Cancer Victim Gets Runaround From WorkSafe BC

"Frustrated at getting “the runaround” on his medical condition from the Workers’ Compensation Board of British Columbia, Ronald Barrow, an Algoma Steel Inc. retiree, boarded an aircraft for Sault Ste. Marie earlier this week. “My daughter told me that the union was organizing a clinic for anyone who suspected they were exposed to toxic chemicals or substances while working at the plant and I saw it as an opportunity to finally get some answers,” said Barrow, an ASI maintenance millwright for 37 years who now resides in Westbank, B.C., near Kelowna. . . . The Workers’ Compensation Board denied his claim about a year ago, he alleges because of the mere reference to his being a smoker. “It didn’t matter that I had quit smoking 22 years ago, that I was never a heavy smoker, but the simple fact I had smoked was the reason for my health problems,” he said. . . . He worked mainly in No. 1 steelmaking. “Pollutants were everywhere, asbestos was everywhere,” and standard-issue protection was hardhats, safety glasses, earplugs and gloves, later coats and pants for protection from molten steel splashes. "

ASI retirees look to occupational disease clinic for answers

Posted By Dan Bellerose

Posted 1 day ago

Frustrated at getting “the runaround” on his medical condition from the Workers’ Compensation Board of British Columbia, Ronald Barrow, an Algoma Steel Inc. retiree, boarded an aircraft for Sault Ste. Marie earlier this week.

“My daughter told me that the union was organizing a clinic for anyone who suspected they were exposed to toxic chemicals or substances while working at the plant and I saw it as an opportunity to finally get some answers,” said Barrow, an ASI maintenance millwright for 37 years who now resides in Westbank, B.C., near Kelowna.

Another former employee for 16 years, who wished to remain anonymous, wasn’t concerned about the potential for Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) compensation or benefits; he wanted his story, including seven brain surgeries in 16 years, on the record.

Barrow and the anonymous retired steelworker were among 155 current and former ASI employees, or surviving family members of deceased steelworkers, who registered within the first four hours Wednesday of the two-day occupational disease intake clinic at the George Leach Centre.

The clinic, focusing on employee exposure to toxic chemicals and substances, runs 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Thursday.

“We have said all along that if this clinic only helped one person with occupational disease it would be a success . . . In the first few hours we have already identified a number of people we will help file immediate (WSIB) claims,” said Mike DaPrat, president of United Steelworkers Local 2251. His local, the largest inside Algoma, is the driving force behind the clinic.

Barrow, 76, who retired nearly 20 years ago, started experiencing health problems about six years ago. “I would break into a sweat and begin puffing like an old steam engine on the smallest exertion.”

A letter from his family doctor identifies his condition as “chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with features of bronchitis and emphysema . . . a result of smoking and workplace exposure to pollutants.”

The Workers’ Compensation Board denied his claim about a year ago, he alleges because of the mere reference to his being a smoker.

“It didn’t matter that I had quit smoking 22 years ago, that I was never a heavy smoker, but the simple fact I had smoked was the reason for my health problems,” he said.

“If it hadn’t been for this clinic, I don’t know where I could have turned for some answers on whether my condition was work-related.”

He worked mainly in No. 1 steelmaking. “Pollutants were everywhere, asbestos was everywhere,” and standard-issue protection was hardhats, safety glasses, earplugs and gloves, later coats and pants for protection from molten steel splashes.

“The production workers, especially casting, would pack moldings with asbestos rope after every heat, several times a day, 365 days a year,” he said.

Barrow was still in the clinic Wednesday four hours after his arrival.

“I don’t mind the wait if there is a possibility someone will be acting on my behalf,” he said.

DaPrat estimated a typical visit to the clinic, including registration, interviews related to work, health and exposure histories, and mapping of hazardous work areas and areas of body concerns, took about two hours.

The Occupational Health Clinic for Ontario Workers (OHCOW) had a visiting team of doctors, nurses and hygienists available for participants requiring an immediate assessment.

OHCOW staff were among 160 volunteers assisting 2251 with the clinic.

The anonymous steelworker has never applied for occupational disease benefits.

“I didn’t connect the dots that my health problems could be the result of toxic exposure until a few months ago, when the union began its occupational disease campaign,” he said.

“I am hoping to at least get some confirmation all I’ve gone through is work-related. . . . If it is work related then I want my story on record so maybe my experience can help someone else in the future.”

He worked assorted jobs for Algoma, including mail delivery and pickup.

“The mail route took me to every department in the plant, exposing me on a daily basis to the crap that was floating through the air. . . . Nobody gave it (air pollutants) a second thought; it was a little-understood invisible hazard that came with the job.”

A brain tumour was discovered in 1989 and he underwent seven brain surgeries between 1989 and 2005.

“I’ve had three MRIs since the last surgery and so far so good, nothing is growing,” said the retiree, who also has heart problems and who took a severance package from Algoma in 1991.

He has been advised not to undergo an eighth surgery. “There is nothing left to reattach the skin, the cancer has eaten through the skull bone. . . . One of the few options left is focalized radiation (specific pinpoint radiation).”

DaPrat was pleased with the early response to the clinic. “It’s a miserable day, we’ve already forwarded more than 140 claims in recent months, and anyone not showing up knows that we can process their claim at the union office.”

The occupational disease campaign was launched several months ago when the USW learned through a request to WSIB that 40 former ASI employees with approved occupational disease claims had died over a six-year period, from December 2001 until December 2006.

Depending on the type of disease, and exposure, employees, retirees, and/or families of deceased steelworkers, could be eligible for WSIB compensation or survivor benefits ? benefits similar to injury in a work-related accident.

The union expects to establish a database to track and monitor work-environment illnesses.