Document VjrYjNVb9ezMjb7Lz7R1MZg6j

FILE NAME: US Gypsum (USG) DATE: August 13, 1936 DOC#: USG043 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: 1936 Letter to WL Keady regarding report of dust conditions in Jersey City plant Duat survey - Jersey city CHICAGO - August 13* 1936 Hr. V. L. Ksody* Vic President* Office. We h * w ft coaprehonaive report of duet coeditIona la our Jersey city plant ad report oa the X-rya of the eaployees examined ftt that plant by Dr. Gardner's organisation. In brief the findings arei 1. Diagnosis of asbestosie for five sen. 2. Possibly five additional men hare asbestosie but necessary . to ooafire by elinioal correlation. 3. Serious asbestos dust hazard under present operations. HAT CONSTITUTB3 DOST HAZARD Dr. Gardner points out that various authorities have tentatively sug gested a concentration of five nil lion particles of free silica per eubio foot of air as H a l t s above which a silicosis hazard Bight exist* and this value has aet with some recognition. Thors is no standard for safe concentration of asbestos dust oomparable to the value just given for free silica duet. However* Dr. Gardner quotes the results of a survey m d e in four asbestos fabricating plants and reported in 1935 in Bulletin #42* Department of Labor and Industry of Pennsylvania. The incidence of asbestosie among workers with more than five years exposures _ Average suet Concentration - For Kach Group studied Percentage of ftoh Group Having Asbestosls 44 aillionparticles per ou. ft. air 17 8 * * 73% (8 outof 11persons) 27% (4 15 * ) 10% (2 * 20 ) The authors ofthe reportconclude that it is not possible froa their findings to establish the maximum safe condition of asbestos in the air. DUST ENCOUHTERED IN FLAWT Among thso are asbestos* infusorial earth* slats* olay* soapstone* mloa and liaeatone. Dr. Gardner advises some of these ainsrals are definitely V r. 7 . L . Ke&dy a August 13 1936 hazardous} others are probably not very dangerous although ocnoluslve proof is lacking} and still others have been shown to be practically hornless* . DOST COKC&reriUTlOM IB PLAHT Dr* Gardner considers concentration of an exoees of five Billion parti cles per cu* ft* of air hasardous* The following conditions, were foondi 1 ffl bin in building #1 where oan was shoveling asbestos - 296 . Billion particles per cu. ft. sir. . 2 Inside f.3 bin where bags of asbestos d a y eto* 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 bins are supplied the concentration was 79 million partldes. 4* concentration where asbestos boards are sawed was 8 million par tides. 5. Loading bags with asbestos cement on first floor gave a concen tration of 261 million particles* This la highly hasardous* Other hazardous counts were also given* The summary and conclusion from Dr* Gardner's report looking to preven tion lists the men who should wear respirators until dust conditions are brought within safe H o l t s and gives detail recommendations on ex haust systems prevention of dust leakage and ventilation* OTHDB COU&ilXS In addition to asbestosls there are a number of other physical disabili ties among the men such us heart disease tuberculosis syphilis eto* There are cases with aotlvs manifestations of tuberculosis* Case #270 (g* x*rby) has a unilateral chronic tuberculosis* Possi bility of sanatorium treatment of this man should bs considered. Case #344 (wltkowskl). In view of the faot that this individual la only 19 years of ags* his condition should bs investigated further to determine whether treatment is required* There seems to be no suggestion of a silloosie hazard at Jersey City* it ay be alleged* if oases arias that those with tuberculosis have con- ttr.*. L. Ready - 3- August 13 1936 tr&cted this disease as a result of their occupation. ascoKK?;nATions 1. That immediate steps he taken to provide respirators for those men oovered by jsp. Gardner*a recommendation. I am suggesting to hr. heads and hr. Heabort that this he done. 2. That prompt notion he taken to lnstull necessary dust proven* tien and ventilation equipment. I am also suggesting to hr. Reade and hr. Rambart that this he done. CPiffEH8ATI0K FOE OCCUPATIONAL BI3SA3ES ' Certain named diseases such as mercury poisoning, lead poisoning, etc. come under the Compensation Act of Rev Jersey. However, silicosis and Asbestosis are not named and any claims arising out of these diseases sight be under common law. IN3P3AECS ?ROTSCTloa f o r diseases listed under the Compensation Act, we have unlimited insu rance protection. Our insurance for occupational disease claims which might be made under common Ia w 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 $155,000 aggregate for one year la insured with Lloyds, if deltas are filed both of the companies may canoel the occupational dis ease coverage. FOR COL'SIDERATION 1. Chat aotion ahall we take on notifying the men who have been examined of the various diseases which they have? 2. what aotion shall we take in connection with the continuation of the employment of our men who have occupational and other di8eaees? 3. What action shall we take on the tuberoular cases? TRP*50C General Sorvioe Manager