Document dnDxzq8wJnpjggvqrw24zB7x5

FILE NAME: Shell (SHEL) DATE: 1967 July 14 DOC#: SHEL013 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Turner Bros. Asbestos Co. Memo RE Glass Materials for Insulation fice of Orljln TU RNER BROTHERS ASBESTOS COMPANY LTI To Rochdale Mr (>>[<((, ef:- Ref: khd/kmb To: Rgnl. Mngrs. Copy: DOGQ/DMt Your Ref:- l4tV/July, 1967. Qlass Materials for Insulatlot Thank you for your reports In response to my memo, of 1st June. These have been very helpful in adding to our appreciation of this matter, although, as was to be expected, the overall picture is by no means a clear cut one consistent throughout the country. Yo u r views as to whether a pronounced/Trend towards glass can be detected differ quite considerably. 7 I would like to make the Allowing facts taken from Individual reports known general! r:- 1. Their Medical Officers /having recommended against the use of asbestos in thermal Insulation, the C.E.O.B. has prepared a new code erf practice based o n glass materials which has been circulated to all stations by Mr. Wilde of South Western Division, the appropriate Standards Engineer who relie heavily on advloe from us In drawing up this document, this new code of has recommended Some Divisions seem to be treating raotlce as a directive and Mr. Wilde it we should contaot all stations to introduce our materials at first hand. 2. J William Kenyon/& Sons Ltd., Dukinfield, Insulation Manufacturers have Informed us that the following amongst their/customers now specify Insulation materials free from aspestos continued: '.-K '1' , .. . , * . \ *: 2- C.E.O.B. Cadburys Shell Petroleum Company Esso Petroleum Company National Petroleum Company Stork Margarine q T. Wall & Sons Ltd. *-- United Kingdom Atomlo Energy Authority The various Divisions of I.C.I. also continue to seek actively alternatives to asbestos based materials for Insulation. There has recently been a strike of laggers on Clyde Side for 5/-d. per hour extra for handling asbestos. Insulation contractors who make mattresses appear to be taking a keener Interest In glass materials than those who do not, no doubt because the new asbestos Industry regulations at present In draft form will tighten up very considerably the conditions under which asbestos mattresses can be made. Both Fothergill A Harvey and B.B.A. have been offering glass materials for thermal insulation. This Is not, of course, new but no doubt they have been stimulated Into Increased activity In this sector of the market by the asbestos health scare. B.B.A. are offering on l y glass materials (aa opposed to the continuous-- filament glass fibre produced by T . B J L and nil othe r s "U.K. glass fibM'manufactuoaaLL-based on the staple -glwe~ fT hra producetTby their associate company Versil. They are marketing a very rough looking glass fibre rope lagging at prices In excess of asbestos rope lagging, consisting of staple glass y a m braided around a centre of bunohed-up glass tissue. They appear to be offering only one quality of glass cloth - 22 or. per square yard, 40" wide, 100 ft. rolls at l8/-d. per lineal y a r d or 15/-d. per lineal yard to at least one Insulation contractor. continued t . < y K\r -- m ^ -ra -- This is /ery different, In character to the rove based and continuous filament y a m based cloths which we offer. It is acre expensive and in our view not as satisfactory for insulation applications. On the other hand, there are obviously many insulation contractors in this conservative trade who are quite content to carry on with the traditional asbestos materials which they know and understand and will make no move towards glass unless or until customer specificatlons force It on them. There are also indications in some part* of the country that the emotional reaction against asbestos y have lost some of its impetus. Our policy remains as outlined In my memo, of the 24th February. We arereceiving a steady trickle of orders for the glass qualities involved, but there are no sure signs yet of any flood developing. You appear to be well satiefled with the information which has been fed to you and the technical support given by Mr. Morant, apart from one or two euggeetlons that a printed leaflet on glass materials for Insulation is desirable (inspired by the fact that Pothergill & Harvey have one - no copy yet received here). We are putting in hand some preparatory work on such a leaflet, but it 1# coneidered premature to publish yet. S u c h a leaflet might be harmful to our asbestos interests st this stage and the general situation i# still in too great a state of flux. We are also working actively on the development of a glass fibre rope legging. Whether or not we market this and when has not yet been determined/ but it represent# another shot in our locker in trying to certain that the competition does rot steal the march on us in this important market.