Document GmKgGOQ4RnGbkQ5Gdv979wx5n

381.0102 - Asbestos COPY Lo copy. St. Louis, November-^, 1986 PLAINTIFF'S EXHIBIT >U VuTLt. / ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT-LABOR RELATIONS:v This is a request for your concurrence that the assignment of Air Conditioning Specialists and Building Mechanics to perform removals of friable asbestos on a selected basis is within the scope of responsibilities for these job titles. Asbestos was commonly used by the construction industry as an insulating material in buildings prior to 1970, at which time the health hazards associated with asbestos exposure became known. Based on sampling conducted, the presence of asbestos has been confirmed in Company-owned buildings, and most notably around HVAC (heating, ventilating and air conditioning) equipment, and other mechanical equipment and related piping that must be repaired or maintained on an occasional basis. At the recommendation of the headquarters Safety organization, our present departmental policy on asbestos (attached) states that Building Operations employees should not perform any work where asbestos materials may be disturbed and that local contracts with qualified asbestos abatement companies should be negotiated for this purpose. Since this correspondence was issued, however, it has been determined that this policy is not always feasible, especially when emergency repairs are needed. Furthermore, it has been found that building maintenance personnel are widely used by other companies to perform asbestos removals associated with routine maintenance or emergency repair work. Consequently, with your agreement, our organization will amend the existing policy and allow Company employees to perform asbestos removals associated with the maintenance or repair of mechanical equipment. These assignments will be made at the discretion of the state Real Estate Management organizations, who will also be responsible for ensuring that the regulatory / requirements established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration I xV(OSHA) and associated state regulating agencies on asbestos are met. Any questions concerning this matter should be directed to James P. Woodworth (235-4450) or Ann Bieller (235-4452), of my organization. I Real Estate Management and Training Centralized Services Department Division Staff ManagerReal Estate Management and Architecture SWBT 000992 Attachment CC: GENERAL ATTORNEY-LABOR AND LITIGATION: