Document N2jbkN3z6EQE0OxOXZjGD9ZNw
FILE NAME International Nickel Corporation INC
DATE 1995 DOC INC005
DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION INCO's Answers to Plaintiff's Interrogatories
ANSWER INCO objects to this Interrogatory on the grounds that it
broad unduly vague and not limited in time Without
overly
attached hereto is
waiving objection
a photocopy of a warning which is placed on asbestos-
cWoensttaiVniirngginpiraoducts which are identified in the INCO plant in Huntington
23 Identify all documents in your possession regarding the health
hazards of exposure to asbestos
ANSWER INCO objects to this interrogatory on the grounds that it is overly broad unduly burdensome and goes beyond the scope of permissible
discovery INCO has hundreds of employees and it has no way of determining
whether individual employees have documents which may concern the health hazards of exposure to asbestos Without waiving this objection and
specifically subject to it INCO has found the following documents which contain some information regarding asbestos
a
Occupational exposure to asbestos 1972 Department of
Health Education and Welfare
b
Use in handling of asbestos textile products Asbestos
Information Association
C.
Industrial hygiene 1938 L.B. Chenowith W. Machle
and H. Schneider
d
Occupational Hazards of the Work Environment
1969 M.P. Mayers
e
Introduction to Respiratory Diseases 1964 National
Tuberculosis Association
f
The Nature of Occupational Cancer 1974 D.B. Dinman
g
Industrial Toxicology 1969 L.T. Fairhall
h
Industrial Hygiene Highlights 1968 L.B. Cralley
19
i
IARC Monongraphs Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risk of
Chemicals to Man 1973 International
Research on Cancer
Agency for
j
Asbestos Its History and Use at IAI dated November
1986
11
Additionally see documents listed in response to Interrogatory No. 11
24. Have you ever developed a written program concerning asbestos control on your premises in West Virginia or on corporate wide basis If so when was the program first implemented Identify all documents and witnesses concerning such program
ANSWER Objection is made to this vague In particular the phrase asbestionstecrornotgraotloriys o nont tshueffgicrioeunntdlys dtehfaitneids so as to allow INCO to respond Without this waiving objection and specifically subject thereto please see response to Interrogatory No. 11
25.
a
Identify all documents in
your possession concerning
communications made to contractors or employees of contractors regarding
information about potential hazards of exposure to asbestos or the need to take
precautions in connection with handling containing products
)
Identify all witnesses concerning such documentation
information
b
Describe all efforts
about the health hazards
you have of asbestos
made to communicate
to contractors on your
premises or to employees of contractors on
your premises
Identify all
documents and witnesses concerning such effort
20
ANSWER See Answer to Interrogatory No. 22
standard contractor
Additionally INCO's
requirements contaiangsrienesmtreuncttiP onsE to G contcroancttroarcstor safety and environmental
of this document will be made
concerning asbestos Copies
mutually agreed upon time and palvaacielable for inspection and copying at a
26.
When did you first learn of any threshold limit value
regarding
exposure to containing products
ANSWER Objection is made to this
is a
interrogatory on the grounds that INCO
corporation and a corporation cannot learn but can only acquire
knowledge through its employees officers and agents INCO is
incapable of determining when each and
currently
every present and former employee
containing products INCO further objects to the term threshold limit
as that term is not adequately defined so as to allow INCO
value
Without waiving these objections and specifically subjectto ptrhoepreertloy trheespfoirnsdt
bmoeonktlieotn of a threshold limit value in INCO's files was found in a copy of a
entitled Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances and
Physical Agents in the Work Room Environment with Intended
1976 which was published by the American Conference of GoCvehrannmgeenstafolr
27. When did you first learn of the following article Fleischer Walter E. Drinker Philip et al A Health Survey of Pipe Covering
Operations in Constructing Naval Vessels 28 No. 1 J. Indus Hygiene &
Toxicology p 9-16 Jan. 1946
ANSWER Objection is made to this
is a
interrogatory on the grounds that INCO
corporation and as such cannot learn unless through the acts of its
agents officers and employees INCO is incapable of determining if and when
each and every present or former employee first learned of the
Drinker article Without
Fleischer
thereto never
waiving this objection and specifically subject
21
28 Identify all documents regarding any decision made by you before 1972 in reliance on threshold limit values for asbestos
ANSWER INCO has conducted a reasonable investigation and has
any documents responsive to this request
not found
If further investigation uncovers
documents responsive to this interrogatory this response will be amended
29. Identify all documents regarding any decision made by you during 1972 or afterwards in reliance on threshold limit values for asbestos
ANSWER Objection is made to this interrogatory on the grounds that
threshold limit value is vague and not sufficiently defined to permit a
response Without waiving this objection and
proper
response to Interrogatory No. 11
specifically subject thereto see
30 Identify by name and address all persons who have functioned as industrial hygienist for you and provide the dates of employment of such
persons
ANSWER INCO has never had a position entitled industrial
However INCO has employed various
whose
hygienist
industrial hygienist
persons
responsibility included
At present Clinton Bird is responsible for industrial
hygiene Prior to Mr. Bird Joseph Barta and Ronald Simonton had those
responsibilities respectively
31.
a
Identify by name and address all persons who have been
employed as medical directors and provide the dates of employment of such
persons
22
all plant
Virginia
b
Provide the names addresses and dates of
employment of
physicians who have been employed at your premises in West
ANSWER a director
INCO had no such employee identified as a medical
b
INCO has made a reasonable
that no physicians were
inquiry and has determined
employed at its facilities However the INCO plant
physicians were Dr. Carr first name
Moore presently
unknown presently deceased Dr. Fred
WV 25702
deceased Dr. Jose Ricard 2547 Third Avenue Huntington
32. Identify all persons who have been employed by you who have
been responsible for coordination of contracts with
contractors who come upon
your premises to perform work Provide the dates of employment and job titles for each individual
ANSWER INCO objects to this interrogatory on the
broad unduly burdensome and is not
grounds that it is overly
INCO further objects to the
reasonably limited in scope as to time
of the
broad Any INCO
use
term contractor because it is overly
INCO plant is
employee who performed any sort of service at the
plant have the technically a contractor " and numerous departments at the
INCO cannot authority to enter into contracts for outside services Therefore
respond to this interrogatory without further clarification
33. Identify all individuals who have been employed by you whose duties include responsibility for the safety of the employees of contractors With regard to each individual state that
individual's dates of employment
and job title
23
OSHA ANSWER See answers and objections to Interrogatory No. 32.
pursuant to
regulations the contractors
Additionally
employee's safety as are the employees
are responsible for their own
34.
Provide the names of all entities with whom you have contracted
with respect to the premises identified in
Interrogatory No. 1 or 2 for the
performance of
a Pipe fitting contract work on your premises
b Boilermaker contract work on your premises
C.
Contract work regarding the installation or removal of
containing products
d
Any other construction work performed by employees of
contractors where incident to such work asbestos containing products were
disturbed installed replaced or used in any fashion whatsoever
ANSWER Objection is made to this
interrogatory on the grounds that is overly broad unduly burdensome and requires information for
period of time INCO has employed various
an unlimited
who may have hired subcontractors
general contractors over the years
to perform the tasks outlined above INCO INCO
would not have been in contractual privity with those
therefore could not identify all contractors that performed thceonttarsakcstoorustliannedd
above INCO further objects to this interrogatory on the grounds that it is not
reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence
waiving these objections and specifically subject thereto INCO is Without
contractors
besides
those
identified
by
the
plaintiffs
and
INCO
unaware of has
verified whether those contractors
not yet
nature of the work INCO is
performed work at INCO and if so the
will
continuing its investigation in this regard and
supplement this response as necessary
a
See objection and answer above
b
See objection and answer above
C.
Objection is made to this interrogatory in that it is
unlimited as to scope and time and is unduly vague INCO is
determining when any containing products were installedisnocaitpacbalnenootf
24
identify the contractor that did the installation
to the term removal in that is
Additionally INCO objects
overly broad and unduly vague Assuming
MraemsotvearlMemcehaannsiceaflforts to eradicate asbestos Ohio Valley Insulation and
d
Objection is made to subpart d on the grounds that it
oIvnetrelryrobgartooardy usnedeuklsy ibnufrodremantsioomne and is incapable of being answered Thiiss
replacement or use of
concerning the disturbance installation
the INCO
containing products in the year period that
plant has existed Without waiving this objection and
subject thereto INCO is currently reviewing its files and will
specifically
response if necessary
supplement this
35. Identify the names of the suppliers and manufacturers of asbestos-
containing products purchased by you for use on your West Virginia premises
2
Identify all witnesses known to you and all documents
known to you concerning the purchase of containing products by you
b
If you had employees at you West Virginia premises who
worked as insulators please identify each of those persons known to
identify any documents known to
and in
you and
you
your possession relating to these
persons
ANSWER Unknown INCO's Purchasing Department only maintains
purchase orders for seven years and current records only date back to
after the point when INCO began phasing out purchases of
1989
products INCO is currently reviewing documents macinotanintead ibny iotnhegr
departments and will supplement this response if necessary after future
investigation
36. Have ever manufactured asbestos containing products If so please describe the nature and brand names of
containing
products manufactured or sold by you and the date of the manufacture or sale
ANSWER No.
25
37 Please describe how containing products were used on
each of the premises identified by you in response to Interrogatory Nos 1 and 2. Include in your answer what type asbestos product were used e.g. block
insulation performed pipe insulation gasket materials asbestos board etc.
the names of the supplier and manufacturers and describe the uses to which
the products were put
ANSWER INCO objects to this interrogatory on the grounds that this interrogatory is overly broad unduly burdensome and unlimited as to time and scope The INCO plant in Huntington covers numerous acres and has
been in existence since the early 1920's INCO is incapable of producing a list of all containing products that were used in such a large facility over
a long period of time or detailing how the products were used Without
waiving this objection and specifically subject thereto see response to Interrogatory Nos 4 and 6
38.
a
Provide the name and date of filing and alleged disease
process for all Workers Compensation cases brought against you from any
facility before 1980 in which the Claimant alleges injury caused by exposure
to asbestos
b
Provide the same information sought in 38 above for all
workers compensation cases regarding asbestos brought to date against you by
your employees at your premises identified in Interrogatory Nos 1 and 2
above
c and 38 above
Identify all documents concerning claims described in 38
26
ANSWER a None
b
Objection is made to subpart b on the grounds that it
seeks information which is irrelevant to present claim and not
calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence
reasonably
plaintiffs Interrogatory is overly broad and unduly burdensome AFdidniatliloynatlhliys
Interrogatory seeks the disclosure of medical information
and former INCO
concerning present
subject to the
employees and INCO is unable to produce such information
privacy interests of those individuals without a release of an
appropriate Court Order
c
See answer to b above
39. a
Provide name date offiling and alleged disease process
for any legal action concerning asbestos disease other than workers
compensation cases identified in Interrogatory No. 38 brought against you
before 1980
b
Identify all documents concerning such claims
ANSWER a b
None None
40
Provide the names of all trade associations to which you were a
member from 1900 to the present and include the dates of membership
ANSWER Objection is made to this interrogatory on the grounds that it is
overly broad unduly burdensome and unlimited to time and scope INCO has no way of determining whether any of its thousands of present and former employees belonged to trade groups Without waiving this objection and specifically subject thereto INCO has found the following organizations The dates of membership are unknown
27
1 2
3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 .40 41 42 43
ACCL
Administrative Management Society
Air and Waste Management Association
Aluminum Association Inc.
American American American American American
Association for Laboratory Board of Industrial Hygiene Chemical Society Compensation Association
Concrete Institute
American Defense Preparedness Association
American Industrial Hygiene Association
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
American National Standards Institute American Nuclear Society
American Public Health Association
American Society for Quality Control American Society of Safety Engineers American Society for Industrial Security American Society for Training and Development American Society of Civil Engineers American Society of Heating Refrigerating and American
Trucking Associations Inc.
American Tube Association
American Welding Society Inc.
APICS
APMI
Appalachian Construction Users Council ASM International
ASME
ASNT
Association for Information and Image Association of Iron and Steel Engineers
ASTM
Board of Certified Safety Professionals Board of Hazard Control Management
Business Foundation of North Carolina
Capitol Associated Industries Inc. Catawba County Chamber of Commerce
Catlettsburg Chamber of Commerce Chamber of Commerce of Greenup Counties Compensation Resources
Computer Security Institute Credit Bureau of Huntington
Nam
28
44
45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57
58 59
60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87
Delta Nu Alpha Transportation Fraternity Edison Welding Institute
Electric Metalmakers Guild Inc. Employee Relocation Council
Fabricators and Manufacturers Association International Forging Industry Association Gotham Group
Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce Inc.
Huntington Area Chamber of Commerce
IABC
IEEE
Indiana Manufacturers Association Institute of Industrial Engineers
Institute of Roll Design Instrument Society
International Metallographic Society
Inter Group International Institute of Connector and Inter ISS Inc.
Kanawha Valley Construction Users Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
Kentucky Industrial Utility Customers Kentucky Motor Transport Association Kentucky State Registration Board
Manufacturers Agents National Association
Materials Research Society Microbeam Analysis Society
National Association of Credit Management National Association of Corrosion Engineers National Association of Business Economists
National Association of Desktop Publishers
National Association of Accountants National Association of Manufacturers
National Business Travel Association Incorporated National Business Aircraft Association Inc. National Contract Management Association
National Economist Club
National Electrical Manufacturers Association
National Employees Services and Recreation
National Fire Protection Association
National Safety Council
National Society of Professional Engineers National Systems Programmers Association Inc.
National Welding Supply Association
29
88 89
90 91
92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130
Ohio Valley Accountants Association
Ohio Valley Business Travel Association
Pacbase Users Group
Pennsylvania State University Cooperative Program in Metallurgy
Piedmont Personnel Association
Pittsburgh Regional Library Center Planning Forum
Poole Professional Photographers of America Inc.
SAE
SAMPE
Society for Experimental Mechanics
Society for Applied Spectroscopy
Society for Human Resource Management
Society for Technical Communication
Society of Petroleum Engineers
Society of Professional Journalists
Society of Trial Biologists and Lubrication Engineers
Southwest Ohio Chapter of NASPA Special Libraries Association
Specialty Seal Industry of the United
Spectroscopy Society of Pittsburgh State Board of Registration for Tappi
TEI Institute
States
TMS
Treasurer State of Ohio State Board of Registration
State Chapter of National Management
State Incorporated National Association of Purchasing
State Society for Human Resources Management
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Water Pollution Control Federation
West Virginia Chamber of Commerce
West Virginia Manufacturers Association West Virginia Safety Council West Virginia Library Association West Virginia Insurers Association West Virginia Board of Accountancy West Virginia Motor Truck Association Inc. West Virginia Research League West Virginia Society of CPAs -- Charleston West Virginia Society of CPAs -- Huntington Chapter West Virginia Telecommunications Association Inc. Western Carolina Industries Inc. Wire Association International Inc.
30
131 132 133
WordPerfect User Support Group World Future Society WVNTA Safety Management Council
41
State whether you were at any time a member of the Quebec
Asbestos Mining Association Q.A.M.A. Asbestos Textile Institute A.T.I.
National Safety Council or Industrial Hygiene Foundation I.H.F.
Refractories Institute or its predecessors and state the dates of
your
membership
ANSWER INCO was a member of the Industrial Hygiene Foundation although the date of joining is unknown INCO was also a member of the National Safety Council from the 1940's to the late 1980's INCO did not
belong to any of the other entities or organizations identified in Interrogatory
No. 41
42.
a
From 1900-1972 1900-1972 if asbestos products needed to be removed
from pipes or boilers to allow employees of contractors to repair or install pipes
or boilers who removed the asbestos insulation
b
Was this removal done by
)
your employees
ii
employees of contractors
c
Identify all documents and witnesses regarding safety
precautions taken during such removal
d
Describe in detail and identify all documents concerning
recommendations you made to contractors or their employees concerning
31
precautions that needed to be taken when asbestos products had to be removed from pipes and boilers to permit employees of contractors to perform such work
ANSWER Objection is made to this interrogatory parts a through d on
the grounds that it is overly broad unduly burdensome and unduly
INCO is unaware as to the particular incidences where asbestos vague
needed to be removed from
products
pipes or boilers Therefore it is uncertain as to
whether contractor's employees or INCO employees removed asbestos
43.
a
From 1972 to now if asbestos insulation needed to be
removed from pipes or boilers to allow employees of contractors to
install pipes or boilers who removed the asbestos insulation
repair or
b
Was this removal done by
i
your employees
ii
employees of the contractors
c
Identify all documents and witnesses regarding safety
precautions taken during such removal
d Describe in detail and identify all documents concerning recommendations you made to contractors or their employees concerning
precautions that needed to be taken when asbestos products had to be removed from pipes and boilers to permit employees of contractors to perform work
ANSWER See answers and objection to Interrogatory No. 42 which are incorporated herein However since 1985 INCO has employed licensed asbestos abatement contractors to remove asbestos from its premises although
INCO employees do remove small amounts when necessary
44.
Identify all expert witnesses you expect to call at the trial in this
matter With respect to each expert please state
32
and
a
Subject matter on which the expert is expected to testify
b
Summary of the witness's testimony and
C.
the basis and grounds for the witness's testimony
ANSWER Objection is made to this interrogatory on the grounds that the investigation of and discovery relating to the issues in this case and not yet complete and no determination has been made as to wahreatonegxopienrgt witnesses INCO may call unless otherwise already disclosed INCO will supplement this response and its witnesses previously listed after it has the opportunity to depose plaintiffs liability and expert witnesses
45.
Identify all fact witnesses known to you at the time you are
preparing these answers and all fact witnesses you have talked to and intend
to talk to and provide a current address and telephone number for each fact
witness With respect to each fact witness describe the subject matter of the
witness's testimony and give a summary of the facts of the witness's
testimony
ANSWER Objection is made to this interrogatory on the grounds that it requires the disclosure of both attorney and product privileged
information Without waiving these objections and specifically subject thereto
please see INCO witness list
46. Identify all documentary evidence known to you at this time and
which you may introduce at the trial of this matter whether or not you have made a decision as to which specific document you intend to introduce
33
ANSWER INCO objects to this interrogatory on the grounds that the
investigation of and discovery relating to the issues in this case are
and not complete and no determination has been made as to what eoxnhgiobiintgs
INCO will offer or introduce at trial This response cannot reasonably be made
until discovery is complete and the plaintiffs exhibits have been identified
INCO will supplement this response after it has had the
further discovery and investigation in this matter
opportunity to conduct
47. Identify all trade associations to which you have belonged to and
provide dates and publications received from each
ANSWER See answer to Interrogatory No. 40. INCO objects to listing any and all publications received on the grounds that it is overly broad unduly burdensome and not reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of
admissible evidence
48. Identify all medical journals to which you have at any time subscribed to and provide the dates of any such subscriptions
ANSWER None
49.
Were any warnings ever given to you by any manufacturer of
thermal asbestos insulation products regarding any danger to human health
posed by exposure to respirable asbestos fibers If so please state
a
the content of any such warnings and identify copies of any
such warnings in your possession and
b
the years when any such warnings were given and
34
C. the identity of each manufacture providing any such
warning and which warning each manufacture provided and the dates of
such warning
any
ANSWER INCO is unaware of any specific warnings given to it
manufacturers of containing products
by
efforts 50.
Describe all
undertaken by you to determine whether your
employees or employees of contractors came into contact with respirable asbestos fibers on your premises With respect to all such efforts provide the
dates of the efforts and the results obtained Identify all documents concerning
or in any way related to such efforts
ANSWER Objection is made to this interrogatory on the grounds that it calls for the disclosure of attorney and product information Without waiving this objection and specifically subject thereto see responses to Interrogatory Nos 13-16
warn 51.
you ever
employees of contractors or contractors on your
premises as to the location of asbestos containing products on your premises
and any risks asbestos fibers posed to human health If so please state
a
the content of any such warnings and
b
warnings and
the identity of any documents containing any such
C.
the dates of any such warnings and
d
the identity of any contractors you so warned
35
ANSWER Yes
"
a
Danger
disease
contains
asbestos fiber
avoid
creating dust
cancer and lung disease hazard
b
Warning label will be produced for inspection at a
agreed upon place and time
mutually
C.
From 1990 to the present
asbestos warned
d
The warning labels are placed in areas known to contain
Therefore any contractor working in those areas would be so
52.
Did you ever require chest rays of your employees employed on
any premises owned or operated by you where asbestos containing products
were present or used If so please state
and
a
the whereabouts of any such rays or ray reports and
b the identity of the person or persons taking any such rays
C.
why the rays were taken and
d
the dates of any such rays
ANSWER Objection is made to this interrogatory on the grounds that it is overly broad unduly burdensome is not reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence and seeks the production of privileged information from individuals who are not parties to this litigation Without waiving these objections and specifically subject thereto yes
a
Any reports in the possession of INCO are maintained in
the personnel file of the individuals who had rays taken
b
Various medical services personnel
36
C.
INCO's policy concerning rays changed over the
and was never uniform or consistent At
years
some point rays were taken as
part of employment physical rays were also taken in the normal
of examining and evaluating employees by the INCO medical staff course
d
Various
REQUESTS FOR PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS
Please produce for inspection and copying any document
1
Identified in responses to any of the Interrogatories above
ANSWER All documents identified will be made available for inspection and copying at a mutually agreed upon place and time
2 premises
Regarding the dates on which any of the plaintiffs worked on your
ANSWER Objection is made to this request on the grounds that it is overly broad unduly burdensome and is not reasonably limited in time and Due to the Court's prohibition on plaintiff discovery INCO is scope of the specific dates and times that the premises liability plaintiffs wournkaewdaraet its facility Therefore INCO cannot respond to this request for production of
documents
INCO ALLOYS INTERNATIONAL INC
By Counsel
37
Wy
Robert H. Sweeney Jr. Esquire
JENKINS FENSTERMAKER
KRIEGER KAYES & AGEE
Post Office Box 2688
Huntington West Virginia 25726-2688
304 523-2100
38
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF KANAWHA
WEST VIRGINIA
COUNTY
IN RE
ASBESTOS IV PREMISES LIABILITY
CIVIL ACTION NO 8888
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
Sweeney I Robert H.
Jr. counsel for INCO Alloys International Inc.
do hereby certify that I have served a true and correct copy of the foregoing
INCO Alloys International Inc.'s Answers to Plaintiffs Interrogatories
to Premises Defendants Dated
April 4 1995 upon the following
individuals by U.S. Mail postage prepaid on this the 1241 day of April
1996
Stuart Calwell Esquire CALWELL & MCCORMICK
405 Capitol Street Suite 908
Charleston WV 25301
Scott S. Segal Esquire
SEGAL and DAVIS L.C. 810 Kanawha Blvd. East
Charleston WV 25301
Dennis C. Sauter Esquire JACKSON & KELLY
Post Office Box 553
Charleston WV 25322
Eric M. James Esquire
.
SPILMAN THOMAS & BATTLE
Post Office Box 273
Charleston WV 25321-0273
George F. Fitzpatrick Jr. Esquire SWANSON MARTIN & BELL
1 IBM Plaza Suite 20900 Chicago Illinois 60611
Theodore Goldberg Esquire GOLDBERG PERSKY JENNINGS & WHITE
1030 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh PA 15219
Joseph Beeson Esquire
ROBINSON & MCELWEE 600 United Center 500 Virginia Street East Charleston WV 25301
A. L. Emch Esquire JACKSON & KELLY
Post Office Box 553
Charleston WV 25322
Richard Hayhurst Esquire
414 Market Street Post Office Box 86
Parkersburg WV 26102-0086
Charles M. Love III Esquire
BOWLES RICE MCDAVID GRAFF & LOVE Post Office Box 1386
Charleston WV 25325-1386
Richard C. Polley Esquire David J. Armstrong Esquire Brian T. Must Esquire
DICKIE McCAMEY & CHILCOTE
Two PPG Place Suite 400 Pittsburgh PA 15222
Clement D. Carter Esquire ,
520 West Main Street Post Office Box 2504
Clarksburg WV 26302-2504
Teresa Clark Postle Esquire
Law Offices of James Humphreys
Suite 1113 Bank One Center Charleston WV 25301
Paul T. Theisen Esquire THEISEN BROCK FRYE
ERB & LEEPER 424 Second Street Post Office Box 739 Marietta OH 45750
Robert A. Campbell Esquire
KING ALLEN & GUTHRIE Post Office Box 3394
Charleston West Virginia 25333-3394
Scott Long Esquire
HENDRICKSON & LONG Post Office Box 11070
Charleston WV 25339
Cynthia M. Hutchins Esquire SHARLOCK REPCHECK & MAHLER
3280 USX Tower 600 Grant Street
Pittsburgh PA 15219
James H. Rion Esquire
NESS MOTLEY LOADHOLDT
RICHARDSON & POOLE Post Office Box 1137 Charleston SC 29402
Stephen P. Goodwin Esquire GOODWIN & GOODWIN
Post Office Box 2107
Charleston West Virginia 25328-2107
Arthur R. Gorr Esquire GORR MOSER DELL & LOUGHNEY 1300 Frick Building Pittsburgh PA 15219
Vy
RobertHSweeney HSweeney Jr.
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF KANAWHA
WEST VIRGINIA
COUNTY
IN RE
ASBESTOS IV PREMISES LIABILITY
CIVIL ACTION NO 8888
INCO ALLOYS INTERNATIONAL INC.'S ANSWERS TO
PLAINTIFFS INTERROGATORIES TO PREMISES
DEFENDANTS DATED APRIL 4 1995
Comes now defendant INCO Alloys International Inc. INCO by
counsel Robert H. Sweeney Jr. and Jenkins Fenstermaker Krieger Kayes
& Agee and in response to Plaintiffs
Interrogatories states as follows
GENERAL OBJECTIONS
INCO objects to answering plaintiffs Interrogatories and responding to
their discovery requests when plaintiffs have failed to fully comply with previous Court rulings requiring them to provide the defendants including
INCO with an indication as to which specific claims have been brought
against each defendant and to provide the defendants with certain basic information concerning the plaintiffs who are asserting claims against each
defendant
and
INCO also objects because the Complaints filed herein are unduly vague provide no substantive information concerning plaintiffs
presence on
INCO's premises either in terms of dates of
employment site of employment
the contractors or contractors by whom plaintiff was employed or the nature
of plaintiff's job function while employed on INCO's premises Additionally
4/12/96
4/12/96
4/12/96 4/12/96
information supplied by plaintiffs pursuant to Court Order is unduly vague
and provides no substantive information
concerning plaintiffs location on INCO's premises or the nature of plaintiffs job function INCO is therefore
unable to determine the relevance or appropriate scope of any request for
information particularly insofar as such requests relate to specific claims of
exposure on INCO's premises
As a result each and every request posed by
the plaintiffs is overly broad unduly burdensome and oppressive
INCO further objects to the use of the words you and your in
plaintiffs Interrogatories to the extent that they include present and former
employees agents officers subsidiaries divisions affiliates and predecessor
purports entities and
to require INCO to seek and furnish information from
and to rely on behalf of persons over whom or over which INCO no longer
exercises or never exercises control Such
requests as so construed are unduly burdensome and not required to be answered by law
INCO further objects because plaintiffs use of the phrase asbestos products or asbestos containing products or asbestos as vague unduly burdensome and not reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence insofar as it relates to or refers to unidentified products
and materials which contain asbestos The mineral asbestos may be found in
a wide variety of forms and products many of which are wholly irrelevant to this action Additionally to the extent that
many containing products
cannot be so identified by simple visual analysis this Interrogatory is unduly
vague and unduly burdensome so
as to prohibit sufficient compliance herewith
In addition INCO
generally objects to plaintiffs Interrogatories and
oppressive Request
they are
for Production overly broad
of Documents on the grounds
unduly burdensome
that for the most part
and expensive and not
reasonably limited in scope as to time subject to geographical area and as a
result of violation of Rules 26 and
26 of the West Virginia Rules of
Civil
Procedure in that among other things certain
specific terms contained in
specific discovery requests are not defined the requests seek information for
concerning containing products
to INCO further objects generally each and every request which seeks
confidential trade secrets financial
data research development or commercial
information including information relating to the national
security of the
United States of America or personal or medical information of its employees
is beyond the scope of permissible discovery
the business of producing high performance alloys to the public utility defense
and other industries INCO has
never been in the business of
manufacturing producing selling or distributing containing products
INCO at most
conspiracy breach of
warranty and fraud on the part of asbestos manufacturers
Since most if not all of plaintiffs Interrogatories and Request for
Production of Documents pertain to facts and circumstances concerning a broad
back as 1921 there is no single officer or employee or any group of officers
or
employees of INCO who have personal knowledge of all such
matters facts and
addition information In
INCO has limited documents and records which
would assist in responding to any Interrogatories and
Request for Production
of Documents served on it Therefore INCO and its counsel are forced to rely
upon information from memories and recollections of various officers and
employees of INCO in order to provide a good faith response to the plaintiffs
discovery requests Based upon the foregoing INCO reserves its right to
supplement amend withdraw or modify
of
any
its responses to discovery
which are filed in this matter
a elie
Te
the plaintiffs and to further seek relief of the Court in regard to the nature
and scope of plaintiffs discovery requests or to preclude plaintiffs from having certain discovery or to preclude information produced during discovery from being produced at trial
plaintiffs In responding to
interrogatories INCO does not waive but
expressly reserves all privileges including but not limited to those arising out
of the attorney relationship and under
the work product doctrine
Further by responding to any discovery request INCO does not concede the
relevance of any matter at issue in any of the
plaintiffs Interrogatories and
Request for Production of Documents does not agree to the admissibility into
evidence of any information or documents provided and
expressly reserves all
evidentiary objections until the time of trial
INTERROGATORIES
1
Identify by name address and dates of
operation any business
location in West Virginia you owned or operated at any time including the
present
ANSWER INCO only operates one West
West Virginia
Virginia business in Huntington
2. created
Identify the person or entities who developed wrote or otherwise
a
the material specifications for
premises in West Virginia
original construction of your
b
the material specifications for
any other structures
repairs ofpipes boilers and
ehxetartudreedsistant brickrseqhueiartinrgetshisetu anste ocfetmheenrtmsal rionosfuilnagtioansbpersotdouscts gaskets
pipes asbestos containing panels and boards and
containing
containing products on your West Virginia premises
any other asbestos
d
the material specifications for
manner at any time on
any asbestos used in any
West Virginia
any premises owned or operated by the defendant in
)
Identify all documents and witnesses related to
specifications for those premises
the material
ii
For any persons identified in
who that person's employer was
response to a or b cite
ANSWER a
Objection is made to this
overly broad and unduly burdensome The request on the grounds that it is
facility in Huntington occurred in
original construction of the INCO
1921 and because of the passage of time
INCO no longer has all documents relating to the construction Therefore
any
b
Objection is made to this
overly
broad
unduly
burdensome
request
is unlimited
on
the
grounds
that
it
is
information over a
by time and scope and requests
seventy period
interrogatory INCO is
Given the breadth and the scope of the
unable at this time to provide information
regarding
waiving these objections and specifically subject thereto INCO
standard specifications for materials for certain
developed
construction activities
INCO had specifications for the use of certain brand
various points in its history which may or may not have con ntaamienepdroadsubcetsstoast
wIhNiCcOh hcaaldlead Sftorandard Steam Service Specification dated January 16 1958
the use of Union Asbestos and Rubber Co.
750
Phillip
Carey
MW
insulating
cement
Phillip
Unibestos
Carey No. 100
No.
finish cement Phillip Carey Alltemp block and Arabol smooth
manufacturer unknown Additionally INCO had Standard
cement
Specifications dated June 26 1958 which
Water Service
Tempcheck blocks
required the use of Phillip Carey
equivalent the previously identified MW
cement No. 100 hard finishing cement Arabol
insulating
pressure
sensitive
tape and
Phillip Carey type
cement No.
M
Scotchrap
equal asbestos cloth INCO has
1 Grade A Class 5 or
contained asbestos
no information whether these products
or were utilized at the INCO plant
INCO is currently reviewing its records in regards to other
responsive to this interrogatory and will supplement its
information
response if necessary
C.
See objections and answer to 2.b. above
d
See objections and answer to 2.b. above
i Standard Steam Service specification
Standard Water Service specifications dated 6/26/58
dated
1/16/58 1/16/58
ii
INCO
3
Were your employees involved in the
original construction of or
any additions to or any repairs to any of your West Virginia premises which
involved the use of installation of removal of replacement of or disturbance of any asbestos containing products or raw asbestos fibers If so describe how
and identify all documents and witness of which
you are aware concerning
your employees participation in the original construction of or additions to
those premises
ANSWER INCO objects to this
broad unduly burdensome and interrogatory on the grounds that is overly
vague and as such it is incapable of being
answered INCO is uncertain as to the
additions
meaning of the term involved
Additionally this interrogatory requests information
and
governing
and every instance where additions
involved the use of
or repairs were made to its facilities which
installation of removal of replacement of
of containing products Without
or disturbance
specifically subject to it INCO has been
waiving this objection and
employees were involved in the
unable to determine whether its
construction of its original premises in 1921
4. a Please describe the types of insulation materials that were used in the original construction of
your premises and state whether those materials contained asbestos and who specified the use of those materials
West
b Were asbestos products used in repairs or additions to your
Virginia premises If so describe when how and who
specified their
use
c
Identify all documents and witnesses
concerning the
specification of asbestos products or
containing insulation materials
in connection with
)
the original construction of
your premises or
ii
any subsequent additions to
your premises or
iii
with any repairs on your premises
ANSWER a Unknown
b
Objection is made to this
it is overly broad unduly burdensome and nionttelrirmoigtaetdortyo otnitmhee grounds that
Specifically
the terms repairs and additions are not specifically defined and could
5
containing encompass hundreds and possibly thousands of different operations Given the
vague nature and breadth of this interrogatory INCO is incapable of determining when how and who specified the use of all products contained in its plant However without waiving this objection and specifically subject to it INCO has currently determined and is aware from its efforts at identifying and removing asbestos producctusrrienntiltys plant that the following types of containing products have been located in the plant at one time or another
) ii iii iv v vi vii viii ix x xi xii
xiii
xiv
Transite board pipecovering gaskets brakes
siding roofing material
floor tile mastic boiler insulation fire doors electrical wire packing bulk asbestos and
asbestos clothing
c
See answer to Interrogatory No. d
5 For all asbestos containing products used at any time at any West Virginia premises owned or operated by you at any time please provide the
following
a
Specify the different types of asbestos products used at each
premises at any time
b
Identify by brand name the different types of asbestos
products used at each premises at any time
C.
Identify the asbestos content type of asbestos fiber and
percentage of asbestos in the asbestos products used at each
time
premises at any
d
State the names and last known
manufacturers known to you of the asbestos
addresses of all
any time
products used at each premises at
ANSWER Objection is made to this
overly
broad
unduly
burdensome
interrogatory
and
on
the
grounds
that
it
is
of clarification the INCO
not limited in time or
scope By way
plant in Huntington covers
been in existence since the early 1920's Given
numerous acres and has
interrogatory INCO is incapable of
the unlimited scope of this
determining each and every different
type
of asbestos product contained in its facility Subject to this
without waiving it INCO states the following
objection but
a
See answer to Interrogatory No. 4.
been
b
Unknown as to all products however Transite board
used at various locations in the plant Additionally see
has
in response to Interrogatory No. 7
products listed
C.
Unknown without the ability to refer to
product at a particular location
a particular
d
Unknown
6
During what years did
you use request order purchase or specify
the use of asbestos containing products and the
use of asbestos fibers in any
form on any premises owned or
operated by the defendant in West Virginia at
any time
ANSWER Objection is made to this
overly
broad
unduly
burdensome
interrogatory
and is
on
the
grounds
that
it
is
explanation INCO's
not limited as to time By way of
purchasing records as maintained by INCO's Purchasing
Department are retained for seven years and INCO
dating back to 1989. Therefore it cannot
currently only has records
determine what years requests or
orders were made prior to 1989. INCO is
departments and will
currently reviewing records of other
supplement this response if
necessary
containing products that it has located whether
purchased requested ordered
the products were
during what years
or specified by INCO or by a contractor or
insulating various points in its history which
INCO had a Standard Steam
may or may not have contained asbestos
which
called
for
the
use
of
Service Union
Specification
dated
January
16
1958
750 Phillip Carey MW
Asbestos and Rubber Co. Unibestos No.
finish
cement
Phillip
Carey
cement Phillip Carey No. 100 smooth Alltemp block and Arabol cement
mSpaencuiffaicctatuiroenrs udantkendown Additionally INCO had Standard Water Service
June 26 1958 which required the use of
Tempcheck blocks or equivalent the previously identified
Phillip Carey
cement No. 100 hard finishing cement Arabol
MW insulating
pressure
sensitive
tape
and Phillip Carey type
cement No.
M
Scotchrap
equal asbestos cloth
INCO has
1 Grade A Class 5 or
no information whether these products
contained asbestos or were utilized at the INCO plant
7
Did employees of contractors
participate in
premises
a
the original
If the answer is yes
construction
of any
of your
West
Virginia
i
describe the names of such
when such employees participated
contractors and how and
ii
whether the contractors installed
insulation materials and when the installation
pipes boilers or
occurred
b
participation
Identify all documents and witnesses concerning this
ANSWER a
Objection is made to this
overly broad and unduly burdensome
request on the grounds that it is
The original construction of the INCO
facility in Huntington occurred in 1921 and because of
does not have all documents relating to the
time involved INCO
response will be premised
construction Therefore any
upon a review of existing documents and the
8
memories of present and former
accurate
employees Thus INCO
response
thereto INCO
Without waiving this objection and
cannot insure an
has
made
a
reasonable
inquiry
and
specifically subject
has
been unable to
construction of the Huntington facility
)
See answer to 7.a. above
ii
See answer to 7.a. above
b See answer to 7.a. above
8
Other than in
connection with asbestos abatement work done by
a licensed asbestos abatement contractor when
containing products
on your premises have been installed repaired
or removed for any purpose for
calendar years 1920-1971 describe
if so work
a
Which crafts
among your employees performed this
work
b
Whether employees of contractors
provide the names of the
performed this work and
contractors whose employees performed this
and the dates during which this was done
C.
The identity of all documents and
related to the answers to 8a or 8b above
witnesses concerning or
ANSWER a
Objection is made to this
it
is
overly
broad
unduly
burdensome
and
interrogatory
is
on
the
grounds
that
no way of determining when
not limited to time INCO has
repaired
or
removed
at
all
containing
times
products
were
installed
cannot identify which crafts
during its year history Therefore it
operations
were involved in connection with particular
history Therefore it cannot identify whether
involved
employees of contractors
were
C.
See answer to 8.a. and 8.b. above
9
Other than in connection with
asbestos abatement work done by
a licensed asbestos abatement contractor when containing products
on your premises have been installed repaired or removed for calendar years
1971 and later describe
if so work
a
Which crafts
among your employees performed this work
employees b Whether
of contractors performed this work and
provide the names of the contractors whose
and the dates
employees performed this
during which this was done
C.
The identity of all documents and
related to the answers to 9a or 9b above
witnesses concerning or
containing ANSWER a
Objection is made to this
it
is
overly
broad
unduly
vague
unduly
interrogatory
burdensome
on
the
grounds
that
Without clarification as to the
and not limited in time
particular installation repairs or removal of
performed
products INCO cannot determine whether it
by INCO employees or a contractor's
was
employees
containing b
Objection is made to this
it is overly broad unduly
interrogatory on the grounds that
vague unduly burdensome and not limited in time
or scope Without clarification as to the particular
removal of
installation repairs or
employees of contractors performperdodtuhicstswoIrNkCO cannot determine whether
C.
See objection to 9.a. and 9.b. above
10
Before 1972 with regard to
your own employees did you have in
effect any work practices or safety rules regarding handling asbestos-
containing products
10
ON WA me
ee
cae,
a
implementation
If so describe those practices or rules and the dates of
b
Identify all documents and witness
practices or safety rules
regarding these work
containing ANSWER a
INCO has conducted
been able to determine whether
a reasonable investigation and has not
it had any work practices or
specifically regarding
safety rules
this regard continues and this
products INCO's investigation in
response will be supplemented if necessary
b
See answer to 10.a. above
11 During 1972 or after with regard to your own employees did you
have in effect any work practices or safety rules regarding handling asbestos-
containing products
a
implementation
If so describe those practices or rules and the dates of
b
Identify all documents and witnesses
practices or safety rules
regarding these work
ANSWER Yes
Moore
a 1 An April 17 1974 memo from L.A. Daniels to W.J.
sets forth practices for working with products such
transite board and other products This document
as asbestos cloth
mutually agreed upon time and place
will be produced at a
Departmental
3
A November
Superintendents
3
1978
memo
from
W.W.
Thomas
to
all
the use of personal
sets forth engineering methods work practices
protective equipment monitoring caution signs
and
signs
labels
11
mutually and housekeeping This document will be produced at a
time and place
agreed upon
containing 4
JSA A No.
On June 10 1982 INCO issued a job safety analysis
X9-16 for handling
requirements are set forth in the job
products The
available for
specifications which will be made
inspection and copying at a mutually agreed upon time and place
5
A No. X9-16 mentioned in Paragraph 4 above
was subsequently replaced with an Asbestos Removal Plan dated
1991. The requirements are set forth in this document which will bAeprmiald5e
available for inspection and copying at a mutually agreed upon time and place
6
A comprehensive asbestos removal plan which
developed during the course of the year 1994.
available for inspection at a mutually agreed
was
All documents will be made
time
upon
and place
b
See answer to 11.a. above
12 During 1972 or after with regard to employees of contractors did you have in effect any work practices or safety rules regarding handling
containing products
a
implementation
If so describe those practices or rules and the dates of
b
Identify all documents and witnesses
practices or safety rules
regarding these work
ANSWER See answers to Interrogatory Nos 10 INCO's standard contractor agreement PEG
and 11. Additionally
contractor safety and
environmental requirements contains instructions
concerning handling
containing products
a
Practices are contained within the document
12
b See answer to Interrogatory No. 12 above
Note For Interrogatories 13 through 17 below please exclude from
your answer any air
sampling done in connection with asbestos abatement work done by licensed abatement
contractors
13 Before 1972 did you conduct or have conducted
on your premises
any air sampling to determine the level of asbestos or containing dust
in areas where your employees worked
a
results
b
sampling
If so identify the dates of such sampling and provide the Identify all documents or witnesses
concerning such
ANSWER At the present time INCO has
documents or records which would
not been able to find
any
designed to determine the level of asbiensdtiocsatoer any air sampling specifically
to 1972. INCO is
containing dust prior
with
currently in the process of reviewing its files and
present and former employees and will
checking
interrogatory if necessary after further
supplement its response to this
investigation
14 During 1972 or after did
you conduct or have conducted on
your
premises any air sampling to determine the level of asbestos or asbestos-
containing dust in areas where your employees worked
results
a
If so identify the dates of such
sampling and provide the
13
b
sampling
Identify all documents or witnesses
concerning such
ANSWER Yes
a
INCO has been able to find
cover the period of June 8 1977
records of air sampling which
samples These records are
through January 28 1992 constituting 78
print out will be
maintained in INCO's
computer
made available for inspection and
system and a
agreed upon place and time
copying at a mutually
b
See answer to 14.a. above
15 Before 1972 did you conduct or have conducted on your behalf
contractors containing determine any air sampling to
the level of asbestos or
in areas where employees of
worked
dust
a
b
sampling
If so identify the dates of such sampling and the results
Identify all documents or witnesses
concerning such
afterwards 16. 1972
did you conduct or have conducted on your
behalf any air
sampling to determine the level of asbestos
or asbestos-
containing dust in areas where employees of contractors worked
14
b
sampling
If so identify the dates of such sampling and the results
Identify all documents or
witnesses concerning such
, 1977
b
See objection to 16.a. above
17 Have you conducted or had conducted on your behalf any asbestos
abatement work on your premises
b
Provide the dates of air
asbestos abatement work
sampling done in connection with
OBJECTION Objection is made to this
that the term abatement is unduly
interrogatory on the grounds
mean removal of
vague inasmuch as abatement could
objection and
any containing products Without
waiving this
specifically subject to it yes
ANSWER a
INCO has been
premises since the early 1970's
taking steps to remove asbestos from its INCO currently maintains records for
abatement from 1991 to the present and it is
presently searching its files to
15
determine for
whether other records exist These records will be made
inspection and copying at a mutually agreed
available
upon time and place
b
Dates of air
abatement which will be
sampling will be included in the records of
made available for inspection and
mutually agreed upon time and place
copying at a
18
Have you at any time done
any bulk sampling on your premises
to determine which insulation products contain asbestos If so please state
a
The dates and results for each such
all documents or witnesses
sampling and identify
concerning such sampling and
b
The location on
containing products were found
your premises where any asbestos
as a result of any such sampling and
C.
If any such sampling was done
abatement plan please identify all documents and
regarding any such plan and sampling
as a part
witnesses
of an asbestos
known to you
ANSWER Objection is made to the term bulk
that it is unduly vague Without
sampling on the grounds
it yes
waiving objection and specifically subject to
that bulk samaplingIhNaCsOohcacsurbreedeninabtlheeto19d9e0t'esrmOitnheetrhrough investigation
occurred and INCO's investigation in this
sampling may have
response will be
regard continues As result this
of INCO and
supplemented if necessary Documents are in the possession
will be made available for inspection and
agreed upon time and place
copying at a mutually
b
documents
Various areas of the plant which are identified within the
C.
See answer to 18.a. above
19
Have you ever had complaints from
your own employees
concerning the presence of
containing products or asbestos dust on
16
your premises
If so state the date of such
complaint and identify all
documents and witnesses
concerning such complaints This inquiriys directed
to all premises operated by you not just premises identified in Interrogatory
No. 2
ANSWER INCO objects to this
complaints is unduly
Interrogatory on the grounds that the term
of
vague
present and former employees INCO has
lawyers associated with the law offices of James F. Humphreys and Calwell &
n Mo cCsoprecmiificck alHloegwaetvioenrs the complaints filed are generic in nature and contain
1980's received
against INCO Further INCO has since the late
a number of Workers Compensation claims
from exposure to asbestos
allegedly arising
Without waiving this objection and
subject to it INCO has conducted a reasonable
specifically
aware of any complaints However complaints maiynqhuairvye baenednims andote ptorefsoernmtelry
employees or made in an informal manner of which INCO would not be
20. a
Have there been
any complaints by employees of
contractors concerning the presence of asbestos asbestos products or asbestos
dust on any premises operated by you
b Provide the dates of such complaints This Interrogatory
concerns all premises operated by you not just those identified in response to
Interrogatory No. 2. Identify all documents or witnesses
concerning any such complaints
ANSWER INCO objects to this interrogatory on the
.
unduly vague and that the term
grounds
complaints is defined
that
it
is
subject to a number of civil actions filed in the Circuit CouIrNtCOof hPaustbneaemn
County and Kanawha County West Virginia on behalf of
plaintiffs
17
represented by James F. Humphreys or Calwell & McCormick
information supplied by those two attorneys some
According to
contractors who allege damages as a result of
plaintiffs are employees of
Huntington
West
Virginia
Additionally
asbestos INCO
at the INCO plant in
complaints
is not aware of any other
21.
a
Has OSHA or any governmental agency cited or
investigated you for any matter related to asbestos asbestos exposure asbestos work practices record keeping of employees exposed to asbestos or any other matter concerning or in any way related to asbestos If so identify all documents or witnesses concerning such citation In addition state the dates of the citation and give a general description of the alleged reason for the
citation and describe the ultimate outcome of the OSHA or other
governmental
agency citation or investigation This question applies to all of your business
operations not just those in West Virginia
b Identify all documents and witnesses concerning actions or
citations identified in 21 above
ANSWER INCO is currently reviewing its records to instances of investigations or citations from OSHA or otherdeatgeernmciinees aanndy
INCO will supplement this response once this information becomes available
22. Identify all documents in
your possession at any location
regarding communications made to from or concerning any of your employees or employees of any of your contractors
concerning health hazards caused by exposure to asbestos
18