A NIPSCO employee alleges he has tested positive to a potentially deadly form of bacteria found at work, and his co-workers claim they weren't properly notified about the potential health hazard.

An unidentified employee of Northern Indiana Public Service Co. told company officials that he tested positive for exposure to the Legionella bacteria, which can cause the potentially life-threatening Legionnaires' disease.

The man was one of three employees who asked to be tested, following NIPSCO test results that concluded the bacteria was found in a cooling tower at the R.M. Schahfer Generating Station near Wheatfield.

The man has been treated and is back at work, said David Chlebek, vice president of United Steelworkers Local 12775 and chairman of the union's health and safety committee. But he said there is a lot of frustration and concern that NIPSCO employees weren't properly notified about the Legionella findings.

"When you look at Legionnaires' disease, it's a serious thing. It can kill," Chlebek said. "I'm upset with the lack of a sincere effort to communicate to the workers. ... Safety should be at the forefront of our minds."

NIPSCO spokesman Tom Cuddy said when the utility learned of a positive identification for Legionella at Wheatfield on Oct. 5, the company notified all employees through e-mails, verbal communications and postings on bulletin boards in 33 locations.

Kathy Chaplin, recording secretary for the union, who works at the contested station, said she saw only one notice on a dry erase board in her office, and never received a reply when she wrote a message asking for more information.

Chaplin, who recently underwent chemotherapy, was concerned that she could be vulnerable to the bacteria.

Cuddy said that allegations that the postings weren't up are "simply flat-out not true."

He further stated that the alleged infection is simply alleged at this moment. The unnamed employee has not allowed the company to review his or her medical history.

A test on Oct. 6 for Legionella at the Wheatfield station came back negative on Oct. 17, Cuddy said. He said the Jasper County Department of Health was notified of the Oct. 5 finding, and it in turn is supposed to notify the Indiana State Department of Health. State health department spokesman Erik Deckers could not confirm if it was notified yet of this instance.

Contact Piet Levy at 648-3102 or plevy@post-trib.com