CHEM-TEXTS
Vol. 10, 1975 | Page 3
Division Closes 3 Plants
Final plans have been made to close three Chemical Division plants: the Reclaim Rubber plant at Naugatuck; the Paracril® nitrile rubber plant in Baton Rouge, La.; and the Marvinol® polyvinyl chloride plant in Painesville, Ohio.
The Division closed the Synthetic rubber plant at the Naugatuck location in November, 1973.
500 Employees Affected
The closings will affect over 500 employees at the three plants. Eligible personnel will receive pension benefits or termination allowances based on their years of service with the company.
Reclaim Plant
The Reclaim plant dates back to 1892 and is one of the oldest units at the Naugatuck location. For the past five years it has operated under severe economic conditions and even after intensive efforts on the part of the union and management were made to operate it competitively, it became necessary to close it.
Painesville Closing
The large capital expenditures necessary to remain in the polyvinyl chloride resin business and to meet the OSHA standards on employee exposure to vinyl chloride were the principal reasons for the division to close the PVC operations at Painesville. The plans do not affect the
1,000,000 Hit Again
[IMAGE: UNIROYAL EMPLOYEE SAFETY RECORD sign showing INJURIES – DISABLING and SERIOUS counts, with “LAST 24” and “DISABLING INJURY” / “OUS INJURY” / “ATIONS” visible, with “100” displayed]
James Cronin, Factory Manager, left, and Joseph Rzeszutek, President of URW Local 218 stand in front of one of the Safety Performance panels at the entrance to the plant.
For the third time in a two and half year period the goal of 1,000,000 manhours without a Lost Time Accident has been achieved.
At the time Chem-Texts went to press, employees were well on the way to 2,000,000 manhours without a disabling accident.
Paracril nitrile rubber operations.
Baton Rouge Plant
The third plant to be closed was the Paracril nitrile rubber plant in Baton Rouge, La. About 110 employees will be affected by the closing. Eligible personnel will receive pensions or termination allowances according to the company’s benefits program.
The decision will not affect the division’s Kralastic® ABS resin plant in Scotts Bluff, La.
As part of the plant’s 1975 Safety Incentive Award program all employees received a new, uncirculated bicentennial half dollar. Besides this award, plant personnel receive a silver dollar award each month for their “group achievement” performance in safety.
Improved Safety Record Reduces Accidents Costs
In 1974 accidents to employees cost the plant $238,359 for hospital and medical costs and compensation. The cost does not include the overtime wages and the other indirect costs for an accident.
The Safety department estimates that the average direct cost of a Lost-Time accident is $15,000 and the total indirect costs can be as high as $60,000 to $75,000 for one accident.
CHEM-PROD JOTTINGS
by 7 BUILDING CREW
This will be my last article for Chem-Texts as Chemical Production Superintendent.
I want to take this opportunity to thank all the people with whom I’ve had the pleasure to work with during these last twelve years.
During this period I’ve worked directly with great crews in the Laboratory, Pilot Plant and Chemical Production. I’ve seen the plant make great strides in improved safety, quality consciousness and productivity. We are now undergoing more dramatic changes, all for the best, to improve the health of the Naugatuck Chemical location.
Much hard work remains before us and I’ll miss not working with all of you in the future.
Thanks again.
Arrivederci Roma,
Joe Bucciaglia
Chittenden Insurance Agency, Inc.
Insurance—Mutual Funds—Real Estate
180 Church Street
Naugatuck, Connecticut
Tel. 729-8209
Frederick D. Zonino | Nathan M. Pierpont, Jr.
Breen’s
The Biggest Little Store In The Country
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Men’s Shop
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H. Freeman Suits
London Fog Rainwear
Florsheim Shoes
Jaymar Slacks
Ladies’ Dept.
Couture Coats
Tanner Dresses
Vanity Fair Lingerie
Joyce—Naturalizer Shoes
Hearing Tests Underway
Over 200 employees have now received hearing tests under the Safety department’s hearing conservation program. The goal of the department is to give every employee, wage and salary, a test to determine the status of their hearing.
The tests are being given daily at the Synthetic plant by Ann McAllister R.N. the plant nurse and James Loman of the Safety department. Both have received special training in audiometrics to qualify them for this type of work.
The results of the test are discussed with each person and if any kind of defect in hearing is noted the person is advised of it.
Employees are requested to keep their appointments for the tests or else notify the plant nurse or the safety department.
[IMAGE: Photo of hearing test being administered]
James Loman, a certified hearing conservationist, gives a hearing test to Daniel Kogut in the special booth at the Synthetic plant.