Louisiana Shrimpers Association Request for Investigation of Health and Safety issues

From: Clint Guidry
To: Perez, Rachel (Vitter)
Sent: Friday, May 21, 2010 1:26 PM
Subject: Request for Investigation

Dear Senator David Vitter,

On behalf of the shrimpers involved in the Vessels of Opportunity Program, I ask that you investigate the safety and health issues listed below, reported to me by individuals participating in the program:

1. Even after complaining about noxcious eye burning and choking fumes working over the spill site, workers were not issued proper respiratory Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE) by safety and BP representatives on site.

2. After supplying their own respirators with Organic Vapor Cartridges, they were told they would be terminated from the job if they used them.

3. No respiratory protection has been supplied to any of the crews working offshore over the blowout or spill. Not even as a precaution to allow them to escape from the scene due to any hazardous release from the un-capped, uncontrolled blowout status of the well.

4. I am being told the so-called "Safety Personel" on the job site are untrained as to the hazards associated with working over such a violatile situation(i.e. dangers from breathing benzene and other light ends emmited from the oil because of heating and spreading over the water).

Having worked in Oil Refineries , I know the dangers to a workman's health that will arise from this type of activity.

At my asking these individuals were affraid to go public, fearing the lost of job and revenue, so desperately needed by their families.

Shrimpers CAN do the required work asked of them if proper PPE is provided.

Please investigate and correct these dangerous health and safety issues.

Thank you,

For the Board of Directors of Louisiana Shrimp Association

Clint Guidry
Cell- 504-952-4368
FAX- 504-233-1103