Document OEyno6wyZR0wa908QLrYv6Epj

Hie Industrial Commission CXOtito Division Of Safety & Hygiene 246 N. Hlgn St, Col, O. 43215 Legal Section Industrial Commission of Ohio 246 N. High St. 1st Floor Columbus, Ohio 43125 O.D. 174397 Mr. Clyde E. Gilbert Middletown Development and Supply Co. Middletown, Ohio Attn: Guy Sheaffer Mr. Sheaffer: Industrial hygiene investigation revealed that the claimant, Mr. Clyde E. Gilbert, worked as an insulator for Middletown Development and Supply Company, 1st National Bank Bldg., 2 North Main St., Middletown. His work history is as follow** ... Date of Hire: Terminated: January 23, 1978 September 6, 1978 His work record revealed he actually quit work July 1979, but was carried as and employee until September 6, 1978. His job title was given as Insulator. McGraw Construction Company had formed the Middletown Development and Supply Company approximately two years ago to fulfill a contract with the ARMCO Works, Middletown, Ohio, to remove old insulatior from pipes, and install and wrap new insulation cm pipes. It was part of the ARMCO Works energy conservation program. As reported by Mr. Rosco Goddard, Supervisor of Insulators, the old pipe insulation contained asbestos, whereas the new did not. All the old asbestos pipe covering has since been removed. As part of the tearing out process Mr. Goddard stated air borne particles of asbestos could be seen in the air. That it was a dusty and dirty job. Personal protective equipment issued were respirators approved for as bestos. However, there was no enforcement of wearing them, and he could not state positively whether or not Mr. Gilbert had worn his. Recently, they have started issuing coveralls to their employees, but not curing the employment tenure of Mr. Gilbert. OSHA, Vol. 1, Sect. 1910.1001 (Title 29, Coae of Federal Regulations, Part 1910) establishes limits on the amount of airborne asbestos to which a worker may be exposed on a daily basis. Over an 8-hour period the airborne asbestos concentration level (also known as the Time-Weighted Average) which a worker may be exposed may not exceed two 'fibers longer than five micrometers per cubic centimeter of air (10 r/cc). This is called the ceiling limit. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NI0SH) has recommendec lowering the 8-hour Time Weighted Average to 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter (0.1 f/cc). Since the tear-out of the asbestos pipe covering had already been done, actual measurements of airborne levels of as bestos could not be performed. However, Volume 1, General Principles, Patty's Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology, 3rd Edition, page 1184, states: r) m '> M '\ 0.0. 174397 Middletown Development . page 2 "The removal or "rip-out" of degraded insulation from high pressure steam lines can also result in significant short-term exposures". Mr. Gilbert's work would parallel such a similar exposure, tearing out old asbestos insulation pipe covering. Asbestos fibers find entry into the body by inhalation and ingestion. The retained mineral fibers are found in tissues throughout the life-time of the host, even long after cessation of exposure. Fibers may migrate to other organs following retention in the lung. Asbestosis and certain malignancies are related to exposure to fibers of the asbestos minerals. Asbestosis is a progressive re strictive pulmonary fibrosis associated with Inhalation of asbestos fibers, and is. a classic occupational disease.' Governmental studies of Insulation workers exposed to asbestos revealed mortality rates of approximately 1 in 5 deaths due to lung cancer; 1 in 10 is due to cancer of the lining of the stomach or lung; and 1 in 10 is due to lungs scarred by asbestosis. Further, that asbestosis usually appears 10 to 20 years after exposure. Mesothelioma appears 20 to 40 years after exposure. Cigarette smoking increases risk of lung cancer as much as 92 times for asbestos workers. ,r Mr. Clyde E. Gilbert's claim reveals a work history as an insulator of over 35 years. Since asbestosis is a progressive type disease (as noted above), it is probably work-related from the many different work situations involving asbestos in which he has worked. The short time he worked for Middletown Development Company was in all likelihood contributory to his physical condition, being compounded by his previous lengthy work history as an insulator. GLD/nlg Respectfully, enn\. Davis Industrial Hygienist