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12/17/01 MON 16:56 FAX 6072559641 CATHERWOOD LIB. 1HE IRONWORKER Official Publication of th International Association of Bridge, Structural and Ornamental Iron Workers 1750 Now York Avt, N.W, Suite 400 Washington, D. 20006 Phone (202} 872-1566 Volume 79 JANUARY 1979 Number 1 'Bon Appetit, Hard Hats' Ironworkers and other construction workers were treated to a steak lunch at the Cumberland, Maryland mall Job site for a job well done 3 New Push for National Health Security Organized labor outlines a new national health insurance proposal which becomes the top social legislative priority for the AFL-CIO this year 4 President Meany Rallies Young Leaders The AFL-CIO president lashes out against President Carter's wage control program during a Frontlash dinner in Washington 6 Missouri Says 'NO' to 'Right-to-Work' (for less) Major setbacks for the anti-union groups take place in the Show Me State and in New Mexico during the last general elections 9 Guide to Asbestos Exposure The second in the IRONWORKER series on Cancer in the Workplace deals with alarming new discoveries in work with or around asbestos 11 Protest. Aimed, at J. P. Stevens Ironworker office employees joined thousands of other demonstrators in the U.S. and Canada to call attention to the number one labor lawbreaker 15 DEPARTMENTS The President's Page North American Labor Report Family Focus Local Union Activities Shanty Talk Official Monthly Record Indoor/Outdoor Illustrated Inside Front Cover 8 16 17 21 23 24 EDITORIAL COMMITTEE j, W- Hardesty, Executive Director, Apprenticeship & Training Walter Hill, General Organizer Calvin L- Walker, General Organizer w. M- Uwrbaugh, Editor WjSMRHffll ON OUR COVER--Fully-trained and experienced Ironworkers possess a variety of skills unique to the trade. This month's cov er features the post-tensioning work of Milwaukee Ironworkers on one of the in North AmeriJ FOSTMiHEMS---ATTENTION) Chinn Of addrttt eardi on Form] International Association of Bridge, Structural and Ornamental NOW York Ava., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006. Subacrlpflon: 52/ Published monthly by ttia intirnatlonal Mioelaticn u! Brldgi, worker* at 1750 Now York Ava, N.W., Waihlngton. D.C. 20 authorized at Warningten. o.c. Printed on union-made paoor. INTERNATIONAL OFFICERS JOHN H. LYONS General President Suite 400 1750 New York Ave., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20006 JUEL 0. DRAKE Ganaral Secretary Suite 400 1750 New York Ave.. N.W. Washington, D.C. 20006 CHARLES R. ANDING General Treasurer Suite 400 J750 New York Ave., N-W. Washington, D.C. 20006 ROBERT E. P. COONEY First General Vice-President Suita 821 4D0 First St, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20001 HUGH WILLIAMSON Second General Vice-President AFL-CIO Building, Ste. 201 1106 La Vact Street Austin, Takas 78701 10HN F. WAISH Third General Vice-President Suite 310-Guaranty Life Bldg. 137 E. Forsyth St. Jacksonville, Fla. 32202 LEONARD P. MAHONEY Fourth General Vice-President 4258 Castor Ave. Philadelphia, Pa. 19124 A S. GOODWIN Fifth General Vice-President Suite 400 1750 New York Ave, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20006 DALE M. RAY Sixth General Vice-President Room 133 1633 Bayshore Highway Burlingame, Calif. 94010 MATTHEW TAYLOR Seventh General Vice-President 42 Salem End Lane Framingham, Mass. 01701 J. W. MERRITT Eighth General Vice-President 301 W. Vina Avenue Knoxville, Tenn. 37902 THOMAS CLARKSON Ninth General Vice-President Roam 1308 265 W. lath Street, New York City, Naw York 10011 DMART 136 ^fUNTEQ IN U.W.A. 12/17/01 MON 16:59 FAX 6072559641 CATHERWOOD LIB. 004 d, the artiq|u 1CT,y ^ uldn't match" budget. But radio spots rk" provedccording (o in Missouri Cancer In The Workplace Second in a series ispatch ani. :ommercia|s rn President attacks on proved es- ' nk it was workers to and repre- members air share of nplete tally neither didi. : the cam/Vork com* amend. elations from big >f a taxd hide doness supthe same .rand jury ible mail to get the ; : 's success eavily finpaign of :es was a on effort ibor with -CIO and aI unions :ate. This 00 union -s to the Saturday ly 20,000 red their oor calls .-orge An Ironworker Guide to * Asbestos Exposure "Asbestos" Is the name for a family of minerals which occur naturally as masses of fibers. These fibers have a ten dency to break easily into a dust of tiny particles that can float In the air, stick to clothes and may be easily inhaled or swallowed. Asbestos has been used widely in many industries during the past four decades as Insulation and fireproofing, and in tentlles and construction. Shipbuilding has been a major user of asbestos because the substance is good for insulating boil ers, steamprpes, hot water pipes and nuclear reactors in ships. Today, about 800,000 tons of asbestos are mined or processed yearly to make over 3,000 different products in the United States. Two-thirds of these are used in the construc tion industry. Among past and current uses of asbestos are: coverings for pipes and surfaces (in new construction of ships, repairs and refittings): Insulation in con struction, powerhouses and chemical plants, and for engines, hulls and decks of ships; coatings for cables and electric wires; and putties, caulks, paints and cement. a floor and celling tiles, sealants, pipe covering and patching tape compounds. a friction products such as clutch facings, brake linings for automobiles, railroad cars and airplanes; filtra tion materials and theater curtains. a a wide variety of asbestos cement material and wallboards. WORKER JANUARY 1979 11 12/17/01 MON 17:00 FAI 6072559641 CATHERWOOD LIB. @005 Health hazards from asbestos dust have been recognized among workers heavily exposed in shipbuilding trades, as bestos mines, asbestos manufacturing, in insulation work in the construction and building trades, and among workers who used asbestos products in a variety of other trades. Since the early 1940's, as many as 11 million American workers may have been exposed to concentrations of asbestos dust, including some 4.5 million workers in shipyards during the peak shipbuilding years of World War II. Exposure to asbestos on the job may increase risk of four serious diseases: 1. Asbestosis--A chronic lung ailment which can produce shortness of breath and lung damage. The disease re sults from inhalation of asbestos dust 2. Lung Cancer--There is a close association between asbestos exposure and increased occurrence of lung cancer. 3. Mesothelioma--A cancer that Involves the thin mem brane lining the chest and abdomen. Most mesothelio mas can be traced to prior asbestos exposure. 4. Other Cancers--Several studies have indicated a link between asbestos exposure and Increased occurrence of cancers of the esophagus (food tube leading to the stomach), stomach, colon and rectum. The best estimates of the increased risks associated with asbestos exposure are based on U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare-supported studies of workers heavily exposed to asbestos before the government began to regu late asbestos in the workplace in the late 1960's and- early 1970's. As a result of recent government regulations, current workers, without previous exposure, can be expected to face smaller risks than those exposed in the past. There is evidence that exposure to asbestos dust substan tially increases the risk of asbestosis and certain cancers in workers with jobs in or near asbestos-contaminated areas. Scientific information now available indicates that workers may not begin to show signs of disease for 30 or more years. Recent studies of shipyard workers, Including those ex posed to asbestos even for brief periods of time (as little as a month or iwo), indicate the presence, in some, of asbestosrelated diseases. Even some workers who may not have worked directly with asbestos, but whose jobs were located near contaminated areas, have developed asbestosis, meso thelioma, or an excess of other cancers associated with asbes tos exposure. There Is also some evidence that members of families of workers heavily exposed to asbestos face an increased risk of developing mesothelioma and perhaps other asbestos, related diseases, probably as a result of exposure to asbestos dust brought into the home on the shoes and clothing 0[ workers. Many workers exposed to asbestos--perhaps most--may suffer no apparent ill effects. However, others are likely to develop diseases related to asbestos. Asbestos bonded in finished products is not a risk to health, as long as the product is not damaged or disturbed in such a way as to free fibers into the air. Since the fibers are nearly indestructible, a risk exists if fibers are set free. It is known that risk increases with Increased amounts of exposure and the length of time a worker is exposed. Once the asbestos particles work their way into body tissues, they tend to stay there indefinitely. Some studies have shown that lung cancer has caused up to 25 percent of all deaths in workers heavily exposed to asbestos in the past compared to a lifetime lung cancer of 4 to 5 percent in the general population. In these same studies of death records of asbestos workers, some 7 percent died of asbestosis. Seven to 10 percent of such workers died of mesothelioma, and 4 percent of these asbestos-exposed individuals died of gastrointestinal cancers (stomach, colon, esophagus), compared to 2 percent in the general population. Smoking and Asbestos While asbestos by itself can increase the risk of lung cancer, asbestos and cigarette smoking together increase lung Cancer risk five-fold over the already high risk due to smoking alone. Asbestos workers who also were cigarette smokers have been 30 to 90 times more likely to develop lung cancer than nonexposed, nonsmokers. There Is also some evidence that quitting smoking will reduce risk among asbestos-exposed workers, perhaps as much as half. So if you were exposed to asbestos on the job anytime in your life, or suspect you were, you should not smoke. Medical Exams If you have been exposed (or suspect you have been) to asbestos dust on the job, or via a family contact, you should consult with your doctor. Regular check-ups could mean earlier detection and may provide a better chance for suc cessful treatment should you become sick. Your doctor should be told of your work history and any symptoms you may have. He or she is likely to give you a thorough physical examination, including a chest X-ray and lung function tests. Interpretation of the chest X-ray may require the help of a specialist who is experienced in reading X-rays for asbestos-related diseases. Other tests may be neces sary depending on your specific situation. The symptoms of asbestos-related diseases may not be come apparent for many years. If you have any of these symptoms, however, schedule an examination without delay. shortness of breath a cough or change in cough pattern blood in the fluid coughed up from your lungs pain in the chest or abdomen difficulty in swallowing, or prolonged hoarseness rapid large weight loss Deaths from asbestosis are due mainly to lung infections that attack weakened lungs. These can be treated with the greatest success following early medical attention. Aggressive treatment may be important should you develop a lung infection. As a protective measure, depending on your situa tion, your doctor may wish to give you one of the currently effective vaccines against influenza or pneumococcal pneu monia. Treatment of all cancers is Individually tailored and tny include surgery, drugs, radiation or combinations of these therapies. HE Outl Nearly t other ancie might be slaves whe Now sci creates an serious lur substance- But nnti undertaker and others exposure, cause the takes 8 lc more--an< workers e: II, may j' . threats. We are workers: ' the begin 8 and 11 And so to inform risks of a of the ast the coop unions. T heroic eff 1 canne effort Wt exposure nally susi An est> workers i tlon wor mechanic asbestos On th( that 17 p each yea asbestos. And tl solved, f construct breathing months c bly not a We an this Adn and heal ment wi safety. We an Federal f succeed enough every sir But, w there is worker < monitor preach t can advi investmt 12 THE IRONWORKER January 12/17/01 MON 17;04 FAI 6072559641 ii I of *isle HEW Secretary Califano Outlines Asbestos Problem i Nearly two thousand years ago, Pliny the Elder and ay to , other ancient scholars recorded the first signs that asbestos might be harmful: a sickness of the lungs appeared in to slaves who weaved asbestos into doth. frd Now sdentific studies have demonstrated that asbestos ?rs creates an especially high risk of lung cancer and other ! serious lung diseases for workers heavily exposed to the of substance. Cfc But until last April, no systematic effort had ever been ey undertaken to notify physicians, former asbestos workers and others at risk of the hazards associated with asbestos JP exposure. Such notification is of special importance be to cause the most serious diseases associated with asbestos of takes a long time to develop--from IS to 35 years or ' more--and because recent studies have underscored that *5, workers exposed in the past, especially during World War Of |l, may just now be facing immediate, serious health 5G _ threats. ie We are dealing, as you know, with large numbers of workers: The total number exposed to asbestos just since the beginning of World War II is estimated at between B and 11 million. r, And so last April 26, HEW launched a major campaign *r to inform doctors, workers, and others about the grave B. risks of asbestos exposure. Much of the success thus far of the asbestos public awareness campaign is a result of the cooperation and dedication of this country's trade unions. Today I want to thank them--and you--for your U heroic efforts. 15 b s* I cannot emphasize too strongly the importance of this effort. We are learning that the consequences of asbestos exposure are, If anything, even more serious than we origi nally suspected: o d n An estimated 5 million American men and women-- workers in asbestos plants, insulation workers, construc tion workers, steamfitters, carpenters, tile setters, auto mechanics, and the like---breathe significant amounts of asbestos fibers, each day. Y a On the basis of what we know today, it is estimated that 17 percent of ail cancer deaths in the United States d each year will be associated with previous exposure to v asbeBtos. g And (he problem of protecting workers is not yet solved. A new study from Utah reveals that a group of construction workers exposed to asbestos dust developed breathing obstructions not within years--but within a few months of their exposure. And these workers were proba bly not as heavily exposed as others in the past. We are, in short, committed--at HEW and throughout bis Administration--to a general strategy of prevention and health promotion. We intend to back that commit ment with effective action on occupational health and safety. We are acutely aware that even the most well-conceived Federal programs of occupational safety and health cannot succeed without strong support. There can never be enough official inspectors to visit and adequately monitor every single work site and enforce every single regulation. But, with your help and that of labor across the nation, toere is much that we can accomplish. Every American worker can, in effect, serve as inspector, consultant, and monitor of safety In the work place. Organized labor can Preach the gospel of prevention and protection. And we Qn advance the Idea that safety in the work place is an "vestment, not just an expense. CATHERW00D LIB. Asbestos Regulations and Prevention Employers are required to follow regulations issued by the Occupational 5afety and Health Administration (OSHA) deal ing with asbestos exposure on the job. If you are concerned about asbestos exposure in your workplace, discuss the situation with other employees and your employer. If necessary, OSHA can give you more infor mation or make an inspection. Workers may get a copy of the Standard on Worker Ex posure to Asbestos from the Office of Information, OSHA, Washington, D.C. 20210 or from a regional office in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Chicago, Kansas City (Mo.), Dallas, Denver, San Francisco and Seattle. Information is available for insulation Installers who may be exposed to asbestos in a Good Practices Manual available through the Clearinghouse tor Occupational Safety and Health Information, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), 4667 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226. This booklet recommends on-the-job procedures for those working with asbestos. Any exposure that may aggravate respiratory ailments should be avoided. Information on possible workplace ex posures Is available from the NIOSH Clearinghouse. Recommended work practices for "renovation projects also are available in another booklet, Sprayed Asbestos-Containing Materials in Buildings, from the Standards Development Branch, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Research Tri angle Park, North Carolina 27711. Use all protective equipment, work practices, and safety procedures your employer provides. If you have questions, check with OSHA. If you smoke cigarettes, stop. Medical services related to asbestos exposure are available through the Government only for certain groups of eligible individuals, in general, medical services are available through nongovernmental doctors and facilities and paid for by the individuals affected unless they are covered by private or government health insurance programs. (Check your policies.) Medicare will reimburse people with symptoms of asbestosrelated diseases for the costs of appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Victims of asbestos-related disease may also qualify for financial help, including medical payments, under State work er compensation laws. Eligibility requirements vary from State to State, so contact the State worker compensation program in the 5tate where last exposure occurred. If your exposure resulted from employment in a Federal anency (military or civilian), you may be covered for medical expenses and other'compensation by FECA, the Federal Em ployees' Compensation Act. if you are presently employed in a shipyard by a private employer, or have been in the past, you may be covered under the Longshoremen and Harbor Workers Compensation Act. For information about eligibility for these two compensation programs, contact ihe U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Workers Compensation Programs, Employment Standards Administration, 200 Consti tution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210. 13 0006 j,