Document 6BV65J3aV7kJoqXZpb0NZEk7E

^ ;' Special Inspector Mines Department, Kalgoorlie. .... 1................... or Mines (Ventilation), JMcM&J 6)// /rr^o Mr. A. Ibbotaon, District Inspector of Bless, 2SSLSSUffi* * .............* * ` 30th Kotcdberi 1964 - . aft?- Dear Sir, wmwt OWtt I>r. Lethsm referred to me your query regarding the use of asbestos mime tailings for rose surfacing around Barbie Bar* This practice nut eeeee. The use of asbestos mine tailing* for purposes shore the general pt&lie may be exposed oaaaot be permitted. If roa here assy difficulty in topping the shire eomell, let ae too* and motion can probably be taken* under the Health Act. ts 4 fid matter is important end Z mould be gratefox for m*rd from you that the practice has ceased. Tharfc. you for dreeing attention to it. Details In regard to the fibre/sise e~~quartz content mill be obtained and a copy sent to you later. Segards. Tours faithfully1 j 1 j. HeHulty CHEST mrsici/A WV-04458 JKcVH,. d5 * * f]a i fir. H.1A. Benale, U&oquaZie Chambers, 185 ttacquarie Street, SYPflgy* - tor* 8th tfarch, *9p3 Pear Pr* Rennie, Thank you again* The enclosed copy of a letter from P*>* Wagner say Interest you. He ie In error in assuming that there hate been three other cases of mesothelioma associated with asbestos exposure. The reference to the possible slightness of exposure especially in childhood is one that has * always worried me and why I have always decried the practice of using mill tailings for laying paths etc.., in the township* For the rest of the letter, naturally any help or assistance would he very welcome and the Company has certainly been <julte oo-operative in eofarea .... investigation, at least, is ccnaeraed* I dodbt^iiaie,. 4 -; there would he any need for an approach to the Federal authorities and the cooperation of the State.' can b ,v , . taken for granted, . \7* ./> ^ Pon Letham Is in Sydney now staying at St. Paol's College and he would, 1 know, bo very pleased to have the opportunity of discussing the proh&em with you, Kind regards. Yours sincerely,; r 'v.v* r*. u P , matnard rennie * V. a tt, SW 7Tt1 <A*v .... , XU k.5.0 MacquAm e Cm ambe rs . 183 Macquarie Street. SVOMEY 25th February, 19^3. UJ Dr. Bruce Hunt, y7 Ord Street, WSST FSRXfi. y.A Deer Bruce, ,0 / Many thanks for your note of tbe 2le*t rebruarg^ X-*b-deeply dietressed to kaov that you cannot make It to the Council Meeting but 1 fully appreciate tbe reasons that you have give*. We era ell very sad about this and shell alee you greatly. Re Wittfsiooar - X fully agree that there is need for further eotios to be tak&x tt is about a ytiar ago now vhea X first took this natter up vlth the Company and they claimed that they had made quite a number of alterations vhlch should prove helpful is solving the problem- At that oiai ia time it vaa cot,therefore, possible to do more than to place all the bitter facts before them, vfcich X did. However , X have initiated Ibis later move by vrlting to Mdlulty end also asking him to get a current report from Letfcaja on the position so that X may approach the Company again. X gather that the conditions are,, in fact, verse than they vers and this give me s tremendous poll# X will let you know vhat goes on# Warmest greetings, lours sincerely, H. KmARD R3HKXE A 4 s a rr-u* .s ia * ,j - .i .; r* * . J : u* 1* n - -i . i *j . ? **1 n, **., r*iucp, 100, ffiftywrit Slnt| 8lt Ftfinutfjy 1WU -- , v %'?'/* I *.*' >x* .S'-' : V\r : >*' 'l * < ' '***, ?i>; * ' * S*jr 4at f*4, I >1Me -wk wk or few g, 7 mrtwl * ler fro-Pr. KdUlgr aacjiM^ifUart^ -------~ -i***!^ , 'j. /* aA MMii 1b 1069 tfiatf r Cr MjkmlU 9--.to 2*08% jam 2*i prfeafel? mv IfeMttp** arttiU is tki lUJk PVBBubor 100S MMMffdttS tk*. UlUii !* ftfo MtUpaSt^0S^S$^lW ta fvllnisc Mtavtovd, , 14 *m mm 4M 4ta 0# MS oncwgotu 0M>U M 9* MB0 Uf^Mrlog M* tlllU r m tfvrttiag Mil MPiv of Mdn> te4t *MliaTsriaii*i9 * of *7 Mark vltt a tei * Um ln kart Im l m aMU fvwWi stMlm - bai ft** it Mil wrtfcar failgrtBg Ml sat ttfa* i ms pmutU? MMMfv 4v ivt mot to 4^C0M^lfiIl*^i **T6k. Tfc Mt MM14 la OMQT SMtUoiUklB, M X MO* 1Mtft *ith ihvpM hi9 of wsm MIm all ai|j vam * sii I d job t&at sot ftMiskt aijr ItM *4 oil Am* f Martha'. U Wy' hlivsy l^T t 42a osnfcBqwr* *r Vltii boat N0tf4a, $ '-`v. ~* i ^ i *Ut 1963. <rv w"-- t--t Dr. J* Uelfelty, Utrial Sespltel, UtOOOBLIE ... l.A. at Dr* HftKuKy,- * Tboekyo* for your lettsr of dth Ptbmty* X m iadoedatarttDg professional rai Again bat I mi afraid tiai rt*eliy ; really an accurate description of ay carrecri ^tlal state' tif)I;Itte reoorared no power at *11 is the left sjipir aartradMty ,vi, .y&^almok'tt 80left leg will only enable v to shuffle aoae or 30 $&)'t?jjV mid bo too dU not to try to do say wrk t oil end a*. X eat of hospital for & mil t tbouf&t 1 mld.tiy sod #, liw'f 'mHl#' / Thaiklt yon for tbs artiels which X bars loot with lotorost. l bare written directly to Br. Rennie and X enclose espy ef Ibis letter. We shall brioosly bare to hoop ea Cuomring add st rajr tlm that yen ibid: I can to of uiiiUaee lo this Mitr X shall do ^^iii t.\ co-operato- . With Idndeet regards, { 4 1 is years very sincerely. Braes Unfit* 1 *v ^ h. Maynard rennie X\ f.S.e.C, tMM.) F.RiA-CA. U N^. __ TJt^HOv ew 77 M n <*r* * .-.> XI. 8B40 MACQUARTE CHAW6ER6, >03 Mava*>* Btksst, Syomey TO lii - -v- .'.*..s.:.^a S^rS^rS^LST';' ' ** "<-"^i i^ ,-*.-_V*.r.-.-v,.-*r^...-.. ...3 -- ** . ass/ir^ is:<*2Sw5f . .-% -t - .'***.> v.r:?s <'.*.4** * J L.' I?** L'j j - -' ' * *;1 &-'*< ^ ^^ rx ;! --.i * .i v " r-p-'/r.j _j_' - -p _ 14 j *=?? a Mth fetawry, 1963. ta. ,T. :>:.'v^f.y, Dir trtat "'ta'iip, r't^oor*.!?\. '-'.a. D*r Dr. M'ta<\ty, 'l* / ftan*; yov very **?<?}* 603' your )ctt-or of tho 6th va!' v*.1 -?>;., !963. \`itr on ol e:ure*.. I "* vp"? 'nifttta n,l ~-r'rt r.onccrnert to taov t.'-'-t in r He n** - r.'*raber of chon.90s in both the alma ejv\ **P\ *t ,J* vtern^n the 'tirrr Den-rtwent inspector reports t,"'t V-'*' -'V ta "taper t.u*n ever. 'taPd i t v'C,'*~ivO 0 for ,rou T?te to **e n*' ;*rot ; Ky^rr U ^ Qi *rer.` < * .ur -*-n -.-.' n? so th"t T TM>' -* -- "'ro** ''* to t> fc<nr*'ny^ T en" - "ro '-u t'*"t I vriP ; ** O'" ',0 Y) r. ,!i P H"* *-p---wJs, Your? sincerely. iH^ K. KKi^'IE JXciilXH DISTRICT HOSPITAL Date KAIGQOSIJE. . 6tb February, 196 3. . /> " Dr. B. Bunt, 22 37 ora Street, WEST PERTH : W,A.--. [3 ~ ft j iJ * r% Li f? ^_S Dear Dr. Hunt, I was very pleased to see that you had returned to practice and hope that your health ie fully restored. Dr. Bennie till writes to me about Wittenoom but conditions are still had. A 50 year old man who consnenced wort in the mill in 1954 and ceased in 1959 died of Cor Pulmonale due to pulmonary asteatosis in 1962. Enclosed is a reprint which might interest you. With Jtind regards. Sir,. t Yours sincerely. J. EcHulty CHEST PHYSICIAN . a r-K & Si : *c- H. MAYNARD BENNfE !ii <3 *r.K.C., (Lovn.) r. TtLltxnwf.' ew ?71i <*** -.-.l *<_ 88*0 M ACQtfARifl CHAU BCOS. 163 Macquarie Strsbt; S>f3KCY ISlh Jr.-'.nry, ]9o?. if' -f- '**'%**&*; ?***> *. JVi.&.sS ^Vfcdfe . ,3&^| . -"mm a , , . , * ' :-'r-.lS5fe- ?q -t:-:; ^fsg is - - - - <*,. ~;>r *tJ*%Tst"**4 iM -- v-i`^V*^^**^ s *& yn-SrT.Sr .. jjfcg^^sri .rjr&M&lss&sd mi'skW^f^0 ^ ii-j ,-J * ,,>' ,-;*S'| -I --<' Jr- , _U IV_>J.J * - --. -sv**6&fc. *?;.. - *> -f.*t,^* r^v'3B4a3K*"f!5pt' ^'V-***' ?* _ .<--*! '** f **'^T|'~~- r' *-;;-- --rr^rynspsipt' .'_ ,;CV_ ... :\r::-\-zi *-*<"*>'j tj -Ziir ^ - ;><* : ",r. :>"o1 fy. / t Vr,1* .*m *1'^. y !-* tot'er of the 10th Ztec<?afcer ,*>* /.*,'^1'; \\:r.i.v,>*'h^Ti V'vn '.p: O?tor- r --. -+J-0 *' '" \ i-r-:*tr* ' f'*i tb* j^orprUon you hf-ve 1* "''^-xb^r : or.roT*-' h ':> '>.o vor.lil f:t'or *.''f' :'^r '*-' t5*'/* rcrier. vS everts i--^ ^>-r *'4 cr. '`vhifch w''" r'*`,lio*5"' ^ v nlt^r '* >* J J r - *' . '-' *;t -*>_ 4- ` ' * * ; 1 " .fn** V ' ' r- ^ ^S55 t ' ' " -- <*-0-. T '.'I*?. v7 -,ort j^t-ere^lorl to 1C:,"'l '''oct-^cj* -1 , v ,. r,^n ly '1 - *--ft "'Si*" J ''P'-T*'"-***",r'Tit y xv * *J> \ r-'' * , 'J*,' * *~.,o 'ocv'i eror~h to > u: ~ ..'* i;* ,`*'f' * ct* l*"5 e O' ? thf? t ^o v^>o'-^ tt t ; `,<** '*'--* ---'-<** -~rttc'.'!lr;y''- ov'ot' jr ;*ovr tottor *1 'Vs'>**'^" 1 ' A' fc'N. r 3 tf DpV> for T too (l*1 ' -...^ `U PV' . "p. '< g. iAY!fA9H IT5 **# *.J JUcNtKM KALOOOBLIE, 6th February, 1963 fd Dr, H*U. Rennie, Macquarie Charters, 183 Macquarie Street, Dear Dr* Rennie, Thank you for your continuing interest in our asbestos problem# . Unfortunately the latest inspection of the mine and mill at Australian Blue Asbestos suggests that X may have been too sanguine in my last letter# The Hines Department Inspector reported to me that the mill was dirtier than ever# Despite a reduced ore production from the mine, a higher rate of fibre l extraction has been achieved at the expense of higher duet concentrations. Xa it to be wondered that this cynical attitude towards their workers* health makes me doubt the Company's good faith# Enclosed is a reprint which might interest you* Aleo enclosed are copies of letters concerning a man born 1910 who was unfortunate enough to be employed In the mil1 by Australian Blue Asbestos from 1954 to 1959. Such rapidly progressive disease Is uncommon in the literature of industrial chest disease and confirms the fearful hazard to which the workers are exposed# * l Tours faithfully, J. McHulty CHEST gggBXOIAS .i V'*i s . . li> S54 Till: MKUICAL JOURNAL OF AUSTRALIA * *>>i* Hi. I M2 w r-- r-jocuR 15. Pccun*: in. Fieuae IV. lung, but none of tlic classical showers of Tine melaIHe crepitations associated with asbestosia. An X-ray film of Diagnosis Pleur.i -- pleural mesothelioma; Long -- usi**.*4t*|* jtmi rt)icosts -- bronchopneumonia. the chest showed extensive pleural thickening throughout Discussion the left hcmltborax and a left laivral vie"' showed a well-defined shadow projecting inward* (torn (he anterior chest wall. The heart was displaced slightly towards the right The right lung was normal. The hamoglobin value was 12-3 grammes per 100 ml., the red and white cells were normal and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 125 mm. In one boor. Tito sputum contained asbestos bodies. An attempted aspiration of fluid from the left side of the chest was unsuccessful and a pleural biopsy, performed by Mr. F. J. Clark, produced a thickened, whit*. rubbery specimen. wMcft was reported to be * malignant pleural mesothelioma. Treatment with thioteps was commenced and continued There appears to be a jelatlousblp between exposure (o blue asbestos and the development of the pleura) meso thelioma in this ease. Pleural mesotheliomas are very rare tumours and delails are known of only three cases ia Western Australia. Asbcstosis baa, regrettably, become less rare, but there are less titan 40 known cases in the State. The relatively short period of exposure to blue asbestos dust confirms an impression received from Wagner cl ofji <1660, 1901) that these tumours may arise after transitory exposure to crocidoltte in susceptible persons. Experience In Western Australia certainly confirms that blue asbestos is a very harmful and lethal fibre. The until the patient died in June. 1961. dust is one that urgently requires further experimental Autopsy Findings study (Unices. 1961), The Interval between exposure and the development of the tumour is much shorter than The only relevant autopsy flodings were In the left has been previously i sported. This also applies to the hemithoraa and Iheie was no obvious 'primary or secom Interval between exposure to blue asbestos and the dary tumour in the right lung or tbe abdomen. The left development of asbestosis In this State, which in one lung was gross!v compressed and completely enveloped instance was less titan four years. In the thickened.* rubbery, adhered pleura. The surface gold mining In which the patient was The pathologist (Dr. J. Stlrrat) reported as follows. The specimen consists of two wedges of material 11 a 4 a t and 7 x 6 x * cm*. The turgor portion of tissue consists of a portion of spongy grey-brow n lung engaged may have contributed to the siUeosts which was present, but silicosis is rarely found la `Western Australian gold miners with only 18 years* surface mining experience. tissue covered by the thick firm pleura measuring Summary --' * * cn;#. Sr. (Figur* 1), The nmstler intflion A case Is reported of malignant pleural mesothelioma n of tissue is spongy grey-brown long trftfi a. smooth Hurgl surface In which there is one small grey* tack nodule. Microscopic: Sections show a poorly in an asbestos worker suffering from asbestosis and sili cosis after two years* work in a blue asbeetca mill 10 differentiated malignant tumour infiltrating the pleura years previously. and adjacent lung tissue This tumour consists of Acknowledgements pleomorphic cells which tend to line spaces and-form mail knots and pseudotubular structures: In some Instances (he space lining ceils are flattened or low* cuboids) In type, mitoses are present, but are not numerous. Tlvere is a marked fibrous tissue stromal My tbanXe are due to Dr. S. Webster, for referring the patient: ts> Hr, W. Harris and Dr. D. D. Lotham; for helpful advice; a&d to the Public Health Commissioner. Dr. L, Kensell, for permission to publish thHcase. Increase in (he pleura fFigure !!). In addition to the tumour, there i* a nodular tnahne References fibrosis In t)te lung showing the Aborting around light Saxmss, J. m. (J.S6I). *`Mde t Action of Sotn Tosic 5i>- brown crystal!nc deposits, characteristic of silicosis ' -- sunn", Brit, wietf. 2: M7&. {Figure HI3 together with n mere diffuse interstitial fibrosis o< the lung with asbestos bodies in considerable Hears*, B., and Wikliawh, R. (1861). "The Pathology ot Asbeetotts with Reference to Lung Function*', There*, to: 244, numbers distributed In this fibrous stroma tFigure IV). W*okw, J, c.. SbEBCrr, C. A., and MapcHavd, P, (I960) Lastly there is an acute bronci>opneumonic present. "Diffuse Pleural Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure in The mnltenant lesion ts a pleural mesothelioma as previous!'* diagnosed by pleura) biopsv. This is super imposed on a tun? showing the combined picture of silicosis, fbe*tosl and a terminal bronchopneumonia. the North Western Cape Province". Srit. J. induii- US., I ?: 260. Waoxcs, i. C. Slsccbt, C. A,, and MauckaXo P "Diffuse Pleural Mesothelioma In South Africa'. S.x. med J.. 45: ?, ' v*ti:*i.ai ax MrpsOAi. Feast* Hive Coi>yv I.imitpd Ar-nin*T flm) Arundel Street**, r*lel>e, Su<)nev NSW 6 Reprinted from The flmttcvl Journal cf Australia^ December 16, 13C2. f> ' ^ ' >mS ........ ifcm.ij % 21AUCNANT PLEURAL MESOTHELIOMA IN AN ASBESTOS WORKER 3. C. McNtfttT, M.8., B.Cb., B.A.O. Chest PbyaiciQN, Xalgoorhe Diitrict Hospital, Kolgoorlie, Western Australia Blue assjstos has bees mined in Western Australia since about S946, and with increased production oxer tbe laet 10 years, dust control e&d suppression hare been serious problems. The asbestos vela lies Is a rock body which is mainly tia&rtxIU. A number of men have developed asbestos3s, silicosis, and a mired type of pneumeeaafosts containing elements o! both. The Wue asbestos fibre Is croddoilte, and Wagner et alii (1960, 1961) suggested the probable .relationship between exposere to this fibroos mineral and the occur rence of diffuse pleural mesothelioma. Tbe pathological evidence (or the association of these tumours with asbestos exposure was not conclusive; In only eight of ii eases was evidence of asbestosis present. However, with one exception, there was circumstantial evidence of at least transitory asbestos exposure. In their series the meso thelioma occurred 20 to 60 years after the exposure to dusc Most authors stress the long Interval between exposure to asbestos dust and tbe development of Babesions, and theories of the pathogenesis of the disease have bees based on this long interval and Us effect on the asbestos body (Heard snd Williams, 1361), Tbe following Is believed to be the first esse of pleural mesothelioma reported In an asbestos worker outside South Africa. Clinical Record A while male worker, bora In 1913, now employed as a labourer, had been a surface gold miner from 193? to 1946 and a mil) worker In an asbestos mine front 1946 to 1950. He had also been an occasional prospector for gold. On December 13, 1959, he was referred to tl>e chest clinic for. radiolosleal examination.of the chert. The X-ray film showed what appeared to be a smalt lefbslded pleural effusion, bat the patient refused to attend the hospital for a report or a clinical examination, and returned to the "bush". Ficuss I On October 25, I960, he was referred again to tbe chest clinic for examination. He bad had some loss ot weight, malaise, cough, moderate dyspnea* on exertion and heavy night sweats. He looked iU and wasted, and had early finger clubbing, diminished air entry to the luoga and a dull percussion note over tbe left aide of the chest, There were a few crepitations et tlie base of the left r* . r %i y i -* i 2 '<i 3 J 'r* r- ij Continued.* The plana end improvement mentioned earlier sake no hopeful that steady improvement will he maintained* The coincidental diagnonis of disease in go many man in 195o~59 highlighted the problem and had a dramatic effect* Tbe prctolea is till acute and much more work will be needed )rdre tbo^ hazard to the men will bo reduced to et least that of gold-mining* I am till a little concerned about the carcinogenic effect of crocidolite and wish that the Company wouldn't xuae Its tailings for road and paths* Tailings mre need go fillers at the golf course bo that the poor devile inhale asbestos at rec reation ee sell* tfony thanks for your interest* Anything that you can do to impress upon Australian Blue Asbestos the seriousness of the problem would be appreciated* * <3 c Tours faithfully* Copy forwarded 10/12/62 to; hr. D.D. Letharo, Physician Occupational Health, Department of Public Health, 57 Murray Street, BSBTH : W.A, t --. 6 \ -.I 1 tttftnUr r <- f 'A J Dr* H.SU Bennie, P*R*C*P(tond*)r*E*A*C*D* f Macquarie Chanibera, IS3 Macquarie Streets KAMOORLIK. 10th December* 1$52* 1 /i i * ; 4 | \-- Dear Dr* Rennie, 1 / \H Thank you for your letter regarding dust conditions at Australian Blue Asbestos* Unfortunately the situation has altered little, the dust has not been laid and, to date, it is doubtful if any major lessen ing of the hazard has taken place. In July of this yeer dust counts at the mine and mill were as bed as ever* The Koninetor is still be'ng used for dust counting and although it is not the ideal lnstrunsnt, there is little point in pressing for a finer instrument until ths coarse dust has been suproased. However, sines July several events have occurred which may radically alter conditions* Through ventilation underground is possible now that shafts have broken through to the surface In several places, A recent earth movement altered iha geography of the mine and this Is expected to considerably improve ventilation, A new type of dust extractor embodying a synthetic fibre sock has had successful experiments and is being installed in the mill. This is a pretty expensive duot extraction process and there are great topes that it will help to solve the prcblea, ^information in regard to this Is derived from discussions with Dr* Latham* Vises Departrrent Inspectors end Mr, Thanae, Superintendent of tbs company. Fairly short exposure is still causing silicosis and cebestools end ths trdftedy is Aggravated by their relative youth* Thbre ace now abbot 1& men fairly seriously effected* or dead* and in moot instances their only exposure to hansful dust was at Wittenoc The industry has been producing for about. 15 years end only tbs bugs labour turnover prevented disease on an epidemic scale. 60 p.c. of tto workers, at any one time, have been employed for less than three years. Many of them have scattered elsewhere in ths mining industry and now complicate ths overall picture. eont...* F; ` i g.'.Ns' . Vf ',;U';'j " *" ' *; - \vS^' R , . .- V** ^ A 'wiSi4 "'*? *r< .-7.fi^ V% ta ?r U*-OMt: BW 77 H -. a *L SS<*0 MacquA>e C ham erne *83 MACOuxme Srftcer SYOHCY 26th November, 3962. - Dr. J. Mc'*u3ty, Shoot Physician, Di strict Hospitna, XM.OOORUB vi .A Derr Dr. McvuHv, A Ji.ttle over a y*,-r a<?o we hod some correspondence concern inr the heb3 th of %?orV.erfi employed by Australian Blue tabesto*. I understand that the Company Has raado some' further alterations to allow ^or the dust problem nd I era anxious to Vnou whether mu h-<ve any farther views' on the matter- VJould yon Vo rood enounh to brine me up to dote? Yours sincerely, H. MAYNARD BS*N1B -T^TO *hV msvim. am 1962. is mr. bsisbapte's OFFICE. tflKES"' rolATiwSt r PBBTR . Present! Mr. Brisbane. State Mining Engineer. Mr. Boylan, Chief Minee Injector* Dr. McHulty, Chest Rsyatetan, Kalgocrlie Chest Clinic. Mr. Ehoiaas, Manager* Australien^Blne- Asbestos. Dr. Lethaa* Physician* Occupational Health. . Dust counts were reviewed. these In the^nin* bw4 considerable improvement and Mr. Boylttn expressed'general satisfaction with the improvement of ecnditle&e in the mine* High ocunts still prevailed in the mill; a recent-visit had been made by a representative of Gregorys and Co.* Sydney* It is the intention or this Company to seek further inform ation on a form or stocking filtration which, has bean developed in America. This, apparently* is of exceedingly fine mesh and will trap the fine particles which are a problem in the mill at present/ Mr. *Thonas said that Aust ralian Bine Asbestos le prepared, If neceBeary* to pull out Se existing exhaust system in the mill and entirely replace , virtually regardless of cost. He stated also that there ere five employees from Hart 4 Co., Perth* at present con tinuously employed on the duct work in the mill in an all- out effort to Improve condition in the existing plant. A further meeting will be held about July or August by which time it is hoped that the ventilation in the mill will be satisfactory. DEL/CtP 25th January, 1$>62 (b.D. Letham) prysicias OCCUFATIOH^ tqftyra .. ^.v*/Z; . ..*. ' -,;\., > -h .-yz ; .~S f * :;v 7 .wv K. MAYNARD RENNIE f .R.C.*. I bOHB, > , r.A.itC.f. ^ *_-- TetyMKr. pw 7"i (W . l *1. 2SAO Macquarie CMAMaeos 183 MAC.QU4.fttC Strcct. Sv^KCV 10th November, 1961 Z)r. Bruce Hunt, 2T7 Ord Str*e S(SiE2` Dear Bruce, iif;? / Many thanks for 7oar note of 6th November. i-"JU'->r? -. iftekr.S2zs$&va9& t- - ~* *; ':f .- ~-.l*U- is* -2*''.lux'll?, * i"* * \ :-- :&*$"&&&$&: T\ ^..yf/- *:" . \ '^-.7^VSS^^ ^'"^1 VI 1 raii-'y^.jfr>-t <:*'. * '-.; # ;i:i > ^ * `*K. **&** ' 7$gjgjBfiafc~s:^r*''-?.'vg''/->1>*,*.*jC? *yx * * . .^ ^.v -*-*.:- -;-'?*iv-*--r>-* --- 0**:* Dr* K.I/. Sutherland is a Doctor of Science as you surmise and be vas already on the point of departure from Perth vhen I received your letter* He le duo In Sydney caa Monday next and X will got In touch and see vbat goes on* 1 will let you know If there are any lousedlate developments. Warmest regards. Tours sincerely, _.__ _^ ^ K* ^ ,x-^ . V--> -*> MATSART) PKNNIS '-^'-'.v.tU ,?V *VtV'f5i-'''rur .. . . _. '.s,. ^. - i ft'y: I7 i Cth Ncrreober 1961 Dr. tt. Ifeyo&rd Rennie, V&cqunrl* Cboafcers, 1S3 Muqurie Kir6l, sm&r. X-S.f. Dear Ted, ~x- ,,v X rery brief note > I u Jest back lb Perth efter three weeks* holiday* Thank yon far year tetter of 30te October enclosing yew reply in Don iethsa. I alee hare copies tram Uetfulty of year letter t hi et y 29th September and hie letter to job et 20th October. I em eery clad /^7 indeed that steps are being taken in this eery serlea* antier. tk ' Wy secretary this norning sbovets* a note free last Saturday paper (4th renter) vhieh reads* "Dr# K#b* Sutherland, director of research of the Colonial Sngor Seflnlag C*f of Sydney* is visiting this State sod will stndy the bine asbestos iadostry on * visit to TlitMMe Gorge nine*". ily presumption voeU be that Dr. SntkerlaBd Is a Doctor of Soieooe ratter than of Medicine bet X eoold be gisd of information on this point sad also a note as to whether job voold like ne to do anything ter the gentleman while he is here. * fith best regards* K. MAYNARD RENNIE I uoh. I t'.u.i.c.r 15w *L. 25*0 n MACQUARIE CHAMBERS. tea *** sr*ecr. SviJ^E'r dvjtM, . fr` vr v. _ ?c s:,--rA%s ,, s-'^8ns$$5& (t--W' r^-i/-,rr^; v^Sa *.. -V 4 -- ft?' .."^vfJP-4.S. -*~'"*''?*,*-- *""* - ' '** 4 " * ^ "^,--iv,,^;.->-* '. --* < --5 ^.'xr-'--'^^ ?;'2&s3=; .a'T&fvfi'W. i-^w' ''-"r* ;.' r * '. iTSS5*We*S ty W jn c.r.-Ti\,,- >*.'.-- -.rfz.x-wr* >" -* *.yCSV/jf'Ss*!*"'" - . -- XT'#. *->: r.'i'V.,.>,-<JV>.' VH?*> .J.'- .'I r*??1 i^*'1-* . .-. <*. - - v :3 yy -yyy >' iw/fo*'* '*" IT .T* ...<T , <>4" '*/'*'>' .-*4 '".^l..ryii ......`.rCi'^Ea /f H I H. MAYNARD RENNIE r.a.*-c>. Maoquaqie Cham OCRs. ti yii'HOm ft** *?ii 't `' , M, S 540 r, fS<3 MACt/A<r STtfST? 5OKtV & 30th October, 1961* Dr* Bruce Bunt, .V } 37 Ord Street, & vssr pm. w Hy Dear Bruce, 3ust to enclose a copy of a letter I have written to letham on the current topic* I hope you feel that we are Baking at least a littie progress in the matter* Terribly sorry to miss you in idelaide Vui*. iv>lr forward to seeing you early aerrt year* ill the 'best* Tours as ever, ft'. O' . ..a -y-riv. , ' . 1 ~< <.* .%?*<*- r* s,, >. , **.*>`N * ' /** * ? r?.v'Tm*s>***/* '* 'w. r '..?.X-"; --y^' > * - -- V.G'?' ** 30tb Oetober, V&L* Dr* DD betfaan* Dopartaent of pkblie Bealtfe Bax 13t* 0*B*0* ptsya, va. Vmx Dr* X.atfea* Thank too for f lottar of tba 2nd Oetobor 1961 oooeamlac the oeployee . X bavo ponzaed hi* hlatcsry vilb great latoroat sad aloe locked t the alldae vhieb X retom herewith a* yen raqnwtai Thank yoe fear letting me aee thm X bam bna 1& toosh vitfa the Oeopasy again* few 4*7* age and I u informed that a eanferaseo vu bold vitfa ta Mlnea Dapartwnt la Perth, a Mr* Thom* of laatrallaa Blna Mbeetce a vl&i&g mgjftaor mod an x aaaager at Vltte&oo* vara praaant* The Coapany ba aov **do arrangeaont* to take regular dart aaapXaa asd taka ooeate os tfaa kenivator and tfaie vil2 bo done regularly la order to give a eerie* of reeding* coder varying erudition*. Saeplee of dost have also baaa at to ventilatory engineer* in Baited Statee of laerlea seeking their eoaventa on dost counting particularly la relation to aebeeteo* %Tbe Colony will aloo bo very pleased Indeed to reoelm ftroe aadleal source* advice on vfaat to regardad aa "safa <btet ooaat leva!*** It vill then ba possible to ooapare each recoaaandatlooe vitb actual finding* over a period of a fev aonthe* It vill then be possible to daterai&e vhethar farther action la cooeeoary* In tbo aeaotive X as continuing ey enquiries along the lines of securing tble laforaatiou arid X shall bo aoot haspy to receive froa yen any cooeate or advice that yon any have at praoe&t or are ablo to procure* tbla aaoaa to ba to bo tbo eort of eotioa that la daeirod ia tbo clrvuvtaaoee and X hop# that yon agree* If not, Z vill ba m*t interacted to henr year fbrtfeor eaggaetlcRio* X es Biding a copy of this loiter to Dr* Brace Bout and Dr*HeSalty* Kind regard*, Toora sincerely. B*! I it JX'cH:FG, DISTRICT HOSPITAL KAL/300KLIE. Date 25th October, 1561 ;> '* 4*i Li P >< Dr. B. Hunt, 57 Cra Street, VfEST PERTH. Dear Dr. Hunt,.. Attached is a copy of another fetter to Dr. Maynard Rennie summing up the present situation. Kind regards. Yours faithfully* A -< --? -i ;i J. McNulty CHEST PHYSICIAN, *a . V* r-" - *'"*fcv\ *' *'> ' ' ':'f. **/--' \ *v*;-* . > ' < ' - -orV>.T< \ v .* C: ' ;'*>...>- - . -v............... * ..'W;;. -. 'r&. .V t'i i . ** J '\ ; w* --i " i '1 >1 "1 TT I u started k tt k * 5 5n 3 t* 1n mining tt 11 * tt n t* in t* tt tt A A It 1950 1951 1952 1955. 19 5U 1955 195? u '. * 6 are aged less than 35 years. 11 men are aged less than hO 23 are less than 50 years of ace. 11} were D/ground miners. 20 " Surface worfcere. I t might be argued that these are a product of the bad old days, but I would counter that by saying that these men represent the grossest of exposure to dust and that the real health hasard wiil not be realized tor uoother 10 years, particularly the cancers. t These men are also the majority of workers who remained at svittenoom for more than 5 years. A survey last year showed that over 705* of worKere had been less than Z\ years in the sployment of the company. The Company may resent my interference, but only moral pressure is being exerted end it is cay wish that the situation be improved and controlled without adverse publicity. Yours faithfully. J. UoKulty CHSST PHYSICIAN, \ 4* Pi ..'i . ir zJ '< i-J r? f n - -.*-4 * r fci ui 5 v JtiaHtYi} DISTRICT HOSPITAL. KAXOOOHL IK, Da*?. . 25th. October,. 1961. h Dr. 5. Maynard Rennie, P.R.C.P. (IAmd.) F.K. A.O.P. tltioquarie Chambers, 183 t4oquarie Street, SYDNEY. N.S.W. Dear Dr, Rennie, Many tbasics for your letter and for your intereat in the health of workers employed by Australian Blue Aabestos. At a meet in# in Perth recently, between representatives of the Oomp&ny, and Ulnae and Publia Health Department, we discussed the situation and it ia to be hoped, that there is now a better appreciation of the seriousness of the consequences of dust in the mine and mill. X aa able to supply details of 34 men, seriously affected by a mixture of aebeetosie and silicosis, whose disease oould reasonably be attributed to fflttenoom* One of them Is dead already and at least 3 are dying. There are also ZZ men in whom there are reasonable grounds for bus-- pecting that they are developing disease. The man who died was aged 48 and worked about Z years In the mill. Post mortem showed gross asbestosis and silicosis and a malignant cancer of the pleural directly attributable to his war* In Wittenoora. I am seriously concerned that these oanoere of the pleura which are being reported in large numbers from South Africa, are due to an individual sus ceptibility and minimal exposure to blue asbestos (Crocidollte). Crysolite appears to oauae lung cancers* 13 had less than 5 years mining. J H Ag R ^r n i* y n w 2 V* g * n XX * about 10 or more years mining. k. ?i s *r BrtJfets* (fttal* UnlBg inmdSatww) Sr*' OPi kOAV fir* lAffeMt Hi* _ the anas of attaining In natters considerable The State to accept the proposition that a aodloal effioer who mold ho in natters ooneerning the ooospa the conditions tender l&lch the? There nm to he no doubt that msh bfiiifit could he gained bjr bringing together spoofall tort In the engineering field, observations of trained l.e, sines Inspectors, and the specialised InoeladcB aff.ttfc.. . oeenpetional health physician* for the purpose of ninladsing and preventing coonpational haearda. f'- i V 4 i A s (p.p. tmm) PHWXSttll .1 ^. , t i io -t* - t.i ; . I: Vf Us * '* * I ...,, ^ ?>** V' ' i ir BrUflwne (stats KtaVne togineer) Up. BoyXead (if UM sirss^U) rr* BeSulty sc# gw-- 'ssr-a Br* Xattaa (Physician, Occtrp. Health) *-. .; ^ At tha HOMllw tf JB, 9WM UM| aalnly liCtiw AJMI rf Taaairlaairt and tha llaaa win tha aaat raiart ia and alltaaal raaultins aw vaak at aaaaa awra aitadf la thaaa It aaa af aittwr atfiaatoilaaa illlanatai oava imaam aaa axucaaa4. i>r ealr at tha bmmt af aaaaa bat grata inaavaaltr vhleh had raaoltad la . aaa alaa pointad oat that a dlataftia* faa1 imifrsr tf tteti an had efttn their last em U adbe&tes er vltbmt their baring beta ear further mm* It right be Inferred frm thie rill present la thie ear* All preaent shared thie nmnqnu Sr ThfMt; diested that a* far as the sill i gammed the Can ms prepared, if neeeNary, to replace the pretest s&tllattea with one ehioh redid m sore efxeetim* -the CegpejQr had, in fact, eslled in a ecnsdItent fte* OregWj & Cftepaay# gyd&ey, fer thie very porpeas* Aa far aa tha oine la aoaaenad atdavad thati iaomfllag plana far th fan. tha sseaaot vantllatloa arataa Ba iidltivf that apooitto r--aiHal ba takan ofeen a high dost aaoat aaa Mmui takaa fira a partiaala* araa* Oosatflamble &1scansion It aaa raaftgnlaad that particularly as rar aa aarnad* On tha other hand alaaa lnnaetare awa aad aaetniiid In float eeaaaatnitiaa of. Silica and sSbaotoaflnei* "* **>a b _L x---. .., , ,U?'*,*. . 3$$:- .,JU, ^;v\ T* a lastrueteh of the gfl&laetonv Stole in taking dnat sedate, guiotiy ermilsMte to the the reasons for high ornate seen to bo a Better of redid indicate that them mftmlb i. y purpose in suggest-ng this >.ieet:np v,-ao to show vs ftf min ins in terms of health. I h^ve details of 34 men seriously affected by a mixture " of asb'-stosis and silicosis, it* One of them is dead already and at least 7 ere dying. There ar*e also 2? men in whom there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that thev are developing disease. 13 had less than 5 years minings. ^ | It 11 M H ...... It IT 7 2^ " " 8" '' II " about 10 or more years mining. ___ . The man who died woe aged 48 and worke*d about 2 years in the mill. Post mortem* showed gross asbestoais and silicosis and a malignant cancer of the pleura directly attributable to his work in Wittenoom. I am seriously concerned that these cancers of the pleura which are being reported in large numbers from South Africa are due to an individual susceptibility and minimal exposure to blue asbestos (Crocidolite). Crysolite appears to cause lung cancer 11 these started mining in 1950. 4 it " u tt 1951. h tt t it it 1952. 5 If 11 it t< 1953- 5 tt it rt it it 1954. 3n U if 11 1955.S 1 it It it it 1957. 6 are aged less than 35 years. 11 men are aped less than 40 t 23 are less than 50 yre of age. /* lo w It might be argued that these are a product of the bad old but I would counter that by saying that these men represent the grossest of exposure to duet and that the reel health hazard will not be realized for another 10 years, particularly the cancers. These men are also the majority of workers who remained at Wittenoom for more than 5 years. A survey last year showed that over 70* of workers had been less than 2\ yrs in the employment of the company. ^ The conditions in which the men work may be better now but the most recent dust counts compiled by the MineB Department do not suggest that dust control and suppression have improved much at ail. I am not really competent to discuss dust counts but would suggest that we study the Inspector's report and compare it with counts taken in previous years. Underground: Average dust " ' " count for day shift. """ M ' " u '* a June, Nov, fine*, *60 '60 'hi 230 P.P.C,C. 160 P.P.C.C. U20 n. T. 0.0. DISTRICT HOSPITAL KALOOORLIE- Date 9th October, 1^61. i Dr. Bruce Hunt, 3? Ord Street, .i WB8T PKRTH, Dear Dr Hunt, rather To keep you in the picture, enclosed is a copy of a re encouraging letter from Dr. Rennie. 7/e are having an official meeting with represtentatives of the Management of the Australian Blue Asbestos on Tuesday, 10th October in the Mines Deoertment. Kind regards. * r'- i % m r~. % t ese/ct I 4 to- O.A. Allen, _ Australian glue Ahbeetoe Pty. fctA* ISMi Dear to. Allen, < 2. ale Department is becoming Increasingly cotcernod at the raaibex of explore** soft n ji^Tr^ma of ttlttenoom who are presenting as 9&tlaU suffering toon asbeetoale and/or silicosis. 1 here been able to trace 26 such cases 1b which the diagnosis la either certain or probable. A disturbing feature la that om of these patients say first experience eysptoas years after their last exposure to asbestos* 2. Dr. UcKulty informs ae that he considers a xiQB&er of the dust counts at Wittenooa to he too high. She Im plication may sell he that, notwithstanding considerable expenditure on ventilation,the latter is not yet adequate. 3* Dr. Hcffulty altd to* Boylaad sill he coning down ) 1 from Xalgoorlle for a nesting to the aorning of Tuesday, 10th October. The original intention was to seek representation from your Company from Berth at a special * H meeting in the afternoon, specifically to disease ftUfen- oem. However* It is found that to. Thonas will have left for overseas at that time; haring cheeked with year Company's Secretary in Perth, It is appropriate that I should ask you to mke the Journey from Wlttenooa. X apologise for the short notice but X hope that you can appreciate the reason. 1 hare done ay best to prolong the notice by sending a telegram today. If you are unable to come it might be possible to send a delegate. In any event It would he appreciated If you would let me know your intentions. Yours sincerely. PHYSXCIAK, f*S \Li JUcti. AW, DISTRICT HOSPITAL KALGOOHUK. /4th October, 1961 . Dr. Bruce Hunt, 3? Orel Street, WEST PERTH. Dear Dr. Hunt, r* / Many thanks for your letter. 1 fear that we may beeora foundation members of a mutual admiration club. 1 have been privileged to read your letter to the State Ooverri'- ment Insurance Office concerning and when asked to coesnent merely said that I agreed with every word of it. 1 have proposed a conference between Australian Blue Asbestos Officers and representatives of the Wines and Public Health Departments and am awaiting developments. hay our joint pressure at all points produce results. , Yours sincerely, r* >.11.1^^^^..1^.1.-- A :i r'*}g sz.yrr > < 1 u H. MAYNARO RENNE r o.c * <lo**o.> r.p. llW 7 7 1 1 I XI ^cao I* m<couAftir. Cw*weens. \S3 Macooapsc Stchtt. 5V 4th October, 1901. Dr. true hunt, 3? Or* Street, 'rSTP:2?K* W.A- hJy desjo.hrtjce. l> -:Z, 'lanv tV.nln indeei for.your len.Tthy ar4 helpful letter cvnnerr.lr" the vjittenoo* problem. Prior to recrlviar it I had taken up the natter s^e.ir> with the Company or the letters from McNulty end l,othetr. vMcH you have ce??n. The Oo.tiptfijy is outto veiling .to listen to rccosswiefctV.iiwis fro: tu-* .sriics! people involved <>nn the appropriate point here ;'ee^s to 1? ebr :<f ''sat1' dust levels- I think that I.ethstn's suggestion that the Company take an active: intercut nc-nfur;Ti" dust levels is a gcoc one ana I am putin* this vp to ihe Company. 1 have no doubt that the Cor.r.ony vlll take suitable fiction &r soon ?? w cen prv*de this evidence- I am working on this now with Dr. Cordor Saiil <:<" the CcHoftl of Fufclic Health, of the Txi.ver* ity of Sy'h-.ey. If the evidence put forward by both botham sad Ke^ulty falls to achieve the desired result I shell certainly come over and see it for myrelf* If I had n<>t already 'a^en action yotr helpful letter would h*v<? been more than effective in bringing about this result. I shall certainly keep you posted regarding developments. Kind regards, Sours sincerely, /ft**' / *5 H. MAYNARD ItSTOlE. GOVERNMENT OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH 57 MURRAY STREET PERTH . .. DDL/CT* . uniu tox >. ceo. T!i?nON| J5S6JI 4kK romriunioii^n. tj 1o t*i. COMMUSKHitH Q *UIUC Dr* Bruce Hunt, 37 Ord Street, WEST PERTH.-.. W.A. 2nd October,.1961. Dear Dr. Hunt, Here le a copy of a letter to Dr. Rennie. Following a telephone conversation with him in Sydney, I mentioned that X would send him information about this patient whose case history X presented, with the ' relevant slides, at the recent'meeting in Sydney. Yours sincerely. Enel. (D.D. Letham) PHYSICIAN, OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH. HryioiivJi* v * v. -............. . < -- aidered m powibly having disease duo to these organisms end of those e emailor number showed a probability ofsuch an infection. Drug sensitivity toeta showed reswUmeo to all three, or two, standard anti-tuborcukm* drugs in the farg* mtfrrity* Xe*riy all />atiani* from whom anonymous myoob&ctoria were isolated had chronic pulmonary disease. o.g., tuberculosis (cctiv or inactivo), silicosis, iltco-tuborculosis. pulmonary fibrosis, bronchitis end emphysema, carcinoma, ashestoais Tho organism* have nos *o far boon identified in sputum from patients with normal lungs T<*u with P.F.D.-B. ' In J30, COO mental hospiuvl patient* woe simultaneously skin Jested with I'.P.D.-S. and P.P.D.-B. (obtained from America}, using five tuberculin unite or its equivalent, given rntradermoHy. 50 per qont, reacted to P.P.D.-B., and 0 per cent, gave a larger reaction to P.P.D.-B. than to P.P.D.-S. One should be cautious in interpreting these result*, at least* until further group community tests or c&rriod ^ut, including testing of school children with Bsttov-typ P.PD. derived from the local endemic strain of Group III organisms, '( . ... i ? PNEUMOCONIOSIS IN RELATION TO-PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS Tuberculosis remains a problem in the reining area*. A third mass survey of the Kslgoortie-Boulder Goldfield* district during thtryear produced a crop of new notifications representing rtrvmaBBtoes of-ft* i-per-- 1,000 persons X-rayed. Tables & and 8 show the state of affairs, in that yearly notifications amongst miner*, ex-minera, and the non-mining population in the goldfields have shown no falling off in tha last few yoars, despite active control measures, such as ropoatod surveys, close supervision of tuberculous cases and careful follow-up of mine workers, whether showing videneo of silicosis or not. This disappointing result must be due to other factors, each as tiie predisposition of silicotic* to tuberculosis and tho ineffectiveness of dust control measures, as suggested by the large numbers of silicosis esses still arising in the industry. 1 FUTURE PLANS (1) Continuation of roses compulsory X-ray surveys in Metropolitan and country areas, with more frequent surveys in districts where larger numbers of oases have appeared, (2) Special consideration to tho mining problem, including possibly prophylactic chemotherapy in miner* and os-mlnore who show a positive tuberculin reaction. (3) Continuation of school tuberculin surveys and prophylactic iaonlasid therapy for strongly positive reactors. (4} Completion of the installation of miniature X-ray units in the larger hospitals for routine filming of in and out patients, * (5) Tightening up of the system of routine bacteriological testing of all patients attending dinka with any evidence of significant tuberculosis lesions, including those with calcified foci. a (6) Careful follow-up of contacts of known cases, especially aimed at those living in remoto country cress. (7) Skin testing of patient* bocteriologicuily positive for Group III {uncleosifiod} mycobacteria, their contacts and other community groups with P.P.D. derived from tha endomte strain, and with other *' tuber culins as thought necessary. F. G. B. EDWARDS, B A.. EL.B., M.B., B.S.. Director, Tuberculous Control Branch. /fxr*#cr c/7 c:/vf 97 4.// FHD.315/59 />' 2nd Oetefeer, 1961 Br* H. lfaynard Bennie, asegparle QiaSbers, 165 flteeqpftPift Street, jaaua* w.a.w. Bear XXr# Bennie, " BLus"fl^" Hare is & eopy of the history of this patient, together with relevant chest x-ray slides and three elides of biopay from the lung. He was born 19th October* 1921, In Poland* He left eofcool In 1955* and. until he oaae to Australia In 1950 be was a ftps worker. In that year be commenced vert with Australian Bine Asbestos at mttenoott,huildtng a an powerhouse about half a stile from the mill* At % this time he she not aware of much dost* In the yean a* 1955-55 he sorted for 2i years in the mill, white, be said, waa very dusty. By the time he left the mill in September, 1955# he bad become a leading band, matching machinery etc. After leaving Wlttencem he became s yardman In a hotel. He felt sell until Bterusry, 1961, stum he noticed that he boensw easily tired end short of breath. This dyspnoea bos been associated with chopping wood* < * eniTig upstairs and walking fast along the flat* He , does not consider that it haa become worse since the cmset. There tea been so wheese* Since- the onset he tee been aware of a ceugfc, associated with yellow sputum which disappeared after about two or three months. It was most noticeable in the early morning when he would cough up approximately half a teaspoonful of sputum; the sputum has never been bloodrrstainadu Be has lost llr stone In weight since the onset* He smokes four or five cigarettes during tee day and drinks one or two glasses of beer e day. There is so history of any previous lilneee. His wife ie well end he has five children, 5 to 15 years, ell well. His soother and father are both well* Cont*d.....2. 2nd October, 1961 Ur. \U A. Telfcr, Under Secretary, Sines department. PER?H. Dear rir# I feel that it ie imperative that a meeting be held between the Management of Australian Blue Asbestos and representatives of the filnee and Public Health Departments. This could perhups.be arranged. If you are agreeable, for tuesday, 10th October, when both Mr. Boy land and I mill be in your Department. We have both visited Wittenoom and the most recent dust counts shoe that a serious health hazard exists. Dr. Bruce Hunt has written me concerning e man dying in Perth Chest Hospital fro a disease contracted at Wittenoom. X know the patient and confirm Dr. Hunt's diagnosis. 1 have many other osn seriously affected by s11loosis and asbestosia. One man has died f a cancer attributable to 2 years work in the Will. Mr. Collard, General Secretary, Australian workers * Onion has also consulted* me and expressed rav< concern over working conditions. Re stated that he intended to pursue the matter further. It would appear that repeated advice and warnings about the health hazard from duet have been ineffective and th t stronger ctlon will Have to he taken. % Copy forward to Dr. Letham, fours faithfully. J. ucHuity omsT mtsiaiAX. V_ ^ ^ V * . f . . . J.  ;v*'; I 'l II * 5** H. MAYNARD RNNlE *".n.c . ivon. > .n c.* T. ikmOks- bw 7T i } o rw . * - '<$ ?5o MACUAfl5 183 WACCsUAftU', is'^CCT. fiYOHSV // 29th September, 196) m$M - ; "4i' **s " V'>*;*\\^t n 'T , *- -*'>*%.'..-*.,'.<? . //'*} -v^vr . ' ;. - A-i -- ,ix>.-~J - *'- >.'< ^.. i.'j* -- >. * I n -ij li 3 Dr ). McNulty Chest Physician District Hospital KAlCOOKrJS V.A. Dear Dr. Netful ty, / Tbsnk you for your letter of the 18th of September vhich 1 vss The additional information that you hare given concerning the any 7oor comments coneming this may be the answer* I am ouite satisfied that the Company will take actice when ve produce the facts for them to study* At the moment I am reed 5ns ell the articles I can get hold of and have discussed, the matter with Dr. Gordon Smith of the School offPublic Health at the University of Sydney. He Is both interested shd helpful* I shall let you know vhat progress ve make in the neer future with kind regards and again many thanks for your helpful letter. Tours sincerely, UHi .1 .2 :4 *r\\ I *' i iA* 28th September i81 Hr, D# LeihtiXBf DoptLri^eut of Public Health, 57 Xfarre-7 Street, perth #.i. Deer Doa, " Thank ye* for the copy of r*"* 'tier to _________r ______ Iteroeltb tty ora eontrflwtioe to the *i*ty o* oUoaa# * - * ___ t .. . .V--,. -cei> *?' -- *#-- y" KZ'5^h&&ei ^r4T:;5SFr~ SsivS 37 ORD STREET W E S r !J E P T W September S'joI Dr. d. VcNnlty, District Hospital, I=Ug^0?.1,Ir;. * V. .A. Leer diu, (i? I may mike so bold), - Two things. The`first -isr^Rmi ycuir-***reply to Jennie is a literary innate rpiec. 2 should hnVe been very proud to here couched such a concentrated and effective criticism in such courteous phraseology. Everybody to whom l havo sho the letter is loud in its pro iso. I enclose a copy between us vo do net got a satis factory bite T propo f-iorri froj.i there, friendship or no friendship, m3* own reply. If to take it straight 'i'ith congratulations and warci regards, (g-------- W------4- i% Prft. flgaelo Septoa--r I bar* ^wlf ee-- Um X-r*j of 4 of tittM a*M, a4 obtain --* to the ml. X roeell that h-- X l*Urti*l*{ Hr* Allit he WI4 -- that in the tnl* jwi bo M hM at tllt*a>n l*u tteo 10 ooooa of "dutiig" bod boos brooght to Mo mUm -- I <f--d thin la wf tifift ho /o If o-- takes this atate--at, poke it along*Uo the iahnoilM with vhleh too bt*a~ boom nppUcd Is Sydney, and then 4to itfcir lohl eoele a glaaao ot tbe fignos appll*tf Iy Loth-- -- mmm % viil the Mlog oithor that tbo reap--alhl* efftaere of the Co^aey 9i--o the eetrioh Uatiaet wj ii--g{y developed, or that the nwl in ogr Irtfor, tfcioli 7-- ftil hook to -- on* to ohioh 7-- took a--alterable mapUto, lo --'Unloaa o--2y jsliri4* ifr door Tod, this --tier imi p--nitty ho oil--*4 to root. 1 gather from the ooolor health MoHUm that thay bn bo-- tcjl-- tor oe-- 00--14--oh| ti-- to got tko flop any to r--li-- ooi to r--a<y tho oltsatl-- - 00 for fiibavt --eh off--W U tmU lift--ly ho --Mi --re setiafooter? if the Cenp--y it--If took tho *0--007 --U-- - Olid I cagiMi afaeeld atari U| -- i--peoti-- fay y--olf end If o --ll-f--lifted eotilotiea engineer* Aftor f--trif tho tfUa-- ifciah fa-- ho-- pro4--o4 rarjau I M* M <117 Mlm p*iU Cmpvtqr e--ld ro--im in tte apparently --lf-**tlefl*4 otato--4 oanit--ate ell-- tho aoh--too mUSag iod--117 to * -- fcUUng -- --fort--oto lai--h to ho onployad la lt If lotfaf the proooat oltoati-- la to re--fa --ntlereft *X --old fool it mg he--dee doty t faring the otter to tho pa--cl attention of tho Pr--lor. X --14 --ok profor --t to fan-- to do thief I 46eH --t to eeaso erorry end peeelfalo diatrooa to tho eery good trl--4 of dei'a--t tle--te> end 1 prefer set to atari a fa--t of pottle end oli*jag* Sorely y-- will ee-- end oen for 7--olf -- feUeoiag hit I -- qaite --oftdent eey farther notion -- mj part wornId he --taiiy* Tory alawily* 15th RapMher 1941 Or. B. Bayeard itenaie, P.R.Cf.j P.RUrf,P., 189 Uaeqaarle Street, snarer. ns.v* My dear T4, ^ //3 I * tett wrr iaitrlMl cad wry yearneiter ef Tth %U^bv, Tm eaght 4* teev cm veil eacegfc te ten tteh I *n*t tart -rt<t a fui cattl r -- wy nft ef ey f#*k. I ten nl a eepy ef year latter U Metmlty ate te Irtte ate ten mW Omni te previde yw vm aeb farther lifnilM m yea tek they ten atea a*pte f ttelr nptte. 1 have, ia tte matin, artteii mj aa^fte te ater eereea. teasell ate Devideea, Ceacdaaieaer ate tealetaat fiteirinr af Pkfclie tealth, hath apeak te Vitteaeaa la llapkam taraa - % feateriag Mro* was cm ef tte ebdetr ciTmiiau vttlih ccac late ite Maamitca. Beb Slphiek, tea very effielent tetaal Seperlatesdeat te tte *Wtt Ctei fbiplUl, tell* m teat te tea aca n Mrlcai ctei disease tea >1 llama-- daring tee peat fin years item te tea mm fm all tte gal* elate af Weeben* ivetralla la tte peat fiftera years* Parely by tbanta tte State Itinr--at lasamaa Office mated m three lay* a| te mlBC la teepitet aai a Tc^Mlcf af 41, TMe Mi mm te teinlli te 1991# appar--ily ia |Ml health. He verted ea a fen ia Kev Seath bale* ter tea year*, aad thereafter ia tte timber ladaetry la beaten teetraUa fer (e pee. Be vaa atUl ^pparootly ia geod health la 1956 etea be vaa ae aaferteaete a* te take a jeh at Witteaeeau Ri cheat Z-ny ia that year (X hen aeea vaa perfeetJy clear. la 1956 hie cheat X-rvy abend grave afcbeetelle eteagt*. Be la a-- dyiag ef aeheateele ia very eeaaldereble llcim* la the Cteat Beepitel -- it It teabttel if te viU live aere them a few veete. 1 thlak if tte effleera ef tte C.Sg. whose rather ing aod eelf^-eatfefled atateaeate te yea are ^aeted is year firet paragraph rare te te catcalled te leak at Martevie aad te tear bin itraglittg fer breath they weld te a little laaa itUifld "that they have game ae far aa they eca vtth tte pvaeeat kaevledge*. Pr. Lethaa ha* leebed p tte merit ef theae oiaae ef chart dieeaae thick haw bees ant te Perth frea Witt-- darlag tte years 1966-41. % ham ae far traced M eaaea Wish te elaaaiflea aa iahaateaia Probable atbeateei* It Jl 15 SiUeeaia Probable aftlleeals PMoiao^UieMic ea) aeteeteafta 4 (eee ef vte haa added teheeeeleela) 10 i Total 28 // / ..-J GOVERNMENT OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH 57 MURRAY STREET PERTH .DDL/C2 . unm sat >,'* O'n, pi?w rr.`ti<o*.S " ' 12;i Ai. j(Ki lo de to l)i 'COWMIttlQMtfc Qf vtuc Kutrji* 20^h.September, 1961 Dr. Bruce Hunt, 37 Ort Street, WEST PERTH. Deer Dr. Hunt, Ashestosis - Yfittenoom Caused Here is a copy of a letter which X have written to Dr. Hencie on this subject. Yours sincerely. ^5. * (D.D. Letham) PHYSICIAN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SECTION. sine had bean closed don and the new nine m eper* sting* a* the layortant msttoi sHpoare not to bo hvt pndhf honay belatedly* has * _ o& featU&tin tat eo to teethe* e* not tha wwB* alion ie efficient enecte to toon dost ten to Ionia ohite appear to ho safe (wfein tea allaoaaee ter the lUitatm on nr knowledge or oaf* levela}* tele reqplraa an nemn and desire ea the part of nkgr Bant of the need ter pretesting tt>iy oagdcgtea ten ateeatoais* It la essential that the aanaflwnt te not rest content with the feet that the? tape spent no ssmy thcrcaaate of pecmds on iswtilatloa tat teat ten teodd not rest content until they are satisfied teat their espZtaw are edewaeteta grotoptaflu X an soggaart log that the Pommy ltttlf should take an eette* fit in semiring dost lords* Xf they era fonadte ** * atefcmrtly late ten steps noet he tten te Imp* tee dnst lords to teoee regarded ea *eate** SoroSy tMfi la the least that can ha asked or a eo^ani site ate a poor record of Interest in the health of theta em ployee*. It vodd ha ate appreciated If yon m&& bring ny point of new to the attention of tee mriTiiijrrr sent* ?obs otaaatatae <D*XW taten) awway. ****> `Wi.r /I BX/CT V. p". i .J r; Or* H. Maynard Bennie* Kaecparie Chw*ere, I83 Bsegoarle Street, SYDHHY. H.8.W. Dear Sr* Bennie* 80th September* 19SL. Aa yen know, I have dlsonssed with nr. Brooe Hnat the InelAanee of pmniaoeunleelo la witwt mS e*workers froes the Australian HSse ASbeatoa Worts at Wlttenoas. X herte been able to loeate la Perth reoerds or 12 eases of aeheetoele* pins three probable oases* four oases of eUleoala or sllleo tiftenraiosis* six oases of probable sllieoals soft one in which aSbestosis and allleosia both appear to be prasinent. eoas of the oaees of aafeestosla aloe shew evidence of sllieoals. The total whioh x have given yon la 66 Oases. 1 beXlSWa that Hr. Boftulty has aeveral net on ay list. Bhan It le known that the ISbeor turnover at wittenoon has been high* thla la thOssft a large mufeer of osoos. Zt is noteworthy that ease of these haws been diagnosed several ream after leaving Wtttenooa end It la not leprohable that pore will predict In the future. Vb&rm in ao do*t bat duty rasfl|< wittmooa rare qmttiag t tovt bad utntNl donaglgttoar of tb* doat arrant tb* ao thik at to oMtto vision for m than a Bhan Z fiaitad fflttama la 195a* b*a*i rratn* etioa lira bora ootafeliflbed ia U B&l) th* alll bad ^nd MU bat tab not eoaaUMt&a attaattaa M tan atioa la tba mm U1 At this Coat^^r*^ * -% * MN| r~'i jmc:: . a:;: DISTRICT HOSPITAL KMC 00:0-1=:. DaZs 1 ytn September, 1^61. I'/ Dr. Di'uce Hunt, -* 37 Orfl Street, j ^ST PRRTH. Dear Dr. Hunt," letter. Kany thantoe for sending me a copy of Dr. Hennie'e A copy of my'reply is enclosed. I may have been a little too hard but the language is certainly plain. Tnan its again for vour interest. ? Kind regards, * * n *U -^ i * i ki>.<. ! I *:| ^ doubts concerning the statement that everything possible haB been done. I have reason to beiive that much of the dust extracting machinery Is ineffective at times and, further, before extracting the dust, some means of disposing of It pwsy from the workings should bo discovered. Increased production should go hand in hand with ventilation end not precede It. Frankly, I do not think that the company (C.3.H. or A.S.A,) know how to control the dust. In little more than 10 years the industry has produced SO eases of industrial chest disease (including one_proved cancer) and a number of suspected cases. As the yeKFe gb^if I have no doubt that many more will core to light. It should be remembered that many experts In this field claim that the asbestos fibre takes many years to produce significant pulmonary disease. If this is true, the non diagnosed now represent gross pathology, and exposure, and the real nature of the hazard. In terms of disease, may hot become apparent for another 10 years. Wo one connected with this problem should rest until conditions at Wittenoom ere ideal and the foregoing doenot suggest that this stage has been reached. The known hazard is real enough but reading papers on pleural mesothelioma (notably J.C. Wagner, C.A. 31eggs A P.Barchand, British'^Tournal Indust Med'I960, 17, 260} one is left with e suspicion that a conibinatloa of individual idiosyncrasy and minimal asbestos exposure, such as from road surfacing, may be dangerous. 4 X have written this letter because Dr. Hunt has assured re of your good faith and In the hope that your Infloenoe may effect an improvement la the working conditions of the asbestos workers which we have been unable to achieve through the regular channels in W.A. Tours faithfully. v i. ;_ 1 % ScHulty CHEST PHTSlCrAH v I -- !\ -S f^5 *M .2 --" I 4 r ! r; -2- in The inspector cofrsnented that there irer asbestos fibres in every underground sample (the Konlmeter need for dust sampling is not s reliable instrument for counting asbestos fibres)/ bust and fumes sere obvious during the afternoon shift* He quotes the following figures:-- Average * dustcount for day shift -- June, *60 -- 230 .P.C.C* ** o- M * Kov. $- ISO ,J?.P.C.C. * * " - Aug. *6< -.1*20" T^.'C/CT" Average dustcount for afternoon shift - Nov. *60 - 110 P.F.C.C. ** * - Aug. *61 - 630 P.f.C.C. All the so averages are very crude and the individual readings vary greatly. The aine air seeired more dust laden than ever, due to increased production. Outside sources contribute, and the min Adit air is polluted by dust from the mill (130 P.P.tC.C. in one instance). In the Util, figures were as follows:-- Average Dust count *n 4M * " * " -- Sept. ffov. Aug. 4 960 -- *60 160 *61 - 330 P.F.C.C. 1*20 IVSVC.C. i*60 P.P.C.O. 390 P.P.C.C. , At the primary crusher, figures of iOOO P.P.C.C. were recorded. These figures speak for themselves and do not suggest that conditions have improved over fcte last 3 years. The statement in your letter concerning the lack of "a mil developed conscience9 did cot come from me, 1 have always found Hr. Allan and Ur. Thomas courteous and helpful* One cannot help feeling that production comes first end that the health of the workers receives secondary consideration* The primary concern of a Company, le to produce a product profitably, but it has been ehown, time and time again, that apart from gross exploitation of labour, this la best achieved where the Interest and health of the workers is considered. The contrary,-where the product is produced at the exponas.of the health of the worker, cannot be tolerated In a civilised cotsmmlty. If I thought that this state of affairs existed at Vittenooas, and I could not correct it or else close the mine, X would resign. What X do say. Is that the dust hasard la not properly appreciate* end that the companies attitude is ostrich-like. X am certain that working conditions are not ideal and have very grave rj 1i 5\ tcrr, aw. DISTRICT HOSPITAL KALGO.ORLIK* Date 1 8th Baptepper 1961.# IHr m S 1 r/:? t1 k. |J H Dr* H* Baynard Bennie, Sacgnarle Cftsrfters, I83 Macquarie Street, smurf. Dear Dr* Bennie, Dr. Hunt hae kindly forwarded a copy of your reply to hia lottor concerning conditions at Australian Blue Asbestos, Mittenoom, W.A. By approach to the problem is entirely medical, Z am not an engineer and my concern for the health of the worker at Witteaoom, is caused by the number of men seriously affected by stlioosis/aebeatoals at relatively early ages and short exposures* These include a malignant pleural mesothelioma after two years as a shift boss in the mill* At considerable personal inconvenience, X have visited wittenoo on two occasions, and In ay opinion, conditions in*the dll were worse in August, 1961 than In November, 1959* In certain levels when a light hreese stirred the dust, visibility was appreciably reduced* Sunning a hand along a rail, produced a mound of black duet containing coarse asheetos fibres* Banda, half and clothes were filthy with duet after a short time, admittedly come of this duet is innocuous. Colour photographs show that the mill and surroundings are enveloped in a pretty but lethal blue barn. During my viait, most of the rnen were wearing respirators and this, in itself, la a confession of complete failure in dt?et control* X do not see how a mm can work in hoar eostm^ ':.; surnoer heat wearing a respirator continuously* atany efficiency must be greatly reduced* boat extracted froa the adll finds Its way i*te the main underground air intake* Dry ore residue is dumped a few hundred yards from the main workings and in a breese, blow all over the place* Bven In the tvn- ship much of the road and path surfacing is made of waste material from the mine and blue ashestoe fibres are obvious* Bines Deportment inspectors have prepared reports on dust conditions at Wittenoom and X would refer you to th6m* Daring an inspection between August, f^th and August, t9th, 1961 duet counts of 1000 + P.P.C.C* were not tmeonuon In sons and mill* This la. over three times the maximum permissible concentration of dust containing free allies end the rek mined is highly BilloiouB. ' 'T ^ ' v M * v*i^#siai|mMw35SCn>* j?r. Uthtm, Poblic ReftUfe $7 Mom; Streetk PERfrk * 1 X* eof$t\i* &7cuoptytaorf tfTw4 iu&S, . It jao a-rtta di,,,eU" ** V. *Itr, f( -oaid, I ^ taj: faftU r*U**g l* r4t3t dihJiio8' ' . ift regard*. iHh Spt*i*r j66 i 1 u *rriTOd * t*lr tbar^ftar! - X bm atort to. //v J- 3 7 OSD STPETT rWEST V` R T H 111 iontft'i'b^r 1 VO 3 Dr. 0. McNulty, The District Hospital, KALGOOaiJE, V.A. Dear Dr. McNulty, I have just heard from Ted ilenoie and oQClose a copy of his very disappointing letter. It seems clear t)ml the C.S.H. people ere being rather unctuous and self-righteoud about their doings. With respect I would suggest that Ted (whose address is 183 Vacquario Street, Sydney) whom I have always found to be a very rec.sonable person, would derive a good deal of benefit from a personal letter from you setting out the situation in plain language. It might also help if you sent a note to Allan King telling him the situation. I am sure Allan would back you up and would, if necessary, get at Ted personally. ViCh best regards, V------4 a Cx H. MAYNARD RENNiE 1 > -o I '.<< ...* % Tri.r^tmcv tlV 7711 * <** a *<,. as^o Aacou*ic v.'kt'-urnj;. 183 W*COi,fciP S^`^f,T. SVt>NLY 7th September, 1961. Dr* Bruce Hunt, y7 Ord Street, tf.A De*r Bruce, I have just heA a conference with tbe Officers of C.S.R. concerning the Wiitenooo problem. It appears that gome three years ago a lot of money was spent on improving the very had dust conditions at the mill and this has lead to a mah improved atmosphere in which the men now voile. It is suggested that it is as yet too early to determine the benefits or otherwise of the improved cerodltiona but they feel that they have gone as far as they can with the present knowledge and they are quite willing to loci at sny further information that may be forthcoming. Following ray nesting with tbe Officers I are very firmly of the opinion that your statement "Both Doctors are of opinion that the Company has not got s veil developed conscience on the matter end feel very strongly that very urgent action is required" can hardly ha justified by the facts. However, tor y own information I shall see Allan King and I shell also ask McNulty to send e reore information about the measuresent of dust coasting in the asbestos industry referred to in the Addendum to hie report ,1959* It is not intended therefore that I should come over to Uittenoor In the lamedtate future. I shall certainly let you know if there is any change in plans and if you have any further information on the subject i shall be delighted to receive it. I will keep you posted. Warmest regards and many thanks. Youre sincerely, t .. -i *f A 'f t Dr. Letham Icvestigation of coses from Wittcnoom. tts'* ' . ii * Pretty firm diagnosis of asbestosis pi*'* Probable asbestos is .... 12 cases .JL 15 cases Silicosis .... 4 one of which is probably si Hcotuberculos is >s probable silicosis _6 10 cases poeumo - silicosis a ml asbestos!s 1 cose Sstsi investigated or seen by Perth doctors 26 cases in^alj 9 *3^ V" H. MAYNARD RENNIE *,.*.C*. /f*.*>ovt. SW 771 ! r*n. * - ) *l. CSJAo MAcauforc c<**oc*s. 03 M\cQuAie Stuc^t. SDVffy I ^r- rruo* uujvt. ^7 Orti SVthet. tjpcT fSVv'FJJ v V \ 7tb Aw'urt, 1961 - ^w .--v v~-' m"o'* f?> '7<'v-r tvo vitb ericlosures concernin' t'-R ^*"oblfPBs o'* -the u^r-firp at Vj tfznaom. It ?s certainly not a ni nt'-TA .-ti 7 h"v convevsd t.be internet.}on referrwi by you nrs tc th TrH <.<** to 9a 5a, inripoti, roort. srAteful for tb#* interest t=VAn in the o>*rsbnpm they o-e at tbe nvo^ient, i i^-st in^ t.be rv^'/vt- i ; T-f; * * -<7-f'^1 *l>At T ''P1'' c.AT-R ov*r ft+ the Oofncwny's reouest _j n~,A y^t.$Pf**b1 *> i? -A-t i^tnvoc+ir'p in tvis ap vol 1 * b^Jn^ ^*ry b^n^'l irttfee^* 7 ?l<'<'','` Wfn vc' r,optf*<i An ccn n* 7 I'*''' ?? Ytnrs, iU n ts : -l r"r ^5 ' v .* <-* '-- v.g .r& <T7^v*--rr '\ ' ^ Havnard P.ennie f; U // T Dr. B. Maynard Rennie, 1R3 Kaequorle Street, SYORET K.S.T. 1st August 1961 . '-- ?*. i> H ^5 . W. - :.-c !' Mr dear Ted, Farther to the possibility of year caning wwer to tltimw X here bad a lengthy consultation with Dos Lethsn g>g*rdiagqrtans4iasl*ble* end the like. It would s**a that the aeet suitable ptwgre-- would be for you to leer# Sydney on e Friday, arriving in Perth on Friday night. On Saturday it would be arranged for you to confer with Dr. Let&e* and Dr. Keftalty and to see in the flesh, with aeconpaaying filua, not less than ten ex-*itteuoeu workers who are currently under nodical treatnent In vnrleue hospitals in the Perth District suffering fron asbestos!* or silicas!*, r would hope that you would take the erasing seal wills ua b the Saturday and would fly to Wittenon oo Sunday Homing leawtng Perth in the wee snail hours* Ton would then have seat of Sunday, all of Monday and Tuesday and poHion of Wednesday noming la Wittenoou which should give both you and the ventilation ad^ineer anple tine to see the situsties ea the spot. Wednesday** 1.10 p.u. plane would get yen ta Perth before dinner and yen could then either retire to your couch or again do us the honour* Thursday could he spent in cens&liatics with Laths and McRulty, and possibly with your office people. Tou could the* go back to Sydney by the eight plant *o Thursday, by the noming plane on Friday, or by the night plane on Friday 4 as you wished. I do sect sincerely hope that yea cen see your way clear to follow our suggestions. The sawing of life would undoubtedly roseItand farther the step would raise considerably the estioation in which the Coupaay ie held In these parts by the Health Authorities. Since I last, wrote X have seen several nore of the filue of the patients currently under treatment in Perth) they would not constitute wery good propaganda for health In the asbestos industry. With beat regards, ." i iihhiifi?,w . ' ; % \ %A <* o tAri^*^i\lSTxinarfnoinra?tion*71*100^-;h.exv<5o$c*cosusloio^jeVre^gmo'^f yiwwicM* ?oy *gij\. | ' .*. -^^vl-i*. lltH:--'*:*^^::is^^*^i,:'S!;?S*-*5l:S*::A* ' % secondly, It. might be difficult to get together on Saturday afternoon severs! people fro:d several hospitals who would probably wish to present their own cases. This leaves hut one alternative:- To leave for Wittenoom on a Tuesday^ at' 'f>73 W*-'-*7.30 s.n.. arriving there at l.JO p.m. The return trip would have to be made on the following day, leaving tfittenoow at 1.10 mm. via the Pokteer Friendship. This would give little less than 2k hours in Mttenoom, which, if carefully planned, would probably suffix f.or* the pxirpose. Tt would he necessary to use the Tuesday after noon for inspection, the evening would have to be spent in discussions with managewent, and, on the following morning, Wednesday, the inspection could be continued. It wight be desirable for a ventilation engineer to stay for a longer period but I think that this tine would >e sufficient to silow Ur. Rennie a reasonable acornisal of workinr conditions. With this programme hV could cone over in the weekend on Saturday or Sunday, spend Monday with us here in Perth {see (a) err previous page) and, if need he, spend further ttfc\e with us on Thursday and/or Friday. It docs not seem practicable to consider the possibility of returning, via Roebourne, oil Friday. The nlrne leaves at 7.55 a.tn. and it is approximately ISO nilcs by road from '.Vi ttenoom to Roebourne. I have requested Ur. Elphick of the Perth Chest Hospital and Dr. Harris of the Repatriation General Hospital to let me have a list of cases of asbestosis which have been admitted to their* wards. These will include cases which are complicated by silicosis. Royal Perth Hospital has no recox'd of any admissions but I know of a recent one which has not yet had time to be classified ih records. In addition there will be esses known to Dr. i'cFulty and possibly one or two from the Cheat Clinic not known to him. I also know of at least one referred by a colleague, not on Dr. McNulty's list. S'* the t^me that Dr. tfcNulfcy returns from his Cent fd 3. GOVERNMENT Of WESTERN AUSIKAum DEPARTMENT OF POBUC HEALTH 57 MURRAY STREET PERTH tfLI^KONi, 2i Hii ' *i/> fa * SdiiuM Oiq 'CC-HMi5*)OKie O' Dr* Bruce Hunt 3? Ord Street* VEST FSRTtt. Possible Visit of Dr. Rennie Following our discussion*it is thought that Dr. Rennie would need to (a) spend some time in Perth in discussion; and examination of case histories and cheat x-rays of employees and ex-employees, (b) visit .Vittenoosn, (c) probably have further discussions in Perth. The f'.V.A. timetable (which is enclosed) does not readily lend itself to this programmed There are four weekly return trips. Of these, the plane leaving on Sunday at 5.13 p.a, would predicate the need for spending the weekend in Viittenoom - not destable. The plane leav ing on Saturday nt 11.25 a.m. stays overnight at ^eekatharra to arrive in Perth after midday on Sunday - also not desir able. This leaves, then, planes leaving on Tuesday and Wednesday. Of the two the Wednesday trip (Fokker Friendshin) is the faster* This limits the days for leaving Perth to Sunday and Tuesday* Leaving on Sunday would mean arriving in Wittenoora at 8.45 a*m. Ho doubt the day could be pleasantly spent having a look at the Gorge and/or preliminary discussions* Monday and half of Tuesday could then be spent in Viittenoom, departing thence at 1.30 p.n on Tuesday. Tills would presuppose spending Satuzday in Perth on item'(a) above,which would, in turn, indicate the need for leaving Sydney on the Friday. (There is, in fact, an A.D.A. service which leaves Svflney at 4 p.m. on Friday, arriving in Perth at 9.25 p.m.;. 1 do not think that this would be practicable. In the first place it would probably he too much of a rush for Dr. Rennie, and Coat M Or. ff Maynard fascia 25th Jnly 1961 F>S. Perhaps the won! case which we* demonstrated to * yesterday m a mo who worked for two years only in the mill at VltUeoM aoM years age, had not been in e dusty atmosphere since sad who died the ether day of a malignant pleural mesothelioma and polmonary asbestosU and ailicesie* I enclose copies of some relevant report* and would, ~Xt~~pbsatbfdy' like to have these bask in due oourae. /*> 25th July mi Dr. II H&joard Rennie, F*R.C*P*, F*R.i.C.P., 183 Macquarie Street, STDMET XSV. My dear fd, the plot tbieke&a & little concerning the asbestos nine et Yitteooo** By am^BMit Dr^ McNulty, tbe Minas Udlel bad never bed the pleasure of meting previously, and Dr* Don Lethaa, the Industrial disease expert la the Public Ue&Ub Departmnt bare, when X know veil end regard very highly, cam to aee m yesterday end we traversed the whole field. Bofore 1 go any farther, I mst ask yon to be eery careful about the way in which yon utilise the story which 1 on about to toll ye* because Dr* McNulty end Dr. bethan both sake it rory clear that the optinlstic atatemat which Ur. 4!lea mde to eo regarding the incidence of dnatlng* at Vittenoon, which I quoted to you in ay letter, doea not convey an accurate pi etere. Uibsa end McNulty both regard the working conditions At Vittenoo* as wery poor and atate indeed tfcqt they constitute a public nenace. they showed me a amber of film taken daring the routine earToy of tuine workers and bad the clinical history of these non with then* apparently it is quite possible to be ao badly doeted aa to be totally and pemaaeatly incapacitated within four or five years* Both doctors are of opinion that the Ccapsx^ has not got a well-developed conscience on the miter and feel very strongly that wery argent actios i* required* It would obviously *be web better from every tpoint of view if the `.initiation of better ventilating measures earn fro* within the Cmpaay than aa the retail of external pressure by Mines and Beaith Departments, As yon know, in Western Australia at the present tim ve are eode&Tourius to boost our production in every passible way and a public outcry is not going to help to attract Yestern Australian uini&g capital to the State* It would also, X a* sore, bring about very considerable difficulties for the Company in securing sad mintslatog an adequate labour force. On the other rJ hand fro* what McNulty and Lethe* tell bo action Bust definitely be takes, My *8gg*eti*a would be that, if yon can spare the ties, the C.S*ft* authorities should send you end a consultant ventilation engineer eu a tour of inspection* Ve could mke arrangeaente here ao that os the day following your arrival McNulty and Letbaa, with their film and their case records, could be at your disposal for the day* Ten eonld fly to Vittenoo* os the following mrslng, spend two or three days there, fly back to Perth and have another day with the two doctors, and be book in Sydney inside a working week* X do ask you to regard this request very seriously became both i IteNolty and Lethe* ore competent sen of good faith and the records ant film i- which they shewed *e yesterday, and the figures which they quoted are quite horrifying. Tith best regards, H U V? r 4 "1* ; ,i VJ JWc??. AW. KALGOORLTK 21 st July, 2?6U Dr. Bruce Hunt, 37 Ow5 street, WFST rr^n> Dear Dr. Hunt, Thar.ic you for your invitiation to lunch on IfaMftjr, 2hth uly, nhieh I acoept with pleasure* Your8 Bineerely. * I 37 0D STREET la WEST PERTH 20th July 1961 Ur. J. McNulty, Mines Medical Officer, District Hospital, KALG00RLIE. tf.A. Dear Dr. McNulty, 0* Can I have the pleasure of your company at lunch ia ay rooms at 1 p.m.-on*"Monday, 24th July, the day on rhi cJi you expect to "be ia Perth. I shall look forward to the pleasure of meeting you and discussing the Witteuoom situation, and I hare asked Dos Letham to Join us. The Cousultant Medical Officer t<5 the C.S.R. is Sydney is a close personal friend of mine and after our discussion I shall make it my business to inform hi fully regarding your findings; I hare a feeling i that he ia not conversant with what is actually happening in the mine and the mill. Sincerely yours, Q> *,`8?.-: w?* -rr ^ vt-thv? ; .C* ' | ... " s.l i..'. . 'V/.,-'IV-,'i->iV5-f'U-.'f:iO,<'*.S*?,. `y fev;/-..v- '/W -t. <. vr- ...*. -^~v * *...'"``^<vV*.rf*'*v **"'**vT>l>* **v-* ...... <i> *,:C-OTW*' * * "sr/v-i*--.** - -r.w.r-wL-.*. - .. 9fcWu':Hs.*-*js.4Vi^ >- . w k*'^T&SS8 - .-- . w ; . * v --. . -v' *C .y- '^-TT*?4 -... r-- .. .. j.k - *%'?'?*?' V* .J*' v'. -*; --a* * ---v> i^4yj8fui;l>'|('< i.'S'iyiiAy..'-'-- --- *' ' IjggSfjJk v"-In., < ,s*~. w' s *':.,'i'iiiir-*.-^"-.,-- . *W<-'- l' -r.r'v^^^rrr^TW^n-err^-- --:"r.,ir wpWn,~ ,.i v.; 'Vrr. 'ii'r 2- An unforseen, but highly beneficial by product of the warning to Mr. * has been the alerting of .the C.S.R. to the grave health hazard existing in the* subsidiary company end a real, effort is now being made to improve conditions. J/ I tiave to go to Darwin on Monday, 2i*th July*61 , return ing via Wittrinoom to examine workers* ,.X woolid very much like to Bpe you arid could, perhaps, call at your rooms; by appointment, on Monday afternoon, 2i*th July* I would like; to see Dr* Werrittfe ^-raye. One of our difficulties le that thd-Mobiler:J^By-^irt filming at Wittenoom cannot produce technically,`perfect and con sistent Chest Y-reye. ,i Attached ere a few recent reports which X prepared on the health of eebeetos workers* X don't wish to bpre you, tut I am grateful for your interest. i. Kind regards, ; j Yours faithfully, i J. McNulty MINES MEDICAL OFFICES EAIflOOPLIE. 1Uth 2Mlyf 1961 ( Dr. B. Bunt, 37 Ord Street, WEST FEBTB. Dear Dr. Hunt, Thank* you for your kind letter and report* bnrr*lr.'"-'*:~r; of Wlttenoom. !* ; T 1 I agree that a diagnosis of aebeetosis cannot he established on ths strength of the X-rays alone and am naturally pleased jto have that opinion confirmed. He has never been formally diagnosed as suffering from pulmonary disease. Because of hie length of 'time in the industry and the minimal changes at both bases in 196CJ as compared with his original X-rays it was considered advisable to warn him of the possibility of developing industrial chest disease so that he would avoid unnecessary exposure to asbeBtos end silica dust. As you know, the diagnosis of asbestosie in the early stages is extremely difficult and must often be presumptive. A normal Chest X-ray does not exclude it and the presence of asbestos bodies does not confirm, it. The inacceseabillty of Wittenoom and its distance from the commonly accepted ancillary aide to diagnosis make it even more difficult. Under ordinary circumstances there wouia be no urgency and it would be better to wait a year or two before suggesting a diagnosis, affecting b workers health and livelihood. Duet control at the mine end mill at Australian Blue Asbestos was and is bad. Workers have developed asbestosie and silicosis with gross clinical end radiologleal signs .and grave disability after relatively short exposures. Failure to advise a worker that there was sane doubt about his v-roy and delaying a decision for a year might expose him unwittingly, to half as much d*5St again. The diagnosis might then be%certain but the effect on his health dieaeterous. Histological proof of many of the diagnoses made, has been - obtained fiw post-mortem material end from sections obtained at lung biopsy and during pulmonary resections. A few weeks ago post mortem on a man aged U7 years, who had worked for 2 years only In the mill at Australian Blue Asbestos (19h9-51) confirmed that he had a malignant pleural mesothelioma and pulmonary eabestosi and silicoel A pretty shocking finding in a modern industry. WEST PERTH lit* July 1961 Dr. 4. McKulty, Mines Medical Officer, District Hospital, KALGOOKLIE. *.4. Dear Dr. McKulty, * - Xbaak you for the loan of your films of and for your letter of 26tb June. I myself was perfectly happy vith my clinical findings in Mr. about a atone of superfluous weight and a B.P. of 160/100 were the only physical abnormalities X could detect. Clinically the lung* appeared to me perfectly normal and the cheat movements fully up to normal standard*. Arthur Merritt of the Perth Radiological Clinic took a fresh series of films at varying exposures to make them comparable with your films, and he was of opinion that a diagnosis of asbestosis could not be established upon the films alone. I would much appreciate the opportunity of a cbat with you regarding Mr. . case and asbestosis in general vheu next you are in Perth. Perhaps you could spare a moment to let me know when your next visit is likely to be. If fairly soon perhaps I could hold the films until then} if however you won't be in Perth in the issaediate future I shall return the films to Kalgoorlie with the hope that you will bring them down again when you are next passing this way. Please let me know also whether you would like to see Dr Iferritt** films end his report. s * #ith kindest regarde, I am, Yours very sincerely, H-- -A V -I -v> 4 :yWl V' '1 -1 '.*v '%f*A 1 v * ' li t*j w` V*'v * / "*-vj .\ --4 1 ;i d H. MAYNARD RP.NNtE r.s.c.e <1.0-0.) * TfHo~t MW T75 1 <*>) < ... \ xi. SiAO !?r. J. i&Uy, :)3 strict !:opc$i:?, , is, M Af:<jyah Chamo ene. 1G3 M*cUAie S'rncrr. SVDNE-f \Oth Key. 1961 Deer Or. V.c'HiTtv, . Thank yon very ranch indeed for your letter with enclosed clinic*1 rotes che- t X-rays of Mr. ' which I received when 1 va* in Perth recently. Sr yon indicated, it 5.r not ?.ey to rr-ech a definite die'Trvsis in thin mo nr case, and on hip history ap piven to me by hi-'sAi'* T w-uld tike to be appored of the complete norrality of hip crd5ovspco!nr system. Accordingly I have eked that be ro'V--<y* to ^r. Bruce A. Hunt of Perth for physical nnd r;,'ort. I have asked Mr. P. Thomas to forward the t.'** br. ^unt, e.n*" then to collect them ecain p soon ns ! r. v,i-t h?- - ifh(d **ith Thom3P will, then return the rj?--* to vo'i, *>nd I shr?n rend you a eery of Tr. "u.nt*p r^no^t. n,.. .~+ ..p.1 w- - *- the rroblco vith lr. 0.*>. T.eth^n S***/*' *i----f>ft , ,Jiih Hnd regards, gnl,, -r There la no need. to ooroa^nt on the figures save to soy that only the huge labour-turnover (over 70* of workers have worked at Ittenoora for 3 yearo or less) prevented large nurobora of raon from being affected, 'The concurrent duet counts prepared by the Senior Inspector oi ines showed ho* dusty tbe mill and mine really are* and the re suits of the cheat x-ray examinations show the effect. -- It would appear that silicosis ia a more oerloue problem then asbes tosle and that frequently the %ri3e*se 1;; of a ml.ted type. This ex' -- plains why the classical radiological appearance of asbestos!s ic rarely seen. s _ it ia also worth'noting that mere presences* tfee~ine or | mill over a rolutimely short period is sufficient to produce disease j ^ and that unlike the Gold Uines, the actual occupation of the worker *: i is not too important. -- An attest ub to x--ray the men employed in irane- ; " porting the asbestos bags to the coast* hut only u few were actually ; done, tt In desirable that these workers and those engaged in loadii asbestos at the docks should be examined regularly and their condltit of work investigated. Tfiectivc 6 ist supremelan at Australian Blue .vsbeetos, is an urgent ai*o lu.ediatc necessity. il a? 'J Li '1--W6 44$1> 4 sc ft OOKUlWy ?PH?:?10LkN. Zy~ flQjqj-t~Cf) (v~~ % /9d. ~ IU< mU 3*~-- Q n-^ ^fcr --fry -%- (U u^L, M>- ^ ' -. ^\k}y --,i yiiiL'xii-'v t**. -- *'T-v04* The following are the results of the chest x-ray examination of sorters employed for more than oneyear at Australian Blue Asbestos, Wittenoora, examined by the Uinee Mobile X-Ray Unit during September, i960* A few workers hare been excluded but their exclusion .dose not affect the over-all picture* Also excluded ere men diagnosed as suffering from Indus trial chest disease in previous years, who have left the industry. The diagnostic symbols repreeentr- No evidence of industrial chest disease or other pulmonary pathology* ^ _v ^ ______ F* Increased lung markings of a non sped Iflo type poesibl: due to the very earliest stage of silicosis or asbes < s tos is, but too inconclusive to justify evsn a provisios diagnosis. Fi(sl) Fairly conclusive evidence of Sillaoais/aabeatoeis and the men oonoerned have been advised to leave the indue try. Definitive diagnosis awaits further inveetigatio r? to exclude other pulmonary disease and to assess disa bility, if any. SI Silicosis and/or asbestosia* , *, ..... ~No. of years at ~~Aust , Blue Asbestos, .i n * f------ lS 1 n2 j3 --* \ Li 5 6 CJ 7 8 4r-t 9 Wi 40 11 <2 13 X-RAY CLASSIFICATION N. F4 F*(sl) & SI 71 * 43 1 24 5 6 if 24 42 14 12 * - 11 11 m* -1 - 1 3 - 3 4 2 3 1 4* 2 % of worker affected pe year of Ex posure. (Fvsl, 81) ' "o* o* 3* o* 33* 44* 40* 1006 .33* M 0* . Total: 15U 25 19 10* tS + (The men K / miin ^ i with +Vt * X normal V A*'' chest x- rays and after 10 years exposure. F* di&ariosiB work in the GOVERNMENT OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA I --............. ...... DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH 57 MURRAY STR7 L PERTH imus. ox \u, 6.*<0,, **1H llUFKCrttf* 1T*4* *ri mmvnltiNuM ** ^ ( K< -CQMUtMlQHU O' Pt*uc MAvm1* O2/ft Mrv - tf&a. c^Jt. -fa ^<<7 -^*w -5C^ ~&~*~~^$r -V-'? S&Ce^+- jf-* YY few . -1 I'JcNr.SCY. Hr. DISTRICT HOSPITAL &uO&3QZL& /9nc>j\ Date *13th Gotoberj I960 -'f> Bcta- ^ -- ---^ _____ X regret to advise that finr yiiwt sheet ehoee changes very suggestive of Industrie! dfn> pfabOly^ta; i3| st-go of Aaheetssls, complicated by silleoet** Ttt picked this up in earlier yeara when you ears sets'? concerned with the mill. As ye* know 1 ess Mt avi^itaA Utt year, but the change* nra too inasttmt* a-w*-'eH3oenaSa associate manager1*1 staff with industrial cheat disease, * '1 Ro final decision haa boon mads and fOi tfil sot receive formal no Ice from the Honourable Minister for Mints until your condition has bean further investigated* Xf m Sill be in Perth In the near future plea* let st tons and 1 will arrange for you to have further x-rays #luag function and tpotwa tests as an out^puttent, ut the Perth Chest hospital* I wlH not be In Psth until February 195*, hut you could oonsult Ur. l^thsa at the Public Realty hepu *tment - he is fully in the picture and could sewlee you* & Thera is no in ..ed late need for concern, but naturally you should avoid farther exposure to harmful duet libs the plaoue until your cheat condition hue been completely investigated. * write. If you h-we any Qisstiono or need any advice, please Tours sincerely. % r.. It will take acme ticne to complete .^y review of the x-rays af your workers, but 1 urn not too hap^3 about the general trend. KITgS MEDICAL OFFICES- Copy*. Dr, D. D. I.etham. 1 JllcN::.UCV. OrSTRICT HOSPITAL KAIOOORLIK Date 6 th October, i960 Dr> i>. D. 2<sth&.'n, * Physician, Public Health department, 5? Murray Street, *- PERTH Dear Dr- Letham, i The Senior Inspector of Mines fcaS~Ttlny-;s4veri rue a copy of his findings, at Wittehoom. B^efion of dust in both the mill end the unflorgroun^y^fci.r^?8f3^^^b&kiMj?. The amount of dust falling on the lawn outeiaerThe&Wx!l office would not compare favourably with conditions underground in sotoe gold mines. Silicosis- is probably much greater hazard than we had imagined and this probably explains why all the men who have developed abnormal chest x-rays appear to have a mixture of BillcoSis and ssbeatosis. There was little correlation between the read ings of the V.iOget-Trapinger and the Koniroeter. The Konimeter generally ->dve much higher total particle counts and the Inspinger higher fibre counts, but the readings were too inconsistent to give a worthwhile comparison. The Inspector suggested that in experience with the Impinger may have been the cause and he feels tv*t it is a good instrument for at Wittsnoom- The Senior Inspector of Mines,ha.,made many -if reco;:K:.endations to the Company and the Mines Department 'have the power, under the lining Acts, to see that the dust hazard, is eradicated. Xt regains for us to keep hammering the health aspect! m^intr.in the Ren re of urgency required. ,, preliminary review of the Wittonoom films, shews hov urgent the problem iri. It is too early to commit itself, hut I feel that the general picture is worse than ever. * On completion of the review I think it would he a ^>d idea to send a copy of ull the results to the Company for their information. Yours faithfully. T. mcNnlty I' 4 I / 2- I should not have been so specific in regard to a Midget-Impinger since you may know many instruments of equal, or greater, value. The whole picture of industrial chest disease In this state is disappointing and, whilst I have no-crewed offer, I feel that much closer liaison and co-operation between your Deportment and mine Is needed. For my part, I should be very pleased to assist medically in any problem connected with the mining industry. The School of Mines have a Midget-Impinger which was apparently bought through handovers. ^ Kind regards. J. McNulty MINKS MEDICAL OFFICER. Enclosures: * < * fcx, . i) Literature from Canada. 2} Brochure from School of Mines. 3) List of references supplied by Er. ^uartermaine. Flense return numbers 1) and 2). 4 __ _____ <. As /' / J __J K. V---t-e--.---- 4 JWcN DISTRICT HOSPITAL 7w ... KALGOO.^........................... .................. "s -- Date........... 2.9tto. July.r..I960......................... Mr* v.-% Brisbane, State Wining Engineer* Mines Department, PERTH. Dear Mr* Brisbane. Thank you for your letter* I do not pretend to be familiar with engineering methods or the details of dust sampling and ir& opinion on these matters is that of an Interested physician only. By concern for the health of the workers et '"ittenoom prompted me to investigate the whole problem of the Asbestos Industry and this lead to an appreciation of the need for an accurate count not of dust particle only but of asbestos fibre as well, particularly of a critical size, i.e. over 10 micron in length* The Xonimeter does not appear to be the best instrument for this purpose. Mr* Jennings, General Secretary, Chamber of Mines, kindly obtained some information from Canada and a Midget Impinger was recommended as the most suitable instrument for use in the Asbestos Industry* I underetood that the Senior Inspector of Mines had received copies and had forwarded them to the Mines Department in Perth* Ih the diagnosis of Pneumoconiosis a detailed knowledge of the occupational history and working conditions i essential* This is particularly true of aabeetosie, the diagnosis of which presents many difficulties. It is accepted, for example, that person with a completely normal cheat x--ray may be suffering from ^sbestoeis, and, contrarily, that the presence of the peculiar so-called asbestos bodice in the sputum is not necessarily diagnostic of the disease. The Mobile ''-Ray tin it will be conducting the periodical examination of v/orker at .Vittenoom between the 9th Septenfcer and the 26th September, I960. A simple claesification of workers by occupation could be made and used by an inspector from the Mines Department and the Mobile Unit. If an accurate estimation of the concentration of dust, (particularly critically sized fibres), to which each worker i exposed were made available to me, it would greatly facilitate the examination of the workers. SCHOOL OF KIEFS 28th July * I960. Pear Dr. McEulty, I have"been able' to locate the fol^xrtng~$eT&r&tteGU*' to the Widget Xmpinger: U.S.B.K. X*C.7026: A technique for use of the Midget Impinger. D.S.B.M.-R.I.U802: Size of smallest particles determined in impinger dust counting methods* .. U.S,,B.K.-R.I.i*568t Relation between end precision of duet counts from simultaneous Xmpinger, Midget Impinger, Fleetire precipitator, and Filter paper samples. (not available at K.8.M.). U.S.F.M.-R.I.3360: Midget Impinge r for dust sampling (not evaliable here). Conveyor 8/55 p.3: Dust prevention at 2inc Corporation and use of the midget Smpinger to check dust concentrations. % Drinker * Hatch (2nd Edit 195U) "Industrial Dust" pp.150-155 pints extensive bibliography. Pneumoconiosis Abstracts" Vols. 1, 2, and 3: Various abstracts of articles referring directly and indirectly to impingers and midget impinger. In addition there are some references to the milling of asbestos: Can, I.W.M. Bull* 8/55 p.U-86: "Asbestos Milling at Jeffrey Mill * of Canadian Johns-Manville , Gjaebec." Of the above, probably Drinker and Hatch and the publications give most information. Yours sincerely. Sgd. W.K. Ouartermaine \ r> \ JHcNjEI. DISTRICT HOSPITAL KALOOQRUE . ........ Date . .. let ..July, i960* --,1J The Cinder Secretary, Wines Department, PERTH. Deer Sir, I am not very familiar with the details concerning the transport of Asbestos from Wittenoora to the coast, but understand that it ie by private contract and that the workers are not the concern of your Department, These workers may be exposed to the hazard of Asbestos dust equal to, if not greater than, the mill workers at Australian Blue Asbestos. This may also apply to the men engaged in'loading ships at Port ?.ampson, depending on the methods adopted. An effort will be made to examine all these workers during the visit of the Mines Mobile V-Ray Unit later this year, on a voluntary basis. This matter io brought to your attention bedauee the conditions of employment of these workers should be investigated, the dust hazard estimated, and if a hazard exists, consideration given to the Inciseion of the workers within t* e scope of the Mines Regulation Act and The Mine Workers* Relief Act. A copy of thie letter has been sent to ^r* Letham and you may wish to discuss it with him, Yours faithfully,; .#* Dr. D.D. Letham, J. McNulty CH^ST PHYSICI AN. f' I____- / A 5 >' <A. *, . . ^ jJS 4 ^ J) 1 < /^A .v--^ tr *>4**~**~, Jaa.^/ _____ `-'-`J x * * <-S I ,. ; u. - 1 ` expo:.*>! to jObp.KtOR d Jl t A-S 3 our ycax Three worker:* with a ..ixed gold u;,d asbestos* ining hietory. huw developed silicosis and asestcsis. your wop Here with a Eitnilu :jj ri r history Jwv*. oevelaped pure oilicoais. 01 these seven workers the average exposure to hunt including all mining Has 12 years ad excluding previous Mining (which is not entirely jusiiri*hl*.) *u 7 ye.*ro. Conclusion? The percentages quoted above (i.e. i2Voi' asheotos"sork.orr. cufft ring fro- Industrial che3*. dieeuoe with over b years exposure co*np.vert with of gold miners with over 10 years exposure) *re crude and r,rohu*-*2y paint, to. black a picture of the conditions chich existed. With a shifting working population it is almost impassible to work-oat accurate incidences* However, the very high )*b;.ir turnover at A'ittenoo-n is neocrsuvily aer-ocluted with u short aver^;*- exposure per worker and nany workers at risk were protected r.5 cply because their exposure tiai* was too short. -At Ic.iSt one of these short-tor:* workers hap. boon diagnosed as fluffor- inQ f-'o .Aobostosis .winy yc^rn after he left the industry. Vhe prohlo i ir: esscntiully one ol ventilation conducted with 4 proper appreci~t ion ot she relative importance and radical significance of the usbo: tos fi*>re as distinct fro* the silica Particle. Pi spite the tn ny m^ked iuprove:nents which have been effected at the *Uhe and 7111, 1 a a not satisfied that the risk of industrial chest disease his been eradicated or even brought to par with the risk of Silicosis in the gold-mining industry. The prevention of Industrial chest disease is u tnedico-engineering problem and requires close liuson between the Mines ft* parthreat * who are responsible i*o- vcntil tion and dust counts, and the Medical officers, who arc re?;:on:<,iblo for the periodical clinical and chest * -r%y examinations. cwm physician .urn :.t i ?^:s kdicsj< officer. / r < s.' fu -3 i i i lie morand u King Uth ay, i960 The dangerous particle size in Silicosis la leas than 5 microns, in ASbestoais the dangerous fibre length is between 20 and hO .Microns. The dust counts are therefore of little value unless they show the number of fibres per cc within that range. The Konimeter in use in this State is not regarded as an effective instrument for dust counting in the asbestos industry in Canada. A rtidget-Impinger is used. It is stressed that fibres over 10 microns in length arc of particular importance and whilst the .total. dust concentration should be below 10 million particles per^ eubic"To'oVdrwt*ir, The nojti'iuj n fibre count (ie over 10 microns in length) per mitted, is 1 million fibres per cubic foot of air. ilany workers remain at Wlttenoom for less than one year and less than 505 of the work force, at any one time, have been continuously employed for -.tore than four years. A very rough estimate of the percentage of workers, with over k years exposure and suffering fro-a industrial chest disease is 12ft (estimated by exp1-cosing the number of workers, detailed below, us a percentage of the number of workers examined in 1959 whose initial mining certificate was issued prior to 1955.) In recent years it would be unusual to diagnose Silicosis in a gold vjiner with le^s than 10 years exposure. E.g. in 195^, *>* 're no new eases of Silicosis in the 0--10 year group, 20 oust 0-20 ye^r group and 29 cases in the '20-30 year group, d as a percentage of the total number of mine workers this annual incidence of Silicosis ol approximately 1%. These &e incidences are not ,?ry accurate and are not really com- but they do illustrate the grave hazard which existed at tVittenoom co.,*ip. red with the general .-lining industry. The following are the particulars of cases of industrial disease detected at tfittenoom since *1956. The list is complete as far uy our records go, but there may be a few oases diagnosed else where who were not examined under either of the relevant Mining Act; and thcreiore not brought to our notice. Some newly diagnosed cases of 3ilioosis are not included because of previous lengthy gold-mining history which could reason ably be held responsible. There have also been a few cases of workers developing pulmonary tuberculosis without Silicosis or Asbestos!*, but their number does not suggest any particular hazard at Wittenooa, other than that associated with mining in general. f Uth ' KO 1 f mmi O. Dr, U irecWr* Tuberc ;locic Control . + / '/array Street, ""w' Branch, 7>iv'Kjdice! cheat x-iw ewhin^iion of worfcera in the Ashertoe industry during 19^9 disclosed no new cuosa ox Aobentosia* slthQ.J ;h there wci; ftcv<-:` !neri whose x-rays xsuet be considered nusp eot. Those whose x--rays ur*s considered auspicious of Asbestos is wilt be x:a>rtifl*d a -.`in in i960. The length oi exposurn Oi worker* contracting .iebeefcoris or Silleori* ip ^uch shorter* th >r: conp^rably employed len in the gold-<ininr. industry snd the extent of disease is greater. The s'Bull rur.h r 0; workers *.nd the c*x trolly hi*h labour turnover vike tfci*? !:. obvioji:. There * n^'iib r o: puzzling and disquieting fea .uret*. In seve r* a inet-oces Asbestos!.* bus been diagnosed in underground workers although the dissar,* had been considered peouli-.r to the '.'ill. C*ne ze-.ihor oi the tr.in crew under-rbund, not usually, ut ^re^t dust rink, h.ia whattappeara to be u fixture of silicGsio, -lobes i-osin uod poanibly **uberculonJ. Another underground worker hue whit .j radiologically so be pure flilicoGlc, but hie sputt cofit ir?s *beDtor. btidier. The v.ine -i*t-^nt h s permitted me to im.peet the result?; of their period! j3 du*:t counts. It is obviouc that the new sill is u gre^t i <ipreverent on the old Kill and that condition* underground have also improved. It 1b too early to tell whether t) new ill will be responsible for fresh oaeet; of industrial cheat dia. or not. The diSQui- ing features about the dust counts arc too 1 <) The rock mined ic apparently highly ailteious ur.d therefore particularly dangerous. The dust counts are on u par with figures for the old mines, a higher standard should be at In viw of the high silica content and the additional Asbc* tor.is risk. 2) ~6" dust ciu/x'.s are OX particle* only, the &**.% instrument \r, it'ed for detectin'* silica par*, 5 dee and tabes ton fibres Dr* D.D, Latham* 6th April, However, without proper oust counts it is impossible to know whether new coses will not appear after a relatively short exposure, say 10-1$ years- It would appear that ev*n with the highest standard of ventilation Asbeotosxs is still a hazard overseas* I could go on, but perhaps these few ideas will show you how my mind is running* Please return the enclosures. Perhaps.you could have photostats made* - Yours faithfully# CHEST PHYSICIAN & MINES MEDICAL OFFICES* JMcW :RI. Ref. 1/815/59. DISTRICT HOSPITAL . KAMOORLJB........ Date . . 6 th.. April,. .1.96O* 0~ Ur. ft. D. Letham, Physician, Department of Pttblic Health, 57 Murray Street, PERTH. Dear Dr* Letham, Midget-Inmir^er. Enclosed are details concerning this instrument. . I was keeping. them In the hope that some-one wonld enquire and copies were sent by the General Secretary of the Chaaker of Mine to the Manager, Australian Blue Atfbestoe and the Senior Inspector of Mines* x / The present method of dealing with these matters 1b unsatisfactory to me because I do not know who has been consulted or not* For example, has the Under Secretary for Mines or the State Mining Engineer expressed any comments. I feel that: & 1} the Mines Department should obtain euch^ an instrument* J) that an operator should remain at Wittenoom for a reasonable period taking regular counts underground and in the Mill. 3) the operator should he employed by either the Company as a ventilation officer or the Mines Department as an assistant Inspector. U) the details of the dust counts should be supplied to all interested parties, including myself, giving the laboratory Humber of any man working permanently in any dusty position. *5) the least that should be done for a worker in a dusty position, which cannot be relieved, is to rotate him regularly to a less dusty 3ob. 6) Dust counts underground and in the Mill should show levs Is of asbestos fibres and silica particles separately (as you know some workers appear to have developed a mixture of Silicosis and Asbestosis). 7) It is important to stress that the short exposure which ^ave rise to the diagnosed cases was scandalous but that the improvements so far made may have lessened the hazard. UI ' MINUTE for: THE COMMISSIONER OP PTOLXC HEALTH. Ashestoeis-Silicosls - Wittenoom. farther of my minute of 26th February, I960, herewith en addendum to the report furnished by Dr. McNulty. AK.JMoC F. 420/58 30th March, I960. DIKFCTOK, ITOVKCUhOSIS COBERQL BRANCH. 5CALGOORLTE 23rd March, I960. ' AVimWtt TO REPORT OH TiXB HEAL OP WORKERS _IN WXTTBKOQM. 1959. Information has now been obtained from Canada, through the courtesy of the General Secretary of the Chamber of Mines, confirming my impression that the Konimeter in use in the State is net an effective instrument for dust counting in the Asbestos industry. In the Quebec Asbestos industry a sMidget-Xmpinger is used. It is stressed that the fibres over 10 microns in Sength are of particular importance end whilst the total dust concentration should be below 10 million particles per cubic foot of air, the maximum fibre count, i.e. over 10 microns in length, penaltted is 1 million fibres per cubic foot of air. I have fuller details if required and I understand that copies have been sent to the Senior Inspector of Mines, Kalgoorlie, and the Manager, Australian Blue Asbestos, Wittenocm. J. McNulty CHEST PHYSICIAN and MIKES mmCAL OPFICER. T/ * -2 4 Certain experts claim that there is little, if any progression in Asbestosia whan expomire to dust ceases, in oontrast to Ciiieocio which, undoubtedly, can progress. It ie^hard to believe that tho -Macaco process ic orrosted'if tkT fritter'rtoet 1 inhrjlod, hut once again it is too early to draw any conclusion for the ceoes -'.lagnoood in this *'tate. There io statistical evidence to suggest that exposure to asbestos dust raoy cause lime cancer* Vhc natter ie controversial hut lung cancer certainly appears to be nore common in corkers exposed to asbestos dust than conpansMy employed corkero in other induetrio* J forwarded a detailed report tn tho health of* workers at ***ittcnoom to tho habile Health TVmartment in .January, I960, hr* Jothan, r5hyoidan, Public Health S->partnent has a copy, and it would be worthwhile diocueciri* it with Mm* He ic also familiar Yith tho general problem* 'inolly, J Q re-scoured ` y your loot sentence that your enquiry is purely exploittory and you have no definite purpoGO in mind* In the event of n*y bMn" consulted, prior to amsndinr the ' orlcerrst Compensation *ct, 1 would inouiro into the subject rox*c closely* vourn faithfully. CH' f'T )We'tcim and t'nrvr> EPICAL CPFICFR. rV. loin" in rnoscriiv your letter wnc cauocd by :y nlsc?:cc on leave* Dr. A. King, JHcTJ tl. DISTRICT HOSPITAL KAinOOPLIS Date........................ 4?th Inarch, I 960, ?he General TlGnoger* State Government Tncorance Office, IGh "t* George's Terrace, T*T7rn. T>eftr fir, AcbCSt.OOlQ. Too few caoee of Aobeetoois have been diagnosed and the tiro or observation hoo been too short, to reply adequately to your request for information. There arc nany references to the problem in the World, literature but the concluclone drown arc often vamx* and, occasionally, contra dictory. s * Insofar oo the cases diagnosed In this State are concerned, the main difference between Aobestools and silicosis lies in the length of exposure to dust* It Is rare nowadays to diagnose Silicosis in a gold miner with less than ten yearn mining, new casco diagnosed have an average of 15 to 20 years* A s'*ostools has been diognosod In six workers at V'ittenoom and their average exposure to asbestos dust was approximately four years* All of these workers appear to have contracted the disease in the old nill, which 1c not now in use, and it is too early to assoso the effect of the ir$>roved conditions of the new mill. However, g few underground workers hatfe contracted a chest disease which appears to he g mixture of *Cllicocio ond AcbectooiG. The amendment to the !.*ino Workers * 'elief Act was necessary because otherwise workers 01cabled from Aoboetools would have been excluded from benefits* 0ince the broad term "'neumoconloots in the ,'forkorr.^, Conrnensotion 'ct incltidos Aobeotonio there doec not seen to be any need to or>ccifically mention it unices benefit xrr\c to be effected In o different way. It is hoped that further investigation at vrittenoom r/ill reduce the duct hazard to at least par with that existing in the goldmining industry. If thio cannot be assured than the brief exposure to aObeetos duct re'mirod and the extent of disease so far noted might make it noceosary to compensate and presumably insure workero exposed to thio dust on a different seal to gold miners* COPY / "dVjji Minister's Office, r.'ines Dej^'tntenfcj-- PERTH. . 17th March, I960. Hon. Chief Secretary, Chief Secretary *s Department, PERTH. Dear Ur. Hutchinson, Your letter of the hi.h instant concerning industrial health in the mining industry is acknowledged. I am very aware and extremely grateful for zhe work which has been undertaken by your Department in the mining industry generally, in respect to silicosis. The figures on vittenoon are indeed very disquieting. % In the Department, of Wines our officers are very conscious of dust nuisance and every possible precaution is taken to mini ml 7.e the incidence of dust by the provision of adequate ventilation. In this regard our mines inspectors maintain constant vigilence, and we have special ventilation inspectors. The asbestos industry in relatively new in .. ostern Australia, production having taken place only over the past 10 years or so, *nd no doubt the industry is still "learning'', but as you say, better methods of ventilation are being adopted. **.,* 1 do*not Quite understand the Commissioner for Public Health's statement that*his responsibility is not clearly and unequivocally laid down in the lining Act. However, the responsibilities of the Minister for bines and the wines Department ere clearly and onequivocally laid dovm in the Wining Act. I have no objection to the conference suggested by you taking place between officers of both Departments, in 2 think it is a good idea. `{Yours sincerely. (sgjB) Arthur Griffith ..... -MINISTER FOR MIWES. COPY ONLY <: //p <r- - 4 Hon* Minister for Mines, Mines Department, PERTH. As you are aware, this Department has developed a branch of Industrial Health, progressively in the care of Dr. Letham who is responsible to the Commissioner of Public Health. . In addition, ell gold and asbestos sinere have periodical x-ray examinations of the chest conducted by the Tuberculosis Control Branch, the films being reviewed by Dr. McNulty in Kalgoorlio who collaborates with Dr. Letham in this work in its industrial health aspects. For a considerable number of years, the Commissioner of Public Health has been concerned with the hazard to workers at the Blue Asbestos Mine in Wittenoom, both to those working underground and those on the surface* in association with the mill. A further survey of these workers was carried out last year and the results have now been analysed by Dr. McNulty. A copy of his report is attached. As will be seen, the predictions of Medical Officers in this Department that the hazard at Wittenoom would produce cases of asbestosis and silicosis iiare been shown to hare been well founded. Dr. McNulty* s -Report is disquieting. The Commissioner for Public Health informs me that his responsibility for the health of mine workers is not clearly and unequivocally laid down in mining legislation. This is a matter for considerable concern to me and I am proposing that this matter be taken.up betwe.n the Commissioner of Public Health and officers of your department in order that the position may be clari fied. 'I would welcome your views. / COPYORLY. C.F.IU " *r have read the attached, and*-the--*--* position certainly does appear serious. X will await your memo, and then follow the procedure suggested in forwarding the various reports on to the Ron* Minister for Mines. (Sgd) R*H. s COPY ONLY. ttiKUTE for: y'THE COMMISSIONER Qg PUBLIC HEALTH, ?/ Asbestoaie-Stlocoeis -- Wittnoon* 'Attached is -g rather disquieting report in regard to the incidence of asbestos is and e^tocoei^irtr ---- Wittencom Gorge* I think the report produces further evidence as to the necessity of the appointment of a further Medical Officer to assist Sr- McNulty at Kalgoorlie Chest Clinic in the supervision of miners in Kalgoorlie and the rest of the State. As Dr. McNulty has pointed out, there is much to be done in regard to the prevention of industrial chest disease and there will have to he a build up in the liaison of *the medical and engineering aspects of the problem. Dr. McNulty has submitted another report in relation to tuberculosis and silicosis in gold miners which will be incorporated in my Annual Report for 1959* However, I think the position in regard to Wittenoom ie e isportaut that 1 suggest a copy of Dr. McHulty's report be forwarded to the Under Secretary of Mines and the State X~Ray Medical Engineer for discussion with the Minister for Mines if this ie considered necessary. In previous reports to you I have emphasized the importance of Silicosis and Tuberculosis in Gold Miners* 1 feel we should take more steps to alleviate the position in regard to Industrial Dust Hazards to workers; rather than apparently being more concerned with payment and eligibility of compensation when the damage is done to the hsilth of the individual. JUt.JMcC 26th February, I960. (Sgd) A.K. DIRECTOR, TUBERCULOSIS CONTROL BRANCH* In recent ye*re it would be unusual to diagnose Silicosis in a gold miner with lees than 10 years ex j>oeui c- For example, n 1058 there were no new canes of SiUcceis in the 0-10 year group, 20 cases in the 10-20 yoar group and 29 csees in the 20-30 yoer group. Expressed ns a percentage of the totof number of mino workers, this gives art annual incident of Sibcoaif* of Approximately 5 per cent.percentARo incidence" These ore nolvery aceureui end are not raaDy comparable, but thoy do illustrate the grave hward which existed at Wlttenoom compared with the general mining industry. Since 1658, there have been one underground and fvo rail! workers at Witienooro definitely diagnosed aa suffering from Asbeetoeis. All were udvieod to leave the Industry but for various reasons havo not does #o. Five of the six war* investigated in hospital. The average exposure to asbestos dust in these cases was four yearn only. There are two other suspect caaos asd two suggesting they are uffoctod with a combination of Silicosis and Asbestos)*. ** Apart from these, four others wen diagnosed with Silicosis, threo having bad. a previous history of coal mining abroad. These case* suggest that there ie also an increased risk of SUioosk underground at the mine. The average exposurein these eases is Ji years (excluding previous ttuw*S) Ip, ^hesc. cases there is probable superadded tuberculous infection. a Some*newly diagnosed casoe of Silicosis are not included because of previous lengthy gold-mining history which could reasonably be heki responsible. There have also been a few oases of workers developing pulmonary tuberculosis without Silicosis or Artbestasis, but their number does not suggest any particular hazard at Wittenoom, other than that associated with mining in general. Throe workers with a mixed gold and asbestos mining history have developed silicosis and esboatosU. Four workers with a similar mining history have developed pure silieoeU. Of these seven workers, tho average exposure to dust including all mining was 12 years and excluding previous mining (which is not entirely justifiable) was ^ years. .___ Conclusion The percentages quoted above (t.e., 12 per cent, of asbestos workers suffering from industrial cheat disease with over 4 years exposure compared with S per cent, of gold miowa with over 10 years exposure,) are crude and probably paint too black a picture of the conditions which existed. With a shifting working population, it is almost impossible to work out accurate incidences, However, the very high labour turn over at Wittenooro is necessarily associated with a short avefoge exposure per worker end many workers at risk were protected simply because their exposure time was too abort. At least one of these short-term 4 workers has been diagnosed as suffering from Asbeetests, many years after he left the industry. Hie problem la essentially one of ventilation eonduoied with a proper appreciation of the relative importance and medical significance of the asbestos fibre as distinct from the sQica particle. Despite the many marked improvements which have been affected at the Mine and Mill, I am not satisfied that the risk of industrial cheat disease has been eradicated or even brought to par with tite risk of SBicceti in the gold-mining industry. The prevention of industrial cheet disease H a medico-engineering problem and require* close liaison between the Mines Department, who ere responsible for ventilation and dust counts, and the medical officer* who are responsible for the periodical clinical and cheat X-ray examinations. (3*eet Physician, 48 entered the iiSaitewy developed aibcoeis with an annual incidence f 10 per thousand. It i* not j>oambf to determine whiv. percentage of ailicotiee, recorded, subsequently sppo^rln the last column as having developed tuberculosis. A frequent criticism made to acoount for the variation in the number of new sees of silicosis diagnosed athmaHy and the continued high rata is that the diagnostic criteria vary, There in somu truth in this criticisms With minimal radiological silicosis o^dbjective eivor is presontbot this usual!y only results in anticipating ohdolaying tho diagnosis for a fow^f'oons and the effect is cancelled cut. Cheat X'faysdating back to 1920 and central record cards oontoimhg the diagnoses made at the time ore avallabia and reappraisal of tho films does nb^auggest that tho di^nostic standards hsv varied greatly. Improved X-ray technique, high definition ecrwe, dual film redoing and comparison with standard films from the Pneumoconiosis Research Council arc pfb^ably enabling a diagooeis to be made at a slightly earlier stage th&n hitherto and this is most desirable. NtfWfe diagnose is in cceaplele investigative facilities, mefuding lung function tests, are available atN^ie Perth Clieet Hospital and over ,increasing use te being made of three facilities. U is meet diStbqli, if not Impossible, because miners and cx-minere Acta and beoausebfthe large number of itinerant and casual short* tiian Blue Asbestos absWittenoom which has been in full production different problem and Ebebeea the subject of a special report. *2 **ii. cm would not be complete wHtaut introducing the question of the iratory Infections, .particularly chrome bronohitis. It is extremely ability between silicosis and chroakT^bcqnchltis. Chronic bronchitis INDUSTRIAisL bCuHt EocScTursDeISquEaAllSy EcomIIm.--onWlyI1wTiEthNoOuOtwMyavidonce, whatever, of Periodical chest X-ray examinatthiohneoavfywionrdkuesrstryinatnhdeaAirsbpeosltluostioinndoufstry during 1d8u56stdfisocrmloseeodnnlyo new cases of Asbestoses, although therieg caorendseitivoenrsa,l lmacekn owfhsousneliXgh-rta, ycshamnuges*t bine tceomnspiedcetrbeqdrosuasnpdecht.umTihdoitsye, whose X'r&ye are considered auspiciouhse osyfsAteembeootof evies nwtiillaltbioene, xwahmicinheadtatgiraoiensindiri8e6c0t .a stibsm of cold sir An, may also contribute. At the pro-entry medical avafe^iation si! The length of exposure of worketerse cwointhtraecvtidinegncXesboefebtoroain*cohritSisiliacoresisexisclmuduecdhasnhdormteirntehrasnwchoomMpeayrealbolpy employed man in the gold-mining.viinseddustotryleaanvde tthhee einxdteusnttryo.f dIinseteansesivisegrreesaetaerrc.h iTshbeesinmg&Oconnudmucbteedrs of iwnoErknegrlsanadndintthoetheixstrepmaretilcyuhlaigr hprloabbloeumr atunrdnofuvrethr emradkeevethloispmleesnstsobwviiloludse.pend on the outcome. % There are a number of puzzling and disquieting features. In several instances Asbeetosie baa been \ diagnosed in underground workers although the discs** had been considered peculiar to the Mill. One >i member of tho train crew underground, not usually a great dust risk, has what eppoore to be a mixture of silicosis, asbestosie Mid possibly tuberculosis. Another underground worker has what appear* radio- logically to be pure silicosis, but his sputum contains asbestos bodice. > Tlia Mines Department has permitted me to inspect the results of their periodical dust counts. It Is obvious that the new Mill is a great improvement on the old Mill and that conditions underground have also improved. It Is too early to tall whether the new Mill will be responsible for fresh of uidostiHol chest d&ttutm or not. The disquieting feature about the dust counts am two fold :~> (1) The rock mined k apparently highly siKcfoue and therefore particularly dangerous. The dust counts ore on a par with the figures for the gold mine*. A higher standard should a be set in view of the high silica content and the additional Aabretoaie risk. (2) The dust counts are of particles only ; the same instrument is used for detecting silica par j ticles and asbestos fibres. The dangerous particle size in Silicosis is kes than S microns : i in Asbcetoeis the dangerous fibre length >R between 20 arid 40 microns. The dust counts therefore are of little value uidsea they show the number offibres per cc within that range. The Konimster io use in. this State ts not regarded as an effective instrument for dust counting in the Asbestos industry In Canada. A midget-Impinger is used. It is stressed that fibres over 10 microns in length are of particular importance and whilst the total dust concentration should be below 10 million particles per cubic foot of sir, the maximum fibre count {*.., over 10 mkrons in length) permitted, aa 1 million fibre* per cubic foot of air. Many worker* remain at Wittenoom for lees than one year and leas than 60 per cent, of the work force, at any one time, have been continuously employed for more than four year*. A very rough estimate et the percentage of workers, with over four year* exposure and suffering from industrial cheet disease is 12 per cent, (estimated by expressing tho number of workers, detailed below, as a percentage of the number of workers oxamined to 1959 whoee initial mining certificate woe issued prior to 1055), i 47 ^yle / aa m / i* l -< ^.jmor&ndtsTiT Dr. A. King 13th .Tannery, I960. ConcXxioion. The percentages quoted above (le 12% of asbestos workers suffering from industrial chest disease with over 4 yeare exposure compared with 1% of gold miners with over 10 years exposure) ere crate and probably paint too black a'picture of--the conditions which exlsteg* ^tjua>gift ing working population It is almost lagposslblfr to..f.r bocurate Incidences* However, tta ta*y high labour-tutahywr at Wlttmoom le necessarily associated with t flbDrt i exposure per worker and many workers at risk were': steeply because their exposure tine was too start*;: one of these start-term worker has been diagnosed ta from Aabestosis two? years after be left ^be indust*y*/^*r The problem le essentially one of vwntllstlon^eehdneted with a proper appreciation of the relative ir^owtane and' Wdioal significance of the asbestos fibre as distinct from, the slllaa particle. Despite tta many masted iagaroTOuents which have been effected at the Mine and Mill, X am not satisfied that tta ririfc of Industrial chest disease has been eradicated or eve brought to par with the risk of silicosis In the gold mining industry. Tta prevention of industrial Ghent disease is a &edleo*wng3aee*"~ ing problem and requires close lieeon between the Hinas department, who are responsible for ventilation and dust counts, end tbs medical officers, who are responsible for tta periodical clinical and chest x-ray examinations* CHEST PSXSICIABT and HIKES MEDICAL OFgSCTO. .im putuowsff 'f o to O H e ^.35E 3SS af o9t9o C? 1 2*h<* &ttyoo32 Ht*o-*.tnor'3j 2ns5 a* i * ftg.J* H30-O5 H-4* > h Qc* W o a hi CTv45" to< &< t*o*> a* * ao & 2^1 arg tco* Ho oO a* g3 3 *4 3 O P GJ *Xf 3 t-*0a3 I*-3* c>* EoP^ 5S*3 o ON 3 &. a mo o o A cr 09 H* 3 P *f c*<B scor OT 0*0 0 9 Cs (0 m- A Pi 0 3 m cf 3 o 03000 * M* G O' O O<fi H(0**kH{ M< tS Cb S54* isgl is.** g&Se> *&-*r lllsss ^,, to < o*otr*^3 2Mg* |i ? B> c*a H Oe 3<4g_ fb cs_ j Offdi u to * 8 Hsh0^0 0 3{B * 3M*H** spB19 5 3 3 CVtft H* to*fttO -**>35 * *t a "Is^s -^CT S *4 &to ?** O to & o *4 9 s r* .* sa &&S3 sr: t v* I s cr vo <5\ O lli i >i 03 0 a i-4 G W O VH S3 S3 & c Cr< O y SSc . 4* G0*4Hs Q S3 *-> 4> a <s v to O A **<0 ,0 t4 Gm 0 o geo a? e O-po mo Ch -<uo 4* Ma E. c o oo 0 43 S5 4J* .,*4 0/3 lb 43 <a GS S5 O {j\ .- e 4*>-t c o dSQtf 4*-C A O 4lrl GO St3. S3 ^BOOh 4-> <0-4 tt N, o < c > 4* G 4R4 OH QN h *C xs t> 00 044 O S3 a.. 0 *r4 4 *4 o c4 S3 4> t t-4 3 $ * r4 a av a o m t* q d a*D c /3 4> 3 O 0^2 CO a o I0 -C 4J *tSo-H **<0 V4 J<,0--rp4 <j Q a -c: rH^30r44H*rrH4 0 /2 }S44 0 H o 0 H0vHp<p&4t> 0ArOt *<H 0 3 O S38 0r4t oJ 00^4 55 o* o as 9ce O0,0 p(443Sr-3> H } tf O 0a G IBr fc fcO 0 0*1 *4 to?o^S +4 Q44 <3 9 *>>G0 *> 0 < 0 a 0 o4* oo$3 ti q o n H BOi -4* 4" oc 4c4 44 *I G5w_?e.4 V4>lCH .0.,,f?,,*,> 4 G SAQ4**>< >)*h 44-< &+4*& -eHeOoCC? o <4 0 * ">?44-*AH*4C4 >CksA44 o 5 O JD f43ft, H 6 j*2 J8 *a??gg a^ B o Pm > A * OS K iI IO A * 4tt***4 04O B i I CQ < _ efi J* B go 2**^ 2a 22 2l p 03< A 44 44 m O0 O0 44 44 r4 H *< 44 03 4J r* ' W <S -J3.BUEI. O fc O tj fc 0m* m O0 *0 o 000 0RO4* Hrt 0 44 rt O *4 OO 10 > 0 UO es ri >i Oo 4O3 mti ro4 G43 O <rt *H -irt |c S3 i-t . 63 r4^ ^ 5- U C} 'D-WW r-4 QH *> v4 e u 3 Mi V o c S3 o m *h m^4 te 63 s? 1 44 til 0 Q *4 i4 44 03 tt o 4 *4 3 44 sc to % e vf *o hi g S3 < rH < O cc ca i4 f f0 P c* 5 tfi(4 C C 0 >> 0 *H 0 >> a swv *f4 (AErt- t? M *3 O H CO cn O c<5 0 o 0 $R <w c? 0 c G 0 tGOS* G 0 t4 0 >,G >>G r- e E>^ -f 44 * 55 < r4 0 O 5!> O c? S3 GG 14 O >r4 0 r4 ?>a ->Vr< O w te r- G s. Ed * - ft *< O HH r4 * r-4 H G ft s44 S3 en f- 0 r-S G u 0 n S3 'S -3% OC*3 -ASC Memorandum: King, 13th January, i960. 2) The dust counts are of particles only, the same instrument' ' is used for detecting silica particles and asbestos fibres* The dangerous particle also in Silicosis is loss than 5 microns, in Asbestosle the dangerous fibre length Is between 20 and ho microns* The dust counts are therefore of little rains unless they shoe the wnrihor of fibres per cc within that range* X do not too* whether thsre Is. an accepted national adnimA fibre count for asbestos dost* either in Ragland or America hot. It sessk wrong thtlta? completely different dust hazards should he ereStt/ttRt '35*' the same way* Many workers remain at tfittenoast ror lesa than one year and lees than 50 of the work force* at any cuetlM, have been continuously employed for now than four years* A very rough estimate of tte peMestsge of waters* slth ofer 4 years exposure and suffering from Ind&stnal cbst iimtn. is 12* (estimated by expressing the Mate* of waters* detailed below, as a percentage or the zoster of sorters examined in 1959 whose initial mining certificate was issued prior to 1955* In recent years It would he tmrmnsl to diagnose Silicoeic in a gold miner with loss than 10 years exposure* e,,g. in 195S, thsre were no new oases of Silicosis in the WO year group, 20 eases In the 10-20 year group and 29 cases In the 20-30 year group* Expressed as a percentage of the total number of mine sorters this gives ext annual Incidence at Silicosis of approximately i* These percentage incidences ere not very accurate and are not really comparable, hut they do illustrate the grave hazard which existed at Wlttenoom compared with the general mining industry. The following are the particulars of cases of industrial disease detected at Wlttenoom since 1956* The list is complete as far as our records go, hut there may be a few cases diagnosed elsewhere who were not essoined under either of the relevant Mining Acts and therefore not brought to our notice* Gone newly diagnosed cases of Silicosis are not included because of previous lengthy gold-mining history which could reasonably be held responsible* There have also been a few cases of workers developing pulmonary tuberculosis without Silicosis or Ashestogie, but their number docs not suggest any particular hazard at wittonoom, other than that associated with mining in general. 9 Cb *-3 a X o> o< <s> < o' a 5 3 O *J o P X9(f tf O HO O o*W 9 O ** <go i:-"gss R0O B 1 o+a& 32a8S Ovf&O a. vw a -^sri OflO e* o s.aag's* CO o 2<0*5Bfna o s*n 6 6 M 03 VfiO * W- ss.sg'ss isss QBO Q W W 0*tQ. < pO%M*1 saHb" ah p a _ p i*o*o H5B0 4d.0 <7 9 9 fib I HVD c* O 0 ^ 9 95 P 9cV-P4 0cS P P a P fc* 0 5 pr pOHOn O cV9*Hg p 3HP?8O P O H3*S * tf. SOTPCQ 3 P n QP 3 1*0 O 3 3 B> 9 p *3 U* V- HO * 3p P C* P P * ffl a 3 s8* n H W H a. >3 ?to a 3 S 9 tt tf O 9 H d ?0 a* p p Baa c* P* H*0.0, p f*0 t~ft p o no <***<73 * 3 n <0 *O*HeP+OM& o *i3 0,8 V*1 H*< S3 <+0 H P 3T P a. * Kf <B h-Oh*3 O p- H O 33^0 B cV cv*< a Rfl ** oa> h-st & * s& p a ** - ^ _o v nO oCft h pa* {*3 a V* r*i 4=r << a a (v a 9 p >1 pap O 0^0 3S H> H M >a ? A o *P ON >-P 03 VI a *a 3 >p * 00 as * H H > O >o a -*V* s'?-* Vd a^ so a H9 > P9 ?"5 >-K as I as ** I fe. 5 > > I a& 9 0a + o 9 * o' 9O * a 8K <& > I *I o 9 a n a i \J4 t S>*| 3S S*M. x o3 P* c>0 O h a o * BO>B< n 3 <3 H*<5 Wp W *1 WM t-- <* 9 Q. MC-bOn B.O 0aSffo9*Mfc 0W*. 0t9fHO m*x3ooa ^CVOfflO *Cd * Vp* s 3 3><t a*, >o#* _3SW pp P o POP o a> o tfnt no *0*0 P P-X * a c+ c*CJ ffl op p o st P w .*. * 9 O SSiSis 9 H\JlO P H&tf *op h* a(VO9 4 &* 5 a> g P Pm 9 p o*a Papa CV _ o *P ff> o CTO paa w o cv n a 3> ,* 0 40 0 3cf*alMM3 a o cd gs.^ no ^ o. a vo cvtj* **sj P 3_ Vn sisr (DPP oo CV p H* H* aP o \si e*> 3* i VO o\ o t ^4 n-. h i '* DISTRICT HOSPITAL ____ mooomE............ ......: Date .15th January, MEMORANDUM* Dr. A* King, The Director, Tuberculosis,Control Breach, 17 Murray Street, JSSS* i- i Periodical cheat x-ray exawlTifttiow cf waHW at the Australian Bits Asbestos la 1955 dladeaaA w #r: r cases of Aebcstosls. although there ore omnl an ntoto x-rays mat he considered suspect. Thone whose t*wye are considered suspicious of Atibestosls will he examined again in i960. The length of exposure of workers contracting Aebeetosie or Silicosis is meh shorter than ttsqparably employed men in the gold-mining industry and the extent of disease la greater. The small number of sorters and the extremely high labour turnover make tbla less obvious. Ttere are a number of puzzling'and disquieting featuree. In several Instances Agbestosle has been diagnosed in underground workers although the disease had been considered peculiar to the Rill. One neskcr of the train crew underground, not usually at great dust risk, has what appears to be a mixture of Silicoeia, Asbestoei and possibly Tuberculosis. An exunderground shift boss, now an underground supervisor, has an abnormal chest x-ray and asbestos bodies in his sputum. The Wines Department has permitted me to inspect the results of their periodical dust counts. It is obvious that the new Mill ie a great improvement on the old Mill and thpt conditions underground have also improved. It is too early to tell whether the new Mill will be responsible for fresh cases of industrial chest diseases or not. The disquieting features about the dust counts are two fold: - 1) The rock mined la apparently highly silicious and therefore particularly dangerous. The dust counts are on a par with the figures for the gold mines. Should they not have a much higher standard to aim at in view of the dangerously high silica content and the additional asbestos risk? -A ( JHoHyfrR: wi DISTRICT HOSPITAL ..................'EALGOOSIiIS. Sate ........ .. 30tfc,,.9ffiteftViW.Ar.J Dr# A. Slog, Director, Perth Chest Clioio, 17 Afurray Street, * ........... W.A Dear Dr. King* Doa informs me that you wish an estimate of the incidence of asbestos is in the industry. Your recent answer to questiooo in the Legislative Assembly ,j contains all the information available; ie. > 5 out of 25h workers were diagnosed as suffering -% from Asbestosis or roughly #5#. in an X-ray survey which included all the workers at Wittenoom. fr* AH the workers in the Asbestos industry will be X-rayed J again early in 195^ and it should be possible to gain a more reliable indication of the incidence of Asbestoeis. ^ If the Kloe Workers* Relief Act is amended I will re-- classify, after a clinical examination, the previously diagnosed oases# Yours sincerely. DDL. JMeC aiv apii Sr. D. i&cqueen, !l TTfltOCK. Dear Vr. zCacqucen, Uih July, Oust before 1 left lttenons, the wife of this patient approached e* and aufced me shout thlo sen's cheat x-ruya. I told her 2 would reriew the* end it Z bad anything pertinent to write 2 should contact you. I am hoping to rerlc hie recent films *<J some et the Cheat Clinic ith hr. McWulty in the near future. He, I hepe, will oend dorm the fJlojs troa ieUgoorlit Sifllrlct Hospital. After *c hove seen them together 1 shall to you again. tours truly. A30IC7&I TJB^NCUL0S1S PHYSIC! iH. DDL.JoC Air bail Dr. 7). Wacour^n, WITTKROOH. IVa r Jtr. tCaequeen , U%h July, *958. You will recall that we eaw this man' e x-ray together and that, in addition to bilateral nodulatlon typical or aillcowie, he had a mosa in the right loftr zone. X would appreciate it if you would repeat >< 17" x 14" fils and send it down to me with a minimum ot delay. X expect to be able to see all bio films with frr. IlcKulty when be comes down free Kalgoorlie in a week1 time. Yours truly. XSSI START WBBKCWIrOStS PHYS1CIAB ' *- i DDh.JMcC X f 14 th-July,-1956. Dr. J. McNulty, Chest Physician, District Hospital, KALGOORLIK. Dear Jim, By now X hope you have got over the initial shock of ay request for 49 sets of films* I would like to add one more - that of 42061, I have asked Dr. Macqueen to take another x-ray following the one taken at Wtttenoom two weeks ago. There is, in addition to typical silicotic nodules throughout the lung fields, a mass at the right base which is more than Just an accentuation of broncho- vascular markings. The films of ahich I have asked you to send down bo that we can review them together, are particularly interesting. In addition to haziness at both bases, nodules are apparent); in both upper sons a and he has a large mass in the right upper to mid zone. Dr. Macqueen told me that a biopsy of this mass was taken at Hollywood. This revealed carcinoma of the lung and silicosis. ven if ashestoeis were absent, X do feel that a biopsy in either lower lobe, would indicate its presence. X do hope that you can manege to send the majority of these films down. It will be a golden opportuni; to read them together on your way to or from Melbourne. J Indeed, if it suits you better, we could make it a day he for? a day on your way to Melbourne and a day on your way back. < X think that between us *e could well plan a survey of the asbestos industry in Western Australia and i Wittenoom is an obvious starting point. ( Yours sincerely, J ASSISTANT TVimncuLOsxs physician. S' r-: Ni . Vy 9 ^ \V JMcK/PR: DISTRICT HOSPITAL .........KALGQQEXJK*____ _ Date.......... 9.th....cruly.,.295S-. Dr. D.D. Letham, Assistant Tuberculosis Physician * Perth Chest Clinic, 17 Murray Street, PERTH W.A. Dear Don, Already we have found three definite cases of Asbestos is and still quite a few cases unreviewed. * I will travel down by train arriving iPerth Friday morning 18th July and seek you at the Clinic soy about 10 a.ra. (After Breakfast.) We will be able to spend as much time as you wish. Will you please send up your list of suspect films so that I can be sure to bring them to Perth. Mark the envelope *Not to be opened* and I won't touch it until our review is complete. I don't anticipate much disagreement anyway. I will forward our X-rays by ordinary mail in plenty of time and bring our records with me. Kind regards, A J. McNulty. CHEST PHYSICIAN. I DPUGC 1/ Pr. J. Mellulty, Chest Physician, District Hospital, KALOOOH1IB. 28th April, 1958 * Diar Jim, You will by now have received my letter regard ing the patient with ? asbestoais. I have asked Ur. Woolcott to send you up the relative references. I have both Volumes I and II of Pneumo coniosis Abstract and I shall send these to you. Yours sincerely. / ASSISTANT TUBERCULOSIS PHYSICIAN *\ i- r~* 4> 3 o O 2 >. fa fa +* -4 V* W O H4 3 co w *-< < 03 C ffi eo irS ci r~4 f t -r4 fa A <7 O Vt *- 0 4* A fa at e V* l - --- w fa o -H fa C > o *H O h3 O E -3 4 4 c D IS T R IC T , HOSPITAL h-i * O A *CcaJ; o O f-4 OO cu s o H CG + /-* H ` c a Q wa o4 f>fi fe A a AB * <-' O + 4> ;> B fa co 4* rJ C C r* <<> fa C <> 9-4 C fa 55 Sfi C O + M C *> *-* e 4 3 Vt -4 rH O fa O P > c ra S4 > *-* oo Q t r-4 > 3o +D4 **+ > V* x: r-* 4S x: 3 +> E fa -H J3 > O -* t *J 3 4* a o o SI + O-H f- Vl -< 4> C3 WJ= M O -H I S!>4 +> 0 P-a fi O JZ + O u u * * c fa Oo O %-4 Q -4 o fa fa X! A 4 A r Q -4 J*S> o fa t. a < a*^ c fa a p *o h *-4 O3 OO 3= * r4 o *wJ- hi ai nj COPY kOYAL RIATH nOOPITXL P. April, 1^53- Dr. 1. HenzelX, Commissioner of Public Health, Public Health Department 57 Hurray street, PCTTH. \7. A* Dear Dr* Kenzell, i^'grfe -i<~-. ...--j pPyf-.^ v j-- .* _ *A In September las i year patient.* * v;as admitted at Wooroloo with tuberculosis of the right upper lobe, the'previous five y.Arr. he had worked ni. the asbestos pines in kittenoom Gorge. Recently thoracotomy v?ns done and the specimen of the right upper lobe w.-xc; received in my Dc2>artwant on the 2hth Kerch- Apart from tuberculous lesions, acbestosis is present and severe squamous metaplasia of part of the lining of one of the bronchioles* In other words, we see in one section together tlie damage done by asbeotosio, thp complicating tuberculosis which although, not ns common with this form o.r pneumoconiosis ns with silicosis, ic still roll known to occur and the squamous metaplasia which night bo the precursor of bronchial carcinoma which is known from experience elsewhere to occur at a higher rate in ashest03 workers than in a control group* ` I have boon informed that the working condition." in T/ittcnoom arc appalling, and thought the matter of sufficient importance to bring to your attention. 1 am afxv\i<l that if no stops are made to improve the working conditions we will see in the near future a considerable amount of asbestosis with or without complicating tubercle and. possibly s rise in lung cancer amongst those workers v/ithin the next ten years. that this will involve the State in considerail e expense in compensation money is self evident, and although in my opinion of lees importance than the human suffering involved, might be a more important argument for the Departments concerned to do some thing about the matter. Yours sincerely, (Sgcl.) R.S.J. ton SEXDAh Professor' of Pathology. - 1 GOVERNMENT OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA. hs ST^rf I'WiSK: Vo^ftnlns At. (fiiff to 'it " iitiiig'-.ftu. *iSoh1` Un pai'ii. . J5?A OFFICE OF THE STATE MINING ENGINEER Mir^es DEPARTMENT CENTRAL GOVEHNMi-M LUlLi'sJJOL Perth......... .X&5X*... j'N / ,>i i' j > -1 ' * - . W Cd ! . 1 1/ The Commissioner of Public Health, wm*. I have to schno^ledy/?. with receipt of your memo of the l<5th instant, enclosing 'capj of * minute from or. KSnj de scriptive of asbestosis. This minute has been carefully peruoed, with ^reat interest, by our technical officers end it appears th;;t will levs to .watch this problem closely, with the assistance and op-operation of thc^ %* CO'VAonv/ealth Health Laboratory. Incidentally, Lr. King refers thro.rivout hir, iminute to chryaotile asbestos only, which is a hydrated silicate of ^jr.es:a, whereas our greatest problem ot the snoawnt is with crccidolite, which is a silicate of iron end sous. It is, however, very Jailor to chrysMiVin its fibrous nature arid it is predated tint continued inhalation of the "1 i J - - ) PHD.618/45 ....... - &r .......................................................................... U5/03 10t!f December, 1951* tew mnm skci^taky fop tahtes. ^ r.'ith reference to your me^oraruUim or `he .?5th October, coneernine aeboatosls, the enclose* comments hors been prepared by Dr. Alan Kinr;, the Director of the Tuberculosis Control Branch, for your information. % Enelos. 1 LIITL-TY inII/.KDD CQtcmSlEITgS 0 KTiLXC HEALTH v * t r*;:? :n S "4 , '-*.5* V 2 diaphragm and a felted or "porcupine" appearance at the periphe*. of the cardiac silhouette, the last caused 'ey the pleuroperi*- * cardial adhesions. The onset of the disease is insidious with gradual increase in cough, expectoration, dyspnea, loss of weight and, * in time, inability to work. The physical examination is not revealing. Wood and Gioyne draw attention to a peculiar earthy complexion of the face and a slight, violet tinge in the cheeks and lips of some individuals. Occasionally* asbestos corns, occur in the skin of the hands caused by the penetration of asbestos fibres into the superficial epidermis. __It takes, jjon the average, between f ive'\o^ t^iTyGHrs'-fo-r- [/asbestosis to develop, although it may occur in*as short a period as two years where working conditions arc bad. Whether the disease can progress after contact is broken with asbestos dust is still unsettled. Death results from tuberculous or nontuberculous infection, congestive heart disease or other intercurrent diseases. The measures listed for the prevention of silicosis apply also to asbestosie. T i> -*1 'A JX /~r t-- i : 3 DIRECTOR. ?m$nCbl>BIS CONTROL BRANCH. X Reference: `Diseases of the Chest* - Rubin. 'Dust and its Effects on the Respiratory System * Gill. GE. 16.11.51. i a -*S K'.i " '?i .' ) *** V r-. -* Asbestos!s RECORD Asbestos is a hydrated silicate of magnesium in cochin*' tion with traces of iron, .7)1 cicely calcium and aiuminum. the substance is mined in many parts of the world, including Canada, where most of the American supply (ebrysotile) is obtained. Mined asbestos comes in long, thin, fibrous strands which can be spun or woven. Its pliable texture and high resistance to heat and chemicals make asbestos an important industrial product in the manufacture of mattresses, brake-lining, fire-proofins material, electrical insulation, in jacketing boilers and steam pipes, and in a variety of building fixtures. Although the duet hazard associated with the asbestos industry does not nearly com pare in prevalence with that of the silic^indus'tfy'T^htj -rapi^ growth of the former puts ashestosis among the important forms of dust diseases. Inhaled asbestos fibres range in size from 10 to 200 microns or more. The duet given off from asbestos during indus trial operations consists mostly of small fragments of fibres from 1 to 10 microns long and under 2 microns diameter, together with longer pieces up to 50 or 60 microns, and particles 0.5 to 0-?5 mci'ons diameter. the action on the lungs is mechanical rather than chemical. The large particles, unable to enter the alveoli, lodge in the lumen and obstruct the respiratory bronchiol* Atelectasis of the distal alveoli is followed by a fibrotio ve&ir.u in the collapsed tissue. tfonobstmooted alveoli undergo comper.* satory emphysema. Contrary to that seen in silicosis, there is practically no nodulation unless silica is mixed with the asbestos dust. The hilar lymph nodes are not much enlarged for the rcaeon that the lymphatics are not actively engaged in the pathologic process. The gross appearance of the lung Is characterized by scattered areas of diffuse fibrosis, affecting chiefly the lower lobes, emphysema of the uninvolved parts? and :.nuense pleuritic. Depending on the extent of coexisting anthracosic and silicosis, there are associated changes and pigmentation of the lungs end lymph nodes. Infection with pyogenic organisms and tubercle bacilli modify the pathology. Tuberculosis has been found in about one-third of the autopsied cases, but there is some doubt as to whether asbestos!s per se favors the development of tuber4 culosie, or whether vulnerability to tuberculosis is primarily due to poor working conditions and incidental factors. A striking feature of the pathology is the presence of "asbestos bodies" seen on histologic examination of lung tissue. These golden yellow or brown bodies have been shown by Gloyne to be composed of a central core of asbestos fibres, covered by a layer of iron-containing material which is believed to be de rived from blood pigment of the tissues. Asbestos bodies may be found in the sputum of asbestos workers, hut their presenter does not necessarily indicate lung disease. They vary consicur ably in shape, and are from 24 to 60 microns long ana 12 to microns diameter, gel den-yellow .in colour. The roentgen auponranee of early afebcctosis is nor. re vealing. Advanced disease 0/ ten shows disliiityaichins char.-ct'-r is tics. The fine pulmonary fibrosis, patchy areas of inter spersed emphysema and overlying -clouritir are reflected votnx- genologically in 0 "ground-vl?no" a are aranee of n uniform q ur.fi if in places shov/ingdenser opacities .vbich, however seldom Ksyi.\?j -- 4 --1 \ A 1 r~n nnt he lum-1!*  TF? /CJ . f"( mmww.i K*t<s. ns ""l IN REPLY Pi_ASEQUOTe sy 45/1_____ COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA DPARTMETNT OF HEALTH co *>* m omvt ai.y m h rAt th t. KALGOOSUC -t o sjv ....... 30th.-.. October, 19 _^3Pr-**T ;-3 v?i ?** LJ * . -m i5< 1 . .t s.*4 3* Ur. A. icing, Tuberculosis Control Branch, 17 Iturray Street, " ft .T H. V/. A Bear Br - Kins', Your He fere nee FKD . 6b/4SAustralian 2 ue Asbestos King. Kb miner vrag diagnosed as si-1 icotic lollov, inrj the visit of the Mobile Laboratory in July, 1951 > Tnere v;erc nine cases diagnosed as F plus All these had been go diagnosed before com::.encir.& work at Vittenoom - they had ell been some tir-e in t// industry in other localities, except an engineer* This man, who had been longest on the mine had been some five years acting as engineer and supervisor. The increased carking in this ease may v-eii have a cardiac basis* % Tne next longest period was another engineer, *ho h&ci so.?> two years - three had been only twelve months and two others about twenty months- * It doec hot appear tnat any of these men show increased Barkings as a result of cirestoa Yours fai fclifuiiy, 3.P&U. 10 (T. . Tighe) w** trough , (S-S- Alexander*. gic;i_ c??ico:>l:-c^Ahgs 7 gC / /. < .* ' ///' ran.6i8A8 Your Ref: 816/51 \T3I>/0 26th October, 19131 With reference to your memorandum of the 27th September, 1951* ,, i^ _ In the'Tabulation of Dust Coxmts* from v.lttenoom -*> forwarded under your memo, of 21 at September, it io -'Ts assumed that the counts refer to p.p. o.c. The upper permissible limit of asbestos dust for a work!ng atjnosphere ia 176 p.p.c. c. It will be noted that many of the count3 are far in excess of this* The method of count io unknown and although there is no known really satisfactory method it is highly probable that the one us*5d excluded many Ion" fibre0 from the count because of their reluctance to enter a mchino of the Wat8on Konimeter type* Unlike normal silicosis v?lire snail particles are the danger the main hazard In asbestools is from the longer fibres and these will probably be in excess of anything indicated in the counts* Aobeofcosis produces more rapid fibrosis of the lung than silicosis and is more liable to superimposed infection. It ia therefore ex>p&rent cr. the data submitted that conditions arc fra' from satisfactory, and in the interest of the health of the workers, this Department must investigate the matter furt3\er and prccs for imodiute jLr.-rprovement of supervision and working conditions at V'ittonoom, M { .. -,vc` >.*1 ' V Government of Western Australia. Ifl>***.^ *** el Ibeir WlnJt by: ^ Oo6sio( Neb lu*t lo an r*r. -i WiiUsi * c*s *34e oolr of ibe ppr. Mines department, CCNTAAk OOVEANMILNT 0UMLDIWCS, Perth............ AHT/VB 6ld/tf camiss ICN3K of public hsat/j?H: .0 $* s '<> V ^ 4 ?3> A I shall be glad of a reply to my memo of the 27M^mh ultimo, wherein I asked that if available you mi^ht supply this Department with any information you hove on the esbestosis hazard* -'*I'' *u 'a Our Ref. PHD. 6l8/h8. AX. G. 15th October, 1931* Dr* S. S. Alexander, Uedical Officer-in-Charge, Comonv/ealth Health laboratory, * KALOOSttLIB. Vi. A.. ...-.rr*--* Dear Dr. Alexander, Your File 15/1, Report 51/95. Australian Blue Asbestos Kino. 1 he Department of Public Health is par ticularly interested in the uoasible development of asbestos!s in the above miners. Dr. Uemtell has requestbd me to write to you to see if it is possible for me to see the x-ray films of the asbestos minors who show any departure from the normal in the way of any developing asbestosis or silicosis. Would it,, therefore, be possible for you to let us borrow the films of those miners in whom a diagnosis of silicosis has beeVi made following a previous diagnosis of a normal film and also those films in which there has been any progressive increase of silicosis? If possible, but not essential at this stage, we would be interested in the mining history. Yours sincerely. nyii -J Ifi Government of western Australia. **t+* * rU-sKi** ^U4<' !* uBsf(Mn l iM!l*r bucm(fee>>U' lk( Conflnlnf >eti Me to *. Wriiinc n or iMe **lr * b pnr. -- MINES DEPARTM ENT, CtNTRAL (SovCRNMfNT QUIlOlNCS, Perth........... Jifcft;. ftc tQb.e*'j......\. 19.. ii 1 The Commissioner of I-ublic Health, Public Health department. Hurray Street, pisjmi. . tv - *. 7' V* * v*>.. As requested by telephone, 2 rnclooo: hsrewi 11 eopi of reports received from the Commonwealth health Laboratory,^ Kalgoorlie, regarding examinations carried out at Uittenoom Oorgc by this department's Mobile X-P-ay Unit. COPmYmm.* CO!.m:.TVTK ir ' ? J /. >.', -J ., u&o:i. q\)KY. /:AiGoorvLj:; HIKE V/OR}C,i^' HELIiiF ACT, 193^-X^O. 1 J r File Mo. ti5/lrr* Report Ho. 51/97. ^4 ) ( Covering period from KS-SXAimiKIgS. wittenoona Gorge. jtHZrbfyraa&r**-, 1951. Australian Blue Asbestos iaii i let July, 1951, to 16th July, 1951. Present Diagnosis. ! Normal, etc. 2. Silicosis 1* 5. " 1} Silicosis 2. 5. 6. 7. Silicosis plus Tuberculosis. *6. 9. " 10. Tuberculosis. Previous Diagnosis. I^ormal etc* M Silicosis 1. Normal, etc.' Silicosis 1. Silicosis 2* , formal etc. Silicosis 1. Silicosis 2. Normal, etc. Total ti Pepor 117. Total. U7. *5 4 M -* *"T -\ ; J * rn *Tt fcE J u VUi't coamf.WALTH Ki;j/ra jj^oiUtory, iovlgoopjj::-;. MIKES J^GULaTIC^ ACT, 1906. RESULTS OP P;C/diXHATIQH -- PGRLIGHTLY REPORTS. KB-BXAMir-nsas.,- Pile Ko. ^5/1. Report *o. 51/9&* Covering period from - Jtfittenaaa, Gnrga-- 3rd September, 195i* 1st July, 1951# to 16th July, 1951* PIAGiTOSIS. Total thi s Report. 1. Normal 2. Pneumoconiosis (Increased Fibrosis)* 3. Miner's Phthisis Early (Silicosis l) * 23 2 fi. Miner's Phthisis Advanced (Silicosic 2) 5. Query Tuberculosis. 6. Tuberculosis. 7. PneumoconiosiepluB Query Tuberculosis. 8. Pneumoconiosis plus Tuberculosis. 9. Miner's Phthisis Early PlusQueryTuberculosis. 1 10. Miner's Phthisis Early plus Tuberculosis. 11. Miner's Phthisis Advanced plus Query Tuberculosis. 12. Miner's Phthisis Advanced plus Tuberculosis. 13. Other conditions. 0 To tals. 30 COMMOIWdALTH KviAi'/Jli LAbORATORT. KALGOORLID > Mines Kalgoorlie. 3rd Septembe Re-examinees* LflAn-nAnm Report K-Ql_' 5l/_9iL Details of cases v/ho were re-examined under the Minos Regulation Act, and refused Initial Certificates, Pneumoconiosis, " _9. . 3?03i_ Mill in*7ton C VVittenoom. F. it Silicosis Karlv olus Ouerv TtiherrnlacIr, Form Q. 28316 Reid R. Wittenoom. "Other Conditions" Form o. ^68lii Reject k. ___ saz - Snm? ./alsh IK G*1.. Y/ittenoora, it The above whose names are underlined received as before the special certificate Pom ,,9n. (sgd.) S.3, Alexander, mmc.ib OFFI<Z&-lX-c'iiA*rvz. Deputy Director, Commonwealth Department of Health V/BST^RIT AUSTRAY.T U. 1 copy. COi.iMCS? JuAl*Tn tv'.*iLV H LABORATOR x, XALGOORLIE * T-^ * -\+ 1 "1 ' l. ! r--r%- MINES REGULATION ACT, 19U6. RESULTS OF EXAMINATION -- FORTNIGHTLY REP0RT3 H' E "LAPP L I OA N '.Vittenoom Gorge. 3rd September, 1951- Plle No. ii5/l Report No. 51/95* Covering period from 1st July, 1951- to l6th July, 1951* Diagnosis Total Ihis Report. 1. Normal. % 2. pneumoconiosis (Increased Fibrosis) 62 1 3. Miner's Phthisis Early (Silicosis i) Miner's Phthisis Advanced (Silicosis 2) 5 Query Tuberculosis. 6. Tuberculosis. ?. Pneumoconiosis plus Query Tuberculosis. 8* Pneumoconiosis plus Tuberculosis. 9 . Miner's Phthisis Early plus Query Tuberculosis. ia Miner's Phthisis Early plus Tuberculosis. 11. Miner's Phthisis Advanced plus Query Tuberculosis. 12. Miner's Phthisis Advanced plus Tuberculosir.. 13* Other Conditions , Totals 66 ~ > COPY, * CpmOR.te#Lm 3L*LTH LABORATORY. KALCrOORLIE. Kalgoorlie. Septetnber> 19: _ Mines Regulation A'cTf, .....*........M""....."illlM......*.............................. Mm iM * HEg/ APPLICANTS, ftddenaum Report No, 51/95, Details of cases who were refused Initial Cer tificates under Mines Regulation Act, Pneumoconiosis, Reject i*. i<138l| "Other Conditions" MartindaJ. T. V/ittenoom. < Reject if* - ij. " k. " ii. " k. ijX385 1*1386 W390 i*li*02 UlkkO Nai Albex*t Walker Szemraj Cappa F. T.J. 34. J.J. Wittenoom. k 1* u % (sgd.) S .3. Alexander. MEDICAL 0PFIC3R-IH-CHARGS The Deptuy Director, Commonwealth Department of Health, VreaTSRlJ AUSTRALIA. h t^ *A Jl .s y.p. i* Government of Western AusTR.AUAr'^" Corri)k' >nt vlM great*}' tatiljuie (t / lhe/e 4i<!/*<*> b/: tfv taticr to "* *(> Writing oo eo *>4t olj 1 tte yap*'. Mines department, Cg.jTRAt. GovERNMCNT UiuO<NG6. ,, o, \v o Perth.............,,_?Mr.SS.RSS.!*.S:;t9 y COMMISSIONER OP PUBLIC HEALTH: ", / *- -- -: -( *1 ' i .j v..-l --i Further to my memo, of the' 21et instont in regard to blue Bsbestos deposits, I would suggest that you might moke available to this Department any infonnetiou you may hove on the esbestosis hazard, which you state is grfester than that ot silicosis. This Department*s technical officers think that such hazard at Wittenoom would exist rather in the mill than underground, where all boring is done in siliceous rock rather than in the asbestos itself, and where very little fibrous materiel was found on the micro-slides*. 1 -Si 5 i ;j r-' v< ', ?* 13 GOVERNMENT OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA. 1ft TfTi'jice pi tartquwe t. Corre*p*~4tlol* will sro'ly (aciliUU *J | tbs trasiactiftn sf thi> bmions h*: **" Coe6nc ft<ii tft Wrili&K #b s *t4*.o)y of lb* pswr. MINES DEPARTMENT. CENTRAL GOVgO*-MtNT QUILOINGS, AKT/VD Tic/si Perth -....... 21at..e pte mh.er.,... 1a $ I OOMMISSrCMSR 0? PUBLIC HEALTH2 ,1 l-- I would acknowledge receipt of your memo* of the 17th instent, PHD. 618A8* * As desired X sttech a copy of the dust counts end the temperature readings mentioned in' paragraph 1 of * Inspector Falchney's report previously supplied to you. % 4-i -i .v, 1 i * i "'I J u/w / > Ltr UN&5R StiORBTARY gPRJMIKSS v P!iD.6ieAs Your Per: Si 8/31 'x --------)m 051 i? til/1J$ 17th pter.'ibo r, VJ3 's *--< UTOSn ffCRKTAftY FOR tTXff^S I must-thank you for you,'* memo rand usa.. of tlife-^1,ot August in which you enclosed a copy of a rcvox't of the Assistant V- -fttilotion Inspector eo*icorning the Australian Blue Asbestos liinfi at Vfittenoom Gorge. UJ It would be appreciated if you could Iso t me have a cosy of the dust counts and the te,'s;>ci'at</re read!ago men .ionsO in paragraph * of Inc/>K:tor />uicV.hfty, n renort. un reading* this report it is noted that the amount of dust particles in the area is h.i.;;h Hn<l lh u t the ventilation or this mine needs more supervin ion It it* to bo noted that the a-ca in the vicinity of the treatment plant is still very dusty. The interest of thin department is to he understood when it is realised thali-he imaarO from asbestos in <1 * considerably greater than that from silica and that Sri t*e have reason to believe that attention to this aspect of mining operations at ' ittenoom nos been inadequate in th<? past. i M _i LI1TLKY KYHXLL coMMissibH n of pu.^ic hba if / *, * KG). 618/48 -- L-Vnaft*. - . ^ ... ^s=s_ 24th Auguot* 1951 THE UNDER SECRETARY POP KIKES. Have you received any reports recently from your District Inspector of Winces and from the Dust inspector with reference to the Australian Blue Asbestos mine at vittenoom Gorge? According to reports received by this Departjnent from other sources the dust `hazard remains unabated. I,UTLEY HFIUELL co;sy,isr5io;:.:n ov fitaic IiEALTH --1*2* . > 1 GOVERNMENT OF WESTERN ftAUUSTRALIA:' _ "ill Ue>tiu>' ,6* ir*HtnMe of <6/r K*; CccSsJDf **d> tew** U o r", ^filial * oo4 i* *0)7 of Ui *.p*f cc:r:~:t MCNES DEPARTMENT, CUifuM. <oANwsNr Blhi^sn<ss.^,; ' - .. i PERTH..........12...;:. V s 'V :hA ... /*>*. V/' Iu_-\ / *., c? HTrrio *>. f. >~>__ -A./ .... -'i ;j i . .1 k*MB "li 4V. V' - -I ,: i W-^ \ l * 'i si -'t X ^ cu itf a c ?cr> c / 2 1-o r >* c : A -t f, f "c u r n?r<o. o 7 . t ? 2t|th instsot, snc r-ttacfc *'ci* yonr .i i'f co-sic-ti..n c^p:r o' report o' Assistant. Vent Hr* Sion Inspector ?r-ic^v>rsj- re*hstit^ to Austrslisn 31 ue Asbeatc o :'in? *t 71 i ic-oc-ox* Gor^e, which b?t nov? been received. As a result o*? 7r. ''s icin'?:* *r visit a foil-tins ventilation ofTicor tass been y; vcinte-l by the nass^f-n^n t nbicb should hs"ve the effect c? tsc:htentn u-? the mo?rvi?`.ov- of ventilation. The uistjin t In.?'cies o' ;'1 no:*, Xa<:>*:ctcr Kill ts):e the necessary option c?;llo<: "or urr^r the 2"'.* -rl.iz' r.f \W\ o o. 0:0* :iIAV- kI ? A] --i---1- j -j ; i i r *! e( ii f? :> ii i.i i.< I < T* - * '* 1. . a* >>11,1,1,1111^1,1^^ I j:!vr;hnMn^|IS' ***! f( boring, th<* rricki :v* :nin*v anveavoor:; not to or".- i" tU< f1 b r ;s nd t ku s hi a - ub J :: n t <: v ry ] *1' 11: * t - * c ' * hi - 1 fibre. ?iv country roc'r r.V:*-:?;> f;b) i . : c; : ** r variously ; .. >* i--n*ruv,J.no-*: ... v:;i *,c o r r: c.,1 both e>f v;l: ich vocUl* hnv- u silic" . The hiyh temp'rstores hrr.sur-d *. crUir?;;* places in the mine con be attributed ;v*ln3y to u.c i-ectorc. * (!) ?b? l*ck of the u*e of *te-r cn the rsUfi, teito, r.nd fpcee, of tor kins plicc-s, and on the broken dirt r-it\Ytr left or beinr-: bcyrrcd* (2) The neglect by miners tv keep the venturi cloths up tc the working places, end r. lack of supervision in this matter. It is f>lt that vent list! on cenritions sen^rnlly vrcetld be inpoved by attention to the abo* e ratters. Vh 0' naVr in the mine could h* achieve! if a process of fibrr.dryine- ;:$$ incorporated in tfcs? tr''*Sy?nt plant. Sinee ny visit to the nirr, the Jenior lnny.ee tor o*'' f-n?r; has been advised that :`r. i". kekaheo has b*-n ppnointed Vs n till, ticn Officer attmiKld tc tiy* comrony. It is hcpio that this appointment Mil have the ef'I? : ; of im\'ro*'in supervision, r*nd installation of ventilating r.pplisno^s. , , ,.n > > .'XV - - ?i>ichney (t-vcl .-t** .. O* T?Tir-;f> 3l Kk vietori duets sad cloth were not euspoaded*to\tbe Valle and to nest esses en! lying o tlw`-rioor-,*o^r<fe-'o*friftj!vwCloths were not up to tbe working ?nee and In do oaae acre they nearer then 15 ft. and this distooce Varied, being up to approximately 70 ft- in the Ho. i* Drive on the Upper Sean,. The selection of the position of .tbe electricians, used In ventilating ghe working face in develotBKQt ^&Ss^^n some ces'e was poor. In the particular -crtird;#?*&t^2`thrive'<41* fen is ahead of an opening to . iheoperaseiji&hdStb&kp0ilsesa tbe air to be recirculated- The ventilsting of a topes ^c1 of secondary mechanical ventilation Is urged V^er^ode auction of tbe slope la advanced rwre theo 10 ft. past, thc gcoerel face of the atope. yentllatlcn Officer; At the tine of ray visit the surveyor ass filllog $fee position of vent!Islion officer. The appointment of a eiwaneot officer is a necessity. Ventilation cn this nine needs more, eupervisjoa rfs evtderc ed \y the incorrect eeiecHoo of*Tah asHTo sisneed stove. The recording of temperaturea and action necessary a hen they ere found to be too great, la of great Importance, and if possible, fast samples should be taken, lior* supervlelon should be given by shift-bosses so the for keeping venturi cloths up to the face, and the co-operation of the miners also obtained. "lanti By comparing, the results of dust samples token furing tbid visit with those token by i;r. tioyd in Septerser 1950, it will be seen that conditions have improved. The iiapowrasnS is robebly due to the installation of a Tman dust collector aet), and fans which exhaust to atmosphere above the ralll build ing. * .......... .......... " Tbe ar*s in the vicinity of the treatment plant appears rJvery dusty sod is probably due to the exhaust, from the fans in be plant, drifting dove or being forced down by tbe wind. Tbe situation of the plant In re*pect to the salla-of the gorge nay cruse the wind to bear douo.) It was sugccsted that raore lengths of ducts would carry tbe exhaust dost higher and in ` ease erasure eliminate the dust nuisance. :v, Chaogehoase; Beve?B i drewih^c of changerrests as lo use in Xelgocrlle were obtained and suerlied to the rains superintendent. They war discussed 8rtJ ineohnotien retired was eboplitd. The present ehengereom appears to be tec small for the number of men osln* it snd another building sill be r*'* aired. The selection of a * site for the new chaogeroem seeras to be the najor problem. , . ... General: V' -sXHpft ' vf *1 j 2+ and the treatment ptent, the noont*-of`fibre'vValbVe'vis^very small. Some samples s;-'sr te k**e no fibre ?r.fi?nt end's a estimate oC' the "re',n;6'*-r of '`Jhre pr^c^nt in th? sir :eold be v*rr difficult to '* Tbe dowel e;*n.rnt *v.ce*` :r-.: Ubin c?- 'v?r;;'* cf 7 high hy G ft. 4itt an - corv>n ont- a total of - in?bee of In a height 0*" 18 t 2% inch's. This rivefi about 2.5;, by.;re'o' OC fi*rb* StCB. _. * nereeInntasretopo?4' ffaibcereo tratskeewn 3toft3.<*. 6 inches high . % end*'8 f fcrYi*i; #*%*.* 44 % 7 V ?tlgK .,v 4. wsv **' .*.' A--S,.2 T ^-rOov?r' v"t 'el 'rjSjz:'-. .*!, *e* m tis&m ftSSJ* vT^-r^ r ?>,{ fr^V^lV t>*V;i^i***r`*.- C ff. y-,u yi. iw: I'loes Department, ''-ttizz . rwO.QOOa.I3. _ . :21ot August 1?51.' ** State Uiblns Sogineer, * Mines Department, BSIETR. .- -.x*. . , ; ;*.r'.C ;;<^ # * - Mtr*un Blue Asbestos Hlha ^%iitenpcn A Visit *eo made to the Blue Asbestos T.td. et vuttenoon, *.nJFvJhale treatment plsnt inepectefl. Tho e tt8^ea^6oegS^^V^~the.>; o tion of dust counts and tempore ture In conjuration with the ventilation officer^f-the mine en sir curve*' *as completed end the sccompooyine } ** SmcKena volume of airflow, temperature resfil^G. and aust counts recorded in the bSt channels. The following points 'D3c* ^ ettention end *ro <Stsc*&< itb the mine nsnanger. Ur. Paul Thomas. fBir volume of eir <X',5&C c.f.m.) enters the mine throe; the South haulage edit on the Upper* **J 1c*' n approximately XO feet this v olume diminishso to .1,^ c--.n- jSSsf.r soother ULt/tt. the ini tie1 volume is d ininin bed. tc 6 2*50 e f.m. - less than half the voloae which enters the mloe et this particular entrance- Brattices lo poor condition ono fsolty stoptinma *Uo this good sir to escape through old S!m and short circuit to to*** * *?i *' ,,-pa ftfi Bto'.sinRe end regulators to thf flow o- ei- ere o. pJorc cnaru^tiSn, sod ' ockled consider!" cue to concussion fron exol.cions during firing. Some doors need eouipilnc -ith a svlf-closing device c.. strong spyi-n-e, especially nct.d *Je door near the better;' charging station. ^M/hon*a,i2 to this suscestioo said that 8 self closing device had been fit but had since disappeared end sajses.eo inert.; On the loner seam 27.2GD c.f.a. eoters the T0L2!!a *!:??? slnzn-riae conhectioos f loss to the upper e-am, thereby ventile ting the workings on the northern side. Thia sir la exhausted by the main exhaust fen. IntEv ke sir. Upcer S*em Mower t>sm 13,560 2?. 2<50 c.f.ro. Total Intake air ko,eso c.: ,m. Exhaust Air (Measured past fsn) * 39,930 e.f-m. Jspecieily is jocketn byscrapur hoists, "he,,hoist this duat. Eespirators arc cn, order* ei hoi.rl oprrstora ^hcr> received, - * Venturi'ducts end cloth. It -.* . rr,td that f,i\ etc*-** pi'X'n n** re In o&c -"or con ** t * fel? ''iit-'or'u fro'i the ^bii, ';*.f .ic-u ore very .. -cctcry in **,!>;;.*&:*r I'ut to *:rlngt btii the Iocs of tf^iciocy by th: >*>;ic to 'i\tcvic* lose is hjj, od the decr"st?c involun? c*' (j r :.op,;ti at, i ersat. ?h r^^orc tfie ucc po the*.r 6" dsw.;- slefrV pij'ea ir. ur,*.irvranted ()*r. th^mss ueys they ore endeavouring ^^ rubberised'vchtori cloths). r< \ B^ORD% Do you have a record on a$y of the files of an aopointment of a Dust Inspector by the Mines Department to *7ittenoom (The Blue Asbestos)? 1 * Dr. Henze 11 would like to know if a report has been received from the Dust Inspector. 21st August, 195^. V s *f W n g p!*a<? f GOVERNMENT OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA. 618/<j8 the u>m'h,lbmsJ ih.llit Btfoesai'ole*e,*fabeiflhH. (Wming H lexer to eee Wmia* e# tide Jj I h Mines department, cerrrRAu c*ovenwrf.T nuto*<**. PERTH............ AHT/VD (2$ th.. July.*........ *9.50. COMMISSIONER OP PUBLIC HEALTH: I am forwarding for your, in forme tion copies of reports I have received tvem the District Inspector of Mioes end the State Mining Engineer in reference to the Australian Blue Asbestos Ulna end plant st Wittenoom Gorge. -i * <- 'V/LV* 1 o .} , tA ZUrcx si (j / /// a ^c7'' S "0CT1S5:- >.s/l i/ .4 \ Uij -/ _3 *1 i m.*>. 52y<^. UflfcKN -hCHhT \i> i t'OS JAiH* Inspector doylfcnd'a latest rep0-** on the ventilation of Australian Slue .Asbestos mine und plnnt at feittenoom is hereunder, lou will note that its uoes not anticipate much furtter trouble in this j*e- gard* I visited thio mine myself on the 11th end 12?h instant - "' Underground ventilation 'appeared to^*=t^4je-4-'^uibly satisfactory, but conditions in the plant at ill leave*much to be desired. Thia, however, is b*irtg laksn core of and the Onager is giving it every attention. One Y/*rmn dust collector hno been installed, and another wes ordered, but was unavailable st t;* tine. A a trailer unit was therefore constructed at the nine and installed. The awcond YJnriwn unit is in tran- ait and will be installed on Arrival in. len to the t''o already in uc. following the Inspector 'a 3f;a, via it tir ar;n'^cui-nt ic installing <*^ scries of suction <>i->es in the roof of t)r? building, which when in operation will draw off the dust as it forma. I frel -that, under the preuent nanageraent, e will receive every co-operation in tide r-attor. m, ^ i< t<.'4 * 24th July, 19=0. jsf/s. siv.vn niNJiio \\ x * I. ivl;^ N*.. 6-OUL^O l i )k^d 618A8 $1 'ttre SI UNDSR SECRETARY FOR MINES1. .-. ,o;i73 orP KX. S -------- ----------------------------------------- / V1 Adverting to your minute of the 2nd March addressed to your Hon. Minuter, will you please advise the present position in regard to dust hazard at Wlttenoom Gorge and ventilation conditions at the Mill. - ' jzjrgtfizzi 4-^** w* ~-- <, VLD/MMP j 5th July, 1950 _- . C; S. D. COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC liF/J-Tu 5 JUL s/t>0 ;v* I - 4 } -a *t \ -- % e COFV from file U.b, 531/49 IteimiE BAP.. 19.6.50. The State Mining Sngineer, PMH. Australian Blue Asbestos, ffittenoom Cor;\e. With Wor>anen's Inspector Hunter I thoroughly inspected the workings on this property and feel confident that in future complaints will be noticeable by their absence. Although c*r*.ia improvements were noticeable, there was still much room for note improveer-ent and X called in the i&mager, Assistant Onager, Underground Superintendent, and W'orkinsn's Inspector hunter and laid * down a fairly hard policy find left the management fully acquainted rs to what was expected and whet repercussions would eventuate if that policy was not fulfilled. As I tod already stopped every development place, except two, until adequate ventilation ";*s supplied, I feel confident that th* roent her* fully understands my methods and knows that supervision must be tightened. X am satisfied that all matters which were lacking in both underground and milling sections ere now being brought- up to scratch and Ur. Hunter iH pay periodical cells to maintain a high degree of efficiency. I shall also return to the aino and check up. (Sgd) J. Beyland visT&icT imysov-oR op Kum. i *> O*' * . 4 . . v.. > .,.. >r. ' >> -, -.-v*, 'rrv'^'<*W^ .J, .i .* >X . ._*tV;v!.*' .**.V**'. r'r*S<*'--4'*'>*'.-:'<" *' '-*\* ; #.Ud;- >$ uhdsb srra?;,SY ?Qft inj'rS, Iiiapsctai Soylend visited Vittencca Gorge on the 19th and *?th January. H{a i at page 139, file J501/47, tied up herewith. tou *112 note that ho has requested the Ccepeay to enclose tt silling section and inalal ernaust dust collectors, ._. a / . . . 2 personally feel required rather than a request, although, as the Inspector restarts^ it'`will Ve'difficult to secure the necessary mseeriel. * A further report froe tJorteren'o Inspector liinter at page 144 on tf* enj, file s**e~s that not&i/tg has been dose te improve* th*e ventilation and that the venturis are still not carried into the face. IV* proposes to recoeorend a provocation if there is not iwnediate improverwnt in this natter, and 1 propose to corwerf* in such recoeseendatio/:. At pegs 141 tbs Acting Onager report# tie appointment of hr. 7. Pwetl, a surveyor *<U and favourably iasc*n t w, as Vertil*>5o' Officer. It is hoped iiv*t this appointment rill ftsue the desired effect. f propose to have this totter fallowed vp and to taiie *'*hstevcr steps nay be necessary to enforce compliance with t>e Segulations. 1st J'erch, 29SO- 33?/*, unHs stouts HQ!. i:n>iST^,a: ?he position is ss es t out ebovs by the Stcte Uinlng Engineer, end 2 aould recam? cm3 that hi report might be forserded oo to She Son- Minister for Health for perusal by the Cewniastoner of Public Health. &S-. / 2/3/50 *:/* OI i i ' ^7- . um>-s s'-gasiNSY ^o.^ijgis ^ ^' ^. .*"o " y' -.. * *. . .s. '.jy... . / / 1<;cs.',-...- . , . Uz*0^ - , a'-. I ^ )ZUj:. 1:11:2 iA 4 i?0'< ka.uo w* a:. I t/as up in dittenoon Gor:;c the ena oi i 9* and found tha 6 the dust hazard in the oro&env asbestos plimt must be very ierious. Vhe whole of the ^ui-roundiscs within a radius of'one mile or acre were smothered with the. &&&-.. which is produced in the treatment. As far ao was ascertained,? very Tcvf, if .any, precautions were taken. As be st oSLiXus t , if inhaled constitutes a very i-i avc rielc amT is, " i"aily il527' worse than silicosis. Lc,w-t e . a- LH/OS 20th February, 1950. 1-1.31:13 II-'-U/u1-:. THE !:OH. UlmSTKR ~'0R illlHS (13. PARKER).For contents, ploqoe. 4 214-th February, 1950 C.S. D. 2 7 FES RECORDS. uiiixrwp. fop. mM/m. X-cCU 4<- / e S3. 7 -O r ?T)hrfl>'0 S' r? ns noi'i. iniJXSTSR: I have discussed this matter fully with th Acting State Mining Engineer who has advised me thefc>.his Inspectors have been carefully watching, the dust position at the Asbestos Will at Witten com Gorge. During the visit by our.main Dust inspector in November last he \n s advised by the Manager t hat the present treatment plant would be discarded and a new one built, but no action along these lines has yet been tMcen Another Inspector is shortly visiting 7/it torsoon end he has been asked to go into the natter again vitU the management, snd also to recodend v.hether he considers the company should be required to .appoint, a ventilation officer JtLj* suri**-*--*v-vt4 /< 7/2/50 AHT/VD xmm secretary: ?or mikes d 9- va ,r' rlt '\V::E HOI!. TH3 hll'KISTm POR ?U;5UC ilX-l/fn: ^zbk*** Dr. Saint re porta that conditions at the J-ill where the asbestos ore is crushed are dangerous to uealth owj.n: to lack of adequate dust suppressing measures. '/he Hon. Minister for dines may please be asked whether or not ventilation officers have been appointed by the Manager and if so what do their records abas as toven til at ion and dust suppression conditions at the mill. X.* 7 '* i -r 3 .-It VfSD/iB 9th 7anuax'y> 1990. f.'i U S. D //' .// 7 , yj71'''' ** ACTIiw- 0b*.j'.ilQ3l0i'3R GP pu;51XC Pi ; V i <V. F .. ,-J . - ^ ^<4 * .V fit A<- ^ J .i V* . t 3 .. 1 r * ^daWu. / .V 5T^' /*U* ? 33 ~ri 3 "'1 : l rr \V /: MSD/PB Dr. Saint, pOtgg TlvSb-MS* Dear Dr. Salat, The ttinistcr f Defalcation Act io strictly cn employees are thoroughly c*y.u certificate that they ck? f.ve they are employed* Uico off.irms tlvat binoo c,0. at .Vi ttetioom aa'CI all . cuia muet hold a 0:.* tuberculosis before lie elbo states that the men reported with Tuberculosis were employed in the township ana not at the mines* Will you pieace, inform ce i- 1* If you consider suitable precautions avo now token* 2* Did you consider any of the* cases of Tuberculosis attributable to the c*o;*U Uona at ?ittonoow* 3. /are the norho purely niulfic and therefore under the Dines Aerelation Act, or is ifcoro in addition any factory cr workplace to which the factory Act nay bo made applicable* d > li ordinars' capacity and without a vote. Finally he coraiders that the Mines Segul^tio'i Act and Regulations should be amended to make provision'for the suggestions made under headings (A) and (B) aboveyt Uki 5 1I -* JJ 2-v,g**. ?^*sag ftyrfw ..'CJA.'*.. wr: rwwh/'SfciTS > . .<. ** ,. i ,\;.v*,^. >* &oA$toiV A .*.**'* * S&* r: Vft' > / DRAFT: X-Vl .. . ..,-v;-t-!,y.\i!iim There are & number of aspects of ttte aiding Industry which concern the Coa^eelon,ffr_^i^&ii.c.fifi*ith. 1 (A) Ge- nera--l------S--ilicos`is and Aabe'st.os l-aa:- - w-i*M.:.r ' V^f. ' Re la concerned with the occurrence* f/pilicosis end of eillco tuberouloeifl. in fiojd &ev#} of^VesQ- tools and Gilicosie in enjdoyees of. ^e*Ausi'r^'liiJ^'Blue Asbestos Mine et VUttenooo, At present, "through**his* medical staff, a check on the health of these aUisemployees Is* #regularly made. However, he feels that hie Department eculd ho .more actively concerned in the prevention of this disease. I8or example,* he would like to eee established a more efficient method of dust counting at uittenoos. The Xd**neter method of counting used Tor silica duet, is not the most suitable f/AiSAsss; for the counftt of asbestos fibres. He is concerned*with probleas In other mining fields. Leads In the years 19U9-X953, there were sore cnees of lead poisoning in the mining industry in Western Australia than all other industries. Hot lea* than 30 cases are recorded; many are probably not recorded. This high inci dence lias occurred despite the relatively few sum engaged in the industry which is indeed only of an Intermittent nature. Manganese* He is concerned with manganese mining. Manganet poisoning may result in a grossly disabling, crippling disease with severe mental changes. Thle condition has occurred mostly In manganese miners, drilling underground in dry, poorlj ventilated conditions. He considers that the manganese mining industry in Western Afietralia should be assessed by hie Department, with a view to the prevention of poisoning rather then to await a first case. V s*a V*fi. ga& ! <B> The Uirtes Regulation Act: ,* ,, ":y-t He considers that his Department/is.t>eiBt equipped to advise and implement SectioniJlnes > Regulation Act Ho. 5it of 19U6. ' The assegorient of the danger of noxious, forces (Regulation 1?6) should be that of this Department. The only etc1: IfSc mention of the Corns:Issloner of Public Health is in Regulation 137* This stipulate* \thh*v- he s/iall be a f&s&fcsr <?f she Kinos Yoj<tiZatieri''Bckt)d :; >** t ':'v^Wf.s^Y ,/ >'/V.r.tiSsfcfife -1 { t ,;l rf*-- _fc. 5 U-. P.& S. 479/49 P.H.D. &l3A$ C.L.D. 5451/4 JfOtf. MINISTER FOR LABOUR: Yfith/Reference to your minute of the 26th ffovercfcox' (see folio to), the question of extending the operations of the Factories & Shops Act has received the consideration of the Chief Inspector of Factories. He-arranged for a proclamation jtp he ,pu4_up to ex-, tend the operations to Wittcnoom Gorge, bu after*^givings the matter consideration, as disclosed by this file, I took the natter up with the Solicitor General, and he points out that that the Factories & Shops Act does not include any mine or colliery, and as the works at Wittenoom Gorge apparently constitute a mine it is not possible to cover them under the Factories & Shops Act. Therefore it appears as if we cannot assist the Minister for Health in her efforts to enforce improvements and Tmproved working conditions for the employees at the Asbestos wrks. 15th Bee.1949CR/HE. SECRETARY FOR LABOUR. THE HON. iqmSTKR FOR HEALTH. As requested in your minute of the 17th ultimo, the above conroema by toy Secretary for Labour are forwarded for your inforraation, please. 20th December, 1949. /(. dl MHISTE3 FOR LABOUR. A v r* V SOLICITOR GENERAL. P s 479/49 PJJ.IX 63.8/46 cww?:; i.AVvi)33PT 3:0L^: NO. --- I forward herewith papers relating to the^extension of the Shops 'aria Factories Act to the V/ittebpom Otrrge-^VVorksrr*"- I would be extremely grateful if you could advise as to whether ox* no the Shops and Factories Act could legally be applied to the iVittenooca Gorge Asbestos Works. I am forwarding this matter direct to you as I understand that jtfr. Warman discussed the proclamation with you some time ago. CK/EC. 8th December, 1949 SSC5ETAHY FOE LABOUR; The term "factory51 in the Factories and Shops Act, e, 4 does not include "any mine or colliery, or any place in which machinery is used about a mine or colliery". % 2. I am informed by the Asst. Under Secretary ' of the Klines Department that the works at YUttenoons Gorge of Australian Blue Asbestos Limited consist of works for the mining of asbestos ore* Considerable tunnelling and blasting hate been cerriea out, the ore is brought out in trucks*^ crushed and asbestos fibre ie recovered* MX employees are subject to our mining laws and pay into the Min Workers' Kelief Fund. The ground held is held under the provisions of our Kilning Act for the purpose of mining for blue asbestos. 3. In these circumstances there can be little doubt but thet the works at Wittenoom Gorge constitute a "mine" and therefore the works-, ax*e g^cluded from the definition of the word "factory" within the I meaning of the Factories and Shops Act. 8th D_e_c_e9nfoer. 1949. p. sUX>. Wo/4.'. '/ onJ.2./ .'. U2.1 . Before passing these papers to the Hon. Minister Tor Labour for his signature, I should like' further information. X draw your attention to the definition of "factory", eubclause (e) which states that "the tern factory does not # include any mine, or colliery* or any place in r/hich machinery/ is used about a mine or colliery." *** This seems to me to indicate that tc^ issue-?=*fee; proclamation which is nox? submitted would be completely useless for the purpose we now desire. Can you advise me, please? 2oth Hovember, 19L9 CR/EH. % THE SECRETARY FOH LABOUR ; Reference ^ F. end s* 479/49 Please refer to your original minute which raised the Question of the application of the provisions of the 4ct to certain territory, also "Witbenoora Gorge Asbestos Works" was mentioned. Vfe heve no first hand knowledge ot ell the oper ations which are carried on. Quarries - lime stone end granite - have been subject to registration sinoe the in ception of the Act: Generally speaking, being a building, premises or place having mechanical power or appliances exceeding one horse power, or, if no machinery, then being places employing four (now one) or rore persons, etc. The Veittc-noon Gorge Y;oi*ks, as 1 have observed iroa reading and pictures, could not be, in e generally accepted sense, at.coJLllezy:.,^ but*..a. query could arise re the term "mine". I Reference; and 3. 479/49 m SSCHSTrtBY FOR LABOUR Further to icy minute of the 24th Kovesber here under, a proclamation prepared by the ScfLlcitor^eneralr'is submitted to bring in an area of five miles* of the estab lishment and works of the Australian Blue asbestos Limited at Wittenoom Gorge. 25th Hovember, 1&49 FiW im i % T>i FaCTuBISS AffD SHOPS *CT. 1920/48 Section 165 s (1) The Governor may from time to time by proclamation exempt any portion of the State from the operati Act, or any Fart thereof, and may at any time revoke any such proclamation. (2) Whilst any such proclamation is in force this Act or the Part thereof, as the case may be, shall not be opera tive in the portion of the State thereby exempted. (3) Svery proclamation made under this section shall within fourteen days of the date of its publication in the Government Gazette, if Parliament is then sitting, be laid on the Table of both Houses of Parliament, and if Parliament is not sitting then within thirty days of the opening of the next ensuing session, such proclamation shall be laid on the Table of both Houses. t (4) If either House of Parliament passes a resolution disallowing any such proclamation, of which resolution notice has been given at any time within thirty sitting days of such 'House after such proclaraation ha been laid before it, such pro clamation shall thereupon cease to have effect, but without effecting the validity or curing the invalidity of anything done or of the omission of anything in the meantime. This subsection* shall apply notwithstanding that the said thirty sitting days, or some of them,do not occur in the same session of Parliament, or during the same Parliament as that in which the proclamation is laid before the House. (5) tfhen a resolution has been passed, as hereinbefore mentioned, notice of such resolution shall be published in the Gazette. ooooGoooo MID. 6x8/148. CH--' inopactgs of facfofils: As you arc av/are, at the present moment, it is not> the Government's intention to extend the operation of the / Factories & fhoos Act generally above the 2bth parallel. i However, I should like information as to whether it v/ould ' be possible by proclamation to bring in an isolated area such as the V/ittenoom Gorge Asbestos worksr. -van,.. Tha-file attached hereto discloses the reason why it is desired to take this action. "" ----- 22nd IT0vembev, 19h9 * CR/EH. ' SB CHS1*ARY i; OR LABOUR. THE SECRETARY FOE LABOUR : Section 165 governs' this /natter, copy appended. The original proclamation exeoipting from the operation of the Act all that portion of the State which lies to the North of the 26th parallel of South latitude, was published in Government Gazette Ho, 1,, Friday, 7th January, 1921. In the case of other types of districts, the action which has been taken by the Crown Lav/ Department was to revoke the original proclamation, and prepare and publish another exempting all that portion of the State which lies to the Hoi'th of the 26th parallel of South latitude, except the territory which lies within a five mile radius of the tfittenoom Gorge Blue asbestos plant, * Subject to confirmation by the Legal Officers, I g submit that the natter of bringing the wittenoom Gorge Blue/ Asbestos works within the meaning of the Act may be easily I accomplished, I had sons knowledge of this matter unofficially when I submitted the previous recomrsendation some little time ago for the revocation of the original proclamation in its entirety. ? 2lth November, 1919 FuV<: Inf CHIEF .INSPECTOR OF FACTORIES. 'Tii E SKCRKTA3V FOK LABOUR. pox? your comments, please. >K 18th November.*. 1949. MINISTER mJUBOUR, 53 J f-fVc. V -j - A * .i **^.1 ji'Lfe; **i f > .1,6 HOii. OF i-UBLzC -^.L-fll: A in 4 i -U In February of this year *n\ yaim at i-oi'u aeulaud drew attention to the unsatisfactory preccutioao ugiust oust taen at the ./ittenoom Gorge ASbetos h'orhc. Daring the past month ti-vo miners ana one carpenter from there have been notified as cases of Fulmonary *iUberculor>i I understand that certain provisions Of Factories Act. have not been made appllccbXG_;.ortii cfL^oth oaraJ J. O' X think it is a matter of some urgency thut the mat'ter* is*'ut!ron up with the minister ot Dahour and the area brought into line with the rest of the State whereupon a -Factory Inspector could in conjunction with Dr. Saint inspect the v/or.JO and enforce improvements. <.G. Davidson WSB/PB ACTING COMiISSiOn.:* 0? ri>BM0 14th November, 1949. iSi * -T--< ?H2 HON. SHE MlillSTtffi OF i'U'Bi-XC. r&ALTH; % of Labour. You apparently minuted the above to tbs ...inister The file is there now. Further, the Asbestos Company anticipate a population of 300-600 at Wittgroom for the next tnreo years and thereafter a population of 1000. Sanction for another doctor for the North-west, if not already obtained, ie required. He will be stationed at wittenoom os* Roebournc. V.'SD/FB 22nd November, 1949. ACTBvl COrWC.-^CnFA OF ABBJC * - - 1-; , . ..Ik . I '*6- 74^ 23, :1 :] ^ % t*V 5l p 1 'i *. - r. * \ 1 i ._ . i\ v * 1s >-"i n-- UJ ~n . i m ,.u u; tiOM- i'HB li'luISTSll Ob' PUBLIC 3BAI/2H: _____ ... February of thie^'year Dr. Saint at i3ox*t He aland drew attention to the unsatisfactory precautions against dust taken at the witteaoom Gorge Asbestos Works. During the past month two miners and one carpenter from there have been notified as cases j>f Pulmonary Tuberculosis. ^Sm I understand, that certain pro vis ions. o-..3#a.... ,, Factories Act have not been made applicable Ifertc of 26th parallel. X think it is a matter of some urgency that the matter is taken up with the Minister of Labour and the area brought into line with the rest of the State whereupon a Factory Inspector could in conjunction with Dr. Saint inspect the works and enforce impro verne ats. WliD/PB 14th November, 1949. wcr''/<r ACTING COlBuISSIOKBS OP PUBLIC H3ALTH 5 TKK HON. MINISTER FOR LABOUR. Would you please consider whether the Factories Act could he made applicable to the Wittenoom Gorge area. A> / : \!v- i\. Ji JrvY. Pr=5t5i's 'vtmr f-J iterevttn reports oa as ^eetofi vxjr'te.r.i* who were *-rayed at toe rerth Chesi s/lini on 2?. 7*48: 71 tf . noitisl rasige. alt.-hi finin^ 1 Of the left cosvop.'srenic auglc, suggestive of an old pleurisy. *nere is no evidence of any &nvbolog. teal ehvige in the lung parenchyma. ih-'re is a pa: tial fusion of the first and second ribs on the rij-jnt side. In addition, there appears to be o rounded opacity behind the anterior half of the first rib. Anis is sit uated at the point of fusion of the to ribs, and t:ve ease requires further investigation. ne has beer. as<ccd to attend for a further exa-iirtation. horar.l xsnge. k rf inere are aoc-e rounded, nird opacities at tne right apex, above the clavicle. As these lesions are partly obscured by bor.e, it is difficult to oe sure **r l;tere is radiological evi:3r-,re of activity. sic has bee.s as<cd to attcrvl toe clinto for further investigate V%x\a W.'.tr va/'s;' S-7 vi^ut.V;) . there are s,.all 'literete opacities at the ri-nt apex. the appear&>ees arc consistent vrith an old, minimal, tteoid infection* .Us 1-ray should be rei>ea-*f jr. in t'teive months. \isSfibWl "f5-w*'* * l *** <. isormkl range. fAvM: Zs hortaai rme. (*W<s** fc fU*UmT.Wt#izt :.ViE 26th July, 19^8. iUJcroulosi s control t .rs.:ch. i t S A ' > ^ % wr ^ < ^ %; < - ^ % .-to *. vy g*v y. 'j.S. tmlnt, pt/? scjlaud. iCth *aha^.X3U8, 5cor Dr. feint, I ft*ve aiocueeed your X-ray problem with r. J5encll TOi*t leuta-ls *-.Uh reference to chest wot* no agrees os to ' be gr^st difficulty of dot**; cbeot fllua which ere of any value uitb a portable pleat, oven If tfc* power apply 18 ell that It ehauld h '/oa uili Appreciate that thU qaeatten of X-ray In;*a notion Ia #woi2 J Inted sentry bos.ittnin Is o very diffi cult one. first!7 bocrane of tbe exigencies of tbe power upyly, 8k1 CueorvSXy, becwaee of the leek: of training of tbe people trbo uoulQ bowile the plott end interpret the ftlwa. It bos teen tbs polio? of this hopsrtaor.t In then uoill country boss!ttic to l navel ocall plant of the orloble type. Those ore quite irood for freeloro -sort, eul cro uouaiiy rcoccnobly adequate for eay other brmo oork. v.itb core they con take e file* of a chest which a111 ^`'vent, at any rate, t^osc lodes. / / Tblo policy tea not been arrives et wltoout an com^c appreciation of the difficulties of the doctor in tha outUtek urea. It la parallelled by the djff! cult las crvcrit'ncftd In fi sufficient path clerical service, although tho latter u,i.y op ocean i be norn enclly overecsie by the fnet that peetiaena esn be tent th**- the -cost, uheroes a pet lent re nr.at. / In tbe tree of nsiituts who retire specialised X-ray investigation, and who live oltbln fpproocba&i dlatpnce of the Metropolitan rco. It Iz ncually found possible toeenfi -.ho patient to Perth, rt la agreod that thic to very difficult fron 1 ort ilcQind. do 'bnytblPt X ee afralfl that at *he present X aa unable to Htaer to heln vvi to coirs your problc In your letter you dloouaa tbo ar.bcatoa olnsra at 1*1tenow Gorge. Ai-*abf cmehta hove Just teen eoncluiei to tov 12 there n X-roy*d before they leave p*rtb or Uclroorlle to cogence work at Vlta-ucco Corea, anfl the Cfi'reawwealtb roblle Lahore, ory vas up there lost yes*, and la due to no? r.othor vtolt r^xt January. Efforts era being: wJe toocko this an ennaol viait if U can be conceal* Your coancifia on tha "trerbutton nerlo.t" of orb'1 to* ere Jnt ar*'*. 1^, and it la recognised thot ttesc nohters amid cocily ijicur a greet boshhfi than flo vnrkvrn tr. oar L'Jld ci;:2s. vrbeik I an p your way gain I ^uld li-cr to eiocusa thle rwttor oith you on the epot. youni oincorcly. wmaMWMNQBMiaaaM rov^ cr ir- 'Yu. ft; _ ''ft*.i -W-A .J page 2. fu.8. literature'is' :,w> - (2) Shat ere the chance* freptually. fit_. Veroseoe power pleatT .the4*B wupj Usable to fereoh down ,in(the*BWdler 'giro At bob* tliaca/only AbouW , machia*. the statics people-got . ' ! about 200.. ' / : n.* i^W* asd finally . ' .--./'tfs (3)i Yoald the , i installing, you Vnow are^notauA'^lei,-,-,- .? tablea Colle'e hwt'yea. are A 1 of the carpal eeeptaaid,*aad fo*,hS$*j$H I no re olelemding than of use. to \ of the seed of decent plant la. Sh*.a*$.tty&&'&*!** .. lee& two luaber diees that-should have bsea/Tadipgraph: loony confiraed; two reool eo 11 oa ttist #*d*#* *"ra*& and Ji.O. selections and about half a^oMa.iahaet .that ** need' inveaticatise carefully. Ite iapoeptble.t .do good medicine giving; coah medicine whan you.rfSpisXi .**? * ^ whether you're dealing with a chronic Vrow^itie;'rV;taB tubcrOttXt_or.enrclmnaa.of the (R nain brcnchiuP'>,>v>.? KSreoVer, I've no eye on tfc*'/utare>;thp*jibhw^t08 vine t tfitteoooo, let tee record operator..>>itfeoa*&:ort of dust extractor whatsoever; end wince the Icotfbatlcn period of a sheet ob 1# wo ouch less than elxj*'. In, year, or two A.B.A. will produce tee richest cm and taost . lethal crop of eases of ssbestoais in the World's literature. I We IcoVod at two opite end found a oboetoe bodies, not ovidonce indeed that fibrosis actually pxoseot, out clearly proving the ebeorbtion of the basis agent. Uaturalty 1 thinV sobs of teose ches.t oould oc looked into. .. lith best wishes. Yours faithfully* ' (egd) Srlo 0. Saint. , ^m 1 lT.'*3< .t -.- 5SM3K ,iv; > v . .. ^ .. . ::.'^*4 't iM t ;" ,* i ^ r i r > ? c`^ Mu *M I.-- lW L t t t " ' ?y* - nASSIATloa COl'Y : Original so 255/46. 1 * ~ 'iTiff"--. " --*4 row ktouhj),- r" June. 6in. 1Q48. Dr. C.E. Cook, Dopt. of Public Hsdlth, 5? Uurrey Street_ P^trH. * WA Bo.r Dp. Cook, . , _ ,.... . . ,.. *hart you for your Vlnd .leUey.^i^snT-d jeeterc'eo and brouflht biuabaa to *y cheese. * It Is one tSno since I soot ysttairepeff n th local set up which is beginning to wort wit*. teleruble '?>*""*' %- *hlne 1 fouad accessary lo.^e was to inprove th tacimiss of this hospital. We-v tidied the theatre P ** P"1 in orders for many essential lnetruoeots for ebdosinsl eaerg-ncies So that we can no. cope with about 3 or 4 tonsils a wort and wev done about a dosen abdoolnal operations without dieast or or sopslo. The Uatron1 e old Se invaluanle; It la a pity she le wngnged for but six months foV Her studied efficiency la o J**00* relief to the apathetic grievance pros-lent In the .V. A*** otructursi ioprovensente arc pretty ureent and Z h* appealed to the* Under Secretary; newAino dn thb theatre fljwr, tinea 1'*TM, is impossible; o washing: ink, a coot of paint in the bathrooo or. somethin* to separate the sluice and bdpans fron the bath and hover. 1 Haro isanagod te wort through about fi00(?) There is .% fair amount of urgent eurg'Tf to do which I ahali worl in with IochI facilities. I find It cleaner codmore to do all r.mjor cutting, .hi to or bleeV in 'ort rfadiand hoop awl here for \ou can well InaviBC the daoges of doing hwott4h*t*iieo l`f\ at the*Deck'. There are about five hernia lined up to be done and a couple of (t)eectc*ios. and eye lunolestion etc. St is of course pretty Impossible to eolloct accurate^statistics of native health; only a kson full tla onn could do that, and os can only b by imprssslona. r `< V.B.Dsseas prevalent particularly where the gins acd buck* are Uereded into these lastly fwalveSUlafe yiveMiU etc. `caape whore one wornm with a chronic O.C. esureitit can do sen o of black. The .interpretation of whose kahna is, l agree sost difficult. Of about 20 eaaplso Z took for a warioty of reasons 8- ^obro tibiae, nasal dicharges (fQunaa) etc. coat .ere yoaiiivo; whether egguli nation was occasioned by tortlay syphilis or yaws is difficult to say. Personally I would aay that often object!we evidence - such as the prevalence of fld. I jt. about 4 baboe and the odd <i\arest's polot 2 hats seen suggest thnl Gr. pox is pretty prevalent. All thie has raleed eubsidi ary problems. The Ddck Hospital is not largo and Srs. Hand who run it (awny on leave at the moBont. khan* CSvriat) is eoAety, I dolbelicje she get the nine to feed her with a aoecov* To run ay vB.clinic .needs lotenaiTO orginleatlen; coed Intravenous technlpub, . - . - ~ - -- j-., ,. --^ .. Srostates otc. etc. t do. wo .donobp^th^?^i-apoaTs rto *ik thut native Affairs want* a policy - either Vi (a) Don't bother cith Cho natives; push h3 bach to the bush. V or (b) rako then wort so stockmen and give th' nodical attention. In which csv: you i>nt soticthift* a bit Potter than one nurao of retiring nf-e,In a Hospital obout to collapse at any womentrvj... There arc throe othor guorie 3 havegot:'hftj^^^^^ to U) 'Is the contained Diphtheria ~a Government !* reptriag p! ,4 uu j*S uncASieex *s, G>,_ Pewrw, T{ixmosaeis). All fonsniiatiHl (v W or Western Australia. DEPARTMENT OF Pubuc health 57 MUWftA^'lSTRCCT,*''*'"*'* .... >. Perth. ~COMm&5IOWP Of PWfKiC HKAUTH." *s/v Dr- iw G. vutbred, Co.amonweaiia .>e*Xth bgooratoi'irs, j,. uear Dr. buthred, I-any thanks for-your tetter of 26th nay concerning the routine'examination for miners. .<e are under taki.%& the initial exam ination for t.ic men vwio are going to work at .Yi t tenoom Gorge. The IMnes Department would like us to use the same forms as are use', by you at nalgoorlie. it v.ouid therefore be very much appreciated if you could i kindly sand me .down a supply. s ,\ it is eslariated that we would need some of all the for.,.s v/.uch you sent me, mien inoluded:- Application for Examination for Initial Certificate. Initial Certificate r I il';>or' . Uoj. % ?\5 \L* xs s 4 . inis file ``.ill, i thin:*, explain itself. ibis ujorni. r.rar.:; i> foxrall, the Jlrate Minin* r-n^iue*er,s r--and* - '1-el--fer, t*he frid- e--r decretory for i-iaes, rand discussed toe matter v.aln them. ns : rreessx ult, a. formal a;.'plication is to be sab.-?. 6 feed to you th.\ua.*t our department should do these routine exaaji .attfona fBfeoen ,vho de s ire to work rat the lus tr a1 i ran liue so * s tos :-td , ilterioon crer^e- *>. , In order tr.rat tnese men should be fully covered under the Mine Workers* belief Act, our examinations vo'iId v've to conform to tio:;e rat present ;;iven at ^oorl ie by the Co.:n:on\ver;itn a-*>boratory. It will be noted that at xval&oorlie the fee for^ esch expjhinn ti on, v:h i cn 1 s prayao i e by the .*-an, i s 10/od. f.iic fee Is very lov/ for the service rendered, including &a .v-ray examination, but in vie*.v of the extreme public iwp<?rt?^o* of Vie control of silicosis, asbestos Is rand tuberculosis in miners, you might consider that this is the responsibility of tne department. i /)" 1st June, 19^8 UL, i/ Director, Tub e rcu 1 os i s branch. ft Vw 17 U, Vr- i`~T7Af~T'` t \V"') , ratcxy , Dear tfr. v-l* red, v.\*i j ?,ro3 1 r?n *1 :ie- Ajsrj^R to' 111. -- hav e *pproac A. 1 w-- Ls a*oart:v*r t * f,t uh t.~* r t/<at ~"1- WC ^T*l 4\+ + * * ` 0 ri1 .*. *r> p of t-o*ico l`ti ir to 7:0r c nt itlmoor. vr or-fre i or to it if <rired ,j attl t;:S t to cacn , -..4t, ..., O'* I. <*. n iS s-n ; iv?;: obtain? a c eriific? te etuiv-ipnt by trc* Co.?:'! 1 Ln bora lory t at iifci??;oori i. 0 ! inig A t is understood that Koxall, the S.j tc toc; . nr : rr;inorr, nan v/ritten t.o you or- t-iin . .alter. i **'culh V.r nr; ' i me !ciov' t ,r 01\ i i* ol t r.r c y a:, i * -u 'ef*.*ary, ?.*s nr;; 01 -or Irforrr Mon bo very .-.ri* -fui. e 'vouM liHr the same as your s f and t refore * appreciated a four*? s i.;:c ere*.y, j-imcy .enseil* Director, "iuoei`o\ilos r Cr*nc:'. j l { / ' f ;. / / - /. !" \^&*#** . K* '1 ' fs a S it - V C.. % 1 'kalian Blue Asbestos Limited 18 William Street PERTH Minis mills wirrcNooM, w.a. Western Australia e.K.O. BOX NO. 96*1 M TeLtPHONC 6 3 238 14tan.ky,iS*6. Dr.L.Kenttell, Director. o Tuberculosis Branch, 'Public Health Department, fiirroy Street, Fast, PERTH. XL A. > ....................... t Dear Sir, X wiish to contrat our conversation of 11th inat., when we requested that you would be good enough to mike the necessary mediccl examination of employees of this Co an any, urior to their proceeding to V/ittc&oom Gorge* It is desired to obtain a certificate equivalent to that given by the ComMonv/ealtii Laboratories at Kal goo rile. After our interview, a visit was paid to the State Itinitts Engineer, Itr.Poxall, who advised,, that he had already written to the Comronvsaltfc Laboratories asking them to advise you of the necessary details required. A certificate along the linos suggested from the ComEDnv:cf.lth Laboratories v.ould b= acceptable to the Depart men' of JSnos. Any cost involved arc to be the responsibility of the employees. As requested, the following is the text of the letto received by us from our x&ne Manager at IVlttenoom :- "LBDXCAL. >3Bloyeos before engagement are required to be examined and have ft medical certificate as set out in the terns of the line workers Relief Act. At the moment the great majority of our cnrJ.oyees engageft in Perth obtain a provisions, certificate penniesable under the line Regulations Act. It ir. understood that, full e:cajoinations are possible at the Perth Public Hospital which will give an employee a certificate to comply with the Relief Act. Please visit Perth Public Ho spits! and find out if this is possible and if there is anything to prevent labour that you engage being sort to the hospital prior to coming here. Mr. Oliver, cf the A.VAIL is taking the matter up with the State Lining Inginoer an5 will trrcbably call on you in thi respect sh.ort.ly. His r.ira is to facilitate on employee htv.-Uv the are medicnl ccivico os one engEgc-d in the Mines at haigoor'**ie ct '* irilwr cost, vis.lO/Sd. \7c concur with this e. TheJibing you in rati cbet ion. l! GAM:NR COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA li tecKPHONe NO, 8 6404 'Kite** *~rc /corss 'OU *NriKC. KIBtH IN REPLY Pt.EASC OOOTE ,,.._227../.,,I9,,..... COMMONWEALTH DEP*t*TME'NT OF HEALTH SOX M 0 70 G p O.. PERTH i6thJ?ebruary:,.19 48, Dr. A. K. Kingsbury, - Department of Public Health, 57 Murray Street, PERTH. W.A. v? * &**r Dear Dr, Kingsbury, ^ Aabestoa Mining: / Referring to your letter ii43/44 of 13th February, the Mobile X-ray Unit examined the workers at Wittenoora Gorge area last year, and will probably do so again in 1949* The mining areas to be visited by the Unit are decided by the Mines .Department, and I understand that Wittenoom Gorge will be included in t|ie usual visits t<^Marble Bar and Yilgarn areas every second year. Yours faithfully. --j i >i >, '"'V Cw* T'kf\ ' (G. A. HURRAY) Senior Commonwealth Medical Officer Western Australia * / r <\?A k.A sIvi ---* , A^vV'Af ^ ^ . y Q^^vvVv^-:^ -\ \HM 'v/ r- A? 1 > . ./ lk_ r -i -1 rj '..I 1 * ^ is :fi ,, -i 55? ttr*' ___1 i . PHD llk$/kk r\ M1V./GO X3*th Di * 0. A* Mu rray, Sen'or fCvi#on t'wva/e* ti1th Medical Officer (*;, A*) .1 ^ t* rA U Dear Dr, Hurray, Asbestos inieg* ;?ittcnoom Gorge* May 1 6pk if the worker a in the oabccfcos deposite in the I'ittcnow Gorge nren arc being periodically txer.dneu by your ntaff# t ^oui'o faithfully. (A# Heave Kingsbury) ACTC-* commissi oi: :a op public hdalsl > *-v u *i rJ 'V Or ?0SLIC \ The Tuberculosis branch is interested in industrial ai **$<? shat produce chorees iro the lungs. These conditions ore the pneumoconioses, o: which the commonest is silicosis. <4*!** $Sj$- * Asbestos is mined at Jittenoom Gorge, ond it is not V.r.own whet he-? the supervision of the health of .4rh.fi, men n . would come under the/fcobcratcry, Although this.is presumably Xho- cose. CommonwooIth the w trepoi; tar, nreo trns ns the .manufacture of fibrolite for building purposes. it the present, the .vomers in this., industry ore not subjected to any medical examination, althou.h it ia intended to give them early jt-rcy exact,notion when the clinic is opened at Cathedral Hall. lour attention is drawn tc the report of 2?ih January 134S, from tue Jirector of thes Government Chemical T^borotori es on some specimens of asbestos powder crushed by the .i dlo n d liining Oo. 7,'neatshed, bosuendcan. .. ' * > 4 V LH/?i 3rd February, 135 6. Linley .Ionsell. Jirector, Tubcrculouis branch. $f t~/***** US ** l ^1 p~^ * f-r -"~r ' ... V --. /-r =-"^ *" *-T< Hi Government of western Australia. % ------------------------------------------------------------ --*** .1m-thjnpiS* rIhIv(sgfB*a,l>5ji?* elMt*s '.Ji'' >.*.J liI ; * ConHoInK eacli Iflicr >" v-f 'n 'll tulc nl) f 0"' r>l"1 TL*WOHt No. B MU. Government CHEwrcAL Laboratories. Adelaide Terrace. Perth,..?".'*V l,X . .1 >> * PT'..'*''? W' * Mft..: -".1*1 3 o' * on *.?*f ' 3; *nl n f_or* t - ?)>$ 0O'7 . : ;j JHl'lXlC th- .<&r Lob. ho. 1*5^: ...i i 5070 w,* VI tja *s Vv* .-rj Si .I 5M* S071 Ijl cc^noctlon with ;} r- s a rd i c he r. I th of | viork-.rs. | Ao?c :;to ra- ?or c r*L.s` i3 c by - n ' Ir.r d . 1 ? nir*' * 0 c * Vhx ntshe d I" s r;.ter. do on.* r1 3v,is ar: .7?0 ey: s x ? t 3 o? n .r;?c x t os c? the 3 n t: 107 ""11 a'.0 v cr3 'ey (` nr'* . '<x; r :.: i allies*) occurs in riluoi.:?:* *v ! of fibres no to one ir.o> w,i 'cited >.: short i v.. i hucr <>: *.<i 1 herf-cr V :1b r; j... . .* /. ..u sir'Violently point 2 3 to pe,-iot:o',tc V:o f U n do xv r.i o c.e*te n x's r. r w re c`*ane it--x*itatIon of the n 1 1 ?,1',v *. t v> o; * s.. i^ i.shin v.Oxcn >\?nCj. I'n teased ^ r. t r1 ?* 1 c one i st s of *; > i: *0. t e, rl f1 d, r.e e 'dl e -1 i he , f 0 sns, t he k >. r.2 lest bsiny 12 by 1.5 *:h.crone in size, tots'^es is a recor issd cendition acccruinr-: bc c- nurd) c- r of 0. u t* i ^ n i t ie s 0 rid fi n e 0. u et ** ^ 1 prej^ent in th -tv.onnhere in snfficiont J cntit*'' un-er '**orV.in*' con 111i onx c`.on). d | constitute s h.esr`rd if not proporly controlled.- ?vic po*.7cer cm ehed by hlcinrid hininf* Co. T-;tr tShed. V...: c-u.. < 'i'll s'.rple consints of tele po-;dc :* 1 in rinuto fieh.es mostly ^0 to ICO nicnon.r. an ;.sxj Sor^e flo!ces i:.2oeurin~ 10 : si oror t r:croc<-es if" *s ob oc rv e c. * *o cue *rtz oi'1 0 th7 herd :^ncre.I Lee ted. .iV.C .LL* S t- ^.-;2( r>*i*ticj.es L'cre ltn"3r in size th^n t i reeo' ' x s d 1 <i01r3. r.en". r. to I*1 n i t1. fel t V* ^r j1 * iT.^ 3 i v.- 2? JA:.;tv-3 r - ^ . V T?VV) \"T */* *`S >.t . ,g .* ;;