Document dYQKr0QZV465RYEemNoXRYgk0

FILE NAME: Metropolitan Life (ML) DATE: 1937 DOC#: ML240 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Industrial Health Section Report of Surveys Industrial Health Section .December 1937 Industrial Hygiene Laboratory Surveys of the following plants were made during th6 month by members of the Laboratory staff* Horthem wire Division Uniontown, Pennsylvania W. 4 G. Teylor Co. Cumberland, Maryland Union Drawn Steel Co. Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania Republic Steel Corporation The plant of V. D. Byron 4 Sons, Williamsport, Maryland, was visited and inspected for the purpose of determining the cause of the poor claim experience. Laboratory analyses of samples collected in the following plants of the Republic Steel Corporation were made during the month* Northern Wire Division Uniontown, Pennsylvania Miles Plant Miles, Ohio Warren Plant Warren, Ohio Mew wire ills South Chicago, Chicago, Illinois Union Drawn Steel Co. Massillon, Ohio ft'. 4 G. Taylor Co. Cumberland, Maryland During December, 33 analyses were made for sine, sulphuric acid, silica, lead, ammonia, para-dichlorbenzene, calcium carbonate, wax, and solvents. Reports of the surveys made in the following plants were completed and 'sent to the company representatives* Warren Plant Warren, Ohio Union Drawn Steel Co Massillon, Ohio ' ' Republic Steel Corporation 2 Home Office Conditions Samples of 36 cleaning materials used by members of 'the Home Office Building Department were received in the Laboratory for analysis. Inaustrial Healta oectios ' During December, 6 requests for information on the various phases of the subject of industrial hygiene were received and answered. Groups Republic Steel Corporation Niles Plant Niles, Ohio The report of the survey condi.ucted in this plant was completed and sent to Mr. J. A. Voss, Director of Industrial Relations. She survey showed the presence of `sulfuric- acid fumes in the air surrociu n c i i :ng several operations. Otherwise the air was not found to contain dangerous concent^ations of dust. - Republic Steel Corporation Warren Plant Warren, Ohio- The report of the survey conducted in this plant was completed and sent to Mr. J. A. Voss. Republic Steel Corporation Union Drawn Sttel Co. Massillon, Ohio The report of the survey oAd<e in this plant was completed and sent to Mr. J. A. Voss. The working conditione in the plant were considered to be good and no health hazards are believed to exist. W. D. Byron & Sons Williamsport, Maryland This plant was visited and inspected for the purpose of determining the cause of the poor claim experience. The processes do not involve any hazard except for one where lacquer spraying is done. There are a number of elderly men employed which .undoubtedly accounts for the number of claims due to heart disease. West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company New fork, N. X. Mr, J. W. Towsen, Personnel Manager, wrote saying that his company is planning set up medical services throughout their-various branches. Before any plans can be laid, the number of employees, and the policy of the company regarding the extent of the medicalservices to be administered must be considered. Described the functions of a medical service, and sent a copy of our booklet "Physical Examinations in Industry* and the physical examination form i&ich is recommended for use in small industrial plants. 3 Dunbar Glass Gorp. Dunbar, Vest Virginia Mr. Payne, General amiger, wrote to Supervisor Jones of Clarksburg, Vest < Virginia, asking for inforaetion on establishing a system of physical examinations among their employees. Letter aas referred here for answer. Plans for introducing physical examinations in a plant, methods of conducting them, and a follow-up system were described.. St. Joseph Lead Company New York, N. I. 4r. Andrew Fletcher, Vice-President and Treasurer, visited the office bringing with him X-ray films.of thirty-eight of their employees at Edwards, New fork, for reading and interpretation. J ohns-Mstrrville New fork, N. X. * During the year, 1025 X-ray films of the chests of employees of the Asbestos, Quebec, Plant were read and interpreted in this office. This report was sent to Mr. Vandiver Brown, Attorney, at the New Xork City office. Pangborn Corporation Hagerstown, Maryland Bureau. Mr. Stern visited the office with Mr. Barrett of our Policyholaers Service The services available through this Section were explained, and he was shown through the Laboratory. International Nickel Co. New York, N. X. Mr. Brady visited the office with "r. Duncan of the Group Division. Discussed different phases of silicosis and some of the solvents used in industry. Be was shown through the Laboratory. Dr. Arthur B. Bobbins Bureau of Tuberculosis New Xork City Department of Health New Xork, N. X. Requested information on the health hazards of the fur cutting industry. Be wa especially interested in the incidence of tuberculosis in this industry. Bent informati on mercury poisoning among fur cutters, and sent references to literature on the occorren of respiratory diseases. A Miss dele E. Yoe, Health Educator City Department of Health Louisville, Kentucky 4 At her request, sent information on health education plans in industry. Textile Products Industries Chicago, Illinois Mr. d i m m of our Chicago Group Office asked that information on writer's ' cramp he sent to Mr. Kasmark of the above company. Described the condition, the causative factors, and remedial measures. The Quaker Oats Co. Chicago, Illinois Mr. E. F. Terras, Assistant Treasurer, asked that their procedure for making physical examinations be reviewed. After reviewing it, made a number of suggestions. Crucible Sttel Co. Hew York, H. I. Mr. C. B. Avery telephoned for information on the urine sulfate test for determining benzene exposure. Described method of analysis given in a report of the Bureau of Mines along* with the results of their studies, and the references to them. Western Electric Co. Chicago, Illinois Dr. F. L. Smith, Medical Director, requested information on the vaccine treataec of colds. Sent a bibliography on vaccine prophylaxis of common colds, and referred him to industrial physicians who have been experimenting with vaccines among their..employees. Globe Indemnity Co. Hew York, H. X. Ur. G. Watts requested information on the nature of dust created by glass grinding and polishing operations. - He elso asked for data on the toxicity of fused silica. Sent this information. Standard Oil Company of Mew Jersey Hew York, H. Y. Mr. Roy S. Bonsib, Chief Safety Inspector, requested information on the treatment of eye burns due to electric ophthalma. Described the treatment and referred him to a good source of information. Later in the month, sent to him, at his request, information on tricresyl phosphate. Described symptoms of poisoning, and gave the toxic doses which have been determined through animal experimentation. 5 Dr May R. Mayers Division of Industrial Hygiene Nee York State..Department of Labor Hew York, N. Y. ^ , Requested references on cancer of the bladder due to aniline. Sent the Statistical Divisions monograph on cancer and made bibliography. Mr. Donald C. Scott Springfield} Massachusetts Came to the office for references on organic dusts, especially jute dust. Gave M m our regular publications and a list of references on organic dusts. Travelers Insurance Co. New York, N. X. A representative telephoned for information on air conditioning. His company has a c? aja for trouble said to be due to air conditioning, and he wanted references relating to this. Mr. Clyde ft.. Place New York, N. Y. Mr. Place is an air conditioning engineer who asked Dr. McConnell to investigate the air conditioning system of the East River Savings Bank. Dr. McConnell made an investigation and sent a report to Mr. Place. Mr. A. L. Clarke Marchant Calculating Machine Co. Oakland, California Requested information regarding a solvent called Blacosolv. Blacosolv is a trade name for trichlorethylene. Referred him to an article which appeared in a recent issue of the Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology which discusses the toxicity of tricblorethylene. Mr. Herman Dean Canton, Mississippi Ur. Dean is an attorney who is preparing a silicosis case and he asked if Dr. McConnell would testify for his. Explained that this is impossible and suggested other industrial physicians who ere in a position to do so. Dr. L. R. Eazzard Portsmouth, New Hampshire Asked for information on the toxic effects of fumes given off by fluxes during welding operations. The kind of fumes would depend upon the composition of the fluxes, which varies greatly. Listed references. 6 -Bequests for information on the following subjects were also received and answered: Hospitalization facilities in Georgia Sprains as they occur in industry Health education Physical examinations in industry Silicosis and other dust diseases Air conditioning in homes Foot trouble Arthritis Coronary thrombosis Value of good plumbing Effect of household dust on health Hernia Metropolitan Mr. Dunlap Actuarial Division . A report of Mr. Febnel's visit to the V. D. Byron & Sons plant at Williamsport Maryland was sent to Mr. Dunlap. Ur. flailing Premium Receipt Division Brought & sample of an abrasive powder to the Laboratory for analyzing'. Miss flilliamson Aelfere Division Reviewed manuscript of "Multiple Aspects of Growth" which was prepared for publication in a forthcoming issue of the Teacher's Bulletin. Mr. McConahay . Home Office Service A study of the illumination in the Premium Receipts Division was made with recommendations for improvement. Dr. Armstrong' flelfare Division At his request prepared a letter on "state medicine". Ur. Vane Statistical Division Sent information on weight-lifting and the maximum loads for man-handling. Mr. Perry Group Sales Division Sent information on the health hazards of radio manufacturing. 7 Interviews Mr Carruthers, Editor Safety Engineering Hew York, N. Y. l , Called at office to discuss the purpose of the new Bureau of Hygiene of the City of Hew York. Mr. J. J. Bloomfield Passed Assistant Sanitary Engineer U. S. Public Health Service Washington, D.C Mr. Bloomfield is Chairman of the Industrial Hygiene Section of the American Public Health Association, and he called to discuss the work of the Section for the year. Mrs. Furst Hew York, H. Y. Mrs. ftarst is an assistant to Dr. Leopold Brahdy of this city. She came to the office for references on industrial fatigue in connection with the speed-up systems used. A young Chemist Aram Hochester,.Mew York, came to the office for information on lead and arsenic poisoning from sprayed apples. Publications The booklet "Health Protection of Tielders" is about ready for reprinting, and revision of some portions of the text has been started. Yhe Industrial Health Section is compiling a catalog of trade names of the chemicals which are being used in industry. The information gathered in this catalog is available to members of the Welfare Division whenever they wish it. Literature .During December, 280 pieces of literature were sent out from this office, and 100 pieces were sent out through Welfare Division order. Letters Incomings 211 Outgoings 120