Document NGXew8jexbKRV6X5NG74e8GwV

MR. W. BARR--30 PLAINTIFF'S IX 111 BIT FROM: G. V7. FAIRBANKS TO: K&. J. B. UALKER Kerch 7, 1973 RE: P.EFI/.CEIIENT OF ASBESTOS CONTAINING INSULATING BLOCK Recently a letter was received front A. J. Ssrtechev and R. P. Carter edvising of problems with block type insulation containing aebrstos. The letter covered tiro cioin points--the first is to discontinue the use of block insulation containing asbestos. This has been done in all areas of the plant. The second i3 how to deal with the removal of asbestos containing block insulation during refractory repairs or relining. The letter requests that we describe our plans to handle the required control of asbestos. The arrangement of our organization indicates that this problem can beet be handled by dividing it along Fabricating and Smelting lines. I vill develop cur program for the Fabricating Division, including cl:e Ingot Fjant. I suggest that the Smelting program i-janr: :rn &v r.cs.t*ous ia uliaL titU. Fabri. rating Division including the Ingot Plant Approximately 1964 na discontinued the use of ''hard" bleak type insulation with sheaf fi7. asbestos such ns J. II. Superc:; and Carey 19 in the Ingot Plant. V7e standardized on honoblock because it is softer ana causes less distortion c furnace shells. In the years since the chance, the hard insulation lias been worked out cf the system. licnoblock does net contain asbestos. Pittsburgh designed, and Eiu'scificd furnaces, bowaver, have used J. II. Supcrcx more recently. Vo have one remaining furnace, 14S, in which all the block i~. Gupcrex. This furnace is scheduled for rebuild in the second or third quarter of this yecr. Removal of the old lining will in/.-lve exposure to asbestos duct from the block insulation. Our rlwns to control asbestos dust exposure are to rewire the use of civ.? roved respirators: end supply coveralls for the mca involved in rem oving the old refractory linir;:. Clean up will ba by the use ci: a vacuum clearer. rather than creeping. The rc-.-air.dcr of. Live Fabricating Division furnaces involve heat treating furnaces, controlled ctreerphere, and air atmosphere cnne.'-Iir-? furnaces, rfairy, ovens, i.-hcat furnaces, preheat furnaces, etc. The insula-ting r-mterials usually are mineral wool blanket and block insulation. 11.j block insulation my or ray not contain asb-'-aten. Vhcrc the purchase orders ere available, v;e probably c*.n determine the specific brand, and fron the brand, the asbestos content. In cost cases, however, the purchase orders have been destroyed so we cannot determine in advance the asbestos content of the insulation. In general, the asbestos containing blocks can be identified by inspection cf the relative hardness end color The white, hard material contains csbestcs (Carey 19 and Superex) and the dark fortran, soft material (Nonobleek) does not. We have no plane to remove, relocate, or modify any of these fur naces so we are not facing an immediate problem. In the future, we will have to remain alert to the dangers of asbestos, and make a determination in each instance whether or``asbestos is present. Where asbestos is present, respirators, coveralls, and vacuum cleaning dust control will be required. _ . . G. l\ F/.ITJ1AKKS CC: . Ksasrc. l?. Parr H. Bcsio, 17. llolnsr `' B. P. Uiiersca, R. K. Encdgrasc File