Document eoNKJN5G5x3qpRgZxVn6MOb4

FILE NAME Colonial Sugar Refinery CSR DATE 1951 Oct 26 DOC CSR167 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION Govt Memo Stating Poor Conditions at Wittenoom & Concern for Workers Health RE Asbestosis and the Need for Further Investigation & Improvement i} PHD.618 48 . Your Ref1818 ae ~ WSD 26th October 1951 THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR MINES With reference to your memorandum of the 27th September 1951 In the Tabulation of Dust Counts from Wittenoom forwarded under your memo of 21st September it is assumed that the counts refer to p.p. c.c. The upper permissable limit of asbestos dust for a working atmosphere is 176 p.p.c.c. It will be noted that many of the counts are far in excess of this The methoodf count is unknown and although there ee is no known really satisfacmettohroyd is highly probable that one used excluded long fibres from the count because of their reluctance to enter a machine of the Watson Konimeter type Unlike normal silicosis where small particles are the danger the main hazard in asbestosis is from the longer fibres and these will probably be in excess of anything indicated in the counts Asbestosis produces more rapid fibrosis of the lung than silicosis and is more liable to superimposed infection It is therefore apparent on the data submitted that conditions are far from satisfactory and in the interest of the health of the workers this _ Department must investigate the matter further and press for immediate improvement of supervision and working conditions at Wittenoom ; Jumbled Branch For inform inform 116/10/56 116/10/56 LINLEY COMISIONER COMMISSICOOMMINSSEIONRER OF PUBLIC HEALTH PLAINTIFF'S EXHIBIT 11031800 3180