Document Yr53qGbRpJvXopMJxmOwGojxV

FILE N A M E: US Gypsum (USG) DATE: August 29, 1933 DOC#: USG003 D O C U M E N T DESCRIPTION: 1933 e xce rpt o f W aukegan m em o from SA William s to Fisher COMPENSATION MOTIVE T Keep the workers in the dark to avoid claims. Waukegan memo: letter from S.A. Williams, Vice President Waukegan, to Fisher, Mgr. Manville factory (8/29/33). "Question No. 2. Do you agree with my recommendation that employees definitely be made aware of the fact that asbestos dust is hazardous to their health? My idea is that a poster be placed at one or more conspicuous places in the department signed by the physician, stating that the dust is injurious, advising the continuous use of respirators while at work and cleansing of hands before eating lunch and after work." "Answer: ...I doubt if the hazard is sufficient to justify warning posters as might be used where lead, benzol or carbon monoxide are concerned. This is especially true in view of the extraordinary legal situation. If anything is said at all, it would be better to make a general statement that the Company is taking steps to control the amount of dust in the air for general health purposes." "Question 5: I have made a diagnosis of asbestosis on an employee who has been working in the card room of the textile department six years. This place is extremely dusty. He is not disabled. In my judgment (sic) the best disposition of such a case is to remove him from the dust and give him a job in some other part of the plant." "Answer: It is difficult to answer this question. I think it would depend upon the man's age, the nature of his work, his length of service, and other considerations which might have some bearing. If he is well along in years and shows no disability, it may be just as well to leave him alone. One of the difficulties and vexations in trying to deal with the problems of pneumoconiosis is that economic as well as production factors must be balanced against the medical factors." 72