Document b1NN82bM4NzE9JERQYRmz0nO

ASBESTOS INFORMATION ASSOCIATION 1660 L Street. N.W < Wasnmgton. D.C. 2C036 / (202) 223-4885 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING Wednesday, January 14, 1976 Washington, D. C. The meeting was called to order at 9:00 A.M. m the Associ ation office, Washington, D. C. Present were: Thomas A. Dougherty George Barge A. H. Fay N. W. Hendry John H. Marsh William C. Thurber C. Fred Workman R. H. Mereness Certain-teed Products Corp. President, AIA/NA Atlas Asbestos Company National Gypsum Company Johns-Manville Corporation Raybestos - Manhattan, Inc. Union Carbide Corporation Nicolet Industries, Inc. ^ AIA/NA Executive Director Others: Guy G. Gabrielson, Jr J X,. Hebb B. J. Pigg Nicolet Industries, Inc. Chairman, Asbestos Regulation Task Force Roy F. Weston, Inc. AIA/NA Administrative Assistant Minutes Minutes of previous meeting December 10, 1975 were approved as submitted. Financial Reoort Statements'of Association Assets- and Liabilities and Income and Expenses as of December 31, 1975 were reviewed. Mr. Dougherty re ported that initial conduct through the AIA/NA accountant indicated that an audit of the Association's finances as discussed at the De cember 10 meeting would approximate a cost of $3-5,000. In view of this large preliminary estimated cost, it was agreed that Mr. Barge and the Executive Director would further explore this matter in an effort to obtain a firm that would conduct an audit for a lesser fee. In addition, a recommended procedure for approval of AIA/NA ex penditures was further considered as a carryover from the December 10 meeting. Mr. Barge, in coordination with the Executive Director, will recommend a procedure for subsequent consideration by the Committee. Page 2 Report on the Technological Feasibility ana Economic impact Study ' Mr. Jerry L. Hebb, Roy F. Weston, Inc. reported on work accomplished to date in support of the Association's response to OSHA on the proposed revision to the asbestos standard. He said over 700 questionnaires had been mailed to companies processing asbestos or using asbestos products, 30 plant visits had been made. Mailgrams have been sent to firms not receiving a personal visit requesting questionnaires be returned to Weston's office by January 16. Participation and return of questionnaires by firms contacted is running about 40%. A detailed report and analysis of data col lected will be presented at Weston's headquarters in West Chester, PA on January 21-22 to Association representatives. Mr. Hebb stated he anticipates a significant problem in ac- . curately identifying the total number of employees who are not directly (secondary) involved in the fabrication or manufacture of asbestos-containing products. All AIA/NA members are participating with Weston in the study with the exception of Uvalde Rock Asphalt Co. He inquired if Dr. Weill, Association medical advisor, intended to address the possible radiation hazard of X-ray frequency in the proposed standard. Mr. Gabrielson said he would mention this issue to Dr. Weill. A brief report on Mr. Hebb's visit to Turner Brothers' Rochdale Plant in England was given. He said that, in discussions, of fiber counting technology with Drs. Lesinsohn and Holmes, emphasis was given to marked reduction in confidence level for counts below 2-fibers. Mr. Hebb commented on' observations of a plant tour. He stated that a non-advisarial atmosphere was apparent between manage ment, labor and inspectorate in the U.K. He noted the courtious and helpful treatment by all he encountered.- Mr. Dougherty expressed appreciation to Mr. Hebb for an informative report. AIA/NA Task Force OSHA Standard Mr. Gabrielson stated that he considered the time constraint of the February 9 deadline as being the major problem in responding to. OSHA on the proposed revision to the asbestos standard. The possibility of engaging the services of Dr. Daniel Boyd, immediate past director of health standards division, OSHA, to assist in preparin the Association's smooth response to OSHA was discussed. A decision on this matter was deferred, however, the Executive Director will as certain the possible availability of Dr. Boyd. Mr. Gabrielson said his company, Nicolet Industries, will have two local unions at the Association - sponsored industry meeting on February 4. A policy memorandum dated December 11, 1975 on subject of organized labor and the OSHA asbestos proposal prepared by David .L. Mallino, Government Research Corn., was reported on by the Executive Director. Mr. Hendry said the memorandum was presented at Johns-Manville Corp.'s most recent task force committee meeting. After dis cussion, it was agreed, that in addition to local union representatives. Page 3 invited by member companies, other key union officials should he invited to the February 4 meeting. Mr. Dougherty stated he and Mr. Gabrielson were meeting with Dr. Paul Kotin, Senior Vice President for Health, Safety and En vironment, Johns-Manville Corp., in Denver on January 15 to dis cuss coordination in responding to OSHA. The general subject of litigation and workman's compensation resulting from the asbestos-health relationship was introduced by Mr. Gabrielson. He specifically spoke of third party liability cases wherein asbestos supplier vice employer is defendant. It was suggested that, if initial cases succeed, the result would pose a major threat to the industry. He commented on importance of quality of defense preparation and recommended that AIA/NA consider retaining an attorney with expertise on asbestos-health cases to advise members who may need such service. Committee members will discuss with respective company management and further consider proposal at next meeting. ReDort of the Executive Director The schedule for upcoming board and executive committee meetings was introduced for consideration in view of the industry meeting February 4. and the American Industrial Hygiene Association meeting in Atlanta,. GA., May 16-21. It was agreed that the. only change in dates would pertain to the Executive Committee meeting for February. This meeting will be held February 3 at 2:00 PM in the Association office vice February 12. The Executive Director was requested to make appropriate arrangements to hold the March 10 and 11 executive committee and board meetings at Stouffer's National Center Hotel in Arlington, VA. In addition, the Executive Director was requested to explore possible locations in the Washington, Pittsburgh, and New York areas for the June 10 board meeting. A decision on the location will be made at the next Executive.Committee meeting. A report on new members since November was given: Abex Corp., Asten-Hill Ltd., Molded Materials Co., Special Asbestos Co., Monsey Products Co., Rostone Corp., Tremco Inc., and Resinoid Engineering Corp. Present members total 30. 655 letters to the industry re questing participation in the Association's response to OSHA on the proposed revision to the asbestos standard have been mailed from the AIA/NA office. Thus far, financial contributions are as follows: Lukens Chemical Co., Inc Gibson-Homans Co. Plastics Engineering Co. Palmer Asphalt Co. Chemical Sealing Corp. $ 100.00 500.00 1000.00 100.00 100.00 TOTAL $ 1800.00 Page 4 Mr. Hendry said he understood the Asbestos; Cement Pipe Producers Association had agreed to contribute $7,500 to AIA/NA. Mr. Dougherty responded that he had spoken to the president of ACPPA and suggested that their offer be placed in a hold status since the dual membership of some AIA/NA and ACPPA members would, in effect, result in two financial contributions by the same companies. The Committee agreed that contributions from Associations where the dual membership situation exists should be accepted only if other ongoing efforts and AIA/NA resources do not prove adequate. Attention was invited to the meeting of OSHA's Advisory Coramitee on Construction Safety and Health on January* 21-22 and EPA's Science Advisory Board, Hazardous Materials Advisory Com mittee on January 29-30. At the former. Dr. Kotin, J-M, and John Meyers, Union Carbide, have requested presentation time. The latter meeting will review 105 -page document entitled, "Review of the Environmental Effects of Asbestos." Dr. Hans Weill, AIA/NA Medical Advisor, has'reviewed the document and advises it is not of particular significance. AIA/NA staff will cover both meetings.. It was reported that an increase in number of press and other source inquiries are being received in the Association office con cerning the asbestos industry and the proposed revision to the OSHA standard. Activity Areas ' ) A. Financial Affairs ( Mr. Barge ) Mr. B&rge reviewed previous actions of the Executive Committee in approving establishment of an Individual Retirement Account (I.R.A.) pension program for the AIA/NA staff. He pointed out that the sum of $2,800 ($1,500 for Mr. Mareness, $1000 for Mr. Pigg and $300 for Ms. Detgen) was included in the budget for 1976 which was approved at the Board of Directors meeting on December 11, 1975. On motion, it was agreed that Association contribution for Messrs. Mereness and Pigg should be made now and Miss Detgen's on June 1, 1976 concurrent with her anniversary date of employment, and, in principle, pension program contribution should be paid at the beginning of the calendar year. B. Membership ( Mr. Workman ) Mr. Workman said he proposed pursuance of an agressive meraberhip program as a follow-on to the Association's contact with industry concerning AIA/NA response on the proposed revision to the asbestos standard. If firms do not choose to become members, a financial contribution will be stressed. Contributing companies will be kept informed of progress on response to OSHA and placed on distribution list for "News & Notes". ) Page 5 The Executive Director said requests for Association memberships had recently been received from foreign companies. A discussion followed. It was agreed that the by-laws apply and any company "using or selling" asbestos in the United States is eligible for membership. In addition, it was agreed to defer "associate" member ship status and that those companies who make a financial contri bution in support of AIA/NA's response to OSHA, and subsequently become members, would have their contributions credited toward dues for 1976. C. Medical/Standing Committee,International Asbestos Information Conference " Mr. Marsh reported that the British Occupational Safety and Health Committee under chairmanship of Dr. Gilson is expected to release a statement updating the Knox-Lewinsohn work in the im mediate future. When this information becomes available, it should be transmitted to OSHA. He said next meeting of the Standing Committee will occur in February. D. Industry Economics and Technology { Mr. Fay) Mr. Fay emphasized need for exchange of dust control technology within the industry. Mr. Thurber said he would discuss this sub ject with Dr. Rhodes, Chairman, Standards and Technical Committee, as a project to be undertaken by his committee subsequent to com pletion of work on the proposed revision to the asbestos standard. Other Business Mr. Barge stated Mr. H.D. S. Hardie, Chairman, Asbestos Information Committee, would be in North America in June and would be available for a meeting in Washington on June 21. Mr. Dougherty said he would arrange to meet wi,th him. Next Meeting The next regular meeting of the Committee is scheduled to be held in the Association office commencing at 2:00 PM, Tuesday, February 3, 1976. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:05 PM. R. H. Mereness Executive Director 19 January 1976