Document M4dGbjxnMxB94OQ80qKz2Od6M

FILE NAME: US Gypsum (USG) DATE: August 13, 1936 DOC#: USG022 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: 1936 memo to WL Keady regarding report of dust conditions in Jersey City puat survey - Jersey City CHICAGO - August 13 1936 lr. V* L. Kaudy* Vioe Presidenti Office, , We have a comprehensive report of duet conditions in our Jersey city plant and a report on the x-raya of the employees examined at that plant by or. Gardnor'e organisation. In brief the findings arei 1. Diagnosis of asbestosls for five sen. 2. Possibly five additional own have aabestosls but noces8ary> to oonflre by ellnloal correlation. 3. serious asbestos dust hazard under present operations. shat consrmrrss dost h a z a r d : Dr. rdner points out that various authorities have tentatively sug gested a consent ration of five Billion partioles of free slllea per cubic foot of air as limit above which a silicosis hazard might exist* and this value has met with some recognition. There is no standard for safe concentration of asbestos dust comparable to the value Just given for free eilica duet. However. Dr. Gardner .quotes the results of a survey made in four asbestos fabricating plants and reported in 1935 In Bulletin #48', Department of Labor and Industry of Pennsylvania, The Incidence of asbestosls among worker* with more than five years exposurei Average Dust Concentration For !>ach Group studied Percentage of *oh Group Having beatosi 44 million 17 " 6 particlespr cu. ft. air . .. * 73% (6 out of 11 persons) 27% (4 15 ) 10% (a so * ) The authors of the report aonclude that it is not possible from their findings to establish the maximum safe condition of asbestos la the air. DUST ENCSUCTERED IN PLANT Among them are asbestos infusorial earth* elate* clay, soapetoce* mloa and limestone. Dr. Gardner advises some of these minerals are definitely Mr. 7. L. Ready a August 13 1336 hazardous; others are probably not very dangerous although conclusive proof Is 1achingi and still others have been shown to be praotloally hornless. JWST CC-KC&HTiiAT ION IK P La HT Dr. Gardner considers concentration of on excess of five nlllion parti* oles per cu. ft. of air basardoue. The following conditions, were found* 1 ^ bin In building gi where n a n w a s s hoveling asbestos "296 alllion particles per cu. ft. air. 2. Inside ;;3 bin where bags of asbestos day etc. worn opened and contents pushed into screw conveyors the oount was 22 nlllion particles. 3. Over the opening of the fourth floor through which the bln6 are supplied the concentration was 79 nlllion particles. 4. Concentration where asbestos boards are sawed was 6 nlllion par tides 5. Loading bags with asbestos oea&nt on first floor gave a concen tration of 261 Billion particles. This la highly hazardous. Other hazardous counts wore also given. The summary and conclusion froa Dr. Gardner*a report looking to preven tion lists the con ho should wear rosplrators until duet conditions are brought within safe U n i t s and gives detail recommendations on ex haust systems, prevention of dust leakage and ventilation. other coaagiffa In addition to asbestosls there are a nuaber of other physical disabili ties among the sen such as heart disease* tuberculosis syphilis eto. There are cases with aotive manifestations of tuberculosis. Case 270 (h. T&rby) has a unilateral chronic tuberculosis. Josslbility of eanatoriun treatment of this non should be considered. Case 344 (witkowskl). In view of the fact that this individual is only 19 years of age his condition should be investigated further to determine whether treatment is required. There seems to be no suggestion of a sllioosis hazard at Jersey City. It ay be alleged. If cases arias, that those with tuberculosis have aon- to*. V. L. Ready - 3 - August 13* 1936 traoted this disease a a result of their occupation. RCOht*K??DATIOTIS 1 That immediate steps be taken to provide respirators for those nen covered by d t . Gardner* reectKaendatlon. I am suggesting to Hr. heads and ur. Henbert that this be done 2. That prompt action be taken to install neaoscary dust proven* tion and ventilation equipment. 1 am also suggesting to hr* Rondo and hr. Rembert that this be done. CShfESSATIO?-: FCS 3CCTJ?ATIC?ZAL 5I5RA35S Certain named diseases such ss mercury poisoning, lead poisoning, etc. come under the Compensation Act of lies Jersey. However, silicosis and aebestosis are not named and any claims arising out of these diseases might be under common law. lasoaAKCg FRoracTioa For diseases listed under the Compensation Act. we have unlimited insu rance protection. Our insurance for occupational dlsoase claims which might be made under common law is placed with the Continental casualty Company for the primary coverage of 5.GOO for one person or aggregate claims of $!&.000 in one year. Our excess coverage of $45,000 for one person and $155*000 aggregate for one year is insured with Lloyds, if claims are filed both of the companies may canoel the oocupaclonal dis ease coverage. FOR CCi.'SJDERATION 1. hot notion shall we take on notifying the cos who have been examined of the various diseases which they havo? 2. what uotloo shall we take in connection with the continuation of the employment of our men who have occupational and other die eases? 3. vhat action shall we take on the tuberoular cases? TRP*EGC General Sorvloe Uanager