Document Ra4RrXp22wq64OBVp5y1NOLRk

\ X V v > 'X - July 2, 1929 ?03tBoetq:x* Francis D. Patterson, Office Box 4061, '.Test Philadelphia Station, Pialladelphia, Pa. Dear factor Patterson: Was glad to receive your letter this morning and I am glad to make a few comments on the lead hazards in the plants at Philadelphia and Cresconttille It is perfectly plain to everybody that one plent in Croscentvlllo is much better from the point of view of lead hazards than the one in Philadelehi a. chat is well known to the management and it is 1cjrgely due to the conditions attentant upon the 'VCratioss of the plant at Cfescentville and the fact that they are enabled to make only one type of battery, The 1 asards associated with the making of so-called iron clad storage batteries are well known to be great, and as long as they are made I can see no adequate way of o'bviating these hazards other'than by the use of rosspircators and by the inculcation into the men of causi on patiently and continually carried cut. It is an easy thing to recognise hazards and lit :lo another thing to do away with them. I per sonally feel that there is great advantage in knowing the. exact magnitude of the hazards associated with each job, and iii striving by every mechanical means possible for the reduction of these hazards to the point where it is known to be within the limits of safety.' But 1 feel that las long as there are hazards that exceed this level it is advisable to have a somewhat closer check upon the condition of the men who are working than obtains in either of these plants. I believe it would be advantag- ous to have a sufficient amount of medical supervision so that blood smears could be studied of all workmen at 'errular intervals,, and a limit set fox1 the development U a+* r._ 3 m O i p p li n g which would automatically remove a man exposure, fills is a hardship to the men and pro d u c e s something in the way of increased labor turnover, but; is often,likely to obviate the development of cases of po isoning. X should want also in addition to the super vision of the management in matters of safety, more or le ss continual criticism and supervision of a medical man /ho, by a practically daily inspection, would see to such matters as the wetness of the floor in keeping dust down, and the compulsory cleanliness and care od the part -h / OPatterson of .the workmen, and any otiier matters wMch. have to do v/ith prevention or lead absorption. I believe this could bo dona. In fact* .it is done in a. way that seems to me to be quite satisfactory in the Chloride^'Electrical Works in Manchester9 England, whi c h 9 I must say, is the best' operated and saftest storage battery manufacturing plant that I have ever seen. 1 recognize the difficulties of putting into effect such a regime as this in a country where there is is little,compulsory car as there is in the united Pt-ates I recognise that very much in the w a y of overhead expense devoted to these matters constitutes a source of difficulty in competition with other and usually smaller concerns which take no precautions, and yet I am inclined to believe that the prevention of poisoning with its associated lack of labor turnover would prove to be an . economical measure which would coho very near to paying f o r 1itself. . who above comments are in 10 way a criticism of t> men who. It seems to me, are taide awake both to their opportunities and responsibilities and who have the advantage of long experience in these matters. I am inclindd to believe, however, that it could be made economically reasonable, and they would welcome the typo of medical supervision at the plant itself which. I t y & v o suggested. The entire elimination of the dust hazards? on the other hand, is a thing which would require "considorabl engineering skill and some period of time and study. It is largely a problem for the engineer and only very little a problem for the physician.. You will note that I have commented on these natters in a very general rather than a specific manner, which brings me to again say it Is easy to criticise and much more difficult to give constructive advice. I hope, however, that you will understand the general trend of my notations, which are partly the resu)lt of my observations there and partly the result of some experience in ixfcher lead haza r d s Allow me to thank you for the courtesy extended to me oy your seer etary, m d t o ,express my pleasure in hearing from vou gain. With kindest regards. Very sincerely yours, \ /