- A headline over at the Rantings of a Transit Bus Driver blog: “DRIVER PASSES OUT DUE TO EXHUAST FUMES.” Sounds alarming. Blogger and bus driver Al Margulies reports: “An operator passed out due to a ‘sulfur smell.’” Well, yes and no, says TriMet. Here’s the email reply that spokeswoman Mary Fetsch sent in: “The operator was Cliff McGrady (note correct spelling). Riders told the operator of the smell. The operator said he did not smell the sulfur that was caused from overheating batteries. Passengers were off loaded onto another bus. The operator, with maintenance following, drove the bus back to the Merlo garage. He collapsed just outside the report area. Our safety staff believe the operator's collapse is unrelated to the sulfur smell.”
- Joe Rose Blog
Trimess
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
"Operators collapse is not related to the sulfer smell" Uh huh....sure....
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Spinmaster Mary Fetsch concludes that the operator did not collapse due to sulfur and/or exhaust fumes so everything is just fine. Since when did Trimet's "safety staff" become medical experts? Something stinks, and it ain't sulfur.
The operator said he did not smell the sulfur that was caused from overheating batteries. Passengers were off loaded onto another bus. The operator, with maintenance following, drove the bus back to the Merlo garage. He collapsed just outside the report area. Our safety staff believe the operator's collapse is unrelated to the sulfur smell.”
Things that "don't smell" that can cause some REALLY bad stuff to happen:
1. Natural gas. (The "rotten egg" smell is actually added by the gas company. Natural gas itself does not smell.)
2. Carbon monoxide. A big killer of people. Can be caused by improper burning of natural gas, improper ventilation of exhaust from a gasoline or diesel engine.
Sulphur is not a good smell, and neither is an overheated battery. If the Operator didn't collapse from it, why did he collapse? This is another example of TriMet's spokeschica saying crap she shouldn't be saying. She is neither an expert on why he collapsed, and of course if there's a medical condition and she divulged it she'd be in violation of HR policies AND HIIPA.
Why does she still have a job???? I wish I could get away with what she does, and still have a six-figure salary job.
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