Document 71Z7bX0bM8Kg2VnQLxDmYobME

SEMIANNUAL REPORT TO THE MEMBERSHIP September 15, 1975 u SEMIANNUAL REPORT TO THE MEMBERSHIP September 15, 1975 \ Gypsum Association SGP 0011726 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY TO THE MEMBERSHIP SEPTEMBER 15, 1975 It seems appropriate to report on the continuing progress of Gypsum Association activities resulting from some major decisions of the membership several years ago, to add several more important functions, while continuing most activities that were particularly important to our member companies, and, on the other hand, de-empha sizing some activities that were thought to be better handled by the individual companies. You will recall that a Board of Directors task force reviewed the job descriptions and time study of each individual staff member and reported to the membership their findings, utiliz ing individual questionnaires of each company's preference for Association service. Generally, the membership asked that the Association expand their activities in the Technical, Building Code and legis lative areas, and to de-emphasize activities in the advertising and promotional areas, particularly those activities aimed at con sumer audiences. We believe that we have successfully accomplished the objectives given to us by the membership. In the last annual report to the membership, we outlined the extensive legislative activities SGP 0011727 2 in which the Association was taking part. This legislative work continues to increase and we reconmend that you review that report for the over-all areas of our activities. Specific new legislative items are contained elsewhere in this report and I will not dwell on them here. You will recall the decision to open a V/ashington, O.C. operation under an Eastern Manager who would have prime respon sibility in the technical and building code areas, and also provide liaison with the governmental agencies having singular projects affecting the gypsum industry. This has been done and our Eastern Manager has developed prime contacts with the Housing and Urban Development Department, National Bureau of Standards, General Services Administration, Departments of Commerce, Interior and Labor, as well as the many other industry associations having related activities with ours. The membership elected to continue the Research Associate program at the National Bureau of Standards and this program is progressing most successfully. Our direct involvement in the Bureau's study of fire activities, and particularly the present fire testing program on mobile homes, is most beneficial - we receive reports showing the daily activities of each of the more important programs being conducted by the Bureau. SGP 0011728 -3- At our last meeting, the Association was assigned an active role in mobile home activities. As a result, it was possible to formulate a consensus industry response to the Department of HUD in support of the use of low flame spread materials in mobile home coaches. HUD has looked forward, with specific interest, to the recommendations of our industry, because they realize that we manu facture low cost fire resistive materials. In the short time that the Association has been fully involved, the information provided HUD has not been extensive enough to greatly affect their new mobile home standards at this time, except that 25 flame spread materials will be required in certain limited areas of coach interiors. Other committees will report this activity in greater detail. It has become evident that if we are to have an effect on future HUD regulations, we must provide factual data on engineering, user experience, fire performance, availability and the application of gypsum products. To this end, consideration should be given to the approaches, extent of effort, and the cost of programs the membership is willing to recommend and support as we work in this important market. The Association staff was asked to become more active in technical and scientific societies. This has been accomplished and we estimate our staff people are now members of over twice as SGP 0011729 -k- many such committees as previously. At present, we are active on at least 12 American Society of Testing and Materials and National Fire Protection Association committees, 25 subcommittees and many task forces directly relating to our interests in these groups. Our staff, in addition, have become officers of some of these groups. During a time of travel curtailment by our member companies, we have been asked specifically to attend more technical meetings so as to reduce the total industry travel expense. This has been accomplished without any significant increase in Association travel expense, by utilizing technical representatives on the East and West Coast, as well as Chicago, who are qualified to participate in such meetings. The Association was asked in a number of instances to specifically defend the fire resistant qualities of gypsum in the various technical societies, standard making groups and code writing entities throughout the country. Vie have continually been under attack in this situation since the advent of gypsum wallboard in residential and, of course more recently, in commercial construction. Since gypsum products are regarded as the "Standard" this threat, by those who seek to compete, is always with us and is ever important. We have learned to live with it and believe that we successfully ward off the most serious threats by a variety of methods. V/e point with pride to the great recognition of the Association's Fire Resistance Design Manual as it is the best practical demonstra tion of acceptance of our product by the building official and designer. SGP 0011730 -5- The sixth biennial issue of the manual has just been released and once again we can point to more field acceptance. In most cases it was the first industry manual to be accepted by each of the model codes, governmental agencies and individual code jurisdictions. It has also been accepted by more entities than any other industry manual. It _i_s the code because of the method of reference by the model codes, governmental agencies and individual cities. At present, it appears imminent that the City of New York will adopt the manual in the very near future. This outstanding accomplishment, added to the City and County of Los Angeles, Cities of Phoenix, Denver, Las Vegas and many others, as well as approxi mately 2000 jurisdictions using the Uniform Building Code, BOCA Code and Southern Standard Code, and the Minimum Property Standards of HUD, make it necessary that every member company represented in the field become intimately familiar with the manual to know what is recognized permissible construction. We recommend most strongly that each member company train their field personnel in the use of our Fire Resistance Manual. The building official must use it if his code references the manual. By a solid effort of our field representatives, we can best promote the use of gypsum products over other types of construction mater ials. At present, almost every important gypsum product and application standard is being revised to assure the industry of SGP 0011731 6- - having a complete set of recommended standards and specifications. This is a mammoth task and our Technical Committee should be commended for its work, both in the preparation of such standards and the follow through needed to promulgate them through the various tech nical societies. TED E. ARMSTRONG, SR. We were sorry to announce to our membership the passing of Ted E. Armstrong, Sr., of Temple Gypsum Company. Ted had been a Director of the Gypsum Association since 1965 and had been President just two years ago. He was truly a gypsum patriarch, having spent most of his business life in our industry. Our sympathy goes out to his family. He will be sorely missed by the entire industry. METRICATION There will be a special meeting of our metrication task force the afternoon before the semiannual membership meeting in October. You will recall at our annual meeting this task force was formed under the chairmanship of Mr. V/. W. Holloway and is made up of all standing committee chairmen. Each committee had this subject on their agenda for our recent round of meetings and each chairman will report on the effect metrication could have in their area of responsibility. To date, the Association has taken no overt action, but has main tained a monitoring posture to observe all activities in the pro posed national change to the metric system. SGP 0011732 -7- It is most important that we observe all activity in this area. Just recently, the lumber industry circulated their proposed changes to metrication, which included further reduction of sizes of the nominal 2 x k wood stud such that it would be virtually impossible for workmen to properly nail gypsum wallboard using the required tolerances that we recommend in our performance standards. V/e alerted the lumber industry to this fact and they are considering changes in their proposed measurements to accommodate us. At this writing, it appears that the U.S. Congress will pass legislation this year or early 1976 to prepare for the change to metrication in the United States, but without a firm time table for the conversion. NEW COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN Mv sincere congratulations to all of the new committee chairmen who have just completed their first round of committee meetings. Without exception, they have already shown their leader ship abilities and we are most grateful for their tackling of the important committee activities so quickly. CHANGE OF BYLAWS At the last meeting of the Board of Directors, there was a unanimous vote to prepare a resolution to amend the bylaws of the Gypsum Association to permit gypsum manufacturers from Canada SGP 0011733 8- - and Mexico to join the Association. Such amendment and resolution has been circulated to each member company in accordance with our bylaws and this final vote will be presented to the Board of Direc tors at the semiannual meeting for final adoption. FINANCIAL MATTERS Immediately following (in Directors' copies) is the present financial position of the Association. Because of ex ceptional expenses (literature and legal) we have been operating under the Board of Directors' request that no new items of expense be initiated without their specific approval. V/e.will review the proposed budget at the semiannual meeting for final approval for the remainder of the 1975*76 fiscal year. Respectfully submitted, A. Victor Abnee, Jr. Secretary SGP 0011734 REPORT OF THE SAFETY COMMITTEE TO THE MEMBERSHIP SEPTEMBER 15. 1975 The Safety Committee met in Buffalo, New York on August 19. 1975. This meeting was followed the next day by a regional safety seminar at the same location, which was attended by approxi mately 40 supervisory personnel from member company plants in the area. INDUSTRY ACCIDENT EXPERIENCE The industry accident frequency rate for the first six months of 1975 has been excellent as compared to recent years experience. The frequency rate (disabling injuries per million man hour) of 3.45 is a gratifying figure when compared to the 12 month result for 1974 which was 6.84. That figure represented 109 disabling injuries in our member plants. So far this year, we are operating at an annualized rate of just 42 disabling injuries. Continued diligence by all of the membership will be an absolute necessity in the coming months in order to keep this trend favor able. In addition to the familiar ANSI figures related above, we are now in the second year of recording industry injury data, utilizing the OSHA record keeping system. This recording system uses a base of 200,000 man hours and records the actual scheduled SGP 0011735 2 worked days lost, rather than total calendar days as are reported in the ANSI method. The incidence rate recorded for the first six months of this year is 7.74 which is an improvement from 1974 which closed at 8.94. Our industry safety effort is shown to be successful when these results are compared with those of all manufacturing operations collected by the Bureau of Labor Sta tistics which indicate that the national average is running 15-3, according to the latest figures available. The percentage distribution of injuries in the various departments continues to be approximately the same except for mines. Mining operations this year have accounted for nearly 10% of the total injuries experienced and the frequency in this area of operations has increased from 9.19 in 1974 to 17.48 for the first six months of this year. Therefore, increased accident prevention activity is indicated in our mining operations. SAFETY SEMINAR PROGRAM The one day safety seminar training program has been presented at Buffalo, New York for approximately 40 attendees, and at Billings, Montana for 15 attendees. All adjacent member company plants were represented at these seminars in both areas. An additional presentation of the seminar format had been scheduled for presentation in Lansing, Michigan. However, this meeting had to be postponed due to some local plant scheduling problems which SGP 0011736 -3- would have precluded a full representation of all member plants. Future presentations of the seminar material are planned for New Orleans, Louisiana and Chicago, Illinois. LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENTS The hearings on the proposed OSHA noise standard have now been concluded and the Occupational Safety and Health Admin istration is now in the process of reviewing the proceedings and will develop the final standard in the near future. It is antici pated that the standard will be placed in force approximately March, 1976. It is anticipated that the standard will retain the 90 dBa level for 8 hour exposures, and will have an added standard of 85 dBa for 16 hours of exposure. Additionally, it is virtually certain that audiometric testing will be a requirement for those employees who are exposed to noise in amounts greater than half of the allowable time weighted average for an 8 hour work day. It is anticipated that a new proposed silica standard will be promulgated in the relatively near future. NIOSH has produced a criteria document on this subject as a prelude to the generation of such a standard. Mr. Joe Volk of the National Gypsum Company and Mr. Marv Schmitt of the United States Gypsum Company have been working recently as a task force to prepare industry comments on the NIOSH criteria document. Several technical SGP 0011737 - if - questions are being resolved and it is anticipated that final comments will be ready for submission to both NIOSH and OSHA at approximately the end of September. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (MIOSH) has produced a so-called fact sheet which purports to identify hazardous and unsafe conditions existing in the con crete products industry. The standard industrial code, that is, the grouping of industries which is used by government for classi fication purposes, places the gypsum industry in the same grouping with this concrete products industry. The Safety Committee feels that this publication is rather poorly prepared and doe6 not truly represent the conditions which exist in our industry. Therefore, a task force has met with NIOSH personnel and, at committee direc tion, there have been subsequent telephone contacts made with NIOSH to the end that gypsum will not be included in the final publication. NIOSH inquired as to whether the committee felt that such a fact sheet for the gypsum industry alone would be helpful. It was decided that our own Industrial Safety Manual was adequate direction for the plants in the industry and it was voted to decline involvement in such a project with NIOSH at this time. If that agency at some later time finds the funds to create a fact sheet for our industry, they have promised to contact the Association in advance of any preliminary work, so that our data can be used to advantage in the creation of such a publication. SGP 0011738 5- - Two "Burden of Proof" bills have been recently introduced into the legislative picture. According to these bills, S 841 and HR 0078, the burden of proof in certain health hazard cases would be shifted by requiring the defendants to prove that their acts are not dangerous instead of forcing the complaining parties to prove that they are. Legal counsel was requested to obtain copies of these bills, known as the Environmental Health Acts of 1975, for use by the committee in determining what the industry position on the matter should be. Upon completion, the official views of the Association should be conveyed to the Senate Public Works Committee for their consideration. The transfer of the Mining Enforcement Safety Adminis tration (MESA) and its associated functions to the Labor Depart ment is still being considered by Congress. An industry position has been developed which opposes certain provisions of this pro posed transfer. The Association has requested the opportunity to testify if and when public hearings on the bill are scheduled. LIFT TRUCK TRAINING PROGRAM Sales of the fork lift truck driver training program have fallen off considerably recently. The committee is planning increased publicity next year which hopefully will regenerate a more brisk sales level of this very fine training program. SGP 0011739 - o- SAFETY BULLETIN AND FLEET SAFETY NEWSLETTER The committee reviewed the format of both the Safety Bulletin and the Fleet Safety Newsletter and voted approval of them in their current form. The editor reports that the recent program requesting member companies to submit articles on a definite schedule has been successful and should be continued. The quality of articles being received is excellent and the plant personnel submitting articles are to be commended. There still exists, however, a continuing need for current accident reports and photographs to accompany these articles. SAFETY POSTERS The successful photographic concept for the Association's poster series will be continued in 1976. Themes, along with associated photographs and slogans, have been approved by the committee and the Association staff will proceed to produce the 1976 posters in time for distribution to the plants by early December. The committee is still considering the concept of accident alert posters to advise the industry of significant accidents within one week of their occurrence. However, consider able technical details must be worked out so that the production of the photograph and the reproduction process will not take an inordinant amount of time and delay the issuance of the posters. SGP 0011740 -7- INDUSTRIAL SAFETY MANUAL The rough draft of the third edition of the Industrial Safety Manual has been reviewed and, with some minor corrections, approved for publication. This edition will be produced in loose leaf form so that continuing changes can be made to maintain its effectiveness as a reliable source of information for use in plant safety efforts. The final chapter of the manual will be devoted to compliance guidelines for the OSHA and MESA standards. It is anticipated that the manual will be available for distribution by the first of next year. PLANT SAFETY TRAINING PROGRAM This new program, consisting of slides, cassette and script, is in the final stages of development. The committee has approved the general format of the program and a task force has been assigned to make final adjustments prior to production of the program, for sale later this year. At that time, an informative release will be mailed to all of the plants, announc ing the availability of the program. A full oral report covering these items and other important Safety Committee activities will be given at the membership meeting. Respectfully submitted, .' vice cna i rman SGP 0011741 REPORT OF GYPSUM ASSOCIATION SAFETY CAMPAIGN FOR THE SIX-MONTH PERIOD ENDING JUNE 30. 1975 Presidential All establ1shments with an exposure more than 140,000 man-hours: Plants for the six-month period of Total Plant Rating United States Gypsum Company, Plaster City, California United States Gypsum Company, Fort Dodge, Iowa United States Gypsum Company, Stony Point, New York United States Gypsum Company, Sweetwater, Texas United States Gypsum Company, Shoals. Indiana Georgia-Pacific Corporation, Acme, Texas United States Gypsum Company, Jacksonville, Florida Georgia-Pacific Corporation, Fort Dodge, Iowa The Celotex Corporation, Port Clinton, Ohio United States Gypsum Company, Norfolk, Virginia United States Gypsum Company, Southard, Oklahoma United States Gypsum Company, Gypsum, Ohio United States Gypsum Company, Staten Island, New York 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 4.60 5.11 6.22 Citation All urstebllshments with an exposure under 140,000 but more than 107,500 P 1 ants for the six-month man-hours: period of Total Plant Ratlnq Unit ed Steles Gyps uni Company, Baltimore, Maryland United States Gyps urn Company, Sperry, Iowa United States Gyps uni Company, Oakfield, New York United States Gyps um Company, Charlestown, Massachusetti The Ce Lotex Corpor ation, Hamlin, Texas Uni ted States Gyps um Company, Saltville, Virginia The Ce locex Corpor ation, Fort Dodge, Iowa Georgi a-Pacific Co t poration, Wilmington, Delaware Georgi a-Pacific Co tporation, Buchanan, New York The FI intkote Comp any. Las Vegas, Nevada Georgi e-Pacific Co i poration, Sigurd, Utah Georgi a-Pacific Co t poration Blue Rapids, Kansas Georgi a-Pacific Co rporation, Brunswick, Georgia 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 7.21 7.79 8.72 9.30 15.17 17.60 18.32 22.39 SGP 0011742 Triumph All establ 1 shments with an exposure for the six-month less then J07.5U0 but more than 80,000 man-hours: Plants period of Total Plant Rating The Celot ex Cot pout ion, Cody, Wyoming Kaiser Cament and Gypsum Company, Antioch, California United States Gypsum Company, River Rouge, Michigan The Flmtkote Company, Savannah, Georgia The Flintkote Company, Sweetwater, Texas United States Gypsum Company, East Chicago, Indiana The Celotex Corporation, Edgewater, New Jersey Kaiser Gypsum Company, Inc., Long Beach, California United States Gypsum Company, Philadelphia Plant, Pa. Kaiser Cement and Gypsum Corporation, Jacksonville, Florida Grand Rapids Gypsum Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan Kaiser Cement and Gypsum Company, Delanco, New Jersey Georgia-Pacific Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 11.28 12.37 21.02 Peerless All est abl isttineuLs witf) an exposure less than 80,000 man-hours: p1 a i, is for the six-month period of Total Plant Rating Temple Gypsum living, LVxas United States Gypsum Company, New Orleans, Louisiana Georqia-Pac: l f i c Coi notation, Lovell, Wyoming United States Gypsum Company, Alabaster, Michigan United States Gypsum Company, Empire, Nevada United States Gypsum Company, Galena Park, Texas United States Gypsum Company, Sigurd, Utah The Flmtkote Company, Fremont, California The Flmtkote Company, Camden, New Jersey Kaiser Gypsum Company, Luc., Seattle, Washington The Flmtkote Company. Florence, Colorado Ur it :;d States Gypsum Company, Heath, Montana Temp.1 e Gypsum, West Memphis, Arkansas United States Gypsum Company, Santa Fe Springs, Ca. 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 20.30 SGP 0011743 3 GYPSUM ASSOCIATION SAFETY CAMPAIGN FREQUENCY RATE FIGURES BY CLASSES FOR SIX MONTHS - 1975 ' Presidentlai Citation Triumph Peel less Totals Total Number Man-IIou is 2.459,773 1,596,230 1.210,767 82 5,219 to 091,989 Total Number Accidents 3 13 4 1 21 Frequency Rates 1.2196 8.14 3. 30 1.2118 3.45 PART II GYPSUM ASSOCIATION SAFETY CAMPAIGN FREQUENCY RATE FIGURES RY DEPARTMENT FOR SIX MONTHS - 1975 Mine Quarry Mill Board Block Warehouslny Maintenance MlSCfcl 1 a.OeOUS Totals Total Number Man-Hours 114,406 207,694 612,538 2,053, 54 1 39, 138 510, 082 1,248,577 1 , 4(>6,01 1 6,091,989 Total Number Accidents 2 1 1 8 _ 3 6 -- 21 Frequency Rates 17.48 4.81 1.63 3.90 5.88 4.81 3.45 Pel' Cr-1 11 .'1 MaI. -Hours Wot kt-d m Each Classification to the Total Number >r Hour s Wo i k ljJ . Mine Qua t t y Mi 11 Boat, d li lock Wa r ehous iruj Maintenance Mi seel 1aneous 1.88 4. 41 1 0.0 5 4 3.71 .64 8.37 2 0.50 2 1.44 100.00 Per Cent of Accidents in Each Classification to the Total Number of Accidents Reported: Mine Quarry Mill Board Block Warehousing Maintenance Mi scellaneous 9.52 4.76 4.76 5 5.1 7 -- 14.29 28.50 100.00 SGP 0011744 REPORT OF THE TECHNICAL COMMITTEE TO THE MEMBERSHIP SEPTEMBER 15, 1975 The ninety-fifth meeting of the Technical Committee was held August 6, 7 and 8 in Rochelle Park, New Jersey. The meeting was attended by 18 representatives from 6 companies, Association staff members and legal counsel. SECTION 1 - PROOUCTS Six ASTM standards for board products have been revised to incorporate the new performance tests in lieu of board weights so they will be consistent with the basic gypsum board standard C-36. ASTM standard C-79 is simultaneously being revised to in clude the 5/8" type X sheathing which has been approved for rec ognition as an industry product by the Board of Directors. The consolidation of several ASTM wall board standards is under con sideration in ASTM Committee C -- 11. Revision of the sampling and marking procedures is being made because of the current requirement which specifies an impractical quantity of wallboard to be sampled (0.25% of the shipment). Also being reviewed are the inspection, rejection and packaging procedures. The addition of 5/16" wallboard to the C-36 standard has been proposed. Two lists of metric conversions have been submitted to the Manufacturing and Mining Committee. One of these lists con tains the products affecting our industry only and the other list affects other industries as well. Of particular concern to us SGP 0011745 2- - will be the lumber industry's conversion to metric, and especially the width they establish for wood studs. The 1 1/2" bearing surface of the studs is already marginal to nail gypsum board properly, so we are urging the lumber industry not to make further reductions to this dimension when they convert to metric. The Technical Committee has been conducting a series of round robin tests on various types of predecorated wallboard. The objective is to develop a predecorated wallboard specification. Tests for durability, washability and pick resistance have been proposed and these tests were evaluated in the round robin testing. It was found difficult, if not impossible, to establish failure points for these tests. Also, there is some question how necessary they are, especially since conventional paints and textures do not necessarily have good durability or washability. The pre decorated board specification will be re-examined to determine which tests are appropriate and to consider one set of requirements for products applied to walls and another set for products applied to ceiIings. The NBS/Houser bench test method for type X wallboard has been sent to subcommittee ballot in C-M. The Technical Committee has suggested that member companies build the apparatus and test their own regular and type X wallboard. The cost of assembling such an apparatus is estimated at $200 or less. We understand that a patent on the test method will be issued to the Bureau of Standards SGP 0011746 L. Houser as the inventor. The eventual objective is the type X bench test for the full scale fire test Iboard standards. ly, the Technical Committee proposed to conduct on a range of gypsum board products at UnderDuring the Research Associate coordination ed that Mr, J, R. Lawson could better conduct i. Products to be tested include regular , 1/2" sheathing, 1/2" water resistant 'd, 1/2" type X board, 5/8" type X board, Wa!Iboard paper and vinyl samples r to get potential heat values for it may be possible to calculate es for each component. NFPA 220 !, so having potential heat less than 3500 BTU/lb. re this standard. ory walIboard quality ne California Drywall recommended a response the proper subi the Gypsum Assoc i a- 4- - Because of the possibility of certain toxicity require ments, the Building Code Committee has recommended that the Tech nical Committee investigate the necessity for toxicity tests and the cost of these tests. It will be determined whether our vinyl covered wallboard and texturing materials fall under the California State Fire Marshal requirements for toxicity. SECTION 2 - SYSTEMS The application standards for lathing and furring, gypsum plastering, and veneer plastering have all been submitted to ballot in C-II. It appears that these will all become standards in the very near future. The need for racking tests on 5/3" type X sheathing was discussed. It was decided to delay planning any test program until a product specification for type X sheathing is developed. The proposed ASTM wallboard application standard has reached an impasse because of the controversy over 1/2" board applied to ceiling supports 24" o.c. The standard published by the Gypsum Association and the special recommendation published by the Gypsum Association both recommend 5/8" board on ceiling framing spaced 24" o.c. 'where water based textures are to be used. The ASTM proposal differs in that it permits 1/2" board to be used on 24" centers with a notation to consult the manufacturer if water based textures are to be applied. The Technical Committee re SGP 0011748 5- - affirmed its position and voted to instruct the Association staff representative to vote negative at C-11. The old A97 wallboard application standard has now been removed from American National Standards Institute. The higher cost of energy is resulting in more insulation and vapor barrier use than previously. There was a discussion of the effect that additional insulation and vapor barriers might have on sagging. The possibility of some testing at the Bureau of Stand ards will be investigated. Gypsum board for mobile homes was a prominent subject. A recommended product specification for 5/16" MH board was drafted and has been sent out to the Board of Directors for approval. Eventually we will also need an application standard for 5/16" MH board. Mr. Henry Omson, of the Manufactured Housing Institute, met with us and discussed the needs of the mobile home industry. He stated that gypsum board will not be legislated into mobile homes, but rather will be adopted on the basis of performance and engineer ing data. A task group was formed to meet with a similar group from the mobile homes industry sometime during September. The mobile home industry wants to know the identification of the gypsum board we plan to furnish, the reason for the board being 5/16" in thick ness, the appIicat ion methods, attachments, transportabi1ity, durability, shear strength, impact strength, fire resistance and SGP 0011749 -o- appearance. A 5/16" thick board has been proposed for inclusion in the ASTH 036 standard. The HUD advisory council established a minimum flame spread of 200 for all walls and ceilings except hot water heaters, furnace and kitchen range areas where the maximum flame spread is 25. They have also recommended further testing at the Bureau of Standards. A preliminary guide for the use of gypsum board over plastic foam will be prepared and distributed to the members. It was reported that the Society of Plastics is pursuing their own tests without our assistance. The subject of fire tests of assemblies with fire ratings less than one hour was carried over from the last meeting. It was decided that there is not sufficient reason to recommend any testing with the possible exception of 5/16" board and this will be con sidered under the subject of mobile homes. SECTION 3 - TESTING National Fire Protection Association 220 has now been advanced to full standard, so gypsum board will be in a limited combustible category under this definition, which is promulgated by the American Insurance Association. The Technical Committee recommends retaining the three-part definition of combustibility contained in our Fire Resistance Manual, but deleting any reference to AIA. SGP 0011750 7- - The Association fire and sound testing program has been revived with the purchase of a test from National Gypsum Company. This test is a floor/cei1ing consisting of two layers of 5/8" type X directly applied over wood joists and has a 56 minute finish rating. The International Conference of Building Officials re quires a 40 minute finish rating for one hour protection over 24" o.c. trusses and roof/ceiling constructions. Plans are in progress for tests of one and two hour metal stud chase walls. Cost estimates are being obtained and will be submitted to the Board of Directors for final approval. Our manual lists chase walls for sound, but we have no fire ratings. Also, a list of assemblies is being compiled and a series of sound tests will be recommended to re place the sound data in the Fire Resistance Manual that is obsolete. ASTM Committee E-5 has submitted a revision of E-119 method of fire testing which will do away with thermocouple placements over screw heads or other small fasteners. This will make for more uniform testing of metal stud assemblies by the various laboratories. A revision of the E-136 calorimeter test has been pro posed. E-5 is apparently sympathetic to this revision and if the revision is successful, gypsum board may be returned to the non combustible category. SGP 0011751 -8- The Gypsum Roof Deck Foundation has requested assistance from the Gypsum Association in a fire test program. The Technical Committee reply states that we are willing to provide technical assistance, but will not participate financially. SECTION 4 - CONSUMER PRODUCTS At the C-ll meeting in February, there was mention made that hazard warning statements be included in ASTM standards for products containing asbestos fiber. This will be aired further in C-ll. SECTION 5 - GENERAL Mr. Lawson's activities at the Bureau of Standards have been supplemented by his involvement in the NBS mobile home fire testing program. This work has been extremely valuable to the Association in helping determine how to take best advantage of the potential mobile home market for gypsum board. The Association has furnished 5/1*3" board products for future fire testing at the Bureau. Work is proceeding on the ease of ignition tests and its correlation with other fire test methods being developed as cri teria for an eventual fire resistance index. The previously mentioned potential heat testing has already been started. These tests will be conducted along with the ease of ignition, rate of heat release and flame spread tests that are being developed at the Bureau. A second fire data survey will be conducted to collect opinions on fire hazard questions from various building officials, fire marshals and others who are intimately involved in fire safety. SGP 0011752 9- - The 1975-1976 edition of the Fire Resistance Manual is being distributed. The Technical Committee is compiling a revision list in preparation for the next edition. Two officials from the New York City Building Department met with us to iron out some details prior to the city's acceptance of the manual. The diligence of the Gypsum Association staff has resulted in acceptance of the manual by the City of New York and the City of Los Angeles with only minor exceptions. ICBO has proposed a tightening of the steel stud thick ness criteria and the general feeling is that the Association should support ICBO's position. Respectfully submitted, 7^ l'(J, C. W. Lehnert Chairman ir. SGP 0011753 REPORT OF THE BUILDING CODE COMMITTEE TO THE MEMBERSHIP SEPTEMBER 15, 1975 Representatives of seven member companies participated in the meeting of the Building Code Committee held August 5, 1975 in Rochelle Park, New Jersey. Additionally, there were members of the staff present, including the NBS Research Associate and legal counse1. The American Insurance Association's new National Building Code is finally nearing completion and distribution should begin before January 1976. As has been reported to you previously, this code contains a new classification of building materials termed "1imited-combustibleGypsum board products fall within this category; they will no longer be "noncombustible" under the new AIA definition. This should not affect the use of them under their code, however, since provision for use of "limited combus tible" materials is included under their requirements for all classes of construction. A similar definition of noncombustible, limited-combustible and combustible was adopted by the National Fire Protection Association at their spring meeting. Under both definitions, to meet "limited-combustible", materials can not exceed a potential heat value of 3500 BTU per lb. This is easily met by gypsum boards but there is very little formal data in substantiat ion. SGP 0011754 2 To avoid a duplication of effort and to minimize costs, we requested the Technical Committee to obtain new potential heat data on an industry basis. We were gratified to learn that our NBS Research Associate has gained NBS agreement to develop this data under his program thereby virtually eliminating test costs. The new AIA code wi,l I contain sound control require ments and it is in this area that the Association staff has made significant strides toward gaining recognition of the Fire Re sistance Design Manual. Due to the fine work of the Association staff, the manual was previously adopted by the other three model building codes and now at least an opening has been created with the fourth. The staff should also be highly commended for their work with New York City. Members of the New York City Department of Buildings came to the Association's Evanston office and re viewed virtually every fire test report referenced in the new 1975-76 manual. Their many questions were satisfactorily resolved and they have already taken action to get the new manual included in the New York City Building Code, both for fire and sound. This should greatly reduce problems and future approval fees of the members. SGP 0011755 -3- The International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) has proposed more stringent tolerances for light gage steel as used in steel studs, track, and other framing. They have proposed a new test procedure for evaluating plastic foam products, including assemblies protected with gypsum board. At their fall annual meeting they will consider updating the ICBO code reference to the new Gypsum Association Fire Resistance Manual which has been challenged by the City of San Francisco. These are examples of the matters being covered by the Association staff in the West. We were advised that HUO's proposed mobile home standard will permit 200 flame spread material in rooms as well as corridors, at least initially. Continued testing by NBS may result in suffi cient proof that reduced flame spread of interior finishes is required such that changes will be made in the future. Our interests are well served in this area by the Association staff members who meet frequently with those responsible for the standard and by our NBS Research Associate who is directly involved in the testing program. The City of New York has begun enforcing a requirement that interior finish materials can be no more toxic under burning conditions than wood or paper. The California State Fire Marshal will begin enforcing such a regulation in July 1976 and the Southern Building Code Congress has a similar provision pending SGP 0011756 -4- adoption. To minimize test costs we have requested the Technical Convnittee to have generic tests conducted on vinyl surfaced wallboard and ceiling spray textured coatings, if they can be classi fied generically. The City of Los Angeles continues to prohibit use of water resistant backing board as a base for tile in bath and shower areas. Repeated efforts by individual member companies and the Association staff to overcome this prohibition have so far proven unsuccessful. It finally appears likely that this position will be relaxed and its use permitted. The Western Tile Contractors organization has now taken the initiative to gain Los Angeles City allowance for its use and the Association staff is working with them to accomplish this change. The Building Code Committee expressed a need for a one hour ceiling rating employing gypsum board through the Tech nical Committee. The membership agreed to the purchase of such a test from a member company and I am pleased to report that the Association staff has already succeeded in getting it added to a GA approval with ICBO, the code body where this rating is most nec essary. San Francisco is the only jurisdiction in the United States that includes "fall-off" criteria when judging a fire rating for partitions and floor-ceilings. At our recent meeting, a task force was appointed to review this with a western fire protection consultant as an initial step toward a new program to get this requirement eliminated. SGP 0011757 -5- Many of the above items as well as others covered during our meeting involve means to reduce test costs or approval fees to members. This effort coupled with the continuing activity to gain proper recognition and allowance for use of gypsum products in building codes remain the main thrust of the Building Code Committee and the Association staff. Respectfully submitted, Chairman SGP 0011758 REPORT OF THE TRAFFIC COMMITTEE TO THE MEMBERSHIP SEPTEMBER 15. 1975 The Traffic Committee held its summer meeting in Grand Rapids, Michigan August 14, 1975- The agenda for that meeting was organized under the three general headings - General Transportation, Motor Carrier and Rail. Under the new format, this agenda will enable the Traffic Committee to better organize and expedite the handling of industry related traffic matters in these three areas. My report will then cover items of interest in each of these three general areas. GENERAL TRANSPORTATION The Traffic Committee, through the Association office, has contacted congressional committees concerning the provisions of the "Rail Transportation Improvement Act of 1975" under Senate Bill 1876 and HR 7681 expressing our industry's position to this proposed legislation where we are in support and opposition. It is antici pated the Senate Commerce Committee and the House Subcommittee on Transportation and Commerce will be holding hearings on this proposed legislation and the respective bills in the near future, at which time the committee will determine if the membership desires to play a more active role in this area. Still under consideration by congressional committees is the "Railroad Right-of-Way Improve ment Act of 1975" HR 4622, and the Railroad Revenue Act of 1975 S 1143. SGP 0011759 2 The Traffic Committee is also active in legislative action on Senate Bill 1957 aimed at amending the Interstate Commerce Act to facilitate damage claim procedures. Under the terms of this proposed legislation, the Interstate Commerce Commission would be empowered to establish procedures for claim settlement by appointing arbitra tion boards composed of carrier and ICC representatives. An expression of industry concern regarding this proposed legislation was forwarded to Senator Magnuson, one of the bill's authors, on August 15, 1975- The Traffic Committee is closely following the activities of the Association metric task force and possible ramifications of metric conversion in the traffic transportation areas. The com mittee feels that hard conversions increasing product length or reducing width would have little effect on loading configurations, although increases in board width would adversely affect truck load ing in states where maximum truck width is 95". It is therefore the recommendation of the Traffic Committee that any hard conversion of board width should reduce the width of the board rather than increase it because of the fact that many states have laws which limit truck widths to 95". The Traffic Committee Chairman plans to discuss this committee recommendation more fully with the metric task force at their next meeting. SGP 0011760 -3- The committee continues to watch closely the activities of the American Paper Institute in the publication of their paper loading manual to assure that such publication wi11 not result in AAR mandatory rules for paper loading being imposed upon our industry. The Association has been informed that the API does not intend to make the loading configurations in its manual mandatory for rail shipments and it is the intent of your Traffic Committee to follow this project through to completion to assure this fact. MOTOR CARRIER The Traffic Committee continues to monitor and pursue where possible, state legislative programs that would increase weight limitations to the new federal levels on motor vehicles operating in ail gypsum states. We also continue to monitor activities of House Bill 1337 sponsored by Representative Koch which is still pending in Congress. HR 1367, as reported to you at the annual meeting, proposes to repeal increased federal motor carrier weight increases granted earlier this year. Although there is no Associa tion activity planned, the individual member companies are encour aged to support the defeat of HR 1867 and promote introduction and passage of increased weight legislation at state levels. The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed noise standards for motor carriers which are scheduled to become effective October 15, 1975. At that time, the proposed Environmental Protec tion Standards will limit vehicle noise and indications are that SGP 0011761 -k- these standards will be achieved only through an expenditure of about $135 per tractor. While the committee recognizes and supports the need for quieter trucks on the highway, it also feels that this goal should be obtained only if compliance costs are within reason. The committee plans to continue monitoring the activities of the EPA in this area. The Economic Research Committee of the regular common carrier conference is currently engaged in the study relative to the earnings that the motor carriers feel they should be permitted to earn. Some carriers support earnings of at least 23% before taxes and interest. The Interstate Commerce Commission now has this subject and X 296 under investigation. The leasing to regulated motor carriers of vehicles with drivers of private carriers under Docket MC-lJ3 Sub 3, has been a subject of interest to all manufacturers who maintain private equip ment. This subject is still pending before the ICC where consider able opposition has developed among the common carriers. It is reported that Senate Bill 636 "Termination of High way Trust Fund" or the so-called Percy Bill, is still being con sidered by the Senate Subcommittee on Finance. A bill supported by the Ford administration, HR 8^:3, would allocate the kc tax on gaso lene so that 2c would be returned to the general fund, 1< being SGP 0011762 -5- allocated to the states to use as they see fit, with the remaining U being retained in the Highway Trust Fund. This bill is still pending before Congress. A third bill, HR 6645, would abolish the Highway Trust Fund and convert it into a general transportation fund. The Traffic Committee recommends that the Gypsum Associa tion actively oppose any legislation which would divert money from the Highway Trust Fund to other modes of transportation or for purposes other than the original objectives of the Highway Trust Fund. RAIL Three alternative loading proposals to the Association of American Railroads, Figure 101, Section 5, were developed by a special task force of the Materials Handling, Traffic and Manufacturing and Mining Committees. Each of these proposals revise the requirements for I tern K (unitizing bands). At the writing of this report we have as yet had no reply from the AAR relative to their attitude toward our industry proposed loading methods. Hopefully, by the time of the semiannual meeting we will have more information to report to the membership in this area. Realizing that presentation of the proposed loading alternatives to the AAR may result in a possible request for test loads, the Traffic Committee recommends that any AAR request for testing of these proposed alternatives be immediately approved, with the resulting costs being borne by the individual member companies participating in the test program. SGP 0011763 The second phase of Ex Parte 313 increases, a 2.5% freight rate increase is scheduled to become effective October I, 1975You will recall that the Association objected to the first phase 5% freight rate increase under Ex Parte 313, and also recently objected to the second phase, a 2.5% proposed increase. It is also inter esting to note at this particular point, the original ICC decision in Ex Parte 310 exempting certain commodities from rate increases was subsequently reversed, with no exemptions being allowed. This ICC decision has resulted in the manufacturers of products concerned filing suit in the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C. asking for a reversal of this decision. The committee has followed the activities of various state regulatory bodies responsible for establishing intrastate freight rate regulations, especially those states having multi-gypsum plant operations. Since not all member companies maintain operating facili ties in all states, the question has been raised by the committee as to what posture to take due to this subject of intrastate increases. The chairman was requested to report this concern and request correc tion pertaining to Association activity dealing with intrastate in creases. I plan to report on this subject fully at the membership meeting. The Association has filed a statement with the Interstate Commerce Commission on Ex parte 31** which calls for procedures for handling general freight rate increases which is a carrier SGP 0011764 7- - sponsored no-suspense annual increase. Your chairman plans to appear before the Interstate Commerce Commission on October 1, 1975 to present our industry position on this Ex Parte 314 proceeding. Additional items of interest in the areas of industry transportation will be presented in my oral report to the member ship. Respectfully submitted, SGP 0011765 REPORT OF THE PROMOTIONAL COMMITTEE TO THE MEMBERSHIP SEPTEMBER 15, 1975 At the last annual meeting the Association was directed to become involved in promoting the use of gypsum products in mobile homes. This was the central topic at the last meeting of the Promotional Committee in July in Gaithersburg, Maryland. There has been considerable interest and activity towards establishing government regulations in mobile home manufacturing to improve quality, durability and safety. The Department of Housing and Urban Development was directed by the U.S. Congress to prepare standards for the mobile home industry. Our primary interest was the serious question of fire safety, particularly the rapid spread of fire and the problem of tenant evacuation. HUD published its proposed standards in the Federal Register, June 25, 1975- Briefly, they called for Class A materials (0-25 flame spread rating) around furnace, water heater and walls immediately adj'acent to kitchen stove, and Class C materials (75"200 flame spread rating) on other interior surfaces. They also proposed five alternative plans ranging from a 25 flame spread rating for walls and ceilings throughout the coach, to a 200 flame spread rating throughout and sprinklered. HUD called for comments on the proposed standards by all interested parties by July 26, 1975, to be evaluated by the HUD advisory council, made up of industry, government and consumer representatives. SGP 0011766 2- - The Board of Directors was apprised of the situation and it was felt that the Association should present a statement of recommendation to HUD. Each member company was asked to provide their recommendations for this statement and it was agreed that the statement would be prepared at the Promotional Committee meeting July 23, 1975- At this same meeting, the Association would also meet with representatives of the Manufactured Housing Institute and the National Bureau of Standards. As a result of information gained at that meeting, it became apparent that HUD was going to adopt a standard calling for a 200 flame spread rating for walls and ceilings (25 around heaters, furnaces and kitchen ranges) for two basic reasons: 1) Objections by mobile home manufacturer interests that requirements for a lower flame spread rating would cause financial and production difficulties for their industry, and 2) Insufficient mobile home fire statistical data and research data to support a requirement for a lower rating. HUD stated that as further research data and fire sta tistics become available and are evaluated, the standard could be amended accordingly. In light of these developments, it was decided that the Gypsum Association recommendations to HUD should be for Alternative IV as the best possible option to insure maximum fire safety. SGP 0011767 3- - However, recognizing that there can be problems in converting a manufacturing process to accommodate new materials, we would also offer an alternative proposal which would provide an orderly tran sition for an interim period until the manufacturing process can be converted for the use of fire resistant gypsum products. This alternate proposal, in brief, proposed a 25 flame spread rating for all walls (with the exception of bath and shower area and feature walls) and a 75 flame spread rating for ceilings. Simultaneously with presenting our statement to HUD, we released a national news story on the advantages and feasibility of using gypsum board to increase mobile home fire safety. The Promotional, Technical, Building Code and Materials Handling Committees will continue to work in close cooperation with the Manufactured Housing Institute and the National Bureau of Standards in this area. It would appear that a two-pronged promotional effort is appropriate at this time, aimed at (1) the potential mobile home buyer to make him aware of the added fire resistance and sound control in coaches using gypsum board and (2) the mobile home dealer to convince him of the marketing advantage he has with such a home. SGP 0011768 4- - FIRE RESISTANCE DESlGil HAilUAL Reaction to the l975"1976 edition of the Fire Resistance Design Manual has been highly favorable. 50,000 copies were printed in mid July and already more than 25,000 are in circulation to member companies, architects, designers, building officials and other interested parties. The favorable comments on the book have been unprecedented with many building officials and architects requesting additional copies for further distribution within their offices and departments. All of our news stories and announcements have emphasized that the book is accepted by reference by the three model building codes, the 1973 Minimum Property Standards published by HUD, and several individual city codes including New York and Los Angeles. Obviously, the added authority and prestige of these references has had a good deal to do with the increased demand for the book. The new "Gypsum Association Recommended Specifications for the Application and Finishing of Gypsum Board" is in its second printing with over 15,000 copies in circulation. Since our last report we have added a completely new and updated brochure on "Fire Resistant Gypsum Sheathing" which has been very well received in the field. Distribution of other Association literature continues at a high level with several new and revised publications planned. These are included in our literature budget. We also continue to monitor our publications to keep them up to date. SGP 0011769 5- - We are also pleased to report that following more than two years of discussions and negotiations, the Association has obtained a bulk mailing permit from the U.S. Post Office. This will result in considerable postal savings in certain of our mass mailings and takes on added significance in view of the increased demand for our new publications and the postal rate increases due at the end of this calendar year. TRADE RELATIONS The Promotional Committee met March 6, 1975 with the Inter national Association of Wall and Ceiling Contractors at their request to discuss a liaison program between our two organizations to develop mutually advantageous programs. iaWCC is interested in establishing their identity as representatives of contractors in all the wall and ceiling market segments as well as in education and information pro grams. The Board of Directors had directed that this liaison program be coordinated through the Promotional Committee. The committee also reiterated our position of working cooperatively with all contractor groups with impartiality. The Association presented a symposium on gypsum drywall at the Gypsum Drywall Contractors International convention in Hollywood, Florida in March and hosted a reception for contractors in the exhibit area. Both were well attended and highly successful. SGP 0011770 6- - Once again, we have conducted a special training seminar at three iaWCC regionals. The seminars, conducted by Association staff plus individual experts from member companies, were on shaft walls and were held in Des Moines, Iowa; Nashville, Tennessee; and Cherry Hills, New Jersey. We also continue to work actively with other trade groups such as the National Association of Home fluilders, National Lumber and Building Materials Dealers Association, Painting and Decorating Contractors of America and others. A feature article on the opportunities for use of shaft type walls written by the Association staff appeared in the April 1975 issue of iaWCC's CONSTRUCTION DIMENSIONS magazine. BALANCED PROTECTION The Association continues to support the concept of balanced protection against high rise fires in its news releases and in its personal contact with concerned individuals and groups. The half hour film we co-sponsored on the subject, FIRE ON THE RISE, is now in circulation to TV stations and group showings throughout the country. its first TV showing was on WNBC-TV in New York, the world's biggest television station. INDUSTRY IMAGE The second edition of our industry speech, GYPSUM, BUILDING CONFIDENCE IN AMERICA, revised for trade factor presentation, has SGP 0011771 7- - been distributed within the industry for member company use with contractor groups and, judging from the response received to date, has been as successful as the first one which was directed toward our own employees. Further steps in this program will be discussed by the committee at its next meeting. Respectfully submitted. SGP 0011772 REPORT OF THE MANUFACTURING AND MINING COMMITTEE TO THE MEMBERSHIP SEPTEMBER 15, 1975 The Manufacturing and Mining Committee will hold its semiannual meeting at the Ponte Vedra Country Club in Ponte Vedra, Florida on October 14, 1975- That meeting is subsequent to the \ preparation of this report but prior to the semiannual meeting where our supplemental oral report will be presented. Highlights of the committee's activities are as follows: LAND PRESERVATION AND RECLAMATION The joint land reclamation efforts carried on by the members operating in the Fort Dodge area were brought to a tem porary conclusion late in i974 with preparation of models and summary reports presented to the membership. No further joint activity is currently planned and this program will continue to be held in abeyance. The committee, through the Association staff, continues to monitor proposed strip mining legislation both at state and federal levels to assure passage of legislation not counterproduc tive to the interests of our industry. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS To date, no further action has been taken by the EPA to SGP 0011773 -2 develop national standards for our industry concerning air emission and their study completed by Process Research, Inc. in 1973. During 1974 the EPA contracted with VerSar, Inc. to produce a study of the gypsum industry in connection with water effluent from mineral extraction '(SIC 1492) and the board manu facturing process (SIC 3275). Both studies have been completed and the contractors1 reports distributed to the industry for comment which, in turn, have been forwarded to EPA. It is antici pated that the EPA's findings will be published in the Federal Register in the near future with a 30 day comment period and enforcement approximately 90 days thereafter. It is apparent at this time that the EPA will require zero discharge from gypsum manufacturing facilities. The committee will continue to follow this matter closely and respond on behalf of the industry when and where appropriate. ENERGY As reported at the last meeting, the Gypsum Association was requested by the Department of Commerce to participate in a voluntary energy conservation program. In complying with the Department of Commerce's request, the Gypsum Association solicited energy data covering industry operations for the years 1970 through 1974, with the average BTU's per MSF of 1/2" gypsum wallboard and total gypsum wallboard produced, With all wallboard sizes con verted to 1/2", the following figures were developed: SGP 0011774 Year 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 3- - Average BTU (mm) Per MSF Gypsum Board 3.241 3.190 3.094 2.992 2.993 Total Industry Production Per MSF Gypsum Board 9,239,200 11,945,631 14,362,227 15,158,524 12,852,357 This data was forwarded to Commerce, as will similar statistics for 1975 at the end of the year. This study, among other things, permitted each of us in the industry to look closely at our energy uses. Of the total in dustry energy figures reported above, it was interesting to note that approximately 7 per cent of our industry energy use is devoted to the crushing and drying process, while approximately 23 per cent is devoted to calcining with the remaining 70 per cent devoted to board processing. It was also interesting to see that the gypsum industry had achieved a 7-6+ per cent decrease in the energy used on a unit basis during this time. We will continue to advise you of future developments in this area, but it is hoped that our industry's participation in these federal programs will attempt to "soften" the future effects of any mandatory programs on our industry operations. SGP 0011775 -k- The committee continues to monitor existing or proposed state energy regulatory functions and stands ready to assist the membership in this regard where requested. Of current interest and observation by the Association staff is the California Pubiic Utilities Commission Case #S88k which would impose serious priorities and gas and electric curtailments on all California industrial operations. We will continue to monitor such activities, taking whatever action is deemed necessary whenever such action is requested and consensus is rendered that such action be taken. Currently, the Association staff is developing an industry energy guideline for use by the membership in preparing testimony before state and local energy regulatory bodies. SEVERANCE TAX There has been no activity in this area since the semi annual meeting. It is anticipated that as usual, this will once again be a subject of concern in various state legislatures which convene in early 1976. This activity will continue to be monitored by the Association with appropriate action taken as deemed necessary. SAFETY COMMITTEE LIAISON The Manufacturing and Mining Committee continues to re view the Safety Committee programs and recommendations. The SGP 0011776 5- - committee chairman would like to extend his sincere appreciation to Mr. James D. Cornell, Safety Committee Vice Chairman, who appeared before the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to present the industry's position paper on the proposed noise regulations. We have received many reports that this was an excellent presenta tion of our industry's position, and was especially effective under a grueling cross-examination by labor representatives. Of several federal bills currently in the hopper which would propose transfer of the mine safety function from MESA to OSHA, Senate Bill 1302, introduced by Senator Williams, is of primary concern to our industry due to the application of coal safety standards on non-coal operations. A committee task force has pre pared an industry position paper in this regard and is prepared to appear before the U.S. Senate Committee on Labor and Public Welfare if and when that committee schedules public hearings on this pro posed legislation. The Safety Committee is currently monitoring safety hazard studies being conducted both by N10SH and OSHA for the Standard Industrial Classification Code Group 327, of which our industry is part. An industry position paper is also being pre pared to convey our thoughts on the proposed OSHA Silica Criteria Document. SGP 0011777 -oMATERIALS HANDLING SUBCOMMITTEE MATTERS Following this report, the Chairman of the Materials Handling Subcommittee will cover the activities of that group. Highlights of that report are expected to cover future committee projects as developed at their recent committee meeting, among which include the three proposed bulkhead flatcar alternative loading proposals which have been submitted to the Association of American Railroads for their further consideration. TECHNICAL AND BUILDING CODE COMMITTEE LIAISON As in the past, the Manufacturing and Mining Committee will discuss matters of mutual interest with representatives of both Technical and Building Code Committees. The industry metric conversion program and the actions of the super task force assigned to this subject wi11 be of primary interest to the Manufacturing and Mining Committee. Respectfully submitted, Harold E. Beard Chairman SGP 0011778 REPORT OF THE MATERIALS HANDLING SUBCOMMITTEE TO THE MEMBERSHIP SEPTEMBER 15. 1975 The Materials Handling Subcommittee met at the Sheraton O'Hare Motor Inn, Rosemont, Illinois, on June 18, 1975- This was the first meeting of the full committee since it became a subcommittee of the Manufacturing and Mining Committee. AAR LOADING PROGRAM Prior to the June 18, 1975 committee meeting, each member company was requested to submit their proposals covering gypsum board rail loading configuration alternates to Figure 101, Section 5, of the Association of American Railroads mandatory rules governing the loading on open top cars. Three suggested alterna tives were received and presented at the meeting, all of which basically involve elimination or amendment to the unitizing band requirement (Item K) in the existing Figure 101, Section 5 loading configuration. Briefly, the loading alternatives are as follows: (Please refer to drawings attached to this report.) 1. Eliminate Note #1 covering 45" package height limi tation and eliminate unitizing (item K), substituting two 3/*" x .031" encircling bands per board length. 2. Eliminate unitizing bands (item K), substituting end banding of individual units with 1/2" x .020 HT" metal strap. SGP 0011779 2 3. Amend unitizing band requirement (Item K) to require 1/2" x .031 HT" band from anchor tie on car to and underneath the uppermost unit per 4' of board length. The three proposed alternatives have been submitted to the AAR with the request that the 45" package height limitation (Note I) be deleted in all loading configurations. The estimated savings using the proposed alternate loading methods would range between $35 and $50 per carload, depending on method used. Hopefully, I will be prepared to report the AAR response to our proposed alternatives at the semiannual meeting. It is anticipated that we will receive requests from the AAR to engage in a test program prior to the time of the meeting. AAR PAPER LOADING ON RAIL CARS As reported at the annual meeting, the American Paper Institute has embarked upon a major revision to their "Uniform Shipping Guide" covering the loading of paper rolls in box cars. This manual, it is anticipated, will be adopted by the AAR Closed Car Committee as suggested loading methods. The Gypsum Association, by letter dated April 24, 1975, expressed our industry's concern about the manner in which the AAR might adopt the API loading practices since they did not conform with existing gypsum industry loading methods. The American Paper Institute has advised us that the material contained in their manual will be adopted by the AAR as suggested loading methods and not mandatory, and that an SGP 0011780 -3- appropriate section covering movements of gypsum paper rolls would be published in the Foreword of the revised API manual. The com mittee plans to follow this subject to its conclusion to assure in dustry exception from the most costly suggested API loading configurations. MATERIALS HANDLING MANUAL The committee continues to review and develop updated material for inclusion in our industry Materials Handling Manual. Currently, manual changes covering Figure 101, Section 5, and lift truck fork tines specifications are being finalized for publica tion. Many assignments have been made to develop appropriate loading configurations for publication in the manual covering: Paper rolls on truck Joint compound pails on truck Board products on truck As future manual revisions are published, metric measure ments will be incorporated within the publication wherever appro priate. MATERIALS HANDLING TRAINING FILM The industry materials handling trainin fi1m program has been updated with the production of a new fill covering the loading of rail cars in accordance with AAR Figun 101, Section 5. SGP 0011781 4- - The new film, a 20 minute sound/color, 16 mm, is an excellent training device for use by gypsum rail shipping plants, and is available currently from the Association office for the price of $89-00. The industry is encouraged to purchase and use the new training film in their plants. Current matters of industry importance in the materials handling area, along with proposed future committee activities, will be reported orally at the semiannual meeting. Respectfully submitted, SGP 0011782 sGNva % n 3 n i:n o SGP 0011783 PROPOSED REVISION TC 1TEM K RECREMENTS END BANDS PROPOSED REVISION TO ITEM K REQUIREMENTS SGP 0011784