Document 2qoY7MdGzoEBVnGwbq0p3LORa

REDACTED Occupational Health Working Group Murray Hill, New Jersey July 29, 1980 ' i/ r' In Attendance: R. L. Beach (Co-Chairman) - ATM, Human Resources G. P. Bisgeier, M.O. - NJ 8ell, Medical J. P. Ounn, M.O. - ATM Medical M. J. Hanley, M.O. - 8TL, Medical and Environmental Health J. R. lauritzen - Western Electric, Environmental Engineering R. W. Stone, M.O. (Co-Chairman) - ATM Medical G. M. Wilkening - 3TL, Environmental Health and Safety Absent: A. G. Bickelman.^i.D. - C&P Tel. Cos. Medical N. J. DeCaoua, - AT&T Support Services J. M. Oegen (Secretary) - AT&T Human Resources ^Guests: M. M. Condie - AT&T G. K. Preiser - 8TL R. W. Speir, M.D. - NYT F. R. Saunders - ATM W. J. Schrribeis - 8TL F. X. Worden - Western Electric Future Meeting: August 28i--W80 - Murray Hill, NJ - 9:30 a.m. \ LLA 000834 2- - REDACTED Asbestos Exposure Guidelines - Status *- Beach distributed copies of a revised draft of Guidelines for Exposure to Airborne Asbestos Fibers. Members were asked to provide final coimtents by August 15, 1980. OSHA standards for asbestos require that employees be informed about the nature awl effect of exposure to asbestos fibers, and about the sources of potential exposures in Bell System work environments. Mr. Beach suggested that the proposed guidelines would be of much greater assistance to the Operating Companies if they were supported by a standard employee information package. Or. Bisgeier agreed, and proposed-that the OHWG support the development and funding of appropriate materials. A subgroup composed of Or. Bisgeier, Or. Dunn, and Mr. Degen was appointed to investigate the logistics and potential cost of the proposal, and to present their findings at the August meeting. I LLA 000835 - 3 - REDACTED Respiratory Protection - Requirement for Medical Examination Mr. Preiser of the BTL Legal Department discussed recent court decisions affecting the enforceability of requirements for physical examinations in connection with the use of respirators. General requirements are stated in the OSHA Standard for Respiratory Protection, 29 CFR 1910.134. Section (b)(2) of this Standard states that persons should not be assigned to tasks requiring the use of respirators unless they are physically able to perform the work and use the equipment as determined by the local physician. Mr. Preiser concluded that there is now no legal duty to perform this requiremen^under 1910.134. The requirement continues to be valid, however, for specific standards which mandate the use of respirators for protection from specific substances (e.g. Lead, Asbestos, etc.). R. L. Beach For the Secretary Attachment V LU 000836