Document JJaa8V7Ye13DD9BE1kJxbz866

1LJUL0JUL*JL0JL PLAINTIFF'S EXHIBIT May 25, 1945 fMz. -J36 DR. LAHZA MET-666 SUBJECT: Surrey of Canadian Johns-Manville Operations at ABbestos, Quebec, Bay 9, 1945 to Way 17, 1945* I learned, soon after arrival, that there sere eight eases, claiming asbestosis, filed with the Industrial Commission of Quebec. These eases originated in both the factory end sill. Mr. Sherry, General Superintendent is ill and hoepitalized in Montreal. In his place there has been set up a Mines Steering Coaaittee headed by Ur. G, E. Foster as Chairman. This Coaaittee dictates the policies of the ine and sill, while Mr. &. S Gardner, Superintendent of the factory, guides the policies of the factory. By this set up of management oontrol, the sine and aill function technically as one unit while the factory operates as a separate enterprise. On Friday, May 11, 1945, Mr. Foster invited Mr. Bedlin, Mr. Patrick and Ms to a dinner meeting at the Iroquois SotelsrinaAebestos. Mr. L. V. Cooper, In charge of naintenanee of nines, Mr.^Deeley nil 1 foreman^' Dr. E. V. Smith, and Mr. C M. McGav, personnel director, ware also present, lo representative of the factory attended this nesting. Matters discussed were: 1. The advisability of taking periodic dust staples. 2. The method of sampling to be used. 3. The training of personnel for taking dust saaples and naklng dust counts. Mr. McGaw raised the question as to whether there should be one or two ooamlttess appointed to guide management regarding industrial health problems nd the elimination of dost. Mr. Foster replied that he would leave that up to the Bew Tork Office. On Saturday, May 12, while we were surveying the faotory, Mr. Gardner asked Mr. Bedlin, Mr. Petriok end me to have lunch with him and Hr. Moleon. At lunch he asked us if ore could arrange to meet with him and his staff os Tuesday afternoon at 3*30 In the conference room at the factory. The following attended the conference on Tuesday, May 15* Mr. A. B. Bethgeb, Ventilating Engineer, Johns-Marrrille, Manville, l.J. Mr, J. *m. Fahnel, Industrial Hygiene Laboratory and Field Services, MLICo. Hr. A. J* Bedlin, Technician at 8eranac Laboratory. Mr. P. A. Patrick, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. Dr* R* fi* Stevenson, Seed Doctor* cwi*4 w Jahn^-Menville* Dr* I. t. S*th, iHUtot to Dr! Stevenson* Mr* - fi* Molson, Assistant factory Superintendent* Mr* A, S. tector, Desartaeat Mead. Mr. . 3, Morrison, Depertnent e<.4, Mr. *. t McGinnis, D-pirtnast Head. Mr. I. L* Gilbert, Depart*eat Bead. Mr. R* S. Gardner, factory Superintendent. Mr. 0. M. KcG&r, Personnel Director* it tola eting on Tuesday, Mr. Gardner stated that he had dieeorsed cith se s.riou. phases of control for potential health hasards in the pleat aad that he agreed eith all *y critlcisas, and fished to eorreet these conditions. It sea hi* opicion that the lack of action to control these condition* ms due to< 1* Sxe lack of help for Janitor service* . The increased production and deeaead* of the Production Departasnt. 3* 2e laxity of their oen nasageaent to take action to correct the oaditions exonerated is prarricus reporta* 1. See procedure necessary for submitting the piand their approval by the lee fork Office* r. Gardner stated thet these eere not offered ae excuses, but vara factors thet enter into the regular routine of factory excegeaert, Mr* Gardner reserved that he felt that the Canadian Johns-Menrille eperations had one eojaon prohles and that ms dust control and elimination. Tor that reason, he favored one eoudttee to outline end guide the industrial health proven* Be then asked for suggestions as to bos this prograa could be carried out. Z suggested thet, first of all, a list of res materials at present is use in both the factory and the dll be suboitted to the Medical Director far his guidance in determining thether there ens an exposure to health hasards Of escloyeec using these nateriels is the nornal procedure of saaufaeture, I also suggested that this list should be kept up to date, and all nev aaterlals brought into the plant should be reported isssediately to the Medical Director, outlining the ray in ssich they rere to be used* The second consideration la a good industrial hygienist no could net only sake the dust surreys, taka the sanples, sake the counts, but eould also evaluate aay industrial health problems. This person should be mil-grounded in biochemistry and nieroeeople technique, and ehould be under the direct supervision of the Medical Erector. The hygienist could he a valuable aid to the nedieel set-up In asking necessary tests to aid in diagnosis, sudb ast blood chemistry tests, nrinalysis, blood counts, etc. Eae aaouat of work involved in dust counting is not sufficient to occupy a good technician full tine, for that reason, h esuld be kept in training by doing the blood counting rerh chlch is along lines siaiilar to dust counting technique* The industrial hygienist ahcruld it ill tins cooperate with the ventilation engineer assigned to design end install correctly# measures for the control of health hasards. She Medical Director should familarise himself irLth all plant operations and ean readily do this with the cooperation of the industrial hygienist* This plan was endorsed immediately by Mr, Gardner* Dr. Stephenson, Dr. Smith, and .Hr* J&.thgeb, Dr. Stephenson stated that be also was in favor of one committee, if for no other reason than to cut down the Use necessary for the Medical Director to cooperate fully* He stated that if two eotmittees were planned he would normally hare to spend four half days a month in attending their regular meetings* I also suggested that the committee should sot only take into consid eration potential health haeards and their elimination* but should make a study of safety hazards, lbs safety procedures in the factory end will are lax. It was noticed that there was a gree# deal of fooling and horseplay among the employees. Bake-shift guards hare been placed as protection for certain moving parte and belts* end there is careless piling cf stock and materials in the factory, Aisles and passageways are often blocked rith materials and trucks. Before leaving Asbestos* os Thursday* Hay 17* Z was informed that Mr. foster made the statement that he was able to seU Mr. toodard in Bew Tork the idea of two committee** with two men engaged in dust counting under each committee. It seems to me that this is a duplication and a waste of time and energy. Dust counting alone will not be a solution to the problem and it is not necessary to make periodic checks oftener than about four ticoe a year in order to evaluate the affect of seasonal weather hhangas on the dust concentra tion in the mill and factory* Industrial Hygiene Laboratory