Document MgeXYmaR8EwLNnmyXDEbkOny

April 16. 1946 Ur. W. B. Mitchell, Manager Anaconda Reduction Department. Dear Ur. Mitchells Several day prior to March 31at 1946 we posted notices in the various departments to the effect that all safety equipment such as goggles, respi rators and faceshlelds which were held by our employees were to he returned to the safety office* As a result of our action a total of 1036 employees returned equipment to us and approximately an additional 25 who were not sure whether or not they had equipment charged against them came to check their status. We were organised to receive equipment at the end of the 3-11 ehlfi on March 30th and 11-7 shift which terminated on the morning of March 3ig.1j.,,.^k5aaL word of the postponement of the threatened strike came during the afternoon of March 30th we discontinued taking in equipment. Had we continued to accept equip ment until 7:00 A. M. of March 31st I am aure that the total would have far exceeded the 108S. Many individuals had several pieces of safety equipment charged against them. Receipts were Issued to each Individual who returned equipment. It is interesting to not* that the replacement oost, calculated at wholesale prices, of the equipment which was returned totals $5120.00. I fully realise that if we had failed to have this equipment returned that it would not have represented a complete loss to us but by having it returned considerable confusion and claims of lost and stolen equipment would have been avoided. All equipment which was returned was carefully checked and defective items were repaired or discarded. That which was saved was thoroughly scrubbed, sterilised and otherwise re-conditioned as needed. I have estimated that 10X to 152 of the respirators which were returned hod not been giving adequate respiratory protection to the wearers. These have been discarded and respirators of good cjualltj are being issued as re placements;. Approximately 2Of of the faceshlelds which were returned were not in proper condition for safe usage. ARCF 004745 t -2 4-16-46 The general attitude of the men aa the/ appeared to turn in their equipment vaa congenial and I believe that our experience has shown con clusively that a 8jsten of making the individual responsible for his per sonal protective equipment can and does work successfully. 2 also feel that collectively our employees are appreciative of the service which we have given then. Trusting that the above information may be of some interest and value to you, I am, Yours very truly ARCF 004746