Document 7MxrDevv7bxXb9m60500Rz0wV

FILE NAME: Reynolds Metals (RM) DATE: 1995 Oct 9 DOC#: RM039 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Reynolds Metals Response to Union Questions i PLAINTIFFS I EXHIBIT I RMC-3G REYNOLDS METALS COMPANY SHERWIN ALUMINA PLANT sfcsia REYNOLDS METALS COMPANY, P. 0 . BOX 9911, CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS, 78469 TELEPHONE (512) 777-2256 FAX 512) 777-2607 October 9, L995 Aluminum. Brick and Glass Workers International Union, Local 235 P. O. Box 1601 Corpus Christi, Texas 78403 RE: Response to Inquiry of August 18, 1995 Members of Local 235: In the spirit ofUnion/Company cooperation, and in the interests o f cooperation to enhance the health o f Sherwin. Plant employees, the Company is providing answers responsive to the questions listed in the above-referenced Union letter. As previously indicated, the company is prepared to meet and discuss the issues raised in this letter and others you may have. It is hoped that these answers and the resulting dialogue will be constructive and in furtherance o f the health o f Sherwin Plant employees. (1) What are the applicable government standardsfo r exposure tofloating asbestos fibers'? What are the standardsfo r aluminum oxides? Electromagneticfields? Coal tar pitch volatiles? The current Mine and Health Administration's standards for airborne asbestos fibers is 2 fibers per cubic centimeter of air when averaged over an 8-hour day. In addition, MSHA uses a ceiling limit of 5 fibers per cubic centimeter. The current Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Standard for asbestos fibers is 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter of air when averaged over an 8hour day. In addition, there is a 30-minute excursion limit of 1.0 fiber per cubic centimeter. The MSHA standard for aluminum oxide is 10 mg/m*. The OSHA standard for aluminum oxide is 15 \ E lectrom agnetic fields are not currently regulated by MSHA or OSHA. The MSHA and OSHA standard for coal tar pitch volatiles is 0.2 mg/m\ measured using OSHA Method 58. How long have these standards been in effect? Have they changed over time? The above MSHA standards were established as a result o f the passage of the Mine Safety and Health Act in 1977. OSHA regulations have been in effect since December 31, 1970 with the passage of the Occupational Safety and Health Acl Yes, some standards have changed over time. What are the asbestos dust count resultsfo r thefollowing areas at the Sherwin Plant; (a) the power house (b> the digestion area (c) the clarification area (d) the filtration area (e) the evaporator area (f) the break, eating, locker room and shower areas When did Reynoldsfirst begin measuring asbestos levels in the air at the Sherwin Plant? An independent contractor, Northwest Envirocon, has collected over 500 asbestos air samples throughout the plant between April 1990 and the present. The vast majority showed concentrations below the Emit of quantitation. All but two were below 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter. These two were 0.12 and 0.126 fibers per cubic centimeter. A copy o f these results can be found as Attachment A. The first asbestos air samples of which we are aware were collected at the Sherwin Plant in March, 1974. (4) What areas o f the plant today have asbestos in place? What areas have undergone asbestos abatement? Is Reynolds planning on abating or removing asbestosfrom any other areas inside the Sherwin Plant? The Plant has conducted an asbestos inspection that identified and labeled all areas of in-place asbestos at the plant. Many areas have undergone asbestos abatement, and more asbestos abatement will be conducted in the future. Every area of the plant has an asbestos book which identities the specific locations of asbestos for that area. The book is updated after each abatement in order to keep an accurate record of asbestos-containing materials. An example of the area asbestos books can be found in Attachment B. (5) What efforts has Reynolds taken at the Sherwin Plant over the years to comply with applicable state andfederal regulations on asbestos exposure? Has Reynolds conducted cat audit on the potential hazards at the plantfo r all types o f dust. metals, fum es, and gases? The Sherwin Plant has had on-site plant safety and health personnel. In addition, Corporate has maintained health and safety personnel These personnel conduct inspections to assess potential exposure to chemical and physical hazards, including asbestos. A comprehensive industrial hygiene study was conducted in July 1993. A copy of the report is attached as Exhibit C. (Asbestos was not a pan of that study because the Northwest Envirocon test results demonstrated that asbestos exposure was not a hazard at the plant.), hi addition, the Mine Safety and Health Administration visits the Sherwin plant every six months to conduct a comprehensive inspection o f the plant. Attachment D is an example of a report completed by the plant in 1974 following an inspection by the Mine Enforcement and Safety Administration (the predecessor to MSHA). (6) When did Reynoldsfirst begin requiring the use o fasbestos-free productsfo r insulation and other purposes at the Sherwin Plant? This is especially important to our younger members. To the best of our knowledge the Sherwin Plant started using asbestos-free products for re-insulation in the late `60*s to eariy ^O^s. (7) What steps does Reynolds recommendfo r minimizing the worker's exposure to asbestos? Does Reynolds already have an asbestos training program or risk reduction program in place? I f so, we would like to strengthen the program so that everyone can better protect their health. Enclosed as Attachment E is a copy of the current Asbestos Program for the Sherwin Plant that is responsive to these questions. Sincerely. /tria7t ooXtkatu Arlon Boatman Manager. Health &. Safety Sherwin Alumina Plant Attachments: A Copy of the results o f Northwest Envirocon's survey for area air samples from 1990 to present. B Example o f area asbestos books that identifies asbestos locations. C July 1993 Industrial Hygiene Survey results. D Plant report following MESA inspection in 1974 E Copy of current Asbestos Program 4