Document VjdZEdbR7BX7aED2Or4KdndQK

M_E_U_0_R_A_B_D_qj(_ May 25, 1945 DR. UUiZi SUfiJXCTt Surrey of Canadian Joims-lltcrrille Operations at Asbestos, Quebec, Key 9, 1945 to May 17, 1945. * PLAINTIFF'S EXHIBIT MET-409 I learned, boob after arrival, that there were eight eases, claiming asbestosis, filed with the Industrial Ccamiaelon ef Quebec. These eases originated in both the factory and mill. Mr. Sherry, Owners! Superintendent la ill and hocpltalited in Montreal. In his place there has bean set up s Mines Steering Coaxlttee headed by Mr. G. I. Tester as Chairman. This Committes dictates ths policies of ths mine and mill, smile Mr. &. . Gardner, Superintendent of the factory, guides ths policiss of ths factory. By this sst up of managsmsnt control, the mine and nill function technically aa one unit Aile the factory operatee as a separate enterprise. On Friday, May 11, 1945, Mr. Tester invited Mr. Redlin, Mr. Patrick and me to a dinner meeting at the Iroquois Hotelin A^beytoe. Mr. L. . Cooper, in eherge of msintsnanee of mines, IrV'Desley mVn^ewsmsi^' Dr. X. T. Ssith, and Mr. C. M. MeGnw, personnel director, were also present, lo representative of the factory attended thia meeting. Matters dlseuesed verei 1. The advieabllity of taking periodic dust samples. 2. She method ef sampling to bo used. 3. lbs training of personnel for taking dust samples end miking dost mounts. * `Mr. MoGaw raised ths question as to Aether there should be one or two oosnittees appointed to guide management regarding induatrial health problem! and the elimination of dust. Mr. Tester replied that be would leave that up to the law Iork Office. On Saturday, lay 12, Alla we ware surveying the factory, Mr. Gardner oaked Mr. Bedlin, Mr. Tetriek and me to have lunch HA him and Mr. Moleon. At lunch be asked us if we mould arrange to meet ulth him and bis staff on Tuesday afternoon at 3*30 in ths oonfarenca room at the factory. The following attended the conference on Tuesday, lay 15* Mr. A, 1, lethgeb, Ventilating tnfinecr, Johne-Mtnvllla, Manvills, 1.1. Mr. J. Mm. Tehnel, Induatrial Mygiena Laboratory and Tiald Services, MLICo. Mr. A. J. Isdlin, Technician at Sarsnee Laboratory. Mr. ? A, Tetriek. Metropolitan Life Insurmnee Company. Dr* A. B. Stevenson, lead Doctor, Canadian Iohns-Benrills. Dr* Z t. Smith, Assistant to Dr* Stevenson* Mr. F, fl. Molaon, Assistant Factory Superintendent. Mr. X, d, factor/ Department Bead* Mr* X, Morriaon, Department Baal* Mr* V, A* McGinnis, Department Band* Mr* Z L, Silbart, Department Baai* Mr. B. 6* Gardner, Factory Superintendent* Mr* 0. M. McGee, Personnel Director* At this meeting on Tuesday* Mr. Gardner stated that ha bad diseussed vitb na various phase* of control for potential health hasarda la the plant and that ha agreed eith all m? eritieina, and aishad to eorraat thaaa eonditions. It scs his opinion that the lack of notion to control thaaa conditions ana due tot 1* The lack of help for janitor aerrlee* 2* &e increased production and demands of the Production Department* 3* the Laxity of their on management to taka Action to oozreot the conditions esiasrated In previous reports* 4* The proeadurs necessary For submitting the plans and their approval by the Bair Xork Office* dt Gardner stated that these ears net offered aa excuses, but ears factors that aatar Into the regular routine af factory management* Mr* Cardaar remarked that ha fait that the Canadian Inline IiiitHI a operations had oas common problas sad that ama dust aoatrol and alimloatlon* For that reason, ha _ favored one eoamlttee to outllaa aad guide the industrial health program* Be C. then asked for suggestions as to hoe this program eould ha carried out* Z suggested thst, first of all, a list of res materials at present in use in both the factory end the mill ha submitted to the Medioal Diraotor for his guidance in determining ibether there mas am exposure to health hasarda of employees using these materials in ths normal procedure of manufacture* I else suggested that this list should bo kept up to date, aad all ass materials brought Into the plant should he reported immediately to the Medioal Diraotor, outlining the say in thick thgy tart to bt used* The second eoaelderatlea is a good industrial hygienist ebo eould mot only make the dust surveys, taka the samplea, make the mounts, but mould else evaluate ary industrial health problems* this person should he well-grounded la biochemistry mad aleroeoople technique, aad should he under the direct* supervision of the Medioal Diraotor* 9m hygienist mould be e Telushle eld btoleethdecfhdejm*istirysUetu-uZp.inurvtSviyrtriene, eKesmaa*xystmeaarttss,to.toa*id Tinhedaiamgonuonst irs,f smuoch* sat involved in dust counting is not sufficient to occupy e good technician fulltime* For that reason, ha eould be kept in training by doing ths blood counting sork M*h i* alone 11am to 4ot toastlag toohslqp** / -3- The industrial hygianist should at all tins cooperat tith tha ventilation tnginesr assigned to design and install corrective aaasuras for tha control of health basards. Tha ladies! Director should fsailarise ' himself with all plant operations and ocn readily do this eith tha oooparation of the industrial hygienist* This plan ees endorsed Immediately by Ir. Gardner, Dr. Stephenson, Dr. Smith, and Kr, fotkgeb* Dr. Stephenson stated that ht also eas in favor of one committee, If for so other reaeon than to cut doss tha tlaa necessary for the ledlcal Director to cooperate fully, la stated that if tso ooasitteas snare planned be would normally have to spend four half days a aonth in attending their regular Beatings. Z also suggested that the soonittee should mot only take into eonsidoration potential health hazard* and their elimination, hut ahould sake a srtudy of safety hazards* Tha safety procedures in the factory and Bill are lax. Xt as notioed that there eas a great deal of fooling and horseplay eaong the eaployees. lake-shift guards have been placed as protection for certain seeing part* and baits, and there is careless piling of stock sad materials in the factory, lisles sad passagsaays are often blocked rith matarials end trucks. Before leaving Asbestos, on Thursday, lay 17, I mas informed that lr foster made tha statement that he see able to al Ir. loodard in lev Iork the idea of tvo eonaitteef, alth teo men engaged in duet oennting under each eoaaitteo. It seems to me that this is a duplication and a masts of time and energy. Dust counting alone mill not be a solution to the problem ud it la not necessary to make periodic cheeks eftener than about four Class a 7oar in order to evaluate the effoet ef seasonal meather dbaagoe on the dust eonesntretion in the mill and factory* Industrial Hygiene Laboratory