toxic pallets from China

ACKLEY ABE · #1 02-25-2011, 07:23 AM

Well...not sure if they are toxic, but we have rec'd 3 containers from China that reek of Mothballs. Napthalene is not legal to use to fumigate container shipments so hopefully thats not what we smell. I really don't need cancer or neurological problems.

Anyway, is anyone familiar with this? We have gotten many containers from China (I'm sad to say), but never have we rec'd any that were like this.

The smell is not minor, but is strong enough to cause sore throats and headaches. Our company (of course) tells us that there is nothing wrong with them, but ........

We have asked for an MSDS sheet from them but if they are using something they shouldn't they won't tell us the truth anyway. Is there a way to have the air in the whse tested without sending portions of the pallets to be tested? If so...who does it?

Thks for reading this...cough cough gag gag.

cccan · #2 02-25-2011, 07:39 AM

sounds like a good reason to go home

ACKLEY ABE · #3 02-25-2011, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cccan

sounds like a good reason to go home

How's the frozen north?

Goater · #4 02-25-2011, 07:57 AM

"Our company (of course) tells us that there is nothing wrong with them, but ........"
Bring one or two pallets to them, see if there is no problem with them then!

ACKLEY ABE · #5 02-25-2011, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goater

"Our company (of course) tells us that there is nothing wrong with them, but ........"
Bring one or two pallets to them, see if there is no problem with them then!

The manager is here in the building. But his loyalties are to the company........

bigdaddy37 · #6 02-25-2011, 08:08 AM

you could always may an "annonymous" call to the fire dept and get the hazmat team to show up and check it out.

If you feel it is not safe to enter the container, don't do it. Your employer cannot make you do anything you feel is unsafe. If they try, call OHS

FishingMOM · #7 02-25-2011, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdaddy37

you could always may an "annonymous" call to the fire dept and get the hazmat team to show up and check it out.

If you feel it is not safe to enter the container, don't do it. Your employer cannot make you do anything you feel is unsafe. If they try, call OHS

Bigdaddy is right.

I would refuse to work with this stuff until such time as Hazmat has cleared it.
It would be terrible if whatever this chemical is has lasting effects.

JEN

Whiskey Wish · #8 02-25-2011, 09:02 AM

The Chinese (the nation not the nationality) are capable of anything. Remember these are the people who took a ship load of toothpaste that had been condemned by the USA and re-sold it to the Domincan Republic and caused a number of deaths among children. I recently received an e-mail about toxic compounds found in Chinese made drywall. What a great way to get rid of hazardous waste. Simply blend it into the drywall mix and sell it to those crazy North Americans. They'll buy ANYTHING as long as it is cheap. Try Googling "China Food Safety" and prepared to be scared.
Human life means nothing to them.
That's my opinion.
If you and your co-workers have an issue about the containers then ALL of you should ask for a meeting with management for a discussion. Put everything in writing. If they are not willing to test the containers then explain to them that your next step will have to be OH&S. But do it as a group and document every step.

Keep Your Powder Dry,
Dave.

plinker · #9 02-25-2011, 09:04 AM

File a Complaint/Report an Unsafe Work Condition in Alberta
http://employment.alberta.ca/SFW/4471.html

Report an Incident or an Immediately Dangerous Situation
You MUST call the Workplace Health and Safety Contact Centre:
•1-866-415-8690 (Toll-free within Alberta)
•780-415-8690 (Edmonton and surrounding area)
•Deaf/hard of hearing with TDD/TTY: 780-427-9999 in Edmonton, 1-800-232-7215 throughout Alberta

Don't wait until you or someone else gets sick. The Chinese are notarious for using illegal chemicals and undeclared substances.

ACKLEY ABE · #10 02-25-2011, 09:06 AM

Whiskey: I agree with you totally. I will not buy anything made in China. Food stores have to give you the item code prefix for Chinese products if you ask them for it. Lately a lot of Chinese product is coming into Canada through Viet Nam and Thailand and shows those countries as the country of origin.

It's sad but even "Canadian" companies such as ...Captain Highliner is selling Chinese product. You have to hunt for it on the packages..but it's there.

spinerfisher · #11 02-25-2011, 09:15 AM

put it in managements office

NoKlu · #12 02-25-2011, 10:41 AM

Not meaning to hijack, the largest supplier of fluoride they are putting in the water is China.

crawfy · #13 02-25-2011, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plinker

File a Complaint/Report an Unsafe Work Condition in Alberta
http://employment.alberta.ca/SFW/4471.html

Report an Incident or an Immediately Dangerous Situation
You MUST call the Workplace Health and Safety Contact Centre:
•1-866-415-8690 (Toll-free within Alberta)
•780-415-8690 (Edmonton and surrounding area)
•Deaf/hard of hearing with TDD/TTY: 780-427-9999 in Edmonton, 1-800-232-7215 throughout Alberta

Don't wait until you or someone else gets sick. The Chinese are notarious for using illegal chemicals and undeclared substances.

X2 part 2 of the Labour code could be your friend in this case

pikergolf · #14 02-25-2011, 11:48 AM

I don't want to be an alarmist, but don't go in there if you are reacting.
Sore throat and cough are warning signs, please be careful. If you must then respirator with carbon filter for VOCs. Not those mickey mouse paper with the carbon on the outside.
Seriously right now I am afraid for you.

http://www.ei-resource.org/illness-i...itivity-(mcs)/

ACKLEY ABE · #15 02-25-2011, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pikergolf

I don't want to be an alarmist, but don't go in there if you are reacting.
Sore throat and cough are warning signs, please be careful. If you must then respirator with carbon filter for VOCs. Not those mickey mouse paper with the carbon on the outside.
Seriously right now I am afraid for you.

http://www.ei-resource.org/illness-i...itivity-(mcs)/

It's actually the pallets and crates that smell. They have to be fumigated before they can enter the country, to kill any bugs that may have tried to emigrate to Canada. You would think Customs would be aware if it were anything harmful.

twofifty · #16 02-25-2011, 12:46 PM

Funny that at the very same time we have a thread asking whether there is a place for Unions in Alberta....

ÜberFly · #17 02-25-2011, 01:23 PM

I think if I'm not mistaken that the company has a legal obligation to provide MSDS sheets for any/every material(s) on site, period!! If they refuse to provide them I'd contact the municipality, province, media, etc.

TheClash · #18 02-25-2011, 01:26 PM

Hmmm we get 3 or 4 container units a year from China...have never had one stink like that. I'd be a bit worried for sure.

crawfy · #19 02-25-2011, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twofifty

Funny that at the very same time we have a thread asking whether there is a place for Unions in Alberta....

I was laughing and thinking the same thing. I would invoke part two and would have called my health and safety rep.