Document 1yM5eLmE78zqMKmyXQq9JjbYa

tr &ute-r^. 4 i 1O 4 I I EJfr.-Citxiol.InpotorjBf,7Afi^FAll4^ 973 Spring Bank Vast, Hull. Bear Sir. hewalls Insulation Company Halted Spraying Asbestos y Sltvfcr'&V A' 1944. c * Tour letter of Slat Haroh addressed to oar Subsidiary Company, Kewolla Insulation Co.-Ltd., at Vashington Station, County Durham, has been sent-on to me for attention as Z deal with matters concerning the Interpretation of the Aabestosis Schema and the Asbestos Regulations. j I think it appropriate first .to mention that we are, within this organisation, at all times very desirous at taking all precautions in tdnneotion with'the use-<f'+*hMtos -- fibre, and I am sure that the Senior Medical Inspector of Factories would confirm that this is so. -At the same time it . should be 'mentioned that, so far an we understand the position, ' the Aabestosis Scheme and the Regulations do not in general - apply to this Roberts Spray process, and that, by taking the precautions we haTe, we are in fact already doing considerably more than comply with any statutory, requirements. Respirators are worn by those who are actually operating tho Spray Machines, as they handle, asbestos fibre when filling the hoppers of .the machines, but - so far as 1 understand the process - there is. no dry asbestos dust after the hoppers haTe been filled, as the sprayed material is a mixture and the fibre is damp. Having regard to this it seems to me that Regulation Ho.10 with Regard to respirators does not apply. -* ' Tou will no doubt appreolate that work by plasterers in* a room or space on board ship in whloh the Spray Machines are being operated is purely a 71ar-tins problem, l.e. on account of the urgency of the work, and Z expect that even under present R'ar-time conditions this only happens oooaslonally. Therefore, if there is any risk, which I rather doubt, the plasterers are only involved occasionally, and I understand that *"1 -i * ji . <o V 'i 1 *.' r..v-jarf'S./-- rv- this simultaneous work by Spray ope retires and plasterers only tabes place when the necessity of completing the job speedily makes this unavoidable. .- _ _ I understand that the question of the use of the Spray'p'rooess generally oh board ship is under consideration by the Pactory Department, and I know that Dr. Herewether has been in touoh with our Subsidiary . Company, 7. W. Roberts Ltd. of Leeds (the holders of- the Patentwith regard .to this question. It may be of Interest to-mention that although`the Spray prooess was patented some 13 years ago and has been used for several years to a very considerable extent Indeed, there have been no oases of-asbestoris among any of the employees concerned. * Z should be very interested to receive your oonments on the contents of this letter, and if you think -it,advisable Z would- be.glad to ralae the -question wither. Herewether-and obtain hiis views. " Tours faithfully# * ' " ` for ' TURNER fc KEVT1LL LIMITED, 7LC/0P 1 ROS/AQ -I * "v ,WiV- -I