Document bOgrw4NrBpZ7wa77J3dQqg1d3

Cofpann Eni--ring Western Electric 222 i'OtOmty sev* ''or* N y 10038 2'2 389-2345 November 14, L983 Re: Occupational Exposure to Asbestos; Emergency Tenpcrary Standard; Effective November 4, 1983 On November 4, 1983 OSHA published in the federal Register an Emergency Temporary Standard for Asbestos (attached! which reduces the permissible exposure level (PEL) from 2- fibers (longer than 5 micrometers) per cubic centimeter (2f/cc) as an 3 hour time waited average to 3.5f/cc. OSHA has determind tJiat 'workers exposed to asbestos under exposure conditions existing under the current standard face an extraordinarily high risk of developing incurable cancer and asbestosis, whether the risk is computed over a working lifetime of exposure or for exposure periods as short as six months. The average excess cancer risk for all workers exposed above .Sf/cc using available exposure data and relying on risk assessment are estimated as approximately 196 excess cancer deaths per 1,388 workers for 4S years of exposure, 139 deaths per 1,308 for 20 years, 10 per 1,000 for 1 year and 6 per 1,000 for 6 months of exposure. 3uninary of the Emergency Teneorarv Standard (ETC) Effective Date: November 4, 1983 Permissible Exposure Level: 5f/cc as an 3 hour time-weighted , average Method of Compliance: Any feasible combination of engineering controls, work practices and personal protective equipment. Enployee Information on Training: A training program must be instituted for all enployees exposed to airbom concentrations of asbestos in excess of the PEL. This training mist be cocpleted by December 4, 1983. LLA 000858 2. Respiratory Protections where respirators are used to achieve the PEL they shall be selected accoridng to Table l of the STS. Warning Signs: Each Location where airborne asbestos Levels exceed the PEL shall be posted with warning signs warning of the health hazards associated with asbestos. In view of the fact that the coopany has made substantial progress in eliminating the use of asbestos containing materials in production processes and the construction of new plants and facilities, the impact of the ETS is not expected to be great. However, care must continue to be Exercised when dealing with m pLace uses (e.g. steaopipe insulation, structural fireproofing, etc.). The Corpoate Asbestos Guidelines issued by my organization will be revised and reissued to reflect the changes in the standard. If you have any questions or require additional information, please call J. S. Kazazis on 8-222-3551. Att Letter To: Copy to: w. J. Avers All Industrial Hygienists Department Chief Corporate Industrial Hygiene & Human factors Engineering LLA 000859