Document VJMVazrkqp8164YD6gGgj2aeo

FILE NAME: US Gypsum (USG) DATE: August 13, 1936 DOC#: USG022 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: 1936 memo to WL Keady regarding report of dust conditions in Jersey City put survey - Jersey City CU1CASO August 13* 1938 lr. V* L. Keady Vio President Of fio. '$& heve e comprehensive report of dust conditions in our Jersey City plant and a report on the X-raya of tb aployes examined at that plant by pr. Gardnor'e organisation. In brief th findings are X. Diagnosis of abotois for five con. ' . 2. Possibly fiv additional men have aebeatosi but necessary to oonfina by ellnloal correlation. -3. serious asbestos dust hazard under present operations. . : - SHAT COHStrrUTSS DUST HAZARD Dr. Gardner points out that various authorities have tentatively sug gested a concentration of five Billion particles of free eilioa per eubio foot of air as limits above which a silicosis hazard night exist, and this value has met with some recognition. .jnere is no standard for safe concentration of asbestos duet oooporablo to the value Just given for free silica duet. However. Dr. Gardner quotes the resulte of a survey node in four asbestos fabricating plants and reported in 1935 in Bulletin #43 Deportment of Labor and Industry of Pennsylvania. The incidence of usbestosis among workers with mor than fiv years exposurei - . Average Dust Concentration For liach Group studied Percentage of aoh Group Ravine ABbeatosie 44 million particles per cu.ft. air 17 * * g . 732 (Q out of 11 persone) 272 (4 15 102 (a 20 * ) ) iithnr* nf the renbrt aoncluds that it is not possible froa their findings to establish the maximum safe condition of asbestos la the air. DUST gNCSUCTEREP IN PLANT. Among them are asbestos, infusorial earth, elate, clay, soapstone, mica and limestone. Dr. Gardner advises some of these minerals are definitely 6 or?. EX. NO ____ 7 ~ytdk. * mS c f - '" .VvJ^afc/.- r. y. L. Keady a August 13 1336 hazardous; others are probably not very dangerous although ccnolualvs proof Is locking; and still others have been shown to bo practically harnleos JWST--.COKC&STHATIOK IK PLa CT hr> Gardner considers concentration of an excess of five Billion parti cles per cu. ft of air hasardous. The following conditions, were foundi 1 1 bin In building where son was shoveling asbestos "296 ` Billion particles per eu. ft air . 2 Inside ;3 bin where bags of asbestos d a y etc. were opened and contents pushed Into screw conveyors the count was 22 Billion particles . 3 Over the opening of the fourth floor through which the bln6 are .. . supplied the concentration was 79 Billion particles. 4 Concentration where asbestos boards are sawed was 8 million " ' par tides _ 5 Loading bags with asbestos oea&nt on first floor gave a concen tration of 261 million particles* This is highly hasardous. Other hazardous counts were also given The summary and conclusion from J>r Gardner's report looking to proven tion lists the can who should wear rosplrators until dust conditions are brought within safe limits and gives detail recommendations on ex haust systems, prevention of duet leakage ami ventilation. othsr coaasHra In addition to asbestosls there are a number of other physical dlsablli ties among the men such as heart disease tuberculosis, syphilis, etc. There are cases with active aanifestutions of tuberculosis. Case 270 (. Tarby) has a unilateral chronic tuberculosis losslbility of sanatorium treatment of this man should be considered Case 344 (vltkowskl) In view of the faot that this individual is only 19 years of ags his condition should be investigated further to determine whether treatment is required. There seems to be no surges d o n of a silioosia hazard at Jersey City It Bay be allsgad. If oases arias that those with tuberoulosls have oon Hr. T. L. Ready - 3- August 13 1936 trocted this disease as a result of their occupation. aSCOhKKWDATIQMS 1. That immediate stops bo taken to provide respirators for those aon covered by Dr. Gardner's reecisuiendatioa. I am suggesting to Hr. head and nr, Rambert that this be done. 2. That procapt ociion be taken to install neoossary dust proven' tion and ventilation equipment. 1 am also suggesting to Hr. Reade and Ur. Rambert that this be dons. CC.rtrEHSATIO:-; rc?. OCCtJ?ATIC?IAL 5ISEA32S ' certain named diseases such ss mercury poisoning, lead poisoning, etc. come under the Compensation Act of Ken Jersey. However, silicosis and asbestosis are not named and any claims arising out cf these diseases eight be under common lav. INSSRAKCS r-*orSCTl03 ' - ! For diseases listed under the Compensation Act, no have unlimited insu rance protection. Our insurance for occupational dlsoase claims which might be made under common law is plaoed with the Continental casualty Company for the primary coverage of 5,000 for one person or aggregate claims of $15,000 in one year. Our excess coverage of 45,000 for one person and 165,000 aggregate for one year la insured with Lloyds, if claims are filed both of the companies may canoei the oocupaclonal dis ease coverage. FOR CONSIDERATION 1. bat aetlon shall we take on notifying the non who have been examined of the various diseases which they huvo? 2. shat uotlon shall we take in connection with the continuation of the employment of our men who have occupational and other diseases? . 3. what action shall we take on the tuboroular cases? TRP*oGC General Sorvioe lian a ger