Document 3Jr4eaOoG535rq0Z80K9mz69a

FILE NAME: US Gypsum (USG) DATE: August 13, 1936 DOC#: USG013 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: 1936 report of dust conditions in Jersey City plant Duat survey - Jersey City CHICAGO - August 13, 193d h'r. V. L. Keady, Vio President, 'S9 have a comprehensive report of duet conditions in our Jersey city plant and a report on the x-rays of the eaployeea exaalned at that plant by Dr. cardnor's organization. In brief the findings arei X.' Diagnosis of asbestosis for five men. .... 2. Possibly five additional h o hare asbestos! but necessary/^.-. . to oonflra by clinioal correlation. . 3. Serious asbestos dust hazard under present operations. I v h a t congrrrtrrss d u s t h a z a r d ! i Dr. *~rdner points out that various authorities hava tentatively sug gested a concentration of five Billion particles of free silioa per . oublc foot of air as H o l t s above which a silicosis hazard night exist, and thia value has zast with b o o s recognition. -There is no standard for safe concentration of asbestos dust comparable to the value Just given for free silica dust. However. Dr. Gardner .quotes the results of a eurvoy cade in four asbestos fabricating plants and reported in 1935 in Bulletin '42', Deportment of Labor and Industry of Pennsylvania. The incidence of asbestosis among workers with core than five years exposurei . Average Dust Concentration Por r*ch Group studied Peroentage of ach Group Raving Asbestosis 44 million particles per cu.fti air .. 732 (8 out of 11 persons) 1? * 27% (4 15 ) 5 9 9 102 (2 20 ) The author of the report conclude that it is not possible froa their findings to establish ths maximum safe condition of asbestos in the air. DUST RKCOUrTEREP IN PLANT Among them are asbestos, infusorial earth, slate, olay, aoapatone, mioa and limestone. Dr. Gardner advises some of these minerals art definitely Mr* T* L. Keady 2 August 13 1026 hazardous; others are probably not vsry dangerous although conclusive proof is lucking; and still others have been shown to be praotloally haraleas* ' DOST COKC&KTllATION IH PLANT Dr. Gardner considers concentration of on exceus of five Billion parti* oles per cu* ft* of air hazardous. The following conditions, were foundi " V " i+ jp, bln in building i:where an was shoveling asbestos -* 296 '" . olllion particles per cu. ft. air. . . 2. Inside :3 bin where bags of asbestos olay, eto. were opened and oontenta pushed Into screw conveyors the oount was 22 olllion particles. . 3* Over the opening of the fourth floor through which tho binB are . .. . supplied the concentration as 79 Billion particles. . - 4. Concentration where asbestos boards are sawed was 6 olllion ' " ; particles. - S. Loading bagn with asbestosoement on first floor gave a ooncen. tration of 2il Billion particles. This la highly hazardous. Other hazardous counts were also given. The sumaary **nd oonolusion fron j>r. Gardner's report, looking to preven tion, lists the can who should wear respirators until dust conditions are brought within safe H o l t s and gives detail recommendations on ex haust systems, prevention of dust leakage and ventilation.. OTHER C0L;ij;hT3 ' In addition to aebestosis, there are a nuaber of other physical disabili ties aoong the sen such as heart disease, tuberculosis* syphilis, eto. There are coses with active unifesWtlona of tuberculosis. Case 270 (* Tarby) has a unilateral chronic tuberculosis. losslbllity of aanatoriua treatment of this son should be considered. Case gZ44 (witkowski). In view of the fact that this individual is only 19 years of age, hie condition should be investigated further to determine whether troataent is required. There setae to be no suggestion of a sllloosis hazard at Jersey City. It ay be alleged, if cases arias, that those with tuberculosis have con- Hr T, l . Keody 3 August 13* 1936 tr&oted this disease as a result of their occupation* RECOnCTATIOnS 1* That immediate step* ha taken to provide respirators for those Bten covered by jsr. Gardner's recommendation. I aa suggesting to ur* heode end ur* Bembort that this be done* 2* That prompt tolion be taken to install neoeseary dust proven* - tion and ventilation equipaont* 1 an also suggesting to hr* Reade and Ur* Reabort that this be done* C5gEK3ATI0?-: FOR 3CCl!?ATIS?IAL LI5RAILS Certain named diseases such as aercury poisoning* lead poisoning* etc. coce under the Compensation Act of Hew Jersey. However* silicosis and asbestosis are not named and any claias arising out cf these diseases sight be under common law. respaAKcs :-botectis3 - For diseases listed under the Compensation Act, ne have unlimited insu rance protection. Our lnBOrcnoe for occupational disoase claims which aight be made under common law is placed with the Continental casualty Company for the primary coverage of 5,000 for one porson or aggregate claias of 15,000 in one year. Our excess coverage of 45,000 for one person and 155,000 aggregate for one year la insured with Lloyds. If claias are filed both of the companies may cancel the occupational dis ease coverage. FOB CS?.*SIDF.SATION 1. l?bot aotion shall we taka on notifying the con who have been examined of the various diseases which they have? 2. ?fbat action shall we take in connection with the continuation of the employment of our men who have occupational and other diseases? . 3. what action shall we take on the tuboroular cases? TRP*GC General Sorvloe lianager