A couple of Sundays ago I got a call around 11pm. I was still awake, sitting at my computer, rotting my brain. I saw it was a call from work, so of course I didn't answer. So I listened to the voice mail. "Jason! This is Jeremy! The warehouse guys spilled some chemicals in the back of a truck! No one is answering their phone! Call me back immediately, we have the fire dept here!"
Awe man!! So of course I call back. The warehouse didn't know what the product was that was now covering the inside of the 'rental' truck, but the label did say "Do not expose to skin. Do not inhale." Since no paper work was located on the buckets themselves, the warehouse had to call someone in the Air Import Dept aka my dept that shuffles papers all day. The Fire Dept needed to get their hands on a M.S.D.S. (Material Safety Data Sheet), but the warehouse didn't know how to call overseas.
So, I got on my cell phone and called up the origin station in Germany. As soon as I stated my name and where I was calling from, the agent on the other end said "I speak angrish not so good.... um.... we call back... OK?" I gave them my number and had them repeat it. Luckily, by the time I got to the office (around 12) I got a call from Germany, and put in my request for the MSDS.
So, I get to the office, have to go the back way as the cops have the front entrance barricaded off, and get into the office. I plug in my laptop, then call Jeremy back.
"Jeremy, it's Jason. Where are you?"
"Outside in front of door 5. Why?"
"Because I am in the office loading up my emails."
"Um, the fire dept evacuated everyone out of the building. You better get out of there."
"@%^$ you serious?"
So before the fire dept knew what was going on, I snuck out and around to where everyone was standing. There were 7 fire trucks there... We stood there watching the fire dept get in their Haz-mat suits as we still do not know what the chemicals where. It was about 100 degrees, and I was dripping in sweat just standing there, I felt very sorry for the firemen getting all suited up and stand around till we could figure out what was in there.
Germany had the MSDS! Finally! But it was written in Spanish! Another 30 minutes, and we finally have the paper work for.... A fire resistant plaster. Yeah... um... huh? All the paper work said it wasn't a haz-mat shipment, but you shouldn't inhale or touch it.
So, um... what now? The fire dept recommended that we have some professionals come out and clean up the mess, to avoid any chance of harm or injury. Then they packed up and left.
So what is it that I do? I get to call overseas, obtain the necessary paper work to ensure the warehouse doesn't compound a problem by touching and smelling what they shouldn't touch and smell.
Here are some pictures for ya.
The crap that was spilled.
Some of the splatter.
The clean up.... notice the sign in the upper right hand corner? I love this shot!
6 comments:
Wow, all that excitement for that little spill? Sounds interesting, Jason!
You should write more often. Now I know more about what you do at work...just exactly what is it you do??? I spent half my life cleaning up messes made by who knows what by one or more of my five children. I never once called the fire department or Germany (if the stuff was from Germany, why was the "whatchamacallit" written in Spanish?)
Enjoyed your update and look forward to more.
Next time you go to Schlotzkies don't call me...I was craving one of their sandwiches all afternoon. When I crave something and can't have it, I eat anything and everything else trying to settle my craving...thanks a heap! I probably gained 3 pounds!
I once had a patient come to the ER who had splashed something in her eye. I called the factory where she worked and asked for a copy of the MSDS. The plant supervisor replied, "We used to save those but they started getting in the way,so we just throw them away."
I know you want to know: Clarksville, TX
Wow.... I gave up on ever seeing you update your blog.... glad to see the update.... I guess that you were all suited up to be able to take the pics.... and did you wash your hands after cleaning up the green paint?
It looks like the slime on Nickelodeon. You should have dumped it on someone's head, hit a gong, and said, "YOU GOT SLIMED" followed by several seconds of applause.
Fun job!
Alright, update your blog!
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