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The Asbestosis Research Council PLAINTIFFS i EXHIBIT ASft-310 Recommended Code of Practice On Precautions to he taken when CuttingT Drilling or Machining Asbestos Cement and Asbestos-based Boards in the Shipbuilding Industry HER 0004296 The Asbestosis Research Council Present factory regulations recognise asbestosis as an industrial disease which could arise from the inhalation of asbestos dust. The regulations, which stipulate rules Jor the protection of work-people engaged in the manufacture ofcertain types oj asbestos products, do not include any special requirements relating to the handling ofproducts containing asbestosfor use in the skip-building industry. The Ministry ofLabour is now considering extending the regulations which apply to the handling ofasbestos and asbestos cement products infactories so that they cover wider applications of handling and processing and, while it is not certain to what extent this change will apply to the shipbuilding industry, it is felt chat some preliminary guidance should be given. This guidance takes the form of a Recom mended Code of Practice which is prepared in anticipation of the extension to the regulations. The use and manipulation of asbestos and asbestos cement products is very diverse and ranges from the fixing of an occasional single sheet to extensive operations involving cutting or machining by power-driven equipment. While care should always be exercised, special precautions are only necessary when there is a possibility that operatives may inhale asbestos dust as a result ofproximity to cutting, grinding or similar operations. Finally it should be emphasised that there is no hazard in the handling, working andfixing of these products, provided that the simple precautions outlined below are followed. For convenience, the Recommended Code of Practice is divided into two sections: a Work infactories or shipyard workshops. (Section 2) b Work in ships under construction or repair. (Section 7) 1 HER 0004297 Recommended Code of Practice 1 Products This Code of Practice covers asbestos cement and other asbestos-based boards. The content ofasbestos may van-, but the recommendations are the same for all products. 2 Work under Factory or Shipyard Conditions in Confined Spaces The following procedures should be adopted when working with asbestos products. 2.1. Cutting, Grinding or Turning by Mechanical Means 2.1.1. When mechanical cutting or machining takes place, efficient dust extraction equipment should be installed, or respirators of a type which are approved by the Factory Inspectorate should be worn. 2.1.2. The approved respirators should be carefully maintained, and adequate servicing arrangements should be made to ensure that this is done, and that employees are not without respirators during maintenance (see note A). 2.1.3. Waste, dust or off-cuts should not be allowed to accumulate in the working area and should be disposed of in such a way as to avoid escape of dust. Damping or wetting of waste before disposal is recommended. 2.1.4.. Vacuum cleaning plant should be used to keep ledges, floors, trusses, etc. free from dust accumulation. Removal of dust by brushing should be avoided. 2.2. Additional Hygiene 2.2.1. The best standards of good factory and workshop housekeeping and hygiene should apply to mechanical cutting areas. Such areas are best segregated and used for no other purpose. In addition to dust exhaust on machines, a good standard of general room ventilation should be mainta*--J a HER 0004298 { 5 j , |' I 2.221. Operatives should wear overalls free condition. These overa' synthetic material and should oe 2.2.3. Where heating is necessary, radi rather than fan assisted heaters vi sion. 2.3. Medical Supervision 2.3.1. Operatives should be advised on cutting asbestos and asbestos ccn 2.3.2. Wherever possible, arrangemet examination of workers who arc Particular attention should be 2 before employment or as soon a j Work in Ships under Con Where a considerable run of cut material i material rather than site-cut material shoul Some site-cutting is, however, inevitable ; be followed in such cases: 3.1. Mechanical Cutting on Ships 3.1.1. In general, the same recc ei workshop cutting, bearing in mi temporary nature. When power dust extraction plant shouic be n 3.1.2. Where it is not possible for an where there is still a risk of ink respirator should be worn by 1 ensure adequate servicing arrant in 2.1.2. above. 3.2. Hand Cutting and Drilling 3.2.1. When hand cutting and driilir exhaust system is impracticable, 1 type respirators (see section 2.1.2 i 1 Code of Practice i oduers s cement and other asbestos-based boards, ut the recommendations are the same for 2 ' or Shipyard Conditions lined Spaces ie adopted when working with asbestos ng by Mechanical Means g or machining takes place, efficient dust ould be installed, or respirators of a type le Factory Inspectorate should be worn, rs should be carefully maintained, and gements should be made to ensure that dovees are not without respirators during ) iouIF 't be allowed to accumulate in the . be 1 jsed of in such a way as to avoid g or wetting of waste before disposal is should be used to keep ledges, floors, lust accumulation. Removal of dust by ji 'j ood factory and workshop housekeeping v co mechanical cutting areas. Such areas used for no other purpose. In addition to nes, a good standard of general room lincaine'i 2-2.2. Operatives should wear overalls that can be kept in a dean, dustfree condition. These overalls should be made from nylon or other synthetic material and should be free from open pockets, etc. 2-2.3. Where heating is necessary, radiant panel heaters should be used, rather than fan assisted heaters which tend to keep dust in suspen sion. 2.3. Medical Supervision 2.3.1. Operatives should be advised on the precautions to be taken when cutting asbestos and asbestos cement produce. 2.3.2. Wherever possible, arrangements should be made tor routine examination of workers who are regularly engaged in this work. Particular attention should be given to examining new workers before employment or as soon as possible afterwards (see note B). 3 Work in Ships under Construction or Repair Where a considerable run of cut material is required in any one size, pre-cut material rather than site-cut material should be used. Some site-cutting is, however, inevitable and the following practice should be followed in such cases: 3.1. Mechanical Catting on Ships 3.1.1. In general, the same recommendations apply as for factory or workshop cutting, bearing in mind chat the operation will be of a temporary nature. When power cutting tools are used a portable dust extraction plant should be made available. 3.x.2. Where it is noc possible for an exhaust system to be used and where there is still a risk of inhaling asbestos dust, an approved respirator should be worn by the operative. The same steps co ensure adequace servicing arrangements should be taken as noted in 2.1.2. above. 3.2. Hand Cutting and Drilling 3.2.x. When hand cutting and drilling has to take place and a dust exhaust system is impracticable, operatives should wear approvedtype respirators (see section 2.1.2.). f >' < . 1 HER 0004299 3-2.-- Dust can be avoided by damping the material (e.g. by drip feeding) where the nature of the product permits. 3.2.3. Floors should be kept free of cutting dust, using portable industrial vacuum cleaning equipment. In the event of this not being available, a dampening agent should be applied to the dust im mediately before sweeping up. Notes A Notes on the care and maintenance of respirators are being prepared and will be available from the Council separately. 5 Notes on the medical examination ofworkers in the asbestos industry are available from the Council. June 1967 The Asbestosis Research Council Secretary Dr S. Holmes P.O. Box No 40 Rochdale, Lancashire Telephone: Rochdale 47422 HER 0004300 4