Document 0L6gjk3QOLd2Nabderpxwwm0b

FILE NAME: Insulation Contractors & Distributors (ICD) DATE: 0000 DOC#: ICD047 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Statement of Johns-Manville Employee - Clifford Scheckle COMPIDENTIAL/ATTORNEY1S WORK PRODUCT PREPARED EX CLIFFORD L. SHECKLER FOR D, H. MARKUSSON IN CONJUNCTION WITH JOHNS-MANVILLE ASBESTOS LITIGATION CLIFFORD L. SHECKLER HISTORY AND THE J-M ASBESTOS STORY My first encounter with the administration of safety and health programs in Johns-Manville was in 1552. I assumed the position of Safety Engineer for the Manville Plant, Research Center and Data Processing Center complex. Most of my activities to 19.57 were related to safety engineering. In 1957 I became Supervisor of Safety and Health for the Manville complex. I then became involved in developing and administering the health prog rams in addition to safety programs. In 1959 I became CorpSrate Manager of Safety and Health. My location was moved to NYC and I rapVeidf Hgh sJ'kekson who assumed other unrelated responsibilities. L worked; directly for Dr. Kenneth S M t h , Corporate Medical Diretoc. My responsibil ities included the following: Administration of Corporate domestic and informational Divisions Occupational Health, Industrial Hygiene Engine ering, Accident Prevention, Toxicological, workmen's compensation and unemployment compensation programs. We were engaged in extensive activities in all of these fields within the corporation. We were fully aware of the potential hazards of toxic substances to our employees within the mining and manufacturing operations. - 1- P. Kl ' * rnnilr-'.V . t first becams 2 wsj;s of the fact that there say be health prob lem, with the installers of insulation products, men working in ths construction and ship building Industries, in early 1964. In fact it was April of 1964 when I first had any detail of Or. Selikoff's insulation worker Study. Dr. Selikoff's study at that time included Beat, Frost and Asbes tos Workers from the Mewsk, H. J. Local 32 and the hew York City Local 12. "The Occurrence of Asbestos Among Insulation Workers in the United States; Annals of the Mew York Academy of Sciences, Biological Effects of Asbestos", Dec. 1963. Bis study was started January 1, 1963 (P.143) and eventually involved 1322 members of the two union locals (p. 142), The people involved in this cohort of 1322 workers were engaged in various jobs and continually changed jobs while doing con struction work. Also conditions of work changed continually from job to job. Materials used varied considcably. Insulation mate rials included asbestos, hair felt, wool felt, cork, rockwool, fibrous glass, shredded rope and others. Environmental con ditions also varied with the type of work being done. Dr. Selikoff stated (p. 142) "measurement of dust exposures of insulation workers have been but infrequently reported and have been hampered by the varied nature of the work. A s :in other ^be*oii^rSikf* high f butgener*lly 6unts fbr ;i8be*h*B the 5.0 MPPCF Threshold Limit Value of the American Conference of Govern mental Industrial Hygienists. Such counts as have baan avail able, mad* during wort angagad in by tha san studied by us, have shown a range similar to that o published counts,* Or. Selikoff'a results of his insulation worker studies really did not become widely known until the data was presented at a New York Academy of Sciences Conference on Biological effects of Asbestos in October 1964. The conference was later reported in i the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, Volume 132, Ar ticle 1, pages 1-766 dated December 31, 1963. The Conference was attended by approximately 150 medical/scientific and occupational health specialists from all over the world. This conference was actually the first formal imowledge of asbestos health hazards to installers, fabricators and users of asbestos and asbestos pro ducts. Dr. Selikoff further reported (p.140) "The only large scale sur vey of asbestos insulation workers was undertaken in the ti.s.A. by Fleisher in 1945. They found only 3 cases of asbestosis and concluded that asbestoa pipe covering of naval vesaels is a rela tively safe operation. 4^nfoi^unataiy:^ s a pegcentiabfa!those exam- inifcbyithB8#*fe;!^ as^iWe^hilliffileispevafuatidhiiof^theferi^siirtbf^ihsulatibn-'Wo'rktrs <N*n limited to study of men with relatively short durations of ex posure may be misleading." Dr. Selikoff alao caid (p.142) *Marr ha recently (1964) brought shipyard inauiation experience up to data, comparing it with tha observations of neither and collesgues and concludes that insu lation materials and work methods have remained essentially the same since 1945." Before the Selikoff initial work was reported in mid to late 1964, most of the literature, excluding the Fleishec report, was related to mining or manufacturing of asbestos and asbestos pro ducts. Although considerable literature came out of Europe, it dealt primarily with asbestos textile manufacturing. UponlearriingofWtebSwexi&iwneteiiOftettoaKi^^ April-, -itsgsf s `ttoSh`elitttdpWfi~&^ a_ction. vmvwt VV\. r* in data \\VM i first steps to be taken was to design and place labels on products in order to alert the uaera of the potential hazard, in early to mid 1964, before the NY Academy Conference, J-M had taken the step to voluntrily commence placing caution labels on thermal insulation products. labels were issued in September, 1964. We began with those presenting the greater potential hazard by way of their higher asbestos and/or silica content. As rapidly as possible we continued to label all thermal insulation products. There was no lsgal re quirement for this type of labeling, therefore, we were guided by the recommendations of the Manufacturing Chemist's Associ ation. The label design and wording was initiated by me, for warded to the legal department for their approval, then forwarded to the specific Division Production Manager for his approval. The J-M labels on J-M materials in 1964 were in fact, more spec ific more compreshenvise and clearer than that eventually re quired by the Occupational Safety and Health Act signed into Federal law in 1970. Labeling was not restricted to insulation materials but was init iated for numerous other products containing asbestos. The prob lem with the insulation workers made it obvious that there could be other potential problems with, the handling of asbestos-cement and various asbestos containing products. At the outset of the labeling program, we had the labels printed on stick-on type labels. The purpose was to use up the cartons, boxes and packages already printed and in stock. The stick-on labels were not practical to use. Shortly we went to the use of a rubber stamp which proved to be more acceptable. As soon as the inventory of printed cartons wa3 used, the label was then printed directly on the cartons, bags, boxes, packages, etc. Labels were modified over the years since 1964. Slight wording changes were made, also the size of some labels was increased. The method of initiating the labels ramained the same, except in 1966 the Environmental Control Department was added to the ap proving authority for labeling. Today labels must be approved by the Corporate Labeling Committee chaired by Paul Kotin, M.D. w ^ \ "X" . \V j t\| CJX" Another program undertaken was a research proSuct development task force to reduce the asbestos content of insulation mate N % % / ) \V4tvt rials. J-M "magnesia" and "calcium silicate* pipe and block covering contained appcoxiately 14% to 15% asbestos. This asbes tos content was diminished to about 8% by 1570 and 0% with the discontinuance o the products. Inasmuch as these are the most widely used products by the insulators, the gradual reduction o asbestos content was very meaningful. The composition of insu lation materials varied with the manufacturers and types of mate rials. Products with high amosite content could be dustier to use than those with high chrysotile content.** High temperature materials with diatomaceous earth added could be dustier. Some # manufacturers produced cements that contained up to 95% asbestos. Again, because the asbestos content was continually diminished to 0%, the environmental effect was meaningful. It should be noted that the insulation workers in addition to working with various materials and on varied jobs, also preformed many functions. Balzer's observations reported that their job time, average, while working with asbestos insulation was: ** This could be important in shipyard cases where most amosite containing insulation was used. Onibestos was par ticularly high in amosite. 10% 40% 30% 10% 5% 5% Prfabrication Ose of pro-cut materials and shaping with hand and power tools. Fitting to surface with wire, glue, etc. Tearing out and removing old and unusable material. Mixing mineral wools, fibrous glass, and asbestos cements. Cleanup and transporting scrap. Balzer, Environmental Exposures in the Insulation Trade, MICA Outlook, April 1970. ,, He also initiated a research development program to provide substitute materials in place of asbestos in insulation products. C ftyj-\>cgc C ^ V N b O fc>T m m e& m m ffim m m m ffiw fflm ... o|,. . <D^- ^ :es to users These included the National Insulation Manufacturers Association, the Asbestos Textile Institute,** the Asbestos Cement Products Association, the Sprayed Mineral Fiber Manufacturers Association, the Quebec Asbestos Mining Association, etc. He became very active rarV ** Activities of ATI were never concerned with insulation products or insulation applicators. concerning Health and Safety in each of these organizations. * Booklets were written, seminars held, research undertaken. >-* v " V t t v \ o ^ ' v 'Vue^vet-. <s>^^k >- In the National Insulation Manufacturers Association (NIMA), now known as the Thermal Insulation Manufacturers Association (TIMA), we formed a Health and Safety Committee. The purpose was to reach the many contractors and their workers with information that would alert them to the potential hazard of asbestos con taining insulation materials and provide preventive measures in the safe handling of the materials. We produced a program -and presentations were made to-the Midwest Insulation Contractors Association, Central States Insulation Contractors Association, South West Insulation Contractors Association, Northeastern Insu lation Contractors Association, Associated Asbestos Contractors of the Southeastern States, Associated Asbestos Contractors of the Western States, New York State Insulation Contractors Assoc- w* iation, and Middle Atlantic Insulation Contractors Association. <2,wr The: fiEat-!coundi:sQfsg5emtiing;:iWi*Ahid-4n jlMS67- The meetings were met with such success that a second round of meetings were held:in S7*68, We spoke to well over ;40Q0j each round. This program of presentations was coordinated through the Nat ional insulation Contractors Association. The regional gr.oups are part of the NICA. The presentations were made by a task force including Ted Brody, President of NICA and a private con tractor; Cliff Sheckler, Chairman of NIMA Health and Safety Cora- bnisiifSfies. mittee and J-Mi John Vyverburg, DIMA Board and OCF; Jack Barn hart executive Director of NIMA. Hastings wars four to five hours duration. The MIMA program presented to the contractors in the 66-67 and 67-68 meetings covered the following subjects: 1. Biological effects of toxic materials and causal relationships to pulmonary and other diseases. Although we placed emphasis on materials con tained in insulation .products, we did not re strict our comments entirely to those materials. We stressed cigarette smoking in some detail and related Dr. Selikoff's findings relating to smoking. 2. Descriptions and samples of chrysotile. amosite and crocidolite asbestos. 3. Asbestos types and content in various insulation products. 4. Demonstrations and explanations of Threshold Limit Values. Should maximum allowable concen trations of asbestos, silica, cement, natural and fluxcalcined diatomite, gasoline, carbon detra- chloride. tolual, methyl alcohol and turpentine in 10 ft. x 10 ft. x 10 ft. room. 5. Methodology Coe industrial hygiene engineering sampling and analysis for asbestos dust with demonstrations of sampling equipment. 6. Engineering controls including both stationary and portable exhauhs systems. 7. Exhibit of Bureau of Mines approved type respi rators for pneumoconiosis producing dusts. Dem onstration on how to fit them, change filters. 3. Discussed necessity for clean clothing and dis continued use of compressed air for blowing off clothing. 9. Methods for handling bags and mixing cements. 10. Use of mechanical ventilation in confined spaces. 11. Discussed need for physical examination programs for workers involved in installation of insula tion products. Avoid further injury of impaired workers. Need for knowledge of impairment and restricted breathing capacity in relation to use of respirators. 12. Dust abatement during tear-out by cutting down and confining scrap. 10- 13 Offered assistance to contractors having specific problems. . The first 66-67 round of meeting brought requests from the con tractors for some type of written material that they could convey to workers. Our NIMA Committee, therefore, wrote two booklets which were presented during the 67-68 meegings. The booklets were entitled: 1. ing'EAs$S<?" < 2. In early 1966, through the HXMA we also worked closely with Dr. Lewis Cralley and the OSPHS who has conducting studies of Asbes tos Workers, We, in J-M worked with many other trade organizations and similar to NIMA, we assisted with producing booklets such as: 1. "Recommended Health Safety Practices for Handling and Fabricating Asbestos Textile Products". 2. "Recommended Practices for Fabricating and Apply ing Asbestos-Cement Products in the Building and Construction Industries", 3. "Recommended Safety Practices for Handling Asbes tos Fiber", 4. "Method for Determining Asbestos Dust Concentra tions - Approved by the ATI". MJJ!#', 1111111-1 From tb tim of th N.Y. Academy of Sciences Conference on a* beatos in late 1964, we in J-K established a liason with Ot. Selikoff. subsequently through DIMA we also established a liason with Hr. Hutchinson, President of the Beat, Frost and Asbestos Workers. Dr. Selikoff developed an idea of forming an organiza tion to cope with the problems of the insulaiton workers. I was requested to organize the attendance of the meeting and assist with the agenda. The meeting wa sponsored by the N. Y . Academy of Sciences and was held on Hay 14, 1968. It was attended by representatives of industry, labor, government, including QAMA, Certain-teed Products, American Insurance Association, Beat Frost and Asbestos Workers, Building and Construction Trades Department AFL-CXO, Industrial Hygiene Foundation of America, University of California School of Public Health, 0. S. Department of Health Education and Welfare - Public Health Service, Baldwin-Ehert-Hill HC, Pittsburgh Plate Glass, General Aniline and Film, Sprayed Mineral Fiber Mfgs. Assoc., Owens-Coming Fibecglas, MIMA, 0. S. Dept':b;Meteffingr^.:iBUreiu of Hines, J-M Research and Engineering, J-H Corporation, MICA and others. The agenda for the meeting was as follows; -12 13 try Hjiftai Resasrch Program (IIHMP) wasbocn. tions three major goals were: The organiza 1 The prevention of dust formation. 2 The control and limitation of dusts that are unavoidable, and preventing inhalation of dust by those exposed to it through human elements and technological elements. 3. Changing methods of manufacturing and application of insulating materials. The joint enterprise enlisted the support of J-M, Heat Frost and Asbestos Workers, Environmental Sciences Laboratory - Ht. Sinai, Bureau of Occupational Health - U. S. Public Health Service and subsequently the Sprayed Mineral Fiber Mfgs. Assoc. story equipment including an electron microscope, other equipment including a station wagon, and the services of a full time indus trial hygienist ) Monthly reports (green sheets) were distributed to all members of the International Beat, Frost and Asbestos Workers Union in their magazine, "The Asbestos Work er", they were also published in the MICA 'Outlook", which is their trade journal, and I distributed copies to each of the - 14- Safety Committee, X met on several occaasions with Hr. Hutchin son, President and on one occassion with Hr. Baas, then V.P., now President of the International Beat and Frost aftd Asbestos Workers. These meetings took place sometime between 6 and od if ay memory serves me right. Jack Barnhart and John Vyvecberg were with me. We discussed the health hazards related to the exposure to asbestos dust and the measures we might take to assist in a disease prevention program. We were interested in promoting physical examination programs for the asbestos workers. It must be realised that the asbestos workers are hired out of a union hall and may only work for a given contractor a few days, then another crew is sent to the contractor, therefore, he has little control as to whom he hires and their physical ability to work on the job. I will relate a personal reaction to part of our conversation with Hr. Hutchinson. He smiled, got out of his chair and shook the fibrous glass drapes behind his desk and said: "This is the damn stuff that will kill you, that asbestos isn't bad at all." On subsequent occaasions that we met, the same attitude persisted. It is important to understand that there has been a bitter jurisdictional work dispute between the Asbestos Workers and the Sheet Metal Workers. Hutchinson's desire, and Haas after him, to this day is to eliminate the use of fibrous glass on the interiors of air transmission systems and replace it with outside wrap. |\U'* In addition to a respirator development program by J-M and Mt. Sinai Environmental Sciences [laboratory, J-M also undertook a respirator evaluation testing program for asbestos fiber at Me- -16- Gill University in Montreal X administered the program and we tested a number of the most prominent respirators, both those approved and not approved for pneumonoconiosis producing dusts by the 0. S. Bureau of Mines. The 0. S. Bureau of Mines testing ptograms and approvals were based on silica dusts and not fibrous dusts. Particulates act differently from fibers and we were interested in knowing which respirators were more efficient for fibrous materials and which were less resistant for easier breathing. The program concluded after about six months and resulted in the use of more disposable type respirators which were far more desireable to workers. The resulting data was made available to Or. Selikoff and the U. S. Bureau of Mines. This work was done about 1968. To date, there is no medical/sciantific evidence to justify a specific threshold limit value number of fibers. TLV's have been moved around and downward and there are proposals to continue to change the numbers. The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) had been responsible for making the recommendations for voluntary TLV's up to the passage of the OSBA Act. Standards are now promulgated by OSHA. The following is a history of asbestos TLV's: S.O MPPCF (Million particles per cubic foot of air on time weighted basis (eight times daily - 40 hours weekly). Adopted by the ACGIH in 1947 and reaffirmed at their annual meeting in April, 1964, As measured with impinger. 12.0 F/CC over S Microns in Length. (Fibers per cubic centimeter of air as measured by the miliper filter * personal sampler or 2.0 MPPCF as measured with the impringer. Adopted by ACGIH in 1963. 1970 - Federal Occupational Health & Safety Act signed into law. TLV standard effective under the Act August 27, 1971 was the ACGXH recommended stan dard of 12.0 F/CC over 54 in length or 2.0 MPPCF. 1970 - ACGXH further reduced their recommended standard for asbestos dust to 5.0 F/CC greater than S.04 in length with exposures of up to 10.0 F/CC for 15 minute intervals each hour up to 5 hours per day. OSBA did not follow this ACGXH recommend ation and continued their standard # 12.0 F/CC greater than 5.0 Microns in length. 7/7/72 - OSHA reduced the TLV not to exceed 5.0 F/CC greater than 5.0 Microns in length on a dime weighted 9 hour average exposure. The level not to exceed 10.0 F/CC longer than 5.0 Microns at any time (ceiling value). 7/1/76 - The 7/7/72 level reduced to 2.0 F/CG greeter than S.O Microns in length in a time-weighted B hour average exposure and not to exceed 10 F/CC over 5.0 Microns length (ceiling). 1975 - OSHA proposed amendments to further reduce the TLV to 0.5 F/CC greater than 5.0 Microns in length This proposal is currently under-going hearings and is not effective as of this date (3/79). The effective standard today is 2.0 F/CC. Clifford L. Sheckler