Document Ra9Gbbgvo7q9DdXZZgErDw5yB

0 .) > / * \ Inter Office Supply Staff September 29, 1977 Mr. G. F. Bolling cc S. S. Labana M. R. Lower J. E. Mayer R. G. Richter L. M. Roslinski Subject: Engineering Asbestos Plan 011447 We have reviewed the Engineering Asbestos Plan. When we first became aware of the asbestos problem late in 197^, we contacted Engineering and Research Staff, NAAO Materials Planning, and Veh Lcle Materials Development and Planning so that affected activities could work together on asbestos udng programs to insure consideration of total Corporate interests. Given this mutual effort, ve understood that an asbestos recomme \dation would incorporate suggestions from all of the study group. In August, we were told that Materials Strategy would review any asbestos paper issued b; Vehicle Materials Development and Planning prior to its distribution. N( activity outside Vehicle Materials Development and Planning was extended review courtesy and deficiencies in the paper reflect this oversight: Assessment ' The reference to "... firm evidence that the current standard is inadequate ..." is incorrect. No firm evidence supports a statement as to the adequacy of existing asbestos standards. Due to the long incubation period I'or asbestos diseases after exposure, it may be ten years before the adequacy of the 2 fibers/cc rule i3 known. Impact on Ford The statement "A study of the engineering uses of asbestos has ..hown that Ford j.o direedy concerned only with trie friction materials segment ..." -s incom plete. Gaskets and seals should be included. In our May 6 meeting with Engineering and Research Staff, PEO's, NAAO Purchasing, and Veh cle Materials Development and Planning to clarify Ford plans for replacing asiestos parts, Mr. Duda, Engine Materials, reported that it would require two -o three years to develop substitutes for existing gaskets and seals (see attached minutes). Mr. Sawicki, Principal Product Material Engineer, Engine Materials and Design Department, recently advised that gaskets und seals containing a.bostos are typically used in high heat areas and that two or three years to develop and test parts is reasonable. The statement in the first paragraph that "... supply compliance problems were recently investigated by NAAO Purchasing (Materials Planning Depirtment) ..." is incomplete. The sentence should read "... Bupply compliance problems were r l'oeonlly investigated by Engineering and Research Staff, NAAO Purchasing, 1 PRODUCED BY FORD SCF-FORD-1476 Mr. G. F. BollinG SubJ: Engineering Asbestos Plan t -2- Septcmber 29, 1977 Supply Staff, and Vehicle Materials Development and Planning. The fact that four Corporate activities worked together to assess the airborne asbestos problem and its potential affect on the availability of parts s> ould strengthen any recommendation. Accordingly, we believe it imperative that participating activities be identified. Recommendation The first sentence in Item 2 stating that Ford should "... continue to monitor costs of asbestos-containing components and compare these with those of alternate materials ..." is misleading. At this point in time, there are no real alternatives with which costs can be compared. The statement should be rewritten to recognize that situation or deleted. The first sentence in Item 3 should be expanded to include gaskets and seals. The first sentence in Item 5 "... review asbestos compliance and engineering programs, cost comparisons, and Ford progroms prior to the 1979 advanced budget allocations to determine courses of action for 1979 " is misleading. Programs for 1979 have been established. It is impractical to have asbestosfree parts (previously released in asbestos) prior to the 1980 or I98I models. DIA'.DPC: 31 Attachment 011448 PRODUCED BY FORD BRAKE VACUUM - TEMPO . Introductory promotion (July 1976) . GFB 1469 with attachment outlining features of brake vacuum (copies provided) . Shop safety equipment promotion (October 1977) . Brochure outlined 03HA recommended procedure for brake servicing . . GPB 2710 (copies provided) BRAKE WASHER - KUSER-FLO . Barts washer promotion (January 1979) . Promotional flyer (copies provided) . Promotional coordinator: 0. R. Medack . No advertising agreements exist between Ford and the manufacturers HFM -003413 8001 f251