Document ban5wr5jpMomQzYvBVYj68dr6

FILE NAME: Owens Illinois (OWILL) DATE: 1935 DOC#: OWILL063 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Report - The Industrial Dust Problem 03/29/1993 10:26 ri, 1; J-if (r; I BARUCH SLAS r: : s# - ; IlllSiiSI `212 387 1400 P.01 IM^- [MISiti MESSAGE COVER SHEET *7T# ; BARUCH COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES ,, ,v 4 i ;! Off ice of the Dean :Lexington Avenue, Box 302 New York, NY 10010 Tel: 212-387-1400 Fax: 212-387-1406 Date: TEB INDUSTRIAL DOST PROBLEM A Brief Narrative in explanation of the Temporary Organization Committee Admittedly the problem of industrial dust diseases is engaging the serious attention of'fa large number of industries and companies, and, in various places, a great deal of research has been and is being done on it, , Many phases of the problem are common to all those affected. There is now no one place where there is available all infor mation on all phases of the problem; and no concerted planning is being done either as to the present or future as to all of the many different phases, ~ ---- ----- -- -------- ;-- :--- :-------- 1 " ~ r Through the courtesy cf the Mellon Institute (and at the re quest' of several interested industries) there was held in Pittsburgh on January 15th, 1935, a Symposium on the Industrial Dust problem. At that meeting a Temporary Organisation Committee was elected with instructions to develop a plan and report back as to how, in its opinion, a start could best be made toward the establishment of a Permanent organization of some kind for a study of the industrial dust problem. It appeared to the Temporary Organization Committee that the first step toward the formation of a permanent organization would be to try to formulate some general idea as to what should be done, how it might be done, and what it would cost. It also seemed that it will be necessary to find out what has been done, in the many places where things have already been done on many phases of the problem, before it can be determined what should be done next. Therefore, it seemed that a program of activity for .a Permanent organisation should be - I. II. III. IV. An attempt to gather together in one place all of the existing facts concerning the subject of the Industrial Dust Problem. A study of those facts, and an attempt to evaluate them. ^ A report based on such study and a recommendation as to the future activities. The Cost. After discussing the problem with a number of people, the Temporary Organization Committee was of the opinion that M 8lloh Institute, Pittsburgh, is probably best prepared to act as the "Central Clearing House" - Mellon Institute was therefore asked for a definite proposal along the foregoing lines. The proposal of Mellon Institute dated Janu ary 2 1 st, 1 9 3 5 -was sent-out with the letter from the Temporary Organize- -2 - tion Committee dated February 6th, 1935. Briefly, it was to the effect that for an overall sum of $25,000.00 Mellon Institute will (a) gather all the available facts and (b) study and evaluate them and (c) submit a definite report and recommendation. / Naturally Mellon Institute will expect the co-operation of everyone interested in the problem in the accomplishment of its objective and any unexpended monies, can either be refunded or can be used in carry ing out a future program^ o 0 o Invitations to the Symposium on the Industrial -Dust Problem were sent to nearly one hundred Trade Associations and/or Code Authorities. Nearly two hundred persons attended th9 Symposium at Pittsburgh on January 15th, 1935. The report of the Temporary Organization Committee was sent on February 6th, 1935, to all those originally invited and to all those who attended, and copies of the report have since been sent' to a considerable number of other Trade Associations and individual companies. It was the thought of the Temporary Organization Committee that if the $25,000.00 were to be underwritten pro rata by fifty or more Trade Associations or individual companies, the amount of each subscription would not exceed $500.00 and it would be less-as the number of subscribers should exceed fifty. Thus would be provided a nucleus of Trade Associa tions or individual companies who would be actively interested in the pro blem, and who could then form themselves into a permanent organization which would already.have the assurance of a definite amount of available money. The Temporary Organization Committee has planned as soon as the requisite number of fifty contributors has been assured, - to call a meet ing of all contributors asking each of them to designate one individual who will have full power of representation in the formation of a permanent organization. With the formation of a Permanent Organisation, - the Temporary Organization Committee will have completed its duties. The Permanent Organization - when formed by the contributors will select its own officers or committees and will determine its own program and policies, and it is logical to assume that the direction of its activities will be placed in the hands of those who ara best capable of directing it along the lines of Medical, Preventive, Legal, Legislative and Publicity problems. -3 - No commitments of .any kind have been made by the Temporary Organization Committee as to the future policies or program of a permanent organization if and when one is formed, except that it has been arranged so that contributions and membership can become known or can remain unknown as may be elected by the individual contributor. o 0 o In conclusion - A large number of people have said that they believe that there should be a central clearing house, - or co-ordinating body - to represent all industry in connection with the industrial dust problem. A Symposium has been held in Pittsburgh on January 15th, 1935, A Temporary Organization Committee was elected to prepare a plan and recommendation as to a permanent organization. 1935). This plan has been prepared and submitted (on February 6th, Whether a permanent organization shall be formed, and how 14shall be formed, and what shall be its program is now in the hands of. those to whom this "narrative" is being sent. Roger A. Hitchins As Chairman Temporary Organization Committee. / Ow e n s -Illinois Gl a s s Company Ma h e f a c tu h e r or Gl a s s C osteaeskrs Gkxkhal Off ic e s To l e d o Dr. L. R. Thompson, l". S. Public Health Service, Washington, D. C. '.larch 21, 1935 wo \ \ S. o <2 ^ Dear Dr. Thompsons- ; Enclosed are the initial and progress reports of the Temporary Organization Committee which was formed at the conclusion of tile `SjTOposium on dust problems at Pittsburgh, January 15, 1935 You may have read these already, but when I heard from Hr. Hitchins(Hr. Hitchins .is President of the American Refractories Institute) that your name was not on the mailing list, I asked that he send me these extra copies which I am now forwarding. ,, ''Si As a bystander, I have watched the progress made by Hr. Hitchins1 Permittee from its formation, with great interest. Tis has been possible because Hr. A. IT. Sherwood, who is Vice-President of this Company, represents the glass sand, ground sand and glass container associations on the Temporary Organization Committee.. Through him I have seen some of the reactions of industry to the project. There has been some mi sunders tnnding,\, unfortunately, as to the function of the Committee} although the "Narrative" of Harch 12 has undoubtedly clarified the matter,-i b y re-stating that the Temporary Organization Committee has for its purpose the formation of interestedv trade associations and individual companies into a permanent organization which will have ;*;25,000 to conduct a preliminary survey of the dust field -- under the guidance of an advisory board chosen from "dusty" extents, ana following a detailed program to jbe worked out by this board. The future of the project holds^aany rosy possibilities that the potential benefits to investigators and field workers,-in addition to industry itself, which is, of course, rooting the bill -- are tremendous. Hr. Sherwood is confident of the eventual success of the Committee in collecting fifty pledges. Time is required for them to come in, and there is much to be gained by setting up the permanent advisory board promptly. Consequently, when your ist-inter.sted industrial friends seel: your advice, I ?r. wondering if you will, give the movement a forward boost by urging that they dig deep for their 500.'0. I mention this because apparently there are certain companies that would join in, if they had a personal talk with someone experienced in the dust field. ,\V `V % Ow ens -Illinois Gl a ss Compait Incidentally, I r. hitchins has n o w included all the Conici de Club on his nailing list, so that this gcoup -- v.v.cse services ..ill assuredly be relied upon when the pernaner.t organisation is ror m e d , -- nay follow the idea from its inception. 1 vrould appreciate having your conmervbs on this movenent, particularly as to what reception it is getting in Washington and vicinity Sincerely, iuuazarc u3 There are now 14 pledges, reported on .arch 12. Perhaps the snowball is beginning to roll.' MELLON INSTITUTE OP INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH UNIVERSITY OP PITTSBURGH Enclosure (4) Page 1 Pittsburgh, Pa. January 21, 1935 Mr. Roger A. Hitchins, President, American Refractories Institute, No, 1608 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa. My dear Mr. Hitchins: In accordance with your request as Chairman of the Organization Committee which was formed at the conference on dust problems held in Pittsburgh on January 15, we are giving you our ideas regarding the important problems involved and the type of organization that should be established. I am enclosing a plan for the study of dust problems and the organization chart. If this work were to be centralized in Mellon Institute, it `could be carried out as _a parfr-or our air hygiene researclD The director appointed to handle the "investigation would also be the head of the \ j institution or organization which the industries would set up. In this way, the work could be carried out in a most confidential manned as to - Thu-was"supporting the research and no one woulcf know~what industries dr __ " Individual5"ware" c u n U ,ibuttng'~to the fund. This would enable~tftg~orgafi^ n ''^tasttOn'to get soundly established, so that if later~on it~wae--des4red~to' 4 -- eome-rrut iff the open this could be arranffe^k ! ----------- ----------- Hoping that this gives you the information which you wish, I am Sincerely yours, ER W -W enclosures (signed) fi. R. feidlein Direotor COPY CAROLL DAVIS Court Reports Enclosure (4) Page 2 Plan for Study of Dust Problems I. Organization of the Industries. i lt is necessary that there be seine organization representing industries for the ,,reason that no -program of~~fesearch investigation could be carried on without assurance of continuity and_financiaI~support. Such assurance could be given only by some body that had authority to speak for a sufficient number of in dustries or companies, and might be called The Tndns.rinl-Knot Institute. If . it seems inadvisable to effect such fC-separate organization, for reasons that may be sound, it is suggested that a group of individuals be chosen from industries or companies, such a group to be called, for example, Industries Advisory Board for the Study of Dust Problems. Affected industries and/or individual companies could contribute to this Board, which in turn could make contracts and disburse the monies. X The other primary functions of the Institute or Board would be to select the cen tral agency to administer the activities later referred to in some detail (called, for convenience, the research agency), to keep in touch with that central agency, advise with it as to the program of work, and aid it in other obvious legitimate ways. Obviouslyi Rllf>h cartrai must be independent of agy'~specific industry ~~ or group, it must have a broaijaiJLU^okTasy^atheiic^undlTITaM^^TiS^tSF^roiiiSSr1" `JCnd wide contacts with all coonerating~!5^nfli^S^and it must have the~cbTtf4denC . ~o? tne industries, and of the p^siclanj ^ engneors--and_a.ll insTitu^Tog s ^ g rQups -qr indi^d^ualsrwHo~might cooperate to advantage.' II. The work of the research agency. f Of primary importance in the initial stage is the collection of available data published and, as far as possible, unpublished. These data must then be evaluated and correlated, and in this phase of the work it is assumed that it will be possible to secure the advice and cooperation of the recognized specialists in the fields of medicine, law, chemistry, physics and engineering. Evaluation should include the weeding out of data that cannot be considered as authoritative. It will then be possible to prepare a comprehensive program designed to provide the industries concerned with legitimate protection. ' -- ----- =* In preparing to work out such a program, it would be necessary to compile a Z t list of specialists in all fields who are engaged in a study of dust problems; to have determined any among them who may not be properly qualified and whose results might, therefore, not be entirely acceptable; to attempt as far as feasible to have investigational work correlated and synchronized; to be in position to make reasonable grants to qualified individuals or agencies tOcAROLLDAVe study special problems or phases of problems. Couitf Hq Some of the aspects that occur to mind are: (a) The pathological and psychological effects of dusts of various.kinds,. alone and in combination; for this a classification of dusts Is necessary. Enclosure (4) Page 3 Important from both medical and legal standpoints is the preparation of . court~cgsesP On the medical side is also plant hygiene, insofar as it is affected by industrial dusts and fumes. (b) A study of sampling devices and sampling methods, with the idea of further developing standards, and also to attempt to provide plant officials with simple portable apparatus which, ?/hile neither as delicate nor as accurate as the standard equipment, will enable them to keep a regular check on plant conditions and to know when the danger line is approached. (c) Study of existing methods and cooperation in the development of improve ments designed to minimize dust and fumes in the plant, as well as protec tive measures for workmen. (d) Dissemination, through proper channels, of authoritative information. Ij '(e) Maintaining contact as closely as possible with independent agencies and cooperating agencies engaged in studies of phases of the problem, and a program of such research experimentation as may be indicated. (f) Study and synopsis of existing pertinent legislation (including compensa tion) , and assistance in the preparation of safety codes and fair laws. The place to start is in the collection and evaluation of available data, which must precede the formulation of the longer-time program. III. Estimate of cost. (a) The cost, if any,, of operating the parent organization or Board. (b) Cost of research agency. It is estimated that for the initial work of collecting and evaluating available data and preparing authoritative abstracts for dissemination, surveying the field and formulating a long-time program of constructive work, not less than $85,000 should be appropriated. The time necessary for this initial phase cannot be predicted with cer tainty, but it is estimated that at least six months and not more than a year will be required. After the conclusion of this period, it is certain that an effective pro gram can be developed and would require a substantially larger budget. CV. Organization chart. The plan outlined above is shown broadly in the accompanying chart. Enclosure (5) Page 1 CORRELATING AGENCY SUGGESTED PROGRAM OP INITIAL ACTIVITIES MEDICAL. (1) Secure from medical profession and health authorities as complete as possible information covering past and present research on Industrial Dust diseases. (2) Study the assembled data and report and recommend (a), as to what phases have duplication of effort and (b) as to what phases should have further research; with the objective of cooperation of American Medical Association In.satting up authoritative and. approved standards of diagnosis and correction. PREVENTIVE. (1) Secure from all possible sources the existing available data on Industrial Dust hazards. (2) Study the assembled data and report and recommend (a) as to present means of eliminating or minimizing those hazards and (b) as to what further should be done in that direction; +.hA n h ^ c - H ye of setting up author itative and approved standards for the control of i industrial dusts which, if complied with by industries, ^ or by_JjidugtriaA-- companies. will act as a defense against 1 <^personai~~In3ury suits o ') -- LEGAL. (1) Secure from all affected industries their present experr ienee as to personal injury suits and claims growing out of industrial dust hazards and claimed diseases; in complete detail as to name of claimant, amount involved, court of jurisdiction, prosecution and defense counsel, character of suit (or claim) together with a history of closed cases and the status of pending suits or claims. (2) Study the assembled data and report and recommend (a) as to the aggregate amount of money loss which industry has ' experienced and with which industry is threatened as a whole and by divisions and (b) as to the Instances where the situation appears to be a "racket" against industry and (c) what concerted action may be possible to be taken in pending cases and claims; with the objective of en listing the co-operation of the American Bar Association and local Bar Associations in stepping the "racket." LEGISLATIVE. (1) Secure from all States and Territories copies of existing or pending legislative enactments and existing court decisions affe'cting the dust hazard ~lh"TS3ustry, whether Enclosure (5) Page 2. LEGISLATIVE. (Contd) wOrktnen^s compensation nr nrruxpajtj-arml Hiqflapfl or '<Sommon~lawN (2 ) Study the assembled data and report and recommend (a) as to existing la.ws which properly protect both employer and employee and (b) as to such existing laws as do not properly protect both employer and employee; with the objective of securing the enact ment of State laws, of a uniform character, which, when compiled with, will fairly and properly protect the interest of industry and of those engaged in industry and of enlisting the co-operation of the j Federal Government in that direction. PUBLICITY. Consider and recommend (a) the manner in which affected industries may be informed and be kept informed as to all phases of the industrial dust problem and (b) the manner in which governmental agencies and the"public may be informed and be kept informed, and the propriety and advisability of fir p n g s o , a-R f f h k h ft-rft h M r tg fl.nH should be taken in the direction of protecting both human life and property.