Document 5LX4pDkax0J6Rg3doQM04R4QV

 Minutes- of Meeting of Asbestos Study Committee -2- February-16, 1973 The Chairman mentioned a- survey made in the Metropolitan areaiconcerning the relining of ..bakery trucks; The survey (conducted by an individual.affiliated with Mt. Sinai'Hospital) indicated that during radius grinding and . drilling of brake linings that the airborne concentration of asbestos. fibers was..in excess of the 10 fibers/cc ceiling value. . The results of our survey on Member practices'for labeling.was reviewed, i The results had been updated showing that .15 Members had replied- of -the. 25.Mesbers questioned. The results Indicate that the Membership is not now labeling In accordance with the OSHA requirements, and while they interpret the OSHA regulations to require labeling where subsequent machining is expected, they are undecided-as to exactly what they will do as regards labeling.' In the survey, 2 Menbers indicated that a "binder" treatment makes it unnecessary .for the Member to label; He believes he is complying with the labeling requirement "No label is required where asbestos fibers have been modified by a bonding agent...so that during any reasonably foreseeable use...processing...no airborne concentration of asbestos fibers in excess of the exposure limits.. ;wll be re-- ~ leased." It xs the view of most hembeis o2 the Corjgrlttea that tht 5 fibers/rt (TWA) 1b exceeded in many areas such as inspection, drilling, and grinding where, .these is no-adequate dust collection machinery. This could happen in garages where . subsequent drilling and grinding is often required and where there Is no . adequate dust collection equipment. While the Members with OEM accounts are dealing with manufacturers who should understand the OSHA regulations, the biggest problem may be with the small shops that are exempt from the requirements of the OSHA regulations. In an interpretation of the regulations. It is apparent that where subsequent .working of the material can raise the airborne asbestos concentrations above the limits that the manufacturer is required to label the material. Would labeling of cartons suffice? The Committee felt that, yes, this would be labeling that.would meet the spirit of the OSHA Regulations. Would it be necessary to put the warning label on individual segments? A 'Member mentioned that in many cases the carton, or wrapping, for the brake is disposed of before the brake lining moves in to- the working area. It was - felt that if the warning label were on the carton or skid when it was received by the customer that the customer has some responsibility to pass the information on, and it was not necessary -to label the individual segments. In the discussion concerning labeling requirements, the Members had to distinguish between "where subsequent working will be required" as against ''where there is any possibility that subsequent working will be required." Again the point was made that with undusted linings from a manufacturer it is likely that customer Inspection, or possibly opeolng of cartons, could show airborne fiber concentrations in excess of the 5 fibers/cc (TWA). In discussion of the reasons to support or oppose labeling requirements, the question was raised as to whether objections centered around the cost of the labeling. Members indicated that the direct cost of labeling could be minimal. Most labeling could be put on by the box manufacturer at little additional cost to the friction material manufacturer. The rejoinder to this was that the Member's felt that it was not the direct cost that bothered them. Rather, it is the indirect cost of the customer reaction to the warning label. Will the customer be tempted^ to purchase his linings from a manufacturer who does not put the warning label on the cartons, giving an advantage to the manufacturer who does not. comply with the law or to the foreign manufacturer who is not aware of and cannot be punished by the law? Mlnutes of Meeting of Asbestos Study Committee -4- February 16, 1973 HEALTH EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS OF OSHA All Members 'of the Committee are aware of the medical examination requirements In the OSHA regulations. All have taken steps to comply with these requirements. The basics of the OSHA requirements are a preplacement examination, an annual examination and a requirement as regards termination of' employment. These requirements are for workers who are "exposed to airborne concentration of asbestos fibers." Note that there are no specific limits which tell whether an * office employee who must make occasional trips Into the factory area Is exposed to airborne concentrations of asbestos fibers. The treatment of this is possibly best carried out by meeting the spirit of the regulations in Including those employees in the examinations who are exposed to concentrations in excess of 1 fibelr/cc (as used by one member). The interesting service by International Compumetics was discussed. The International Compumetics Corporation, located in Princeton, New Jersey, proposes a series of mobile medical tests which would include the full examination ^ requirement, computerized medical records, at a price that appeared Interesting to the Members. They will also provide a $500,000 "Errors and Omissions".insurance policy to the coupany for their program. Two of the Committee Members had investigated International Compumetics and while they were not long on experience as regards medical background, they apparently did have some computer capabilities. Also, it was felt that they may have the talent to accomplish what they propose to do. One Member planned to use the ICM services in one of their factozles. Another Member considered using their services in a factory which later was scheduled for closing. Another Committee Member suggested that while the International Compumetics proposals are interesting that it might be possible to do what they have done even nore-reasonably. They work with their local Tuberculosis Society in scheduling examinations In the mobile unit. The Tuberculosis Society does the X-Ray and pulmonary function examinations. The company doctor, in the meanwhile, does the balance of the medical examination. Where local tuberculosis units wish to cooperate, this might be advantageous to both the manufacturer and the worker. In a review of the proposal by International Compumetics Corporation it is indicated chat they will do ex'erything that is required by the OSHA regulations. The Institute Office will let the Membership know of the availability of the services of International Compumetics Corporation. We will not make a-specific recommendation. The Chairman also mentioned that there was a New York group that had proposed some similar services and that we should also let the Membership know about them. .. One Member who has already planned to use the International Compumetics Corporation proposal will let us know his evaluation of them after they have finished their tests. In direct answer to the question from Mr. Iverson, President of Internation Compumetics Corporation, we will not give them our mailing list. Rather, we will advise our Members of their services. ASBESTOS BAG OPENING MACHINERY The Institute had sent out to the Membership information on manufacturers of specialized bag opening machinery. The problem here Is to keep the asbestos fiber concentrations minimized during bag opening and to properly dispose of any asbestos dust still left In the bags. The list of those manufacturing bag Minutes of Meeting of Asbestos Study Committee'* -6- February 16, 1973 Chairman advises that this report was to have restricted circulation and that the International Agency.-for Research on Cancer had not officially released the report. As we nay have been premature in distributing the report, it is - ' suggested that the Members restrict their circulation of any information contained in that report. . . TEE EPA STUDY OF PARTICULATE EMISSIONS _ . FROM BRAKE LININGS AND CLUTCH FACINGS . The Bendix Corporation has been running tests on vehicles and on dynamometers to entrap the wear debris of brake linings and clutch facings. This study Is under contract' to the Environmental Protection Agency. Originally, the report was to have been made in 1972.' *' Dr. Spurgeon, of the Bendix Research Laboratories, advises that a final report should be published on these particulate emissions sometime within the next six weeks. There is no indication as to what these results show, as the work, (at this stage) is not for publication. ' STATISTICAL KVALOaIION 0? THE MZK3EANE FILTER METHCD * The Ciairman distributed to the Committee the conclusions and recommendations in a report made for the Asbestos Information Association on the precision and accuracy of the Membrane Filter Method for measuring concentrations of asbestos fiber. This report was done by the LFE Corporation under contract for the Asbestos Information Association. The evaluation was not reviewed by the Committee Members at the meeting. NIOSH RECOMMENDATIONS AS REGARDS HEAT STRESS This particular area does not pertain specifically to asbestos. However, most of the brake lining and clutch facing manufacturers work with hot presses and various ovens. The recommendations as regards heat stress will affect most of the Members. A Meaher's work in the area of heat stress measurements was. distributed for their review, along with a copy of the NIOSH recommendations. Again, as this information was new to some of the Committee Members the data was. distributed and not discussed. ** ****** There being no further business brought before the Committee, upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously passed, it was RESOLVED: To adjourn. Adjourned at 1:00 p.m. E. W. Drislane Secretary