Document VjEV9LEm9NdDj4kzE8GNRBXg

1948 Alcoa From G. D. DICKSON INTERNAL CORRESPONDENCE July 2, 1948 To DR. LESTER V. CRALLEI s i V" 1 PITTSBURGH OFFICE NEW KENSINGTON RESEARCH LABORATORIES RE: SAFETY CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT You have previously been advised of the Company's Standardization of Stores Material program and in particular that section dealing with safety clothing and equipment known as Employee Sales Classification #22. The final list of approved items carried under classification #22 was released April 9, 1948 to all storekeepers who were asked to review their stocks and report any deviation from the approval list to Mr. Bradshaw. This procedure has been followed and to date we have experience relatively few deviations. One in particular which we wish to call your attention to is respiratory protective equipment. The final approved list of respirators included the following types: Hazard Make of Respirator lifer.Catalog No. Metal Fume Respirator Pneumoconiosis Producing M.S.A. Comfo. and Nuisance Dusts American Optical Toxic Dusts American Optical All Dusts M.S.A. Dustfoe (Pneumoconiosis-Producing &Nuisance Dusts olus Toxic Dusts) Mist M.S.A. Comfo Organic Vapors (PaintSpraying) M.S.A. ChemicalCargridge ('"-Indicates revision in catalog number) CR-44752 * AO--R-910O A0-R-9100T CM-46162 * CR-44752 CR-44158 All of the above respirators are approved by the Bureau of Mines for the specific hazards listed. For example. Fume Type Respirators are approved for protection against the inhalation of solid dispersoids or particulate matter formed by the condensation of vapors such as those from heated metals and other substances. Pneumoconiosis-Producine and Nuisance Dust Type Respirators are approved for protection against inhalation of pneumoconiosis (silicosis and asbestosis) producing dusts, such as free silica and, asbestos; and nuisance dusts ARD 043004 FOX 042867 July 2, 1948 2- - such as free silica and asbestos; and nuisance dusts such as aluminum, cellulose, cement, coal, coke, gypsum, limestone, and wood. Toxic Dust Type Respirators are approved for protection against inhalation of toxic or piosonous dusts, such as lead, cadmium, arsenic, chromium, manganese, selenium, vanadium and their compounds. All Dust Type Respirators are approved for protection against inhalation of all dusts - pneumoconiosis producing and nuisance dusts plus toxic dusts. Mist Type Respirators are approved for protection against inhalation of pneumoconiosis-producing, chromic acid and nuisahce mists* Organic Vapor Type Respirators are approved for protection against inhalation of organic vapors of concentrations not exceeding 0.1 percent by volume, such as acetone, alcohol, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, ether, formalde hyde, gasoline, petroleum distillates and toluene. For paint spraying operations this type respirator will afford protection against inhalation of the paint vehicle. An auxiliary paper screen is recommended to filter out the pigment. The list of respirators selected and approved for the standardiza tion program was determined (l) oh the basis of Bureau of Mines approval and (2) on the popular choice of such approved equipment in use at our plants * Me have leatned from the htters received from storekeepers listing deviations from the standard approved list of respirators, that some ' locations have experienced difficulty ifi conforming to the approved list. They report that employees have refused td use the approved equipment, claiming it to be uncomfortable, heavy and annoying. They prefer instead to wear the old style gauze masks or other unapproved (i,e. not approved by the Bureau of Mines) respirators which they have been accustomed-to using in the past. In some cases the preference is for other makes of respirators which have the Bureau of Minesapproval. Where the preference is for other Bureau of Mines' approved respirators, we have and will promptly ARD 043005 FOX 042868 July 2, 1948 -3- okay it as an equivalent item. However, we are opposed to the use of the old style gauze mask or respirator not approved by the Bureau of Mines. We urge you to exert your influence to persuade the employees to adopt the use of Bureau of Mines approved respirators. We recognize the diffi culty of converting people to the use of a new type respirator, particularly when it is not as comfortable as the type they have been wearing. It is more difficult when any mandatory stand by the Company precipitates a controversy. It is a problem that we believe can be solved by patience and persuasion. It is a problem which rests directly with Management and one which will require tactful handling. Vfe have a twofold objective, (l) to provide adequate protection against health hazards and (2) to afford the Company maximum defense against fraudulent disability compensation claims. As an illustration of how this problem might be approached we cite the case at one of our locations where exposure to a chemical product . necessitated a complete change of clothing and a shower following the day's work. Employees objected to this requirement and refused to cooperate with Management. Their union committee was asked to attend a meeting for a discussion of the subject and were tactfully told that a health hazard existed if employees wore their clothes home from work and if they failed to bathe following this exposure. '.Then the seriousness of the situation was presented in a business like manner and was fully understood and appre ciated by the union committee and employees, their attitude changed and the problem was solved. The significant point was, that when the employees were informed and recognized the merits of the program they cooperated. 7e believe in the case of approved respiratory equipment they will also cooper ate if we use the correct approach ARO 043006 FOX 042869 July 2, 1948 -4- As a possible aid in selling the Bureau of Mines approved respirators to employees at your location, we recommend the Mine Safety Appliances' 16 mm. sound motion picture, "The Air We Breathe." This film produced by the ?Jilding Pictures, Inc. is dramatically staged with professional talent and should be an excellent medium of selling our people on the use of approved respirators. Should you wish to borrow this film, contact your nearest M.S.A. representative or write this office and we shall arrange to borrow it for you. G. D. DICKSON GDD:mp Same letter to all Works Managers Safety Supervisors District Purchasing Agents Storekeepers Copies to Dr. D. A. Irwin Dr. L. V. Cralley Mr. A. R. Hamilton ARD 043007 FOX 042870