Document N28DRkZqJ9p36GqRqyM8qgwyg

United States Rubber Company STARK MIS-:--3 - REID MILLS KOS^nSV'LLC, sa. Jcilj 25, 1959 &-*- o**ice rti"_r division me . ----< ..--. .w s *o.N.r. (77 . We are now nearing the coBpleti.cn of another of our annual Asbeston Betcal and X-ray surveys. Although the purpose of this annual survej has been explained to each Asbeston eaployee, there still appear to he occasional questions and rumors about this prograa and about the Asbeston Plant. In order to answer any questions you nay have and to further describe this prograa and explain Company policies, we plan to meet with all Asbeston eaployees in small groups and on Coapany time Tou will be notified by your overseer or shift supervisor of the time and place for* your group seating. I sincerely hope that this letter and these needings will answer any questions you may have about our Asbeston Plant and our medical and X-ray program. As early as 1939, when the Company first seriously considered estab1ishing a manufacturing unit at Hogansville for the processing of asbestos yarns and fabrics, we were aware of the occupational hazard involved. Company engineers and outside consultants, including some of "the best engineering firms in the United States, have made vast improvements in dust control since 1941 when the Asbeston Plant was built. For many years we have maintained dust counts well below the standard of safety recognized by the Georgia Department of Health. This is a continuing program, for we are constantly striving to further improve dust control equipment and methods* In 1957, in order to improve our health and safety prograa in the Asbeston Plant, we supplemented the periodical Chest X-ray survey with an annual physical examination for each Asbeston eaployee. . To do this, we engaged an outstanding chest radiologist and internist, Dr. John G. Wells of Hewnan, Georgia. Since 1953, because of questionable lung changes which have occurred, we have deemed it advisable to remove a number of eaployees from the Asbeston Plant. With the present health and safety program it may be, from time to tiae, that other Asbeston. employees will be moved, for 000:121 - Page 2 - July 25, 1959 the parp-cse of this program is to move a person before harmful changes have occurred. Any physical changes unrelated to exposure from asbes tos d=st will be held as confidential by the Conpany and by the doctor, who will advise any employee of such findings and recommend that be consult bis family physician. Our Ccaspas7 has always fulfilled its legal and moral obligations. Our Asbestos operations are classified as an occupational hazard under the Georgia Workman's Compensation Act, and it is certainly the Company's intent!a to meet both our legal and moral obligations in any case of disability arising out of the exposure to asbestos dust. With our present dust controls and health and safety program, we an ticipate few, if any, cases of disability arising out of exposure to asbestos dust, beyond the possible cases we may have among some of our long-service employees who.were exposed to dust during the early days of our Asbeston operations. No person in the Asbeston Plant will be allowed to continue working in the plant once the doctor recommends his removal. The Company recognizes that the employee may desire to continue employment with the Company and transfer to another job with in the Company. The transfer will be arranged provided there is a pro per job opening and the employee is qualified to fill the job opening. If transf er within* the Company cannot be arranged, it will be neces sary to sever the employment relationship. The Company recognizes its responsibilities to employees, and where employees are terminated due to asbestos dust exposure, they will be paid termination allowance or disability allowance, whichever is applicable under the Company plan. To fra-ther improve the medical control program, the Company has pur chased additional physical testing equipment, as recommended by Dr. Veils. This equipment is being set up initially at Dr. Veils' office in Hewnan, and in the event of any suspicious changes which are not clearly definable, the employee will be requested to undergo these tests as part of his physical examination. The Asbeston Plant over the years has provided employment for hundreds of people in the Hogansville area. The products manufacturered have been valuable contributions to the home, to industry, and to our mili tary establishments. There are many industries waich are classed as hazardous, some of which are far more hazardous than the processing of asbestos fibers. With our present dust control equipment, which we are constantly improving, with a good health and safety program, and with the cooperation of every employee in the Asbeston Plant in maintaining safe work condi tions and safe working habits, we can expect to operate the Asbeston Plant safely and profitably in the years to come. 00 0C i2 2 ?3^S 3 - to be ^reseat at the 'incoming **+.*_ *^red to eor^^oer^- bout of th. Sincerely, Jaly 25, 2953 *a/XC A. C, Link manager / 00ri23