Document B5pBOV241rMqdzQJzVygbB5z8

Georgia-Ffecific ^ intracompany memo to Mr. G. E. Wilson from K. W. Brown subject OSHA Regulations - Joint Cement cc; Messrs. T. W. Richards - Tigard J. R. Hurd - Portland M. F. Fink - Tigard PLAINTIFFS EXHIBIT GP-217 y Portland Acme May 29, 1974 We have reviewed our situation relative to the requirements of the OSHA Act concerning the handling of asbestos. Listed below are the requirements of the Act and our situation in their regard. Item Acme Status 1. Establish a continuous monitoring system to determine amounts of fibers in air in work area. 1. (a) State has run tests and will report results within three weeks. (b) Have plans to train two of our people to run the required tests in this area. 2. Establish a system for safe handling and storage of bag asbestos. 2. (a) Cover pallet load with plastic cover as removed from box cars before storing. (b) Loose material and broken bags | cleaned up immediately. (c) Empty bags placed in plastic bag, sealed and carried to dump and covered. (d) Misting area where bags are opened has suction ventilation. 3. Medical examinations for employees exposed to asbestos. 3. (a) Annual medical examination for all bid employees of Jt.System Dept, and Lab. (b) Special examination for employees bidding into our out of this dept. (c) Appropriate records are kept of the above to which employees have access as needed. 4. Placement of warning signs in hazardous level areas. 4. Appropriate signs are posted. 5. Placement of warning labels on finished products containing asbestos. 5. Warning with suggested wording from Tigard Lab is stamped or labeled on all items containing asbestos. 0*09 OSHA Regulations - Joint Cement -2- May 29, 1974 Item 6. Furnish and require use of individual protective equip ment for personnel exposed to asbestos. Acme Status 6. (a) All personnel in hazard areas are wearing approved respirators. (b) We are awaiting the results of the tests in item one before instituting any other measures such as protective clothing and change rooms. KWB/om K. W. B. GeorgiaFfecific ^ intracompany memo to from K. B* Hollingsworth T. W. Richards 6. X. Wilson subject OSHA Resolutions - Joint Cement location location date Wilmington, Del, Tigard Lab fbrtland May 20, 1974 Gypeua p b In the spring of 1973, we had an OSHA inspection at the Akron joint cement operation which resalted in numerous citations concerning our handling of asbestos and consummated in fines of some $1,300 for these violations. On June 19 of last year, I wrote Jack Bauch at Akron, asking him to send a copy of the citation to the other joint cement operations so that ve could proceed with corrective measures prior to an OSHA inspection at our other joint cement plants. Ton received a copy of this letter to Mr. Bauch. I have just received a copy of an OSHA inspection conducted at our Chicago plant where we have received numerous citations almost Identical to those we received at Akron one year ago, where ve apparently did not take corrective action that is required under the law. I can understand where we might have s difference of opinion with the Inspector concerning the measurement of Cha concentration of asbestos fibers, but it is most difficult to understand why ve did not take the necessary action to provide signs, establish s respirator program and s protective clothing program which are mandatory under the regulations. I would ask that ve once again review our situation at each of the joint system plants to make certain that ve are complying with the requirements under the OSHA set concerning the handling of asbestos fibers. I would also like assurance from each of the plants that they understand these requirements and that ve have the necessary program snd procedures instituted so that ve will not have another occurrence of citations from an OSHA inspection at a joint system operation* L i ,1 If1 ' Georgia-Ffecific ^ intracompany memo to from subject Mr. C. W. Lehnert Ed Sing Asbestos Caution Labels location location date Tigard Acme May 29, 1974 u 0 Refer to Mr. E. 0. Burch's memo dated May 24, 1974. Our label does not contain the last line which reads "Use approved respirator when sanding". We are sending two labels we now use. Please compare and advise. EDS/om E. D. S. GP 09 Gfcwgia-Racific 4k intracompany memo to ALL GYPSUM SALES MANAGERS from 0. E. Burch subject JOINT CEMENT PRODUCTS location ' location date 4 Portland May 24, 1974 CC Messrs: G. E. Wilson Portland S. S. Dennison Portland G. F. Baitinger Portland D. C. Corkill Portland C. W. Lehnert Tigard Lab James Hurd Portland Matt Fink Tigard Lab T. W. Richards Tigard Lab E. B. Hollingsworth Wilm Del Gyp M. A. Palmowski Chgo Jt Sys Plant Bob Favero Marietta Plant H. W. Scharf Milford Plant J. D. Rauch K. W. Brown Akron Plant Acme Plant* There may be questions from our Branches and customers concerning the caution label we are currently placing on many of our joint system products- The label reads: - CAUTION Contains Asbestos Fibers Avoid Creating Dust Breathing asbestos dust may cause serious bodily harm Use approved respirator when sanding The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that all products containing asbestos fiber be identified in this manner. The con cern is the breathing of air which contains asbestos fiber. The degree of hazard is dependent upon the concentration of fiber in the air and the dura tion of exposure. The health problems associated with exposure to asbestos fiber have occurred in industries where workers have been exposed to high concentrations of the fiber over a period of years. All joint compound manufacturers use asbestos fiber as an essential ingredident in their products. These compounds, however, contain relatively small amounts of asbestos (2-8%). We are not aware of any health problems in our industry but we are nevertheless required to comply with the OSHA requirements. The standards imposed on our plants are very stringent. There are severe limitations on allowable concentrations of asbestos in the air; strict procedures for handling the asbestos; a mandatory program for wearing protective devices (respirators); periodic medical examinations; the labeling already described and many other very restrictive measures. GP 09 All Gypsum Sales Managers Page 2 May 13, 1974 It is recognized that there is some exposure to asbestos fiber during the mixing of the dry powder products and in the sanding of the joints. It is not presently known whether the concentrations of asbestos fiber at these times is in the hazardous range established by OSHA. However, we do know that the dust level in the mixing or sanding of joint com pounds is sufficiently high that respirators should be worn. Once joint compounds are wetted or mixed, the fiber is not subject to becom ing airborne. Ready mix, for example, presents no hazard for the user, other than in the sanding operation. Respirators should be worn while sanding. We regard the development of non-asbestos products as a necessary step to continued success of our joint system program, and these are the steps we have already taken in furtherance of this goal: - 1. We have eliminated asbestos from all* of our texture products. 2. We are market testing, in limited markets, a dry asbestos free pow der product. 3. We are working on a means to eliminate asbestos from our ready mix products. The development of these new products will require a substantial amount of field testing and we will be seeking your assistance in this. This is not to be taken lightly, but at the same time we do not want to unnecessarily alarm you or our customers. The purpose of this memo is to make you aware of what we are doing and why we are doing it, so that you will be equipped to handle the questions that are bound to arise. OEB/mf Georgia-FBcific intracompany memo ^ Mr. R. S. Schlfferle ,rom H. W. Peele subject EUUWARY FUNCTION TESTS location location date Akron Wl Imtngton Kay 29, 1974 (p This will confirm our phone conversation of this date In regard the pulmonary function tests that have been done twice on joint system employees, with some questionable results. Bob McCall Istar of Portland and Lance Ryder of Stamford had previously advised they were studying these tests but no answers wore forthcoming. Jim Hurd has requested a copy of the letter from Dr. Amdur, who gave us his opinions of these tests. Jim advised Bob Schlfferlo that he, and the above mentioned, would study this problem and advise us of their proposed recommendations in regard these test results. HWP/mab cc: Messrs H. W. P. E. B. Hollingsworth - Wilm. J. D. Rauch - AkronX*----! rWis cupt fun