THANKS FOR THIS ALERT I WILL PASS IT ON

RON

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dunger, Gary [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Tuesday, March 28, 2000 10:50 PM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      Alert on Compressed Breathing Air
>
>         DES PLAINES, IL (March 23, 2000) - The American Society of Safety
> Engineers (ASSE) today issued an immediate alert to its 33,000 members
> notifying them that due to a fatal accident that occurred in Channelview,
> Texas last Tuesday, the federal Occupational Safety and Health
> Administration is investigating the whereabouts of potentially deadly
> cylinders of class D breathing air often used when working in a confined
> space.
>
>         In a communication sent to all of its chapters, contacts, and
> affiliated safety and health organizations,  ASSE President Frank Perry
> states that ASSE was notified by OSHA that on  March 21 two painters were
> wearing sandblast hoods connected to compressed air cylinders that may not
> have contained a sufficient amount of oxygen. Following the accident
> OSHA's
> preliminary tests found that the cylinders had a low level of oxygen.  As
> a
> result, OSHA and the Houston-based  manufacturer of the cylinders,
> Aeriform,
> are requesting that any and all air cylinders marked "compressed air -
> breathing" that were purchased within the last three months be tested for
> oxygen content prior to being used.  Perry also noted that according to
> OSHA
> any potential cylinders, although purchased and currently only found in
> Texas, could be anywhere in the country at this time and should be
> checked.
>
>         "We are working with OSHA to get the word out now before any other
> tragedies occur," Perry said.
>
>         The air cylinders may not contain a sufficient amount of oxygen
> and
> could be hazardous. They should be checked for an oxygen level of 19 to 23
> percent by volume.  The cylinders were part of lot number C860-2-00-39RS,
> which consisted of three clusters of 12 cylinders that were filled at
> Aeriform on February 8, 2000. Stenciled at the bottom frame of the
> clustered
> cylinders are either the numbers 9063 or 9065.  Perry stated that since
> records of product shipment are apparently incomplete, according to OSHA,
> we
> are notifying our chapters countrywide of the issue.  "We have received a
> number of inquiries from our members concerned about this incident," Perry
> said.  If a cylinder is located OSHA is urging people to contact Aeriform
> at
> 713-926-3166.
>