Document YjYK5YLZQ4mgJyMjov6JqqKoO

PLASTICS COMPANY TELEPHONE: 218-320-2000 April 8, 1977 The Honorable Richard T. Schulze House Office Building Washington, D. C. 20515 Sir: During the meeting in your office on Thursday, March 31, 1977, the problem confronting the Firestone Plastics Company, outlined to you in my letter of March 18, 1977, was graphically demonstrated. The Firestone Plastics Company has repeatedly sought direction from the federal agencies concerned with its policy of excluding women of child-bearing ability from jobs involving regulated vinyl chloride areas. The Firestone Plastics^annM& has fully explained to these agencies, orally and^if wnV^fflg,C2ts position with respect to this policy^aircKtSlfe^eea slaps compelling its implementation, including^vef^r^rtoe^Hto the substantial medical and scientific data which -prompted the policy. However, as you know, none of these agencies has been willing to provide the Firestone Plastics Company with a written official opinion with respect to their support of this policy. Indeed, agencies having special capabilities in the scientific and medical fields charged with the responsibility c5 providing guidance and direction to industry in order to safeguard its employees have refused to take a formal position for or against the policy. As a consequence, without such written official opinions, the Firestone Plastics Company's policy has been, and will continue to be, subjected to multiple legal challenges. As we stated to those present in your office at the meeting last week, the Firestone Plastics Company is willing to follow the informed direction of responsible federal agencies with regard to the employment of women of child-bearing ability in positions which might expose them to vinyl chloride monomer. V.BF FIRESTONE PLASTICS COMPANY DIVISION OF THE FIRESTONE TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY BOX 699, FIRESTONE BOULEVARD. POTTSTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA 19464 BFS 005SI 1 I The Honorable Richard T. Schulze April 8, 1977 Page 2 If the appropriate federal regulatory agency, such as OSHA or NIOSH, would develop a definitive position on ^his health matter, and make such a position known^ a^yinthe Firestone Plastics Company cotrM /|fcHte^broceexi/ go isLebJt wirth the problem in an intelligent ^^ The meeting in your office revealed the total lack of coordination of the federal agencies involved with this matter and the Firestone Plastics Company's understandable frustration. What the Firestone Plastics Company seeks is your help to induce the federal agencies legally mandated to provide such guidance and direction to fulfill these responsibilities entrusted to them by Congress. Very truly yours TCWrmd T. C. Walker President BF5 QQ5S12