Document YnjdXyL4qBM2gpkoDv8bZ22K

SPECIAL HEETING MANUFACTURING & MINING COMMITTEE SHERATON BUFFALO-EAST BUFFALO. NEW YORK August 10, 1976 The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Mr. W. B. Hoffman, Vice Chairman of the Manufacturing & Mining Committee. Those in attendance were: E. R. Kiehl E. J. Cole C. 0. Campbell A. H. Fay D. G. Hamme W. B. Hoffman R. G. Moore F. H. Zimmerman J. D. Cornel 1 W. Lewis K. E. Moh1e r A. V. Abnee, Jr. F. J. Rogers B. H. Jackson The Celotex Corporation Geogia-Pacific Corporation National Gypsum Company National Gypsum Company National Gypsum Company National Gypsum Company National Gypsum Company National Gypsum Company United States Gypsum Company United States Gypsum Company United States Gypsum Company Gypsum Association Gypsum Association Legal Counsel Vice Chairman Hoffman opened the meeting with self introductions, noting that the special meeting of the committee had been called relative to the proposed MESA mineral fiber standard, and that the purpose of the meeting would be to determine possible action of the Association with re spect to the proposed standard. 1. REVIEW OF PROPOSED MESA MINERAL FIBER STANDARD Mr. Frank H. Zimmerman of the National Gypsum Company, member of the MESA Federal Metal and Non-metal Mine Safety Advisory Committee, reviewed the proposed MESA mineral fiber standard which had been intro duced by MESA at the most recent Advisory Committee meeting. He noted that the proposed mineral fiber standard presented to the Advisory Com mittee by MESA also included consideration of air quality and ventilation, for arsenic, beryllium and lead, and would affect well over 2000 industrial operations in addition to the gypsum industry. He stated that the proposed mineral fiber standard was nothing more than the current asbestos standard . with the word "asbestos" removed, and questioned the need for such a stand ard in view of the fact that there are no documented health problems, that he was aware of, in any of the industries that would be covered by the proposed standard. Mr. Zimmerman noted that a special task force of the Advisory Committee consisting of two labor, two management and one state government representative, to which he had been assigned, would be meet ing sometime in the future for the purposes of studying the proposed standard. Mr. Zimmerman said that he had been notified that the sub committee would not be meeting prior to the next scheduled Advisory fe/liQ CKL V)-, -/ypaxri wa. ex no. I o'? 7 3 J"7 n/nSfor id., as of - -^- -2- Committee meeting August 2k through 26, 1976. He noted that it was not known at this time when such meeting is held, whether it would be open to the public. Mr. Zimmerman concluded his review by noting the impor tance for industry to study the effect of the proposed standard on their operations and to prepare data that could be used with MESA, if it be came necessary in the future, to assure defeat in the promulgation of the proposed standard. There followed discussions relative to the in tent and wording of the proposed MESA mineral fiber standard, and it was the consensus that on the basis of our current industry operational knowl edge within the minerological and employee health areas, that application of the proposed mineral fiber standard in the gypsum industry is unwarranted. 2. REVIEW OF MEMBER COMPANY MINERAL FIBER TESTING EXPERIENCE Industry representatives commented briefly on their company's programs to test air quality relative to mineral concentrations within their gypsum mining, quarrying, crushing and grinding operations. In general, such member company programs were few and limited in scope, and it was the consensus that there was no current industry data avail able relative to gypsum mineral fibers. It was noted of the various varieties of gypsum deposits that only the Satin Spar variety was found in a fibrous silky form, and that this variety of gypsum was not common in North American gypsum deposits. Mr. A. H. Fay, of National Gypsum Company, reported on an asbestos fiber study conducted by the Asbestos Information Association of North America. He noted that the Weston Environmental Consultants of Westchester, Pennsylvania had conducted the AIA study and he re ferred to their report entitled: "Technological Feasibility and Eco nomic Impact of OSHA Proposed Revision to the Asbestos Standard," and also "Excerpts from Asbestos Industry Response to OSHA on Proposed Revision to Asbestos Standard 29, CFR part 1910," during his comments. He stated that he was not attempting to correlate our current mineral fiber concerns with that of asbestos, but that the general format and policies followed by the AIA in initiating such studies could be quite beneficial and possibly serve as guidelines for our industry if it was decided that we pursue a similar study course through the Gypsum Associa tion. He noted that the AIA study program covered two major areas; one, relative to actual dust counts taken in industrial operations, and the second, to analyze the medical justification given by Labor for the proposed standard. Mr. Fay noted that the total AIA project had been financed by Association dues along with contributions from asbestos operators outside of the AIA membership. 3. POSSIBLE ASSOCIATION ACTIVITY Mr. Zimmerman suggested that the Association consider develop ing a position paper based on current operational knowledge showing in dustry action to protect workers, and that to the best of our information, there is no carcingenetic relationship with gypsum. Mr. Fay noted that MESA's definition of a mineral fiber is all important and that our in dustry should establish a position that any blanket mineral fiber stand ard is totally out of order. Mr. Abnee noted the Gypsum Association has some historical data on gypsum which has been used bv the membership. . PEP. EX. NO. ID 3 ' ------------ ... ,_ ^"> S p 0*7 ss .. . r -3- Mr. Zimmerman commented that the old data of significant value in the past would be of little value at this time in view of the new scientific testing procedures currently in existence to study fibrous materials. Hr. Zimmerman noted that we should develop a current data bank upon which to base future defensive industry testimony if we are to effectively address ourselves to the proposed MESA mineral fiber standard. It was once again reiterated that our current industry knowledge, both mineralogical and medical, is insufficient to support the consensus that there are no fibrous problems with our mineral, especially as relates to the 10 or 15 per cent impurity content of gypsum deposits. It was the consensus that an industry study program was essen tial at this time and that it should address itself to collecting in dustry dust count data that would give both fibrous and silica analysis data. It was the consensus that such a study program should cover both total dust and total fiber analysis to determine: 1) if we have a fiber problem from gypsum or impurities associated with gypsum ore deposits, and 2) on the basis of the collected data, to determine if any of the resulting data can be associated with industrial respiratory health problems. In addition, it was the consensus that each member company review their company's historical experience relative to worker-related illness to determine what, if any, historical medical problems might have to be considered. The individual member company historical medi cal experience, it was suggested, could be collected by the Association through the development of a questionnaire form. The committee briefly discussed several testing laboratory possibilities, among which were noted the Clayton and Nalsco operations, in addition to a private con sulting firm operated by Mr. Jeremiah Lynch. j. 4. SUMMARY AND COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS Vice Chairman Hoffman summarized the various discussions which called for a recommended industry program to be coordinated through the Gypsum Association in two phases: first, the employment of an environ mental consulting firm to conduct an all mineral analysis for fiber and silica in the mining, quarrying, crushing and grinding operations for our industry throughout the United States. The Association would solicit through a questionnaire form, and compile historical member company medical data that could be related to either fiber or silica exposures as the second phase. On motion made, seconded and unanimously carried, the Manu facturing and Mining Committee recommends to the Board of Directors that the Gypsum Association interview and hire an environmental con sultant firm to conduct an all mineral analysis study covering both fibers and silica, and to collect historical medical data in this same area from the industry through an Association questionnaire form. The following industry personnel were assigned to the Manufacturing & Mining Committee task force to assist the Association in accomplishing the recommended actions of the committee: 1L PEP. EX NO. / 0 / -4- E. R Kiehl H E. Beard E. J. Cole A. J. Trommershausen J. Volk J. D. Cornel 1 The Celotex Corporation The Flintkote Company Georgia-Pacific Corporation Kaiser Gypsum & Cement Corporation National Gypsum Company United States Gypsum Company Mr. J. D. Cornell was appoi nted Chairman of this special committee study group which is to work with the Association staff in the development of the necessary industry questionnaire and interview, hire and work with the selected consultant firm until such time that this project is completed. Mr. Cornell noted that he would work closely with the Association staff and call a meeting of this special study group in the near future to interview and select a consultant laboratory. Mr. Hoffman thanked everyone in attendance for their input and direction. Mr. Rogers briefly outlined a projects schedule where by the study committee, consultant and budgetary recommendations would be presented at the next Manufacturing & Mining Committee meeting on October 5. 197&. and then subsequently to the Board for their approval at the semiannual meeting, October 6 and 7 Mr. Rogers noted that this projects schedule would be followed unless expedited handling of this study was necessitated by accelerated MESA action other than that anticipated at this time. There being no further discussions, the meeting was adjourned at 12:15 p-m. Respectfully submitted, FJR:nc Secretary pep- e* re. 1 j 0