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Asbestos News Letter g rt> ri<f f-~0 75-1 STrtttji.
IMPORTANT
Fire-Safe Curtains Htgtfiway Safety
High Speed Brakes Passenger Car Safety
Pipeline Protection
NEW PROPOSED OSHA STANDARD i
On October 9, 1975 OSHA published a new proposed stan
dard for occupational exposure to asbestos. The text of
this surprise revision is contained in The Federal Register,
Vol. 40, No. 197 -- Thursday, October 9, 1975. Basically
the proposed standard would institute the following changes
in the current regulations:
1) Lower the permissible exposure level to 0.5 fibers/cc
from the current level of 5 fibers/cc and the July 1,
" 1976 level of 2 fibers/cc.
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2) Lower the permissible ceiling concentration to 5
fibers/cc from the current 10 fibers/cc.
3) Extend the record retention period for medical
and monitoring records to .40 years or the duration
of employment plus 20 years whichever is longer.
The current standard requires retention of medical
records for 20 years and the monitoring records for
3 years.
4) Require specific minimum data on medical and monitor
ing records.
5) Revise the procedures for initial and subsequent
monitoring.
6) Revise and update the requirements for respirators,
warning signs and labels. (More)
MSI Johns-Manville Asbestos Fiber Sales Greenwood Plaza-Denver, Colo. 80217-(303) 770 1000
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The proposed rules represent a substantial and significant change from current regulations and should be thoroughly reviewed by anyone involved with the production or use of asbestos fiber.
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WHAT SHOULD YOU DO
As one of the. major producers and users of asbestos, Johns-Manville
has formed a task force to study the new proposal and develop medical,
legal, and feasibility and economic impact information in order to pre
pare our comments on the issues raised by these regulations.
Obviously, it will not be possible for J-M to provide technical
assistance on this subject to all of its customers. As an alternative
we plan to provide the information we develop to the Asbestos Information
Association/North America -- (A.I.A./N.A.).
The A.I.A./N.A. was formed in December 1970 to coordinate the efforts
of the asbestos industry in disseminating authoritative information
concerning asbestos and the asbestos industry with emphasis on the
safety, health, and environmental issues. Currently, it consists of
twenty-two asbestos companies in the U.S. and Canada. The objectives
of the Association are:
1) To provide industry-wide information on asbestos.and health, and
on industry efforts to eliminate existing hazards.
2) To cooperate with governmental agencies in developing and imple
menting industry-wide standards for worker protection and for the control
of asbestos dust emissions into the community air and water.
3) To exchange information on methods and techniques of asbestos
dust control.
4) To correct misleading and uninformed reportage on asbestos/health
problems.
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5) To publicize the unique benefits and importance of asbestos products
and otherwise represent the asbestos industry. (More)
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The A.I.A./N.A. has within its organization various committees that will be studying and preparing comments on the issues raised by the new proposed regulations. A.I.A./N.A. has also retained a medical consultant. Dr. Hans Weill, who will oversee the development and collation of perti nent medical information on asbestos. This information will be available for the benefit of its members.
We strongly recommend that anyone involved with asbestos consider membership in the A.I.A./N.A. as a means of developing the necessary information to allow them to comment on the proposed regulations:
Membership information is available by contacting: Robert H. Mereness, Executive Director Asbestos Information Association/North America 1660 L. Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036 (202) 223-4885 WHAT IS THE TIMING?
The OSHA proposal requests written comments, data and arguments from interested persons on or before December 8, 19'75. It also states that an informal hearing may be requested to provide further opportunity for discussion of the issues.
Both J-M and the A.I.A./N.A. have requested an extension of 120 days from the December 8, 1975 date for filing objections in order to allow proper preparation of our comments. We also plan to request a hearing.
WHO SHOULD COMMENT? EVERYONE concerned with the use of asbestos should be prepared and plan to comment on the issues raised by the proposed regulations. Your comments should address the issues of medical, feasibility and economic impact. The major users are preparing their comments on these issues. However, included in the proposed regulations is a concern regarding the affect they will have on those employers who have a relatively small
(More)
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number of employees. It is obvious that OSHA is requesting that these users, especially, come forward and present their comments. We urge you to request a hearing in order to present your comments and arguments. Comments should be factual and representative of a sensible rather than emotional approach to the subject.
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