Document 2Rmeyb7j09zzpV3bEdaGEOM0N

P. G. Matt, Jr. Geoe'ai Manager. Ccr^craie engineering are Quality Assurance Western Electric 222 Broadway New-York. NY :002a 212 571 -4533 TO ALL GENERAL MANAGERS Re: Employee Exposure to Asbestos I am writing to voice my concern, and the concerns of Dr. Cassuto and the Medical Organisation, regarding she handling and use of asbestos, an ider.:ified_ carcinogen, within Western Elecon:. Ve cruse c'r.ac your Iccacior. has mane substantial progress ccwaru eutnunsccr.g one ouronase ann use of asbestos co.ooaining maoerials. However, ic should no: be assumed chao by eliminating asbescos containing materials in our production processes, and in the cor.strucccon of new planes and facilieies. ehae we have eliminaoed all ooteneial exposures. Or. the contrary, che pote.neial for asbescos exposures will con tinue for some years due to past uses of asbestos (i.e. insulation on steam pipes, boilers and tanks, asbestos fire stops in cable runs and vaults, eec. ! and exposures resulting from preser.e uses of asbestos where suitable substi tutes are not yet available (i.e. motor vehicle brake and clutch maintenance' Particular attention should be given to the following requirements of the OSHA standard 1910-1001, which regulates asbestos. 1910.1C01 (c)(2)(iii) of the OSHA asbescos standard states: "Spraying, demolition or removal - Employees engaged in................ the removal or demolition of asbestos insulation or covering shall be provided with respiratory equipment and wich special clothing in accordance with................ (this standard)." 1910-1001 (d)(2)(iv) states: "Establishment of a respirator program - The employer shall establish a respirator program in accordance 'with the requirements of the American National Standards Practices for Respiratory Protection. ANSI Z38.2-l?c9 ft * U.A 001060 1910.LCOL Cf)(2)(i) states: ''Personal Monitoring - Samples shall be collected from within the breathing zone of employees................ Samples shall be taken for the determination of the eight hour tine weighted average airborne concentration and ceiling concen trations of asbestos fibers". The OSHA compliance officers have interpreted that, since spraying, demoli tion or removal work are done intermittently, and because the concentration of asbestos fibers may vary considerably, monitoring must be conducted each time work pf this nature, involving asbestos, is performed, and the moni toring must be conducted irrespective of the provision and use of respira tory protective eauipment. 1910.1C01- (j)(l) states: "Medical Examinations - The employer shall provide cost, medical examinations relative to exposure to In a decision provided by the u. S. Court cf Appeals for t Columbia Circuit on June 2c, 1977 (GAP Ccrp. v. CSHP.C, Doc it was ruled- that medical examinations must be provided fc to airborne asbestos fibers in any measurable Quantity. Until such time that suitable substitutes are found for all applications and asbestos containing materials are totally eliminated from_our locations, we urge that suitable engineering controls be used to minimize the risk of exposing employees to excessive concentrations of asbestos fibers. General Corporate Guidelines and the reouirements of the OS HA standard have beer, recently sent to ail safety and health organizations by our 3ioenvircn.mer.tal Engineering Department. Please convey our concerns to the appropriate Industrial Hygiene and Engineer ing personnel at your location, and provide them with the support necessary to ensure the full protection of our employees from this and other health hazards. It is only with your support that the Company will meet both our legal and moral obligations to Western Electric's employees. Copy to: Dr. J. Cassuto u . r . -riggs P.. A- Levitt Gui m ^- LLA 001061