Chemical allergies cost shipyard worker his job

Exposure to chemicals can cause adverse
health symptoms in many people.

A BC shipyard worker who developed allergies after being exposed to harsh chemicals did not cooperate enough to keep his job and won’t get it back, a court of appeals has ruled.

The man had worked in the machine shop for 35 years but lost his job in 2007 after failing to do a medical exam to determine what work he could do at the shipyard.

The man was considered a competent and motivated worker when he developed an allergic condition in the 1990s, diagnosed as rhinitis and asbestosis.

The workplace made several changes, including upgrades to the ventilation system and doing certain work only when he wasn’t on shift, but in January 2007, he was exposed to a blast of chemicals from cutting oils and solvents in his office and suffered a bad allergic reaction.

He told his bosses he wasn’t willing to work in the shipyard anymore, but also refused to get tested to see how he could be accommodated.

Source: North Shore News

Remove dangerous fumes and odors with air cleaners

Chemical allergies can affect many people who are exposed to low doses of chemicals over a long time or to a large dose once (chemical injury).

The best way to protect workers is to implement strict health and safety procedures, use less toxic compounds whenever possible, provide adequate ventilation and use an efficient air cleaner.

Electrocorp offers portable as well as other highly efficient air cleaners for commercial and industrial applications that can remove airborne chemicals, gases, fumes and odors as well as other pollutants like particles, dust, mold, bacteria and viruses.

The air cleaners feature a deep-bed activated carbon and HEPA filter system, plus optional UV germicidal filtration.

Contact Electrocorp for more information.