Document 9JGV724mz60BVjLYEq39656Y7

Asbestos Information Association/North America 22 East 40th Street New York, N. Y. 10016 (212) 661-6206 fasPlAINTIFF'te June 12, 1972 TO: AIA/NA"MEMBER COMPANIES ' '" AIA/NA ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL SUB-COMMITTEE AIA/NA LEGAL COUNSEL James Armstrong Bendix Corporation E. C. Bratt H. K. Porter Company, Inc. G. G. Gabrielson, Jr. - Nicolet Industries, Inc. Bernard Gross American Bilt Rite Rubber Company J. C. Harkins, Jr. Congoleum Industries Inc. A. R. Hooker The Flintkote Company C. A. Neumann Kentile Floors Incorporated G. W. Nickel Armstrong Cork Company J. W. Rawlings Union Carbide Corporation - Clifford Seymour The Carborundum Company Philip Weinstein Evertex Incorporated G. W. Wright, M.D. St. Luke's Hospital Gentlemen: On June 22, 1972, a special meeting of the Asbestos Information Association/North America will be held in the Biddle Room of the Harvard Club, 27 West 44th Street, New York'City. The meeting will begin at'10 A.M. and will, continue through lunch. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss future industry action with regard to the new Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards on asbestos. Because of the generally reasonable regulations issued by OSHA and the 1976 effective date of the two fiber standard, the asbestos industry may be lured into a false sense of security and consider the OSHA battle to be over. This would be a most serious error to make. If we are to convince OSHA that the two fiber standard and other unfavorable sections of the regulations must be changed, then we must begin now to develop the medical, technical and economic evidence necessary to prove our point. In the introduction tq the regulations on page 11318 of the Federal Register, it states: Sponsored by Atlas Asbestos Co.. Cement Asbestos Prooucts Co.. Cenarrvteeo Protect* Cjrj.. Co . GAF Corp.. JOftAS-MenviUe Coro.. National Gypsum Co.. Psnocon Corp. ano nayoestoS'Manfvanan. t. 2- - "In view of the undisputed grave consequences from exposure to asbestos fibers, it is essential that the exposure be regulated now, on the basis of the best evidence availabel now, even though it may not be as good as scientifically desirable. An asbestos standard can be revaluated in the light of the results of ongoing studies, and future studies, but cannot wait for than. ____ -Lives of employees are at stake*-." The regulations can be changed, but it is up to the industry -to prove to OSHA that changes are necessary and what those changes should be. It is desirable, therefore, for the AIA/NA to monitor ongoing studies and to encourage and support additional studies as are needed to: 1. Determine as precisely as possible over the next four years a safe numerical standard for the various asbestos-related diseases. While much has been accomplished in this area in the past, _ additional studies are needed. 2. Determine whether one or more varieties of asbestos is more or less hazardous than any other variety. 3. Determine through on-the-job evaluation the technological feasibility of achieving both five and two fibers throughout the industry. * 4. Determine the actual cost to the industry in both dollars and jobs of achieving two and five fibers. 5. Determine the degree of reliability of the membrane filter method as a policing and moni toring tool in the asbestos industry. A proposal for an AIA/NA sponsored study in this area is presently under consideration. 6. Develop other evidence as required to establish the necessity of additional changes in the regulations as deemed desirable by the industry. In addition to the above, other topics to be covered at the June 22 meeting will include: a. The overall effect on the industry of the new standards. -More- -3- b. Programs of assistance for industry companies ' V*1 and customers to help them comply with the regulations. c. The establishment of a cooperative working relationship with OSHA with regard to the implementation and interpretation of the standards. d. . The advisability of legal action by ^tbe=-ftA/Nft-^w against OSHA, especially in light-of (1) the four year effective date of the two fiber standard, (2) the favorable decisions by OSHA on most other industry recommendations (see attached two page summary of OSHA acceptance of industry vs NIOSH and Advisory Committee recommendations), (3) the high cost ($300-500,000) of such a suit, (4) the slim possibility of success, according to AIA/NA legal counsel, and (5) the adverse effect that such a suit would have on our working relationship with OSHA. _ With regard to point c. above, the AIA/NA is presently in the process of arranging a meeting with representatives from the standards development and enforcement sections of OSHA to resolve some questions with regard to the interpretation of certain sections of the regulations. If your company has any questions of this nature, please let me know as soon as possible so that they may be included on the agenda for our meeting with OSHA. It is the AIA/NA's intention to establish a continuing program of uniform standards interpretation with OSHA, so that industry questions and problems may be resolved at the highest levels in Washington, rather than through OSHA regional offices, which may differ in their standards interpretation and enforcement practices from one region to another. Because of the relatively short time remaining before the June 22 meeting, we would appreciate hearing from you as soon as possible whether you or a representative will be able to attend this most important AIA/NA planning meeting. Sincerely, M. M. Swetonic Executive Secretary Enclosure AIA/NA MEMBER COMPANIES George Barge H. R. Brown / j. o. Christian A. H. Fay/ W. E. Gatewood J. H. Marsh C. G. Morgan J. L. Rainey Kurt Schwarz F. J. Solon, Jr. E. W. Swain S. D. Weaver Paul Weiner AIA/NA ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL SUB-COMMITTEE E. M. Fenner Ike Weaver Frank Zimmerman E.J. Killian AIA/NA LEGAL COUNSEL Bradley Walla K * \tfi\V a^ L r. il CO <0 o r-l c H C* a; a 44 si c c C3 cH jJ o ^>1; --a r. H d- ^ *>iz 0 o \ o% o *0 M "_ o 21 E? s idr 0 0 H -P r-H> C a. >. u p 9 *zz Zi M 0 -> (0 3L a a> jd c d S-t xo :* >-* -*_J :* c CO L CO 03 n L. X3 o H -H tH 44 a 4; d d 0) >> LI > o d| H 03 ,0 &-. Li M O H 44 B c t; H CD Li 2 o 2 p 44 5 o to 44 L C n Ou *H c 44 <u O O2 > 2 21 ;H 0) s| r% Li pf O H 44 rrj 5 44 CO d Li ai r0s3 21 H 1 f- O H 44 50 cc 44 L 2 0 0>4 4H4 O O 0* > O iH Cl u9 -- ID L MCO c H L 1 (0 c 44 (U to c> o 40 3 d o C C L CL. * 0 t*J d rH H c CO d a; L 3 tH d a dd rH 44 o 3 d 44 Q O jj o -- o- CO 44 t* o 2 H3 -TS- -o C . L CO Ml rH to 03 3 *d 5<* 3 3 r n M t> 43 T? o 03 c O rH 2 O r 03 ^0 ~c CO d o rH a 44 CO 03 c u 0 40 o & Li 'w 03 d rj >. Li yc H O L, c~ rH XX C *G < CO u 3 to (3 0U 44 Li CO O 0r>3 ? d CO e 0 d c~* -C CO *H to rH 1 (0 L O 'O 44 03 * O c d P> d rH 13 3 c rH Lp 'd s 0 0 :0 Li O d 0(03 r0H) a ~Li d xt H d O % rH p ^0 s 0 m p c3 0 0 a zz <u c c c L- 4-> E 3O < n O c 4^ ;< to L fH L Cj > c; (0 C E c O O c: # >1 > Lo ,'j 2 * -- a t: CjO cO bO >i o _?! r* >> c C C d -" O to d o cr r* cr o CO L H w W L 44 L o L zr-zi L OdC H d c 4J pP 'w T3 H c H r CL c H C B d <J o 44 JD -p O 4-> O 2a d a <0 T3 --V cr L >*>n 3 r.0 L to L OC to CL ^3 X w <L c r' -- C w c . 44 V C H >Lc O H 441 rH O 4) o 44 > 3J 0 rH O o L o CL O d o l na r--1 a? H cr-: C:.l 44 L > c H L O 0 H si L d r5^^ 43 d 4J 3 4^ H H d C3 to 4- H-- O C-t 5 rH O d rH d C3 M s 0 rC *3" 44 ad rH 44 CO rt 1--1 4J CJ 4-1 Q (0 O 4J d o Mn CM H > Li q O 3 -w d c o hS Q feH -H > H x: 03 > Tl H 4r4j c X3 r. c d 44 rl to OC h H 44 3""i rH > ri 44 L o CO d rH 03 C 44 > ,a d 4043 OO 44 03 *3 > 03 O O LmJ #- CD v rj H c5 U O a 3 CO rl d *5 O 'C 0 c 03 d 3 -- O --* rH CO d O. >> 0 rl H O a c rH d 13 0 * 44 tp 3 c 44 O' C3 03 r*> tt Li O m5m 0r* 0 <H O 0 V 3 p L Li to d *3 d H to > p cr 03 0 -P CO c c? Li _ d d V ml* *. -u - --. > 3 * j > CO H A ** *a x: d 44 Eh CCO C4 03 LO 03 a CJ > H 44 rH rH i-i *- o dO xc> M o H u 4 <w 1*3 r" **0*3 pr H 44 to p O cr M 03 H L rH 0 4-1 c XI to 44 q 6 0 > H - 44 O OO 4r4 c L H CL 44 cc rH . CO azz to H 44 dQ 44 rH 0 rH A O >. OC > i-l tH O 44 D C0T; 44 0 ur *H O- Oc L C-* l-- ~to c 6 tn r 't; c 44 P to 44 L c H c rH 1, 44 0 dw 44 /* O * y j* a * f H 5. . i f -` rH O O c 5 1: T3 C rj 44 W oo 3 o #r1 *w Ll d CO hO s v s <\J mi o rj d cr Loji &4 to *LHi O 44 H C o rr\ CO *4c4 o rH rH <? o O > a<oro. 4H4 O O' 44 4c4 O CLL L(3 -~"' " * 'J u SI *.L.0-> "1 ' ** O < -' s* rf.t '3HMd <or d d fd3t H S XoCotdij Gm ff>0ctt> 0) fiHdtJ|i m o *fisDti> nfn00oDt c fot f0t fJfsdLtSt3 ft o f"HHcoJt CHCO ft o f>0ft>t 4 fff<ofaottt0t n>j to cw5 (d0 d 3e TdCI1o3 H 5ocH 4 d 5 CtmUfCo<HHUOt o|1o > s(0 0z* *>d < SI` oM3M<9l oH r*>OOrHHj*> ft ' u o rcOOaH T3 r>ofH4t ** d 5 4) CO raroHo> <HboM Uop. G <OP to Xo o 4ocoJc > a co aff<tt0 17 -3 C H d ?d! CO i *d3 l o4j3o*) 1<1oo--M11 a(Q o *-* 5CoMO? dd 4J Eg cS 2Q* (>H0 < Ma 4H^ e pcH sG p1! rH X130 (o>o4> c. A op taddooo d> X uc0 pootoo 2 sd >o ffoatawaQtt>; Gd OH <H0 *fXCo3t2 co fot h4) roHfE4)t <----O4crt)i r- >uc a5 rH f-O3t <fMt --H434) rOGz rr---1 , T* <0 "5 HfOcO r* 4oct 5 o i. c +C-> c ., c o ro>cfHc>t eG ,rf`Hcf**twt 'HoJ * 1. 0" cd ooHd f*OoHHt aio o MCQO -- o 4o-) dd dg HcH3HOdp3r cS rH 2* (3 Xtao < t>odo> r* -P d * 'g CO 4oH n bn d >o> . fHt fot -pop fCtO Oc(0. u rcoHo to a fto u*4 o < dGdOK%4 o co 4r-H> ft cto fUHrt*j M CHOi roH M -- Hoi`nV.' G fdsti radHw JH>i fWt > o to vdU< d /H C >HO>c1 *Gr1"jI! d rJ "J u C uc>d> d uo frt! G rj ' 0 fJoth h3d u o m P7to1 oaXto. wdG fTdC3tJ ft O e >uttoo> fsot ft OH & to Xg5p Xp f2t 0p T>0PtpoJU HdcHd e XH30too f>oiVP-*l, 5 HJrddHO Hw to c3 Z* fXHdtJ Cc* u 3 2dsod; ft od o' a <n 3 f_rho3to <M o sok fftt o>r f(c.t1 G cdHr dx w \r, C4c) 5 l 3 3 *too r- ff<ctt3 f(dRt 3ft Xto foc >, HoP, fot od0CadQ Xd>d Xtco7 <aCoo3 f>oofStt. f0t XdHJ ato4 3<4 Eto iHX-pa-3tto0o34i Xp (S 2 X-p s t o o O2S 3TotH3o 00 ff2O0tt cd3 2 Hood <ftoo-MtI a f2Ot 2t0Ha4 <2 o to 53um ON