Document baDK9Ek5NEbJ0ryyvj5d29Zgg

OHC-83 Manufacturing Chemists Association OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH COMMITTEE Minutes of Meeting MCA Conference Room Washington, D. C. November 1, 1972 MEMBERS PRESENT: N. V. Hendricks, Chairman K. S. Lane, M.D., Vice Chairman W. V. Anderson L. E. Cassidy, M.D. E. E. Christofano L. B. Grant, M.D. F. L. Lyman, M.D. W. E. McCormick C. F. Reinhardt, M.D. T. R. Torkelson K. D.' Johnson GUESTS PRESENT: C. S. Laubly J. P. Turner MEMBERS ABSENT: M. R. Gasque, M.D. John Hogan, M.D. J. E. Long K. M. Morse * * Exxon Corporation Union Carbide Corporation American Cyanamid Company Canadian Industries Limited Hercules Incorporated PPG Industries, Inc. CIBA-GEIGY Corporation The B. F. Goodrich Company E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company The Dow Chemical Company MCA Staff Celanese Corporation MCA Staff Olin Corporation Gulf Oil Corporation Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company United States Steel Corporat * 1. Minutes of the Meetina of March 23-24, 1972 The subject minutes were approved as distributed. CMA 060222 OHC-84 2. Membership Changes As the revised Rules of Organization and Procedure for the Committee have been approved by the MCA Board (see item 3 below), and openings for new members are now available, the.Secretary was directed to forward the names of C. S. Laubly and D. L. Eynon to the Board for confirmation of their nominations at the earliest opportunity. As the revised Rules of Organization and Procedure have deleted the fixed terms of membership previously applicable to Committee members, those who were scheduled for membership termination in the near future may now continue as members until, after the new membership openings are filled, further applications necessitate the invoking of the membership rotation provisions of the new Rules. 3. Rules of Organization and Procedure The Secretary reported that the MCA Board had ap proved revised Rules of Organization and Procedure for the Occupational Health Committee at their meeting of September 12, 1972. Major changes occur in the membership provisions, as discussed in the preceding section of these minutes. The revised Rules were sent to the Committee on September 25, 1972. 4. Report on Meeting of the Board Liaison Committee for Environmental Quality and Control - K. S. Lane, M,D. In the absence of our Chairman, Mr. Hendricks, the October 10, 1972 meeting of the subject Board Committee was attended by Dr. Lane, who presented a report from the Occupational Health Committee at that time. A copy of his report is appended to these minutes as Appendix A. 5. Liaison Reports from Other Organizations 5.1 American Industrial Hygiene Association E. E. Christofano Mr, Christofano described the proposal for industrial hygiene service laboratory accreditation being developed jointly by NIOSH and AIHA. Mr. Newton Whitman was identified as the man selected by AIHA to direct their program. Another service being performed by AIHA for NIOSH is the review of "Criteria" drafts and other draft CMA 060223 OHC-85 documents on a regular basis- The recently published proposal for regulations on the calibration and perform ance specifications for gas detector tubes (Federal Register, September 21, 1972, pp. 19643 to 19647) was mentioned as an example of one such document to the development of which AIHA has made significant contri butions . 5.2 American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists - T. R. Torkelson Dr- Torkelson informed the Committee that the next meeting of the ACGIH TLV Committee would be held on November 16 and 17, 1972- Although the future role of this Committee in the development of OSHA regulations remains uncertain at this time, he judged it premature to assume that the views and expertise of this group would be ignored by OSHA. 5.3 Industrial Medicine Association With the retirement of Dr. M. N. Johnson from the Committee, the liaison assignment for IMA was given to Dr. L. B. Grant. ,5.4 American Petroleum Institute - N. V. Hendricks Mr. Hendricks reported that the API epidemi ology study of refinery workers was proceeding on schedule, but that budgetary problems had lead to a cutback on their goal for the scope of the program. By the end of this year;, they expect to have screened records of 12,500 employees, and to have found about 5,000 suitable for inclusion in the study. In 1973, an additional group of about the same number of cases will be covered. The studies on the toxicity of petroleum solvents being conducted at the Mellon Institute under sponsorship of API's Toxicology Committee was described, and the current project progress reports called to the attention of the Committee. Although the results of these studies are not yet available for release to the Occupational Health Committee, Dr. Reinhardt, who serves on the API Committee, promised to keep the OHC informed as rapidly as API could authorize release of data. OHC-86 5.5 Safety and Fire Protection Committee Dr. K. S,, Lane Dr,, Lane's report on the September 27th meeting of the Safety and Fire Protection Committee identified two items of significant interest to members of the OHC: (1) a proposal for a jointly sponsored workshop in Atlanta, Georgia sometime next, fall, and (2) a recommendation that, with respect to MCA nominations to OSHA Standards Advisory Committees, the Association should concentrate its support, for a given position, to one or two individuals only, and should seek to achieve a consensus with other trade as sociations for joint, support for such nominees. The Safety and Fire Protection Committee would serve as the screening agent to evaluate nominations for committees for standards within the scope of that Committee. 5.6 The Chlorine Institute - K. D. Johnson The Secretary referred to the difficulties that the Chlorine Institute had experienced with regard to an "employee education document" for which NIOSH had contracted with a union-sponsored foundation. Environmental Health Programs, Inc,,, here in Washington. Mr. McCormick summarized the history of this episode, stressing the significance of the precedent that such a document would create, and the importance of vigorously expressed in dustrial concern to a satisfactory resolution of most of the initial difficulties with the draft report. Dr. B. D. Tebbens of the University of California at Berkeley, was identified as the consultant that has been retained by NIOSH to supervise the review and editing of a new draft of the document in question. Mr. McCormick expressed satisfaction with this selection and urged the industry to offer him full cooperation and support. 5.7 National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health - N. V. Hendricks Mr. Hendricks reviewed the discussions held with Messrs. Paul D. Williams and David F,, Stelzer of NIOSH earlier this summer. They had proposed joint MCANIOSH development of procedures whereby industry's data on toxicity of chemicals, and their industrial medical experience with such chemicals, could be made available to NIOSH. As a first step, they had proposed that a question naire be developed, with MCA review and approval before \ CWIA 060225 l OHC-87 submission to the Office of Management and Budget for their approval,- and had offered t.o prepare a rough draft of such a questionnaire as a basis for further discussion. At this time,, no further ccmmnications have been received from them, It was the consensus of the Committee to allow the initiative to remain with NIOSH rather than to take further steps on our own, 5.8 Informal Liaison with Miscellaneous Organi zations Although no formal or routine liaison re porting has been assigned with respect to the following organizations, the indicated OHC members have volunteered to bring significant developments to the attention of the Committee t -- Rubber Manufacturers Association's OSHA Com mittee W,, E,, McCormick National Safety Council's Occupational Health and Hazards Committee W. E. McCormick -- Biomedical Committee of the Soap and Detergent Association Dr. F, L. Lyman. 6.. Committee Recognition and Publicity Serious concern was expressed by the Committee over the failure of MCA and its Public Relations Department to give due recognition to the participation and contributions of the Occupational Health Committee to the workshop jointly sponsored by the Safety and Fire Protection and the Occupational. Health Committees last September 26, No representatives from the OHC were included in the scheduled press conference,and MCA's news release described only the press conference and ignored the proceedings of the work shop and the OHC participation therein. The Committee, by motion duly made, seconded and carried, resolved that it is the sense of the Committee that MCA should in their promotional and reportorial activities give equal emphasis to the Occupational Health and the Safety and Fire Protection Committees, and that it should be aware of the OHC's position that its participation in such joint workshops is as an equal partner and co sponsor. CMA 060226 OHC-88 The Chairman was directed to communicate these views to MCA 1 s management by letter., 7 - Reports of the Standing Subcommittees 7,,1 Subcommittee on Internal Communications Wo E,, McCormick Mr. McCormick reported on the current state of the Occupational Health Primer series now being published in Chem-Ecology. Mr, James Turner, Chem-Ecology editor, presented a summary of the generally highly favorable comments that he had received from his readers, and dis cussed possible expansion of the series. The suitability of a case history series was discussed, and guidelines offered for the preparation and selection of case history stories. The Committee urged that Mr. Turner start the solicitation of case histories, and their preparation for publishing, as soon as feasible, with a view to accumulating a backlog suitable for use as magazine space and editorial judgment dictated their use. 7.2 Subcommittee on Epidemiology - Dr. K. S. Lane Dr. Lane reported no progress, and an intent of the subcommittee to reserve judgment on the feasibility of such a study until they had an opportunity to review the results of the first year of the API study. 7.3 Subcommittee on Workshops Subject to the reservations expressed by the Committee as reported in section 6 of these minutes, the Committee expressed its approval of a workshop in Atlanta next fall under joint sponsorship with the Safety and Fire Protection Committee. 7.4 Subcommittee on Hazard Information Sheets C. F, Reinhardt Dr. Reinhardt reported that the subcommittee had been inactive. Mr. McCormick urged that the OHC develop guidelines for data appropriate for inclusion in such sheets. Extended discussion failed to develop any consensus as to what data should be specified, or if MCA should at tempt to provide industry leadership by proposing such guidelines. CMA 060227 F OHC-89 i < The Chairman appointed Drs. Reinhardt, Torkelson, and Mr. McCormick as an ad hoc task group to study the problem and to bring its recommendations to the Committee at the next meeting. 7.5 Legislation and Regulations - E. E. Christofano Mr. Christofano commented on the proposed OSHA regulations pertaining to toilet and lavatory facilities required to be provided in work places. The Secretary summarized the status of legis lation left unfinished by the 92nd Congress, and presumed to be again considered by the 93rd. Among these were the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1970 (S. 1478), and the Steiger bill proposing to authorize consultative, as opposed to enforce ment, visits by OSHA to small business establishments (H.R. 16750). 8. Acroosteolysis Registry Project Report The Secretary reported that he had had no recent com munications from Dr. Dinman or his staff at the University of Michigan. He offered to distribute the project report for 1972 as soon as it was received from Dr. Dinman. 9. Report of the Vinyl Chloride Research Coordinators The next meeting of the Vinyl Chloride Research Co ordinators is scheduled for November 14, in the MCA Confer ence Room. Attendance will be restricted to designated members, as they will receive a report from Dr. W. D. Harris of UNIROYAL on his October 19 conference with the sponsors of the European study on vinyl chloride monomer. By agreement with this group, their data must be held within the group of American sponsors until such time as prior consent is given for its release. 10. ASTM Committee E-34 Report The Secretary reported on progress that has been made toward the organization and staffing of the subject Committee. Although some doubts were raised concerning the ability of this Committee to function effectively on a schedule meeting the needs of OSHA, there was general agreement that industry could achieve a more effective CMA 060228 ------ OHC-90 presentation of its views in this form than as informal advisers to NIOSH contractors preparing criteria documents. 11. NIOSH and OSHA Advisory Committees The roles of (1) informal industry advisory committees to NIOSH criteria contractors and (2) OSHA Standards Tech nical Advisory Committees were discussed. It was agreed that, with respect to the former, each corporation must take the initiative in volunteering the services of its experts in assisting in the preparation of criteria documents for compounds in which it had commerical interests. With respect to the latter, the Committee agreed that the policy of the Safety and Fire Protection Com mittee, providing for Association support for only a limited number of well-screened nominations to any partic ular committee, should be adopted by the OHC. The officers of the Committee agreed to provide the screening function, either personally or by appointment of an ad hoc review group for any given committee nomination. 12. OSHA or NIOSH Consultant Lists The Committee was informed that regional OSHA offices, and NIOSH, were making available lists of consultant and service organizations, without implication of recommendation by inclusion in such lists of any particular consultant, or laboratory. The Secretary offered to distribute to the Committee, as an informational service only, any such lists that members may bring to his attention. 13. Recompilation of OSHA Standards The publication of consolidated OSHA general standards in the Federal Register for October 18 (pp. 22102 to 22356) was called to the attention of the Committee. 14. Future Meeting Schedule The next meeting of the Committee is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, April 19, 1973, in the MCA Conference Room. CMA 060229 t OHC-91 The 1973 Fall meeting is proposed to be held in conjunction with the workshop in Atlanta. Occupational Health Committee Minutes Subject to Approval November 29, 1972 KDJ:mkb cc: Board Liaison Committee for Environmental Quality and Control British Chemical Industry Safety Council CMA 060230 APPENDIX A UNION CARBIDE CORPORATION 270 PARS'; AVENUE, NEW YORK, N. Y. 10017 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH COMMITTEE REPORT TO BOARD LIAISON COMMITTEE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY CONTROL ON OCTOBER 10, 1972 Last meeting was in March, with NIOSH representatives Charles Powell and Vernon Rose. They discussed their function and programs: not much new information, but a good review. Next meeting to be next month. 4-6-72 Dr. Johnson, Bill McCormick and Van Johnson met with Dr. Powell and others from NIOSH to discuss how industry can assist them in their program. y-1 > Newark Workshop The committee cooperated with the Safety and Fire Protection Committee in a one day workshop held last month. About 200 attended this meeting which was devoted to OSHA experience and problems. Polyvinyl Chloride Program University of Michigan continues to maintain the case registry, and re-examine data as it accumulates. No new cases. Vinyl Chloride Studies Industrial Biotest has been selected to do the study for carcinogenic effect, and contract is ready for signature, but I haven't been told it has been signed as yet. OMA 060231 Occupational Health Committee Report 2- - November 10, 1972 The study will last two years and include both acetylene derived and ethylene derived vinyl chloride at three dosage levels. We have contracted with the European producers to exchange complete information on our studies and on their studies which are now in process. Chemical Safety Data Sheets Committee continues to cooperate with the Safety and Fire Protection Committee in the review of the Chemical Safety Data Sheets. Epidemiological Survey A subcommittee has begun to study the feasibility of an industry study of the health of the chemical worker. It is a very complex problem, and will require much more study. Meeting with NIOSH Representatives on 7-26-72 Mr. Paul D. Williams and Mr. Stelzer of the office of Health Surveillance and Biometrics met with Mr. Hendricks, Dr. JohnSon and myself. Their interest was in the kind of information they might obtain, particularly production, usage and numbers of people employed in production. They would also like any morbidity or mortality figures that might be available. Revision of Rules of Organization and Procedure for Occupational Health Committee MCA Board of Directors at meeting of 9-12-72 approved the changes. 1. Expanded membership from 16 to 24. 2. Deleted requirement for an exact balance between medical and non-medical members. 3. Deleted fixed term of membership and substituted a discretionary rotation when applicants exceed available positions. CMA 060232 Occupational Health Committee Report -3- November 10, 1972 Task group has been formed to study effects of phosgene, with end view to improve treatment, A group of producers has funded work at Mount Sinai in Cleveland, Ohio. CMA 060233