Document EO3D81aR5q9nvV1xaJQXNY10

What Every Employee Should Know about ... ASBESTOS AND WHAT YOU SHOULD TELL OTHERS CTD033074 FRANKLY SPEAKING You are important to the company. And you certainly are important to your family and loved ones. It makes good sense for the company to do everything possible to protect you in your working environment . . . and for you to take every pre caution to avoid possible hazards to your health. If you work in the handling or fabrication of asbestos and asbestos-containing products (or if you know someone who does), you should be aware of: What the hazards can be. What obligations your employer has to protect you. What you can do as an individual to protect your own health and that of your fellow employees. 2 CTD033075 THESE ARE THE ' ' The inhalation of excessive quantities of free asbestos fibers over prolonged periods of time can increase the risk of developing certain diseases of the lungs within 20 or 30 years. The three diseases associated with inhalation of asbes tos fiber are: asbestosis -- a non-malignant fibrotic lung condition; bronchogenic (lung) cancer, and mesothelioma--a rare cancer of the lining of the chest or abdominal cavities. Reduction of asbestos dust exposure is at present the only known method of preventing disease among asbestos industry workmen. Experience has shown that when dust levels are low, risk to employees and the incidence of asbestos-related disease drop sharply. NOW... ABOUT h ^ (ju SMOKING (. It has been established that cigarette smoking greatly in creases the risk of developing bronchogenic cancer among per sons encountering heavy asbestos exposure. Oh the other hand, the asbestos industry workmen who do not smoke cigarettes -- and who never have smoked regularly -- show no greater incidence of bronchogenic cancer than the average man-onthe-street who does not smoke. CTD033076 STILL SOME UNKNOWNS Many differing opinions exist within the medical profession about precautions against, the causes of and treatments for lung disease. Meanwhile, each of us should be aware of the known facts and profit from them. IF YOU WORK IN A PLANT OR MINE Employees who work in the mining or milling of asbestos fibers will be exposed to a certain quan tity of airborne asbestos fiber. Or, if they work in the manu facturing of asbestos-containing products, they will encounter some exposure. But when mines and factories are prop erly controlled, the asbestos content of the air will be low and within safe levels, and will present no hazard to the employee. 4 CTD033077 4 IF YOU WORK IN FIELD OPERATIONS The installation or use of most finished asbestos-containing products will not produce dust levels high enough to be a hazard to workers. Studies show that in more than 90% of the asbestos-containing products produced in the United States, the asbestos fibers are safely "locked into" the product by means of cement, plastic, or other binders. Con sequently, the fibers are not easily released into the air during normal handling and application. Some asbestos-containing products, however, such as un saturated textiles and certain asbestos insulations, can release potentially hazardous amounts of asbestos during handling or fabrication. Similarly, the tear-out or removal of old asbestos-containing insulations can release fibers. Such prod ucts must be handled with caution, by approved methods of dust suppression and control. 5 CTD033078 REGULATIONS TO PROTECT YOU To ensure the safety of all, occupational standards for exposure to asbestos dust were published in June 1972 by the Occupational Safety and Health Admin istration (OSHA) of the U.S. Depart ment of Labor.* These standards have been designed to protect you from exposure to potentially hazardous amounts of asbestos dust and are being carefully observed by the company. Stated simply, here are the main OSHA regulations of interest to employees: 1. A Safe Workplace Your employer is required to maintain a healthy workplace by making sure that no employee is exposed to concentrations of airborne asbestos fiber in excess of established Federal limits. 2. In Case of Risk If exposure limits are exceeded, the employee will be notified by his employer, and will be informed of the corrective measures being undertaken to reduce his exposure to a safe level. 3. Corrective Action Engineering controls and the institution of safe work practices will be the approved methods of correction. CTD033079 4. In the Meantime While corrective measures are being instituted, the employee will be protected by other means, which may include the wearing of an approved respirator provided by his employer, or by shift rotation. 5. Temporary Measures The use of respirators or shift rotation to achieve control is permitted only (a) during the time neces sary to install engineering controls or to institute safe work practices, (b) in situations where such controls or practices are not technically feasible, or (c) in emergencies. 6. And Only If You Pass the Medical No employee will be assigned to a task requiring the use of a respirator if his most recent yearly medical examination indicates that he would be unable to function properly while wearing one, or if the wearing of the respirator would create a hazard to the employee's health or safety, or to that of another workman on the job. 7. Special Protection When Needed Special protective clothing, change rooms, and sepa rate clothes lockers will be provided for employees in situations where exposure standards are exceeded. C7D033080 t Checking the Air Monitoring of workplace air will be conducted by the employer to assure that the standards are being met. Employees may have access to the results of the monitoring of their immediate job areas. Signs to Guide You Warning signs will be posted in work areas where the dust level is in excess of the standard. 10. Warnings on Products, Too Caution labels will be placed on asbestos-containing products that may release free asbestos fiber in excess of the standard during handling, application, fabrication, or disposal. 11. Annual Checkups The employer, at no cost to the employee, will provide yearly medical examinations for employees exposed to concentrations of asbestos dust. Pre employment and termination medical exams are also required. 12. With Results Available At the employee's request, his medical exam records can be made available to his own family physician. 8 CTD033081 WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO Industrial safety and health can never be the responsi bility of only one person. Both the employer and the employee must work together to provide a safe and healthful environment For safety in specialized areas, detailed work prac tices must be instituted to assure compliance with government regulations. As an employee, it is your duty to follow these work practices at all times. Never take shortcuts that may endanger your health and that of others on the job. * If you see a possible hazard that your employer may have overlooked, bring it to his attention. * If you can suggest more efficient and safer work methods, do so. A healthful environment for employees requires the team effort of industry and labor working together to solve their mutual problems. 9 CTD033082 BUT, MOST IMPORTANT . . Another word about smoking. First, an assurance, if you don't smoke cigarettes, and if you have never smoked regularly -- even if you have been exposed to excessive quantities of asbestos for a prolonged period of time -- statistics show you have no greater chance of getting bronch ogenic cancer than the average person not occupationally exposed to asbestos who does not smoke. But, on the advice of medical specialists: If you work with asbestos and you do smoke cigarettes, quit smoking! If you work with asbestos and do not smoke, don't start! The company needs you and your specialized talents, and your families need you -- guard your health. 10 CTD033083 REMINDERS.. # Asbestos fibers may be hazardous to your health if inhaled in excessive quantities over a long period of time. # Every precaution should be taken by both employers and employees to keep dust levels low and to avoid unnecessary exposure. 0 The asbestos industry is working hard to control exposure and to alert every person to important safety precautions. Regulations to protect American workers against heavy concentrations of asbestos dust should be strictly followed by all. # The vast majority of the thousands of finished asbestos products are not hazardous when handled or used, but individuals who are engaged in their manufacture or handling should be aware of possible dangers. Avoid carelessness by yourself or others. 9 Remember -- the use of asbestos can be traced back as far as the ancient Greeks and Romans. Today the manufacture of asbestos products has become an im portant industry of our nation. By maintaining high safety standards, you can contribute not only to the economical well-being of you and your fellow workers, but -- most important -- to your own personal health and safety. 11 CTD033084 NORTH AMERICA ASBESTOS INFORMATION ASSOCIATION 1660 L Street. N W . Washington, D C 20036 Litho in USA CTD033085