Document 71LzjyvNnDdJO4dq4Gy6ga2oe

MEMORANDUM To: From: Pa: Date: PGS Plant Managers R. E. Diehl Informing anplcyees of silica dust hazards September 2, 1980 It is essential, that all our enployees are aware of the health hazards created by exposure to silica dust, of the steps PGS is taking to provide more healthful working conditions for them, and of the steps that the employees themselves are expected to take. It is necessary that we keep a record of when the enployees are informed of these matters. Accordingly, we are implementing a two-step program to insure that the employees are informed: 1. Each new employee, as soon as he begins work, shall be given the attached information sheet, which he is to read and sign. Kis supervisor must explain the information to him and sign the sheet. The sheet is then to be placed in the employee's personnel file at the plant, where it is to be kept. A copy must be sent to the Industrial Relations Department at Berkeley Springs also. 2. All employees are to be advised cf the irfcrmaticri during their annual refresher training each year. The attached outline prepared by Safety Director R. w. Richards may serve as the basis' for this portico of the training. The box for respirator training is not to be checked on an employee's Certificate of Training (MSHA Form 5000-23) until this information has been covered. If you have questions about any of these items, please contact R. W. Richards or W. G. Rasey. rj Attachments xc: F. D. Marshall F. H. Andrews J. K. Michener R. W. Richards R. E. Day yW, C. Pellish v R. M. Johnson 000501 INPOBMAXICXj FOR NEW EMPIOYEES OF PENNSYLVANIA GLASS SAND CQRPQRA1ICN (PGS) CN THE HAZARDS AND PRECAUTIONS IN WORKING WHERE FREE SILICA MAX BE PRESENT. | PGS mines and processes silica. In mining and processing silica, dust is generated. The very fine respirable dust, defined as minus 10 micron, is fibrogenic. Prolonged inhalation, usually over 10 to 30 years, of this fine silica dust may cause fibrosis in the lung, a disease called silicosis. j I '. When first detected by x-ray, the fibrosis shews as widely scattered nodular scars in the lungs. At this state it is einple silicosis and is not disabling. If the fibrosis continues, it can develop into carpHeated silicosis and become dis abling. That is, it will cause shortness of breath and the lungs may become vul nerable to other respiratory diseases. ' Tb provide more healthful Marking conditions for its employees, PGS does the following: 1. Sanples work areas to find what'dust conditions are present. 2. Installs and maintains engineered dust controls, develops proper work practices, and implements other practical procedures to keep dust concentrations as low as possible. 3. Posts the following signs in areas where respirators must be worn: WARNING! FREE SILICA WORK AREA AVOID BREATHING DOST MAX CAUSE PETAYEP LUNG INJURY (SIUCOSIS) RESPIRATORS MUST BE WORN 4. Issues dust, respirators where needed and gives instructions for proper use. In turn PGS employees are required to do the following: 1. Keep work areas and clothes clean. Cleaning should be by dustless methods - vacuuming or washing. i 2. Properly maintain and wear dust respirators in designated areas. Also, respirators must be warn when job duties require working in situations where dust levels may be excessive, such as in repair and clean up work, 3. Develop good work habits to insure good housekeeping, proper maintenance of dust control systems, and. the proper use of dust respirators. Employees are subject to discipline for failing to comply with these requirements. Read by: EScplained by; Employee Date Supervisor Date 000502