a containment wall. These Tanks are N- PROPYL BROMIDE TT-22-235 and TT-22-236. The liquid in this containment wall must have been over looked.

A nice way to start a day, hopping back and forth wondering what I’m jumping over.

After retrieving my safety equipment I start my rounds. As I head West towards the lab I noticed the dump hopper on my right side or North. This hopper has had fluid in it since I came into the P & S Department and the end of Jan. There are two five-gallon plastic buckets and a two by four and is full of liquid.

@ 8:20AM Mr. Steve Calk the job assigned to him which was to blowback Meth-O-Gas Cylinders. Mr. Calk walked up to the pallets of cylinders and began opening the valves wide open. These cylinders had so much pressure on them the valves were whistling at a high pitch. I yelled at Mr. Calk and told him to knock that off. Mr. Calk just looked at me and after I walked away he would open these cylinder just enough for me to hear pssssst. I informed Mr. John Henry that this need to stop and made him aware of the situation Mr. Henry agreed.

As we started up the fans that pull the paint fumes out of the prep area it hit me. Were emitting a health hazard 3 into the air with the help of three large fans mounted on the walls.

@ 2:30PM I talked with a G.L.C.C employee and we discussed the Drum Cleaning Station. This employee informed me that the main was busted on the Sump.

@ 2:40PM I headed South back to my work area. I heard that sound again. Mr. Calk was back at the Blow back station opening Meth-O-Gas Cylinders. The wind is blowing North straight towards me. When I reached the area Mr. Calk was in I yelled at him, he just ignored me. Mr. Lawrence Robinson just laughed. From 2:40PM until 3:20PM Mr. Calk and with some help from Mr. Robinson ninety-seven cylinders were let loose. I felt sick to my stomach and had a hard time trying to control my temper. It sounded as if someone had open a one quarter in airline wide open. The wind carried this chemical quickly to the North.

Today the Chemical Fill Tech filled Ethyl Bromide Drums a Hazard 6 Chemical. The twenty four-inch pipe that shoot this chemical across the roof into the air made me think. How has G.L.C.C been aloud to continue this process? It’s all Main Line Chemicals that are being emitted into our air. G.L.C.C has been performing operations such as these for years is this Not an Example of An On going Violation?

Thank You,
Walter R. Bricklen

Date: May 23, 2004
To: Everyone That Maybe Concern at the EPA; ATSDR
From: Walter R. Bricklen
Subject: Results of Meth-O-Gas not properly being handle.

@ 4:30AM I started my walk into the G.L.C.C central plant. I noticed that instead of three brine leaks, there are four. PC-2411 relates to the pump on these lines.

I have been told not to stop in the alley around other process units. So I have to walk very slowly, as I notice leaks and items of interest.

The DPO Tank farm leak has finally stopped. But the valves are still as I describe.

Liquid still remains in all areas. I have to jump from one dry spot to another making my way to the Cylinder Fill Area.

The Drum Cleaning Sump is full with I guess condensation and is bubbling up about a foot.

I sneaked up to where all those drums are sitting on the chat running east and west beside the drum cleaning station. There are five white ploy drums with a red X painted on them. These drums are turned upside down with bungs remove. POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE SOLUTION a Hazard 8 UN1814.

A G.L.C.C employee brought to my attention the air compressors around n-PROPLY and N-BUTHYL Tanks are not fire fault motors. This employee said " I feel all right around those other motors but that crappie one bothers me around all this Alcohol.

The ISO loading Station has a leak of liquid. The flange under an Air operated Auto Vales is leaking. It is the third Auto valves east to west. This station has always had the liquid around it. I thought it came from all the hoses lying on the ground.

@ 6:20AM I arrived at the Cylinder Prep Area. Mr. John Henry asked, how are you today I said " I have ingestion and I’m sick to my stomach and I feel real tired."

I became sick to my stomach as we buffed the cylinder we were preparing to paint today. Mr. Henry had a Meth-O-Gas Cylinder spray at him in heavy force and was he ever mad. I explained to Mr. Henry that just because there is no pressure on that cylinder yesterday, Mr. Steve Calk just figured it was empty. That all cylinders need to be hooked up to the blow back system and air purged into them assuring the Dip Tube is not plugged.

Mr. Pete Howard the G.L.C.C Environmental Manger said in a meeting addressing my concerns expressed to Mr. Sheldon Krantz G.L.C.C Lawyer for on how Meth-O-Gas was just being released into the air. Mr. Howard informed me that everyone would receive proper training blowing back Cylinders.

Mr. John Henry wrapped a one hundred-pound cylinder of Meth-O-Gas 100 with caution tape. This cylinder was also marked 50/50. I asked Mr. Henry why and what all this meant. He told me the cylinder is marked Meth-O-Gas 100 but someone has put Brom-O-Gas in it at some time. It was sent back from a customer the Lot # 2200PJ056V.

@ 3:00PM I looked up the MSDS on Meth-O-Gas Q and 100. All the systems I told Mr. Henry about earlier that day were right in front of my face. Mr. Calk must have vent toward the North longer than I was aware off.

Thank You,
Walter R. Bricklen

Date: May 24, 2004
To: Everyone That Maybe Concern at the EPA; ATSDR
From: Walter R. Bricklen
Subject: SOP’S and CGA Pamphlet C-6

@ 8:30AM, I approached P & S Supervisor Mr. Nicky Thomas and a Contractor that were in the Bromine Drum Cleaning Room. The contractor and Mr. Thomas were discussing improving the ventilation. It has two slots the size of a dollar on each side of the booth. I asked Mr. Thomas if he was aware of the Steam Drum Cleaning Station. He said, " Yes there’s a main busted." I said "no not that, the EVD.006 Procedures?" Mr. Thomas said "oh yes we do that." I informed Mr. Thomas "it states on the EVD.006 the person who transports the drums to the station is the responsible person." Mr. Thomas said,"he wasn’t aware of that." I also asked Mr. Thomas "who is the area Manger over the Drum Steaming Station, Mr. Scott Wright?" Mr. Thomas said, "I’m not sure who is the area manger." I asked these questions in front of this contractor, witness of Confrimation. G.L.C.C Upper Management takes me off where I can’t prove what is being said to me, usually two at one time.

@ 10:20AM I asked Mr. Thomas if he knew where I could find The Cylinder Prep SOP’S in front of Mr. Ralph Tucker. Mr. Thomas said "yes right in here." We went into computer room. I explain to Mr. Thomas what had happen with the Methyl Bromide releases taking place and the sound on the forty minutes of Methyl Bromide being released. Mr. Thomas informed me "I had violated the incident report by not calling to notify him." I asked Mr. Thomas "how did I violate anything I haven’t seen the SOP’S? They have been blowing Methyl Bromide everyday, I’m starting to believe that it’s normal procedure." I informed Mr. Thomas "I’m blowing back Methyl Bromide cylinders and wanted to be sure not to blow myself up. Mr. Thomas began reading to me the SOP’S. 5.2.3 Visually inspect the exterior of the cylinder for defects per CGA pamphlet C-6 "Standards for Visual Inspection of Compress Gas Cylinders." I asked Mr. Thomas if he could let me see this pamphlet so I’ll know what to look for. Mr. Thomas looked then called Mr. Robert Mullin and no pamphlet C-6 was ever produced. Mr. Thomas started looking on the computer and never found anything on this pamphlet. Mr. Tucker came into the room and I asked Mr. Tucker if he had seen this C-6 pamphlet. Mr. Tucker said no I’ve never heard of it. After Mr. Tucker had left the room I informed Mr. Thomas "that if the right person came in and asked to see these SOP’S they could shut the complete process down in the Cylinder Preparation Area.

@ 2:20PM, The Methyl Bromide Expert Mr. Dennis MC Cullar came into a break room. I asked the Methyl Bromide Expect if had knowledge where I could find the CGA Pamphlet C-6 for Visual Inspect so I would know what I’m looking for. Mr. MC Cullar had no idea of what I was even talking about. I asked this expert in front of Ms. Stephanie Inness.

@4:00PM, I’m stand outside the break room looking down at the ditch at the Railroad tracks thinking. The day is very pretty and pleasant I began to write what I see. White, Orange, Green Teal, Brown, Violet, Bronze, Green, Gray and Black. The liquid eminent the colors. It made me think how pretty these colors are under the bright Sunlight, realizing the evil that lye’s underneath the top.

An employee told me about many people in the Three Creeks, Newell and Parker Chapel Areas with Breast Cancer Southwest of the plant. Another employee told me that his brother wife just found out she had Cancer. I asked my friend did he was his cloths with the families? He said, "yes he does."

@ 5:30PM, I went to the Breast Friends Breast Cancer Support Group meeting.

I’m going to The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill @ 7:00PM Tuesday.

Many people have asked me

" Are you scared?"

"What are they doing?"

" How does it feel?"

"Who do you trust?"

My answer " no one can imagine or would believe what it’s like to walk in these shoes."

Respectively Submitted,
Walter R. Bricklen

Date: May 25, 2004

To: Everyone That Maybe Concern at the EPA, ATSDR
From: Walter R. Bricklen
Subject: Thank You

Thank you for helping me find the C-6 Pamphlet.

I’ve asked Mr. Pete Howard and Mr. Nicky Thomas to supply me with many things I have the right to know. I’ve asked for the MSDS for Sherwin Williams Chemical Coating, Quick Dry Enamel 577A3 5301-01799 UN1263 Sherwin Williams

Xylene

R2K4 154-2398 UN1307

I’ve looked in the MSDS at the plant "Raw Material" Suppliers. I was given thousand that I’ll have to search through to find what I need. This paint is a Heath Level 3* I don’t understand the * and would like to read about these two products. Mr. Charles Johnson painted the break room and floors with this paint. I won’t go into it because the smell is awful.

When we puff these cylinders the dust is place into the normal trash. The empty paint pails are thrown into the L.C.C.I is this not disposing of hazardous waste improperly?

G.L.C.C has held a class on Methyl Bromide; people that gave this class told me, "Methyl Bromide has no residue." I asked this person in private, if test had ever been ran on the dust from the cylinders buffed that could support this claim? I was told again "there is no residue."

My findings indicate that residue is present. Every time I was able to peal the old label off, I would do so. Three times I suffered in great pain, a total of eight days each time. I caught on to what I was doing. Imagine cutting all your fingernails down to the quick, with paper cuts on each of the lower edges. Ouch!

The tips of my fingernails turned black. I asked a G.L.C.C employee if he had ever had this happen to him? He said, "yes."

My backlog of paperwork on reports, are two inches high.

On May 24, I correctly blew back 200 cylinders in twelve hours with breaks. I worked at a level most have never seen, to see just how long it takes to do as many as I can. I stated it takes about twenty-five minutes to do ten, see May 3 document, page 2 paragraph 4 line 14.

I carefully read all of these EVD now, since I’ve spotted loopholes. The ones I want to read I don’t have access to. Air Compliance and others. It tells me what to do if I’m not in compliance, it doesn’t tell me where compliance is set. So if I go out I’m at fault for not calling environmental. The Drum Steam Station is an example. EVD.006 3.0 Definition: 3.2 Responsible person – Person responsible for transporting and cleaning empty drums. Did you catch what I see, First person is capable second person is answerable. I’ve seen this a lot, with other words.

Respectively Submitted,
Walter R. Bricklen

On Monday evening, June 28, 2004, I called Greg Ables. He told me that I could come back to work on Tuesday, June 29, 2004.

On July 7, while I was working, Nicky Thomas told me to go up to the Break Room and call Wendy Williams. Wendy answered the telephone, and told me that Doctor Ezzel wanted her to check with me to find out whether or not I had set up an appointment with Doctor Shaw so I could see if I needed to "be put back on some meds."

I told Wendy that this had slipped my mind.

Wendy said, "Are you going to see him? Or if you’re not, I need to know, so I can tell Doctor Ezzell. If he puts you on back on any meds, I need to know, so I can put it in your file."

James Langston approached in the Cylinder Prep Area, and offered me the Wyssmont job at the BOC Unit. There were two other better jobs open at BOC Unit, and having seniority should have given first choice, but James didn’t offer either of these jobs. He just offer the Wyssmont job.

Later in the morning, I went to Nicky Thomas’s office to talk to him about proper documentation for the "REASONS OF SUSPENSION DRUG AND ALCOHOL TEST" he and Greg Ables had made me take. James Langston and Nicky Thomas were in Nicky’s office. Phil Haymaker, Supervisor of the HBr Unit was in Stephanie Innes’s office where he could see me talking to Nicky Thomas. John Henry, a GLCC employee for the Cylinder Prep Area, was in the computer room where he could see and hear me.

I told Nicky that I wanted to see the written documentation that is required for having an employee take a REASONS OF SUSPENSION DRUG AND ALCOHOL TEST, and that I wanted to see the statements that are required from witnesses supporting the need for a REASONS OF SUSPENSION DRUG AND ALCOHOL TEST. Nicky told me that he didn’t know about any documents.

James Langston excused himself from Nicky’s office.

Then, I explained to Nicky about the required paperwork involved in a REASONS OF SUSPENSION DRUG AND ALCOHOL TEST. He told me that he check with Human Resources, and get back with me.

A letter that Paul Hansen Jr., from OSHA, wrote to Dan Redmon, dated June 30, 2004, has a cover letter, which indicates that it was received through Facsimile Transmittal by Great Lakes Chemical Corporation at 2:14 pm on June 30, 2004. This June 30 letter, from Paul Hensen Jr., was posted, on July 7, 2004, on the bulletin board in the Break Room at the Cylinder Fill Area.

Next to the June 30 letter, from Paul Hansen Jr., mentioned in the above paragraph, is a form entitled: "O.S.H.A Complaint Reference #203294400," which says, "Sign and date after reading letter from O.S.H.A .

Date: July 9, 2004
To: Paul Hansen Jr.
From: Walter R. Bricklen
Subject: Reporting Safety and Health Violations at:
Great Lakes Chemical Corporation
2226 Haynesville Hwy.
El Dorado, Arkansas 71730

1. Title 49 of the United States Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Parts 100-180, Hazardous Materials Regulations of the Department of Transportation (DOT) as well as the regulations of the Transport Canada (TC).

CGA C-6 2001
Standards for Visual Inspection of Steel Compressed Gas Cylinders

1. No Tools are available to perform Inspections
2. No Visual Inspection Report Form Reference: DOT Regulations 173.34(e)(10)

May 8, 2004, in the Packaging and Shipping Fill Area, Ross Kates and Charles Johnson hooked up the ISO Tank Backwards. The Vent Line was hooked up to the Fill Valve, and the Fill Line was hooked up to the Vent Valve. This caused the Vent Line going to the BRU Unit to burst, which resulted Methyl Bromide to going all over the ground.

In late June, 2004, Loye Albritton was tracing the above mentioned vent line, which is designed to vent the Methyl Bromide to the BRU Unit, because it wasn’t holding any back pressure. He found a 40 foot section of this vent line missing. It was open ended. This means that Methyl Bromide was being vented into the air, instead of being vented to the BRU Unit, for about 2 months with nobody knowing.

On July 21, 2004, at 11:15 a.m., there was a Bromine cloud. Steve Calk called HBr Unit extension 1645 to let them know that he saw a bromine cloud over there. They told him that they weren’t aware of it. We watched this Bromine Cloud rise up into the air about 150 feet, and then slowly drift upward and northward. No alarm was sounded. This Bromine release was probably from the BOC Unit.

On July 21, 2004, at 1:15 p.m., there was a Bromine Cloud at the BOC Unit. The alarm was sounded. We saw another Bromine Cloud rise up into the air about 150 feet high, and then slowly drift upward and nothward. The release had stopped before the alarm was sounded.

It is not unusual to see a Bromine Cloud at GLCC-Central. Nobody pays much attention to them. For the past 25 years, employees at GLCC have worked with an understanding that it is legal to release some Bromine. I have seen Bromine Clouds so thick that you can barely see the lights of the it covers.

We have had

1. Ruptured Disk Blow on Reactors. This has happened several times. There is a new vent system that directs the Bromine into a Caustic Scrubber Recovery Tank. Before this system was installed, Bromine would release into the air.
2. Vent Line Left Open During Transfer for as long as 15 to 20 minutes. This has happened too many times to count.
3. Bromine Tanks Overcharged and Filled to the Vent Lines. This resulted in Bromine being forced into the Vent Line, and the pushed through the Vent Line into the Caustic Scrubber at such magnitude that the Caustic Scrubber would go neutral. The plume of Bromine would flow out of the end of the Vent Line into the air until it was redirected into the absorber at the BOC Unit.
4. A Bromine Trailer was filled so full that when it got hot it expanded to the point that Bromine was spewing out of a valve.

Seals on Transfer Pumps have been allowed to leak for 4 or 5 days at a time. This used to happen a lot. But in the 1990s, different types of pumps and seals were put in, so this doesn’t happen as often.

The caustic scrubber on the absorber used to go neutral, which resulted in the scrubber process not working, so bromine was released. To fix this, we would have to shut the reactor down, pump out spent caustic, add fresh caustic, and restarted. While all of this was happening, Bromine was coming out the top of the Caustic Vent Tank.

Bromine, often, comes out of the Caustic Vent Tank. This are many reason for this kind or Bromine Release, for example.

1. Recycled Wet Bromine Tanks fill up too full, if the operator isn’t monitoring his equipment. When this tank fills up too full, it forces the Recycled Wet Bromine into the Absorber Caustic Vent Scrubber Tank. Bromine is then released into the air through holes in the dome of the Absorber Caustic Vent Scrubber Tank.
2. The Brominator Reactor has product that is 140 degrees F. The Stripper Reactor has water that is about 100 degrees F. When all the vents are lined to the absorber, and a brominator reactor begins transferring product into the stripper reactor, the stripper reactor pressures up, which causes the vent system to overload. This forces Bromine Gas into the Absorber Caustic Vent Scrubber Tank. Holes in the dome of this tank allow the Bromine to be released into the air.

Bromine Storage Tank T386 rupture disk blows, when it gets week from being eaten up by the Bromine. Bromine is routed to the bottom of the Tank Farm that this tank is in, and it is released into the air. It has no recovery system on it to prevent this from happening. They could route it to the scrubber, but there is has been no effort to do this.

While checking Tank T386, an operator runs a big measuring stick through a valve into the the tank until it reaches the bottom. Then, he measures from the top of the valve to the level mark on the stick. After he gets his measurement, he pulls the stick and sits it on top of the tank. The Bromine on this stick evaporates into the air. This is more than Zero Bromine Release.

While hooking Bromine Trailers up to unload, a new gasket is supposed each time. There have been times when old gaskets have been used. This has resulted in a having a poor seal between the valve and the flange. Bromine has seeped and/or sprayed out, creating a Bromine Cloud.

Seals and casings (bowls) are eaten up by bromine. This results in Bromine releases on brominators and bromine pumps.

Bromine releases happen while flushing out the line to pull a fresh Bromine sample.

Before filling up a Catalyst Pot, an operator purges the Catalyst Pot by opening the top valve and shooting air into it to force the Bromine and old catalyst dust out. The Bromine and old catalyst dust are blown out into the air. To fill up a Catalyst Pot, an operator pours four 35 pound bags of Aluminum Chloride into it through a funnel in the valve top valve. A lot of Aluminum Chloride dust and granules escape while pouring into the funnel. A catch plate is on top to catch the granules. These granules and dust are washed down onto the floor, eventually ending up in the ditch that flows to the Process Water Unit.

13 batches per day.

Not related to the above

If the Caustic in the Scrubber at the Hydrogen Bromine (HBr) Unit goes neutral at that same time that the Bromine Trailer Tank is being unloaded, it vents into the air, because Scrubber doesn’t neutralize it.  This results in Bromine being released through the caustic vent scrubber.

Address the following

June 1 Meeting

July 7 Wendy’s Letter

July 8 Nicky’s Meeting

July 9 Use of Gas Monitors

July 10 Workman’s Com Card

July 16, Nicky told me that the Nurse, Wendy Williams, was the person who had requested that I take a REASON OF SUSPENSION DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTS, and she had supporting documents. He told me that I needed to go see Human Resources if I had anymore questions.

The ditch is 4 feet wide and 11 inches deep.

DRUM CLEANING AREA

UNIDENTIFIED AND UNACCOUNTED SUBSTANCES BEING DUMPED IN THE SUMP

NICKY’S MEETING: STEL

FANS ON THE WEST SIDE 5 FANS AND A VACUME BLOWER ON THE ROOF,

RUNS OFF THE ROOF AND DOWN INTO THE DITCH

THE DITCH CONVERSION

In about 2000 or 2001, on Walter’s day off, I received a phone call at my house from James Langston. He asked to speak to Walter. Walter was in bed asleep, so I told James this.

James said, "We cannot continue to do this."

I asked, "Continue to do what?"

Then, James told me that GLCC could not continue to cover for Walter every time Walter felt bad, and had to take off from work. He said something to the effect that it was looking bad for Walter, and that I needed to try to do something to get him to work.

At this point, he began to get pissed off, and I asked him, Well what the hell do you want me to do? He hurts.

James just said, "Well, have Walter call me when he wakes up."

Walter was scheduled to be off, but he had gone to work that day to help out, because it was the only overtime they would let him have. But when the job was finished, except for cleaning up, he came back home, because his back was hurting. There was no coverage required for Walter, because it was an overtime day, and it was voluntary. Walter was told that he could leave when the job was finished. When he left the job, there were two Johnson Manpower contractors, and two GLCC Hands to do the cleanup.

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