Document QXZ5YvZmY8aMay9JKZORgopqv

FILE NAME: US Government Contractor Regulations Including Shipyard Regulations (GCR) DATE: 1943 Sept 8 DOC#: GCR006 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Proceedings of the Conference of Gulf Coast Shipyard Physicians with Registration List ificate of True Copy IN m i,NSZS WHSJtgCfi. I Data nmnunta it r my /line, ma tzuzm in 9/ ;n* Uinr/mm Aaministntian :o 3 Vfnec. -.n :ne a tt ma jt t r 3*/a- -nrian. AVEXH000091001 0. S. ^MARITIME COMMISSIOK - H. 5. WATT CONFER HELD AT TELANE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL SCHOOL ' NEW ORLEANS* LOUISIANA SEPTEMBER 8, 1943 REGISTRATION ,, E. * .AXilr -Mc/i ^/// ^ ? ` n Adams* Charles C., M.D. Alexander* Hugh E.f M.D. Altman* Brune* Jr, Beck* Lester F. Bell * R. D * Bishop* H, V, Braley* Charles B, Caldwell* GuyA, M.D, C1ark, William B,* M.D. unnelly* Thomas P. Lt. Comdr. (MC) U.S.N. Cooper* Raymond E. Croft, Theodore S.* M.D r,,Loache* C. E. Drennan* Douglas J. Drinker* Philip, So. D Ege, John F., Jr. Lt. (j. g.) H-V (S) USNR 3Lvarts* C . G . Feagin* H. C., M.D Ferry, Louie J. Fisher, Frank L, Forrest* E. J. G.aenberg* Max M.* M.D. Harris* C. A. * Haw, Stuart M. Judd* John S. Klnloch* Henry S.* M.D. Lewis* H. G.* Jr. . Lincoln, R, B* McCloskey ft Company, Tampa* Florida Pennsylvania Shipyards* Inc.* Beaumont* Texas Jones ft Laughlin Steel Corp.* New Orleans* La, Navy Ins. Division* Washington* D. C, Insurance Department* Alabama Drydoeke and Shipbuilding Company* Mobile* Alabama American Mutual Liability Ins* Co.* Mobile* American General Ins, Co.* Houston* Texas Ala. Oohsner Clinic* New Orleans* Louisiana American Bank Building* New Orleans* Louisiana Philadelphia Navy Yard* Philadelphia* Pa* Fidelity ft Casualty Ins. Co.* New Orleans* La. St. Johns River Shipbuilding Co.* Jacksonville* Florida. ' Liberty Mutual Ins. Company* New Orleans* La. C. A. Sporl ft Co.* Ino.* Delta Shipbuilding Co. New Orleans* Louisiana. U S. Maritime Commission* Washington* D. C. U. S. Maritime Commission* New Orleans* La. Ingalls Shipbuilding Corp\, Pascagoula, Miss, Houston Shipbuilding Corp., Houston* Texas Eagle* Globe ft Royal Indemnity Co.* New Orleans* Louisiana Alabama Drydoek and Shipbuilding Co.* Mobile* Ala. American Mutual Liability Ins. Co.* New Orleans* Louisiana - Higgins Industries* Ino.* New Orleans* La. Travelers Insurance Company* Hartford* Conn. Aetna Casualty and Surety Co.* Atlanta* Ga. / Travelers Ins. Co.* New Orleans* Louisiana Maryland Casualty Co.* Baltimore* Md. Maryland Casualty Company* New Orleans* La. - U. S Naval Drydocka* Morgan City* Louisiana /. AVEXH000091002  / / XltCharles M. /iler, Leslie Y. /'* yjfoore, Ben H* i-rill, i. T. Nerment, R. L.f M.D. Ogden, B. K, O'Neil, L. J., M.D, Ortner, Alvin B., M.D. Oswalt, 0* G.f 11.D. Paganini, Otto Perry, John E., M.D. Place, Edwin H., M.D. . Plonk, Z. 0. Rein, W, J,, M.D. Reinhart, W. H. Robson, ' ank Y., M.D. Ryan, Robert V. * Sanford, L. R. . Scott, Joseph T., M.D. ` Seal, Roy 0, Shackeifc'd, C. V., M.D* Slappey, W, H, Smith, Earle Smith, Morris Spangler, Ray M, Speaeer, L, C., M.D, Treleaven, K* H. Willems, Daniel J., M.D. - Williams, C. L>, M.D. Wilson, Ralph* M.D. Wilson, Wi l|omL, e . Yates, M. T. Lt. Comdr. (MC) C.S.N, 9 Sk Maritime Commission, New Orleans, La. U. S. Maritime Commission, New Orleans, La Houston Shipbuilding Corp, Houston, Texas Canulette Shipbuilding Co., Slidell, Louisiana Delta Shipbuilding Co., Inc., New Orleans, La. Division of Ins., U. S. Maritime Commission, Washington, D. C. Avondale Marine Ways, Ino* Westvrego, Louisiana Jeffersonville Boat A Machine Co,, Jeffereonvill. Indiana Gulf Shipbuilding Corporation, Mobile, Alabama Texas State Health Department, Houston, Texas ' Brown Shipbuilding Co, Houston, Texas Alabama State Health Department, Birmingham, Ala . Liberty Mutual Ins. Co, Atlanta, Georgia Delta Shipbuilding Co., Inc., New Orleans), La. Louisiana State Health Department, New.Orleans, Louisiana ' . k Tampa Shipbuilding Company, Tampa, Florida Fidelity Casualty Company, New Orleans, La. U, S. Maritime Commission, New Orleans, La, Delta Shipbuilding Co,, Ino., New Orleans, La, Chloago Bridge and Iron Co,, Morgan City, La, J* A, Jones Constr. Co., Wainwrlght Yd, P.C., Florida, St, Johns RiTer Shipbuilding Co., Jacksonville, Florida k Gulf Shipbuilding Co., Chickasaw, Alabama Zurich General Aoo, Liability Ins, Beaumont, Texas American Mutual Liab^Ins. Co,, Atlanta, ta., Ingalls ShipbuildingHkOrp,, Pasoagoula, Miss. Pendleton Shipyard*, Ino, New Orleans, La, Lumbermens Mutual Casualty Co,, Chicago, 111, k 9. 3, Public Health Servioo, New Orleans, La. Missouri Talley Bridge Iron Co., Evansville, Indiana Louisiana State Health Department, New Orleans, Louisiana Charleston Navy Yard, Charleston, South Carolina jj - AVEXH000091003 . proceedings op the conference of .g u l f coast shipyard physicians NE?7 ORLEANS, LOUISIANA SEPTEMBER 8, 1943 The conferenco wo.a called to order at 9i00 AM by Dr. Fhilip Drinker, Chief Health Consultait, U. S'. Maritime Comission, who explained that the meeting had boon called by the Maritime Comission and Navy in connection with health problems in tho contract shipyards of 1he Gulf Coast. Mr. L. R. Sanford, Regional Director of Construction, Gulf Coast, United States Maritime Commission welcomed those presont. Ha <**scussod briefly the procedure for obtaining funds when needed to bring Maritime Commission shipyards up to health specification* of the "Minimum Requirements for Safety sad Industrial Health in Contract Shipyards" and en pressed his desire to ejedlte this accomplishment, so that the shipyard physio Ians could treat as many patients in their dispensarlee as possible in order ta save working time and expense. Dr. L. C. Sepnoer, Medical Director, Ingalls^ Shipbuilding Corporation, Faseagoula, Mississippi, disoussed "Shipyard Contusions" He stated, soap and water olearning with flowing water is the foundation of all wound treatment*. Foreign materials, in th* wound should be scrupulously eliminated, followed by haemoetaele and suturing if needed*. Dry dressings or, if itiolcing of the dressings is anticipated, use of a very thin film of a bland ointment wae advised. A sulfonamide drug may be applied to the wound surfaoes, provided lumps or cakes of powder are avoided* "Redressings before #ie expiration of four AVEXH000091004 2 - to six days should be avoided unless definite reason, such as infection, wet or soiled or a loose dressing, arises* If the initial 'round care is properly done, infections will be rare, and unnecessary redressings serve only to add the risk of wound contamination." Dr. Spenoer emphasized that "shipyard surgeons should ooncentrate on better oare of minor accidents Dr. Guy A. Caldwell, Orthopedio Surgeon, Ochsner Clinic, New Orleans, Louisiana, discussed "Ambulatory Treatment of Orthopedio Patients." He oited Sir Robert Jones* principles for the care and treatment of strains and sprains. A sprain was defined as the rupture, or partial separation from its bony attachments, of inelastic and unyielding ligaments upon application of force. The severity depends upon the extent of the rupture or separation The stages of treatment of sprains of ankle, knee or back were listed as 1. Relaxation of the torn .ligament. __"s, -- --^ 2. Obstruction of effusion by pressure, (strapping) rast and elevation. ' _ 3*' Delay manipulation for a few days. 4. Protoot torn structure from strain of body woight to permit healing. 5. Encourage early function with the above reservations* Dr. R. L. Norment, Ophthalmologist, Delta Shipbuilding Company, Ins., Hew Orleans, Louisiana, discussed "Eye Injuries / AVEXH000091005 -3 and Eye Infections Among Shipyard 'forker.s." a complete copy is attached. (Appendix I) Dr. Drinker led .the discussion which followed by re marking that eye "flash" should be eliminated* He described experiments done at the Howe Laboratory of Ophthalmology of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary to determine threshold time and distance in the causation of "eye flash" It has been know since 1915 that effects of flash varied directly with time and inversely with the distance. That is, an ex posure of 4 minutes is twice as bad as one of 2 minutes, but an exposure at a distance of 2 feet j four times as bad as one at 4 feet Using a shipyard welding set and practical current densities and voltages it was found `hat dosage could be mea sured by means of a simple light meter and an ordinary watch. A table was given, showing safe exposures, and the results translated Into terms of safe distances and safe times. Ordl- ' - _ - jX nary olear glass will give ample protection against ultra violet light from the arcs. Thus the standard safety goggles, equipped i,with aide guard, could well be substituted for the present colored "flash goggles". The results of this study will be published In the near future. }f The question of epidemia kersto-conjunotivitis was ; . brought up* It was believed that the disease is disappearing _ and probably will not give us any real trouble in the future* Dr* Drinker pointed out that it was unfortunate that this eondition was labeledhaa "shipyard aye", as the condition AVEXH000091006 -4 is not peculiar to the shipbuilding industry. Dr. Connelly reported results of study with Infra-red light in treatment of flashes. Patients were relieved of severe pain and photophobia resulting from, actinic ray ''flashes" in about S minutes* Five to 10 peroent of the patients treated with holocaine and adrenalin ointment re turned for additional diepensary treatments. After infra red treatments the men returned to work without additional therapy. On experimental work Dr. Drinker stated that they had been unable to demonstrate any therapeutio value of infra red treatment. . The new sound-strip film "Byes, for Victory", on shipyard eye hazards, was shown* This film was produced by the National Safety Counoil with the cooperation of the Marit ime Commission and Navy. It may'be obtained from the National Safety Counoil, 20 North Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois, for #5.00, or borrowed from the Regional Safety Consultant, Gulf Coast Region, U. S . Maritime Commission, New Orleans, Louisiana. r:7his film is a valuable adjunot to a training program. Medical Dlreotor C* L* Williams, Dlreotor U, S, Public Health Serrloe District #4, New Orleans, Louisiana discussed "Public Health, in Relation to Shipyard Medical 'roblems." Dr* Williams discussed the industrial health relationships of the shipyard and their employees. He emphasized that the environ mental sanitation and public health practices of the workers were of utmost importance in his working effloienoy and, as such, suit be aeoapted-as a responsibility of shipyard masags- AVEXH000091007 ' * *6- nent. The services of existing public health facilities were offered for use wherever necessary. Mr. B. K. Ogden, Director Division of Insurance, 0. S. iiaritiae Commission, Washington, D. C, and Mr. Lester F. Beok, Director Division of Insurance, U, S. Navy, Washington, D. C., discussed "Medical Department - Compensation Carrier Relation ships These programs are of paramount importance in all shipyard medical programs. As the War Project Insurance Rating plans of the Navy and of the Maritime Commission are almost identical, only one talk is attached herewith. (Appendix II) . Lt. Commander Thomas P. Connelly (MC) U.S.N., Phils'* .phia ' Navy Yard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, discussed "Pulmonary Effects of Welding Fumes," He showed films of welders1 hosts taken in a photofiuorographio X-ray survey of shipyard wo* 'era A few of these films showed seme X-ray evidence of fibrosis, but he was not prepared to state that this was true fibrosis resulting from welding fumes. Films were shown to demon-strata ' *v the delayed X-ray evidence of fibrosis in silldoela. Similar flbrotic changes have not been demonstrated by X-ray or autopsy v to occur in welders exposed to iron oxide fumes, bst the possibility of suoh late damage must be borne in mind. Dr, Drinker showed sover&l slides of welders* ohests ad commented on a oase which showed roentgenegraphic evidence of fibrosis, but which upon autopsy histopathologioal study revealed # no fibrosis, however, deposits of iron oxide were found. He de scribed so-called "welders* bronchitis", about which we are now hearing considerable'-discussion. These eases cause apprehension pWie men and their families as hemoptysis ie often present. X-rays AVEXH000091008 i *6 &re essentially negative tod there is usually no fever, but cough is often bothersome at night. Complete cure occurs after reaeval from closure to heavy fumes* It is urged that a careful examination be made ef the nose In these cases of hemoptysis as sometimes a small bleeding point trill be found on the septum and that such bleeding would aocount for the welders' apparent hemoptysis* The prevention of "welder's bronchitis" is adequate ventilation. There is no evidence to indicate that welders have a higher frequanoy of pneumonia or.other respiratory infections than do any other crafts in shipyards* ' In a general discussion of metal fume fever resulting from breathing sine oxide from welding galvanised iron* it was brought out that the familiar chills and fever eoeur within a few hours after ex posure, and recovery is usually complete within 24 hours* Immediately following, the Havy-Maritime sound-strip film "Welders-' To your Health!", was presented* The film depiots the health hasards of welding and proper control methods and praotioes* The film was made and paid for by the Government,.and is available without odst to all Maritime and Havy contract yard that are constructlag voided ships and have a training program* It may be obtained by writing to the Health Consultants, Gulf Coast Regional Construction Office, IT* S. Maritime Couaadtsiott, 548 Baronne Street, Hew Orleans 12, Louisiana** ; Lt* Conmander U* T* Yates, (MC) U.S.H., Charleston Havy Yard; Charleston, South Carolina, discussed "Construction Ventilation of 'h Ships*" The major ventilation problems of this yard as In the other yards of the Gulf Area, ore excessive heat and welding fume* The ventilation program is"the result of a joint effort by the Safety Offlo* i AVEXH000091009 Industrial Medioal Officer, and the Quartorman Shoot Metal Worker ho is in ch&rgo of th ventilation department of 86 men. To illustrate thoir success over tho control of excessive heat one example was given in which the temperature in one compartment was decreased on a July day from 135^P to 90^P In four hours after tho installation of ventilation equipment* In the control of welding fumes the yard has also had specta cular success A very largo percentage of the welding is on gal vanized iron. In tho 9 month period August, 1942 April, 1943, ' there was a total of five eases of motal fume fever. This artiole was distributed to the Gulf Coast Shipyards about a month ago, and will be published in a future issue of the Havy Medical Bulletin (Signed) ' Charles M, McGill Surgeon, W, S, P, H. S, Assist, Chief Health Consultant Approved* Philip Drinker Chief Hoalth Consultant H AVEXH000091010