Document gD1O854rg92EooVzwJzJyjkoG

FILE NAME: Koppers/Beazer East (KBE) DATE: 1934 DOC#: KBE021 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Transactions of the National Safety Council EXHIBIT 1934 TRANSACTIONS National Safety Council Incorporated TWENTY-THIRD ANNUAL SAFETY CONGRESS Cleveland, Ohio October 1 to October 5,1934 The Cleveland, Carter and Statler Hotel Copyright, 1935, Nattow 1Safety Council* Inc. 4^2 T w h J jirti sin*)trot S a jr ly Cwt/reJS-- Nnliomrl S a fe ty { ' w / / WilKRKAS^ there is nett (rctiinK mcit for prompt exomtire action to put these measures into effect and stop these needless tragedies; THEREFORE HE IT RESOLVED: That the National Safety Council re spectfully urges the Frcstrlmt of the United State to call the Geveruorj of the several Sutes into conference a* early m the new year as practicable, tn lay be fore them the seriousness of tfic situatkw, the remedtrs which have been developed for correcting these cndiiions and the necessity fur prompt and united action in all the States to adopt and more energetically carry n att effective program for the protection of fife ami limb on our streets and highway* By formal motion, and by a rising vote, the entire audience of delegates and guests approved this action of the Council Ivxccntive Committee. Following th is Lt.-Cl. Kenrngcr read the following letter received from the President of the United States: TH E WHITE HOUSE My dear Mr. I*og: Wa sh in g t o n , September 27, 1934 I wish to extend to the members of the National Safety Council, in session at die twenty-third Annual Safety Conference, my most cordial greetings and my heartiest good wishes for the success or your endeavor. . The bet that you are concerning ymirselves with saving life that yo are keeping in view hitman valors and personal security commends your program to the entire country, 1 axn greatly impressed and pleased with the constmefive steps already taken toward die elimination id accidentesj>ccial!y highway disasters, which, because avoidable, are dmtftfy tragic. This is a problem which we must attack with the utmost energy and (icrsistenee. Ultimately we may expect to reach die solution of Highway aaJriy, provided rnrntdctc cooperation on die part of all cithens fs given to concerted efforts of grout*. such as yours. At present the rising toll of fatalities on m*ds ami city thoroughfares indicates ki a oaumcr all too grim that we are still far from the goal. America atitomothe development* and our utwtittiJwi system of highway cpm- mimicatiofc* which have given signal contributions to our convenience, pleasure, and commerce, must mg lie petwrttetl to devolve into instruments of death and disaster. I assure yon of my keen personal interest in your efforts and commend your epleoctid program to induce civ^ieration among every citizen in nor nation with the movement Unking to tlw prevention of needless fataliiies--a drain upon cur most precious natural resource which must be ended. Very sincerely yours, FRANKUN D. ROOSEVELT. Mr. John E. Long, President. Na&imtai Safety Council, c/o Cleveland Hotel, Cleveland, Ohio. President John E. D u g then arose ami introduced Mr. Hamid G. Hoffman. OmwnisdsHier of Motor Vehicle of New, Jersey, wh presided as Toastmaster. His witty Mitrndurtwm nf die weaker of the evening. Dr. John L Davis, of New York Qty, was highly appreciated by the big audience; and was only surpavsed, prrlu;t\ by the brilliant address of D r, Davis, himself. Dr. J>avis was fisted io the program tn sneak act *The Spirit of America." Despite tliiv lutmticAp, he seized the opportunity to present a highly popular monoIftgife--to popular in fact that Ills sweecss mounted steadify throughout the evening; and it w*z readily agreed, after an hilarious session, that no banquet of the Council had approached this for many a year. ADJOURNMENT T W U N T i ' - T U t K l> A N N U A L S A P f i T Y C O N (...-% S S NATIONAL SAI-HTY COUNCIL rasa Dust in Industry FRIDAY AFTERNOON SESSION * October 5, 1934 The *cjawa devoted to a rfisctnskm of I)ji*t m Srahistry was called to order by l>r. K. Ci* Writer, IHrtetnr, Industrial Hygiriur 1.aljoratury, Employers VUitiail L a bility InsNrauce Co., Milwaukee, vrita presided. l>r. Mcitcr briefly welcomed the delegate* and then introduced the first speaker. Types of D ost T h at Cause Occupational Diseases B y LEROY U. GARDNER, M.D. Director, Saranac Laboratory for the Study of Tubereolois, of the Edward L Trade Foimdatton, Saranac Lake. K. Y. The speaker k l it' part: Experience has demonstrated that the lung tissue* can tolerate very large amounts of meat kinds of foreign Host particles without serious interference with function. 'Die lung may lie intensely pigmented by colored dusts will o evidence tlwt respiration is impaired. ITot dusts composed, m whole or in part, of *tlk have been shown to he danger*** because they stimulate the growth of the eoitnccftve tunics of the lungs and hrog aboat the forrnoiiao of scar tissue. *1his destroys the normal riastlcity 0f the organ which is necessary for respiration and it tinefcens the delicate membranes so that a free interchange (f gasses ts impelled. Fortunately these result only follow file prolonged inhalation of very targe quantifies of silica. Ex{>crimcnts have etuonatrated that die injection of Sica into the tissues^ ot animals k* the cells where the substance lodges and excites an inflammation. When healing takes place a very dense and d u r acteristic kind o( scar tissue forms. Moen noft-silkeous dusts produce no inflaomtatinn and very fittic scar, ft has been shown that such changes do not follow the injrcthm of silica unless* the particles are very fine three microns or less fn diameter, awl tmtess etiougli of them locaffxe in cue ftnra^ With larger particles live rate of reaction is an alow tfwt little change oiTttrs within a year. As * general mfe, the finer the |rtiVic*, the nxire rapid the cellular rcsjmnse. The rufiti to fmc silks begins within four or five hours and it continues^ for a period of years, Tf iHe silica combined with hases in the for in of silicates, it rarely produces swb active and progressive changes. The silicate of irognerium, asbestos, does came the formation of star tissue in experimental animals ami in the human lung hut roost other silicate* arc not generally rtcognim l as irritating. Recently it h is hem claimed that x hydrated silicate M altimiunni and potassium, called eridte. is responsible for most of tlve cases of silicosis. ^Ths silicate, a transformed feldspar, often associated with quart* and U ha* been identified in the twig* of person* suf- 23 i 24 T w en ty fitted A m tttaf S a fe ty < o>ujri'*s-~Nah<>nvt S a fety < o u n d l ferittg from wlicmis. However, at lca*t two types of sericite have failed to excite significant ctunRcs when Injected into animals. Experiments with this substance a rt Mitt in pnjtgrf*, Kaolin, a atifm!fM>**3tcatc of potash, ha* also produced quite characteristic changes in the fan** of rabbits. But our present knowledge does not permit e* to assume that silicates as a davt will produce serwnw tis*ne damage. Muss observer* now believe llwfc unwwshwcd silica, or quartz, a pof'cmoos to the tissue* because it is riowlj dissolved in the fluids cf the body. Certainly the majority of the ezperirnmtal observation* suggest a chemical injury, hut it is diffi cult to understand how enough of such an insoluble substance as quartz could lie dbsolved within eight hours to produce a weft marked, acute inflarma.tion. If solubility were the only factor one should discover a more active response alter the injection of the more readily soluble silicates. Hut such is not the case. For* iwrly it was held that silica prodneed its effect mechanically. The hard sharp quartz partide* were believe1 to abraid the lung surface* and excite the forma tion of sear tioe a* a manifestation of healing. This theory is m longer tenable for when animals are injected with other hard, sharp particles Hkc diamond, carbo rundum or ahunintmt nxidc. there is no inSatnmation am) practically no formation of *t*t tissue, _ Ultimately it may he shown that the irritation 1 silica is due to some unwcognireff property pmsihly related to its atomic structure. When quartz particles are inhaled they produce three specific effects which are not excited by any other type of dust yet studied. They alter the behavior f the pulmonary phagocytes; they stimulate the format of circumscribed noduJes of scar tissue,* and they subsequently increase the susceptibility of the lung to infection, espe cially tidwcculou* infection. Phagocytes that ingest too many quartz particles are killed by this Irritating fobstance. As the cells die they liberate their burden and several new phagocytes come out to take it up again. By a repetition of this process enough phagocytes aoctrnmlafe to tliat many of them ingest only a few particles, Under ouch clrcunv stances the stimuli)*; i* not strong enough to kill bat merely accelerates the nootihty of the cells. They naturally tend to leave the air spaces, enter the lympliatic ves sels and accumulate in the lymph node*. Th p ro Iiecomes more rapid under the influence of the irritating silica and very consideraide ttmnlxrs of particles are consequently localized in the node*. A ft' six or eight years the quartz m the nodes has caused a marked over growth of the fibrmts element* to these struct)ires. Ultimately the reaction develops to such an extent that the nude is entirety replaced Igr a moss of anarse, glassy scar tissue filres. nfte several times os large a* the ongmal nude. Such nodules en croach Uf*>n and compress the lymphatic vessels. The drainage system of thelttng is choked and effective removal of subsequently inhaled dust is gradually dimtauhed. Hunt now accumulate* nnmml tile lymph vessels and beets of scar tissue develop in this location. These prdimhiary changes ilo not constitute the disease; sIHcmi*: they involve only the lymphatic .*ytem. Tite respiratory tissues are nut appreciably affected. In good stern X-ray films these preliminary changes may !>e visvsJtzcd^ a* a thick ening and beading of the shadows cast by die blood vessels logetlier^ with a widen ing of the shadow of the root of the lung. The Mood vessels are thickened because the most important Iymp1iic vessels cuunte through their walls. The beading is due to the minute nodules of silicotic scar ti**ue m the lymph nodes within the hwig, The irvit shadow U widen*! because >1 the stticolic reaction *n the lymph jyxfe in tit:* local urn. if till more i|*f is inhaled it can no longer he effectively carried off through the lymph vessels. The phagocyte* ttow carry it into the wadis of the air space*. Often the ceils group themselves in nodule* hut sometimes they are scattered In these location* the silica again stimulate* the format! of scar tissue. The result ts a general thirkcmuR of the septa hetween the spaces and nodulatiou throughout the faoctional port*! nf the lung. Thi* change seriously interfere* with function as intrrchanjm of ga* cannot take place through the thickened walls of the Jr pare* amt the tissues lose their normal elasticity. I.css involved air space* dilate atid their walls stretch, producing the rnt!itm known as emphysema, winch is also incom patible with effective respiration. With the format it*) of silicotic nodule* in the fimctioning part of the lung the / >tt*f hi frtthfxtrv 25 <IUcae, silicosis, Is said tohegin. 0 the X-rxy fihu swU nodule* cast clear cat, rottnd haikiws* As they xtcrsc i yitmUier smd s w they 14* out the formerly accentuated linear shadows of the hit**! vessels. 1 a we41 ruarketl case lioilt long fields may he thickly seeded wifi* Inmdrcd* id fw li sharply defined, monded, nodular shadows. Where ttere Is emphysema, often at the ltses, tto maridas* are visible end the film wears btacV. The condition of silicosis is < progressive twie ami it continues to develop after a man has left his clttsty occn*ath*n. Sern resida only folltiw, however, when he leaves with many nodules iti the Imi tissue t*eU. As such nodules crease in sice (hey replace imprtaftt ftoetmil elementa, Obviously the coKtmieci growth oi only a tew mxlnSfs situated 1 the lymphatic system could have little effect other titan to increase the obstruction already present* Tlie ecriott* part of silicosis h its frei|tiet cnnipllralimi Hy tnlwrotlosis. This may arise from reactivation of a pre-exhtant latent infection or it may result {rom A new infection from without- Tiic (fcutger of infection iucre^ with the amount of silicosis preset- 11k* morse of the' *mfeethi *h the UHeotic i* usually dtrooic and it trften fail* hj i*rtxluce eharnettristlc syfttpttm for month* r years after its nset. Many times 4i* RcculemaUy discovered in routine X-ray examinadtou o group* of active workmen. However, evidences of disability are much mote marked in sthcotic individuals with infection than t tiitwe with tmoi*mpliatttI disease. Occa sionally tuberculosis may run a very acute course in the silicotic subject but this is also true in other persons. The cause o the susceptibility of the silicotic lung to tuberculosis is not perfectly understood, Nit St would seem that the action of the silica on the tissues creates a medium favorahle for the growth of the bactena. The tohercie fiactf multiply and a sfowy progressive tissue reaction ensues 6tif the usual clinical symptoms of tuberculosis are often held in abeyance for a long time because the chancea for absorption of poisonous product* of infection are mininn2d by the obstructed lymphatic system. It i also possible that some of the poisons may be absorb! *# the sica particles, as Cummins has suggested. Ulti mately die infection gains die upper liaurf, symptoms develop awl death from tuber culous emes. The only otfier type uf dust which h generaHy reeugmaed as a cause ot severe puhnouary injury is asbestos, a silicate of tnaguesmn*. Till# sultstancc h fthtous m diameter and is more readily soluble dm quartz. Apparently the protective upper respiratory roecfcaimrm seem inadequate to prevent the Inhalation of many inch filwe* and even quite long one* may penetrate into the finer broochial tube*. T he structures Have irregularities in their walls which seem to hold the fibrous duds. In this location the asbestos particles are xumxmded and ingested by phago cytes* The celts do not seem to he particularly irritated for they are not spe cialty numerous nor do they migrate rapidly fntn cmwp* as in the case of phago cytes dealing with cuarta. Apparently nxt of them carry their borden of asbestos fragments directly into tfw wans of the tubes, in which they fie. H ie mildly irri tating dust set* up a proliferation of the enrmeetive tissue cell* hi the walls result ing to collar-like thickening of the tulies. Contraction of the new ewmertlve tissue narrows or doses the tube ami thereby shuts off the nitres* of air to the more peripheral air spaces. These spaces then collapse, a condition know a* atelectasis. This n itself is a cause of fibrosis nr scarring of lung tissue. The result is a fibrosis of numerous relatively small areas m the Itmg due to the Oollar-ke constricting fibrosis alxKit many small terminal bronchia! tubes. The lymphstk system seems to play little part in disposing of asbestos dust and very insignificant amounts of this dust are feimd in the lymph notles. Not a few cases os ajbritnst* die of tubrculos or bronchopneumonia hu| the prevalence of the former infection U probably ranch leas common shan in silicosis. Surveys of large groups of asbestos workers fail to reveal such a high incidence of tuberculosis as found in similar studies on silica workers. The inltalatfon of tmnsual amounts nf tion-silicemu dusts apparently fails to pro duce significant alterations In tlie lung. I t is of course possible that injurious ones nsay_ ultimately Ive discovered, hut none are recognized today. The non-stHoeou* particle* enter the lung and are ingested hy phagocytes as mi the case nf quartz. The cells are not stimulated to move very rapidly and as a coosequence many of them remain witbm (lie afr spaces for a long tfme. Some, particularly those con- 2 6 Tiur* -third A n nual S a fe ty Congress-- N a tio n a l S a fe ty Council taming relatively i w particle*. make thWr way 'mtu (he lymphatic system aixJ accu mulate in the t>m|iti node*. In sufltcicnt o itemrat* m, perhaps l>ceattse they ir e mixed with mtntl anumnii tf silica, they set tip ft l**w grade. uun-progrcssive chronic tnUaHwtiun. tUtt this rcarlhvt results only it: ft little thideetmR in dir fyntjih ttntles and about tlie lymphatic vessels. Tliejuitg tissue may he variously ptgmcttled, Made from coal or reef front iir<m, but ttwrc is no furmat Km of scar tissue that inter feres with function. Tile susceptibility In miercubwls of the person with such pig mentat ion is not increased hut it is apparently quite ^definite that imeumonia is inxJuJy prevalent in coal Rimers and that chronic bronchitis remits from the inhala tion of cement Tlie X-ray 51ms of men working in ixmi-siliceous dusts sivows either nothing at all or a more nr less marked accentuation nf the linear shadows cast by the blood vessel.v This, o coarse, is due to the chronic mfiattiinatary changes about the lymphatic trunks tn walls 1 blood vessel*, The effects of mixtures of free silica and imn-siliceotfi materials are less dearly defined and should receive more v-rinus attention. It would stem unwise to assume, as has been done iu the past, that ttic imn-siliceous substances serve only as inert diluents ftnd tltat only the <(uartz component of a dust * of significance, Kxperintcntal and clinical *lsta are accnmnlatiiig which suggest that at least MHtie other dusts may materially modify the action of quartz, both tn its capacity to produce nodular fibrosis in the hmgs and to increase the susceptibility to tuberculosis, For example, animals inhaling lieavy concentratkins of a mixture of equal parts of pure silica an<f ftetnatite dust for eight hours a day over a period of 1-4 mouths have shown nt evru iJie slightest indication of nodule formaltort ttt the lung, wftercas pure quartz dust, inhaled tor ^only two hours a day, produces definite nodulatton. It also seems to be true that animal* inhaling such a mixture are much tc** susceptible to tuberculosis than those exponed to $mre ffturlz. In tiie case of the human iroo miner, some lungs show definite silicotic Modulation, others only a very few nodules and many no wKhrfrs at all. All exhibit heavy deposits of iron particles with a cellular connective tissue reacthm. When these findings can he correlated with chemical analysis of tlic lung tissue* an<l the approximate amount of rock work which these mineri Imvr ixrfnrmcd, some reatinas}tip between (lie exposure to silica and the fibrous nodule lurmatkm may he established- Tul>erclo*t* tn these iron miners is apparently less prevalent ant! much less severe than in men exposed tn pure tilica. Wlvat lias Ixi *aitl of iron miners is also probably true of foundry workers and coal miners. H is generally accepted that men iu the latter occupation have less tahereidnsis titan the average for the age period; Cnmmtm believes tfiat they Jbave the infection fnft that H is so atypical a id benign in its manifests* that it escapes diagnosis. Mention dtmdd also be made of mixed dusts 13 certain slates and granite containing large amounts of free silica in combination with silicates. Experimentally these substances hehaye atypicatly and do not produce nodular fibrosis unless there is complicating infection. The same way also be true tn human being-*. Unques tionably such dusts are capable of producing typical silicotic nodules and they pre dispose to tuberculosis. From a theoretical standpoint they sltottld receive mudi more intensive study to clarify ur views on the whole subject. At the present time it appears that the action of their quartz component is modified and partially neu tralized by the other substances which they contain. Using Exhaust Systems and Respiratory Equipm ent To Protect W orkers Exposed to Dust By STUART W. GURNEY and DAVID S. B EY ER Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, Boston Tlie speaker said In part: A number of our states have had references to dust elimination in their labor laws for a good many years, hut uo state lias as yet thoroughly enforced these taws, The code* of fire states which we investigated provide that grinding. Indfittg ami polishing wheels slxxild be exhausted, although two of the states exempt from these provisions wheels on which water is used. Dust in Industry Tim scents ilf-advised, since n flinty of wet am! dry grinding hi (jnmicettcut by WwdfJw end ilreftibiirg Ium fthrtwn tint U*e Afiidlcattmt f writer d<ks ixit hy any meat eliminate the dust hazard. , It way he remarked Out, with everything else ccpal. a high static suction will a a hijtl>rr velocity at the point t>f urixin of tin* tliN, fume or gas (Ian a low one; hut this nbme Is i*t a measure of the cfTcrtivmm tC any exhaust system. Wisconsin has adopted the principle of spctifymx a limit to the inmiher of dust particles of restcable sire per cubic foot t air. After all, this Is what we are primarily interested in, to keep tl*e dust contamination down to a point where it will not (>e harmful. These variations and conflicting provisions in jtate codes merely reflect the gen eral lack of aitthoritative standard'. It I* accordingly fortunate that definite steps arc now being taken l>y t)w America Standards Association to develop the proper hasts>for st>ch codes. Tlwre arc two committees working on this problem; the Ventilation Code Committee, sponsored by the American Society of Heating fit Ven* tiUtitig Kugincers, and the Kxhaust ('It* Comndlter, sponsored hy the Inter* national Association of Industrial Accident BanU and Contnusdom. I t is also arranged w appoint snh-ennitnittce* to take up five specific subjects: Abrasive cleaning, chromium plating, granite cutting, rock drilling, and spray coatmg Id addition, a $uh-Cmwnittec on Fundamental Principles of Design and Operation and Maintenance of Exhaust Systems will he appointed. The two most important considerations in an effective exhaust sprstem arc: 1. Velocity of ate flow; 2. Arrangement of the inlets (from the standpoint of near* css to the dust source, shape. etc.). Many an installation that is otherwise alt right fails to remove the dust success* folly merely because there is nut enough air being drawn through tlie system. In a scrim of tests that were conductcd wider actual working conditions by Ttiendnre F. Hatdi, Department of Industrial Hygiene, Harvard School nf Public Health, a machine used in rlrcssiug stone was employer!. am! it was noted that with an air flow tlirnugh tlie hood of 230 cubic feet per m'mnre. tlwrc were over one hundred million dust particles m the surrounding atr. W ien the air flow was increased to a little over 250 cubic feet per minute, the dm t couccntmtion had dropped to forty million, a marked improvement. A s the air flow was further increased, the drop in dust concentration was relatively slower, and it took a volume of alxmt 380 cuhic feet jr minute to bring (be dust concentration down lo test or fifteen million particles per cubic foot, which was considered reasonably safe for this type of dust. It is accordingly possible souktimes to take an installation that is not satis factory ami. if the rem inder of the system is well designed, by merely speeding up the blower or adding a larger our. to bring about the desired result*. Another very important consideration is to get the inlets of the exhaust system as dose as possible to the source of t!e dn.it. The drop in efficiency ss we get further away from the inlet is really surprising to one who ha* not studied the prin cip'es involved. It should he remembered t1ut if we have the open end cf an ex haust pt|>e or atr duct in operation, the air tends to flow irt from all aides, evert from behind the opening. As we move a way from the end of the pipe, ihe velocity drops very rapidly, so that even a t a distance of five inches from the hood the velocity may be less titan JO per cent of that right at the hood inlet. This Is^ the ntost imiwlant consideration to keel in mind and one which is frequently lost sight of in dcsigmug exfanst systems. I i is not uncommon (a see an exhaust inlet a few inch in diameter with which the person making the installation hoped to draw dust from a distance of several feet, hnt the atr flow even a foot or two away from (he entrance to the inlet may lie negligible. Still another important consideration having to do with the design of the inlet, is the addition of a flange- Tlie effect of this flange is to cut down the air that would Dow it* from behind tlie opening, thru drawing It nearly all from the front. Thus the efficiency of the system is substantially Increased and the scope of the ex haust extended apitrcrinMy. without increasing the power consumption or otherwise Adding to the exjiense of keeping np tlte system. There are also other cmisiiterat tons of perhaps lesser importance- For example. Atr cannot be "pulled" from a distance hy merely directing an exhaust pipe toward the point in question. Ixit it can lie "pushed" or blown, directionally, for a consider 28 , third ,dn*/ ('omjress-- National Safety Council able distance, 1*h. principle may he toed advantageously m directing the dust toward the npmmg of the exhaust let wkt thus getting the dwiretl result* with t lower exhaust rtorily iikI ptw rr cnn<iwuptkn than would be required if sucthxi atone were dejtendcd jam* This principle has been pftlied effectively hi drtHuig mairrh! containing asbestos, where the exhaust inlet is placed at one sate of the drill and a smalt air jet at the opposite side of the dntt, Mowing across the table turn* the particles that woui<[ fly wit frti tilts side and directs th en back into the exhaust system. It is also hems applied to foundry shake-out work. Other ccmstdmiinns m designing exhaust systems include the elimination ot unnecessary bends *r curves, the provision of clean-out ^k**rs. and the proper con striction of joints. Where there is a Krtwal ventilating wstalfatum and one or more exhaust systems, rare mart he taken to sec tlutt they do not conflict with each other. A ft an exhaust system has been installed it should be tested by taking actual dust counts to sec that the duM is really bring rut down to the desired point, and such counts should he taken at intervals after the installation has been made, to see that it is still functioning properly. The fact that the dust [r tides that cause the trouble are so small that tiiey are invisible under ordinary ctmditftin* (less than 10 microns or 1/2500tlt of ait inch in diameter) often make* It hard u> convince the practical plant manager that there any dust present: it also imkt* it impossible to tell, without the toe of st*e~ rial inslruroents, whether the completed exhaust system i* actually removing the dwL It might seem like an Insult to ones intelligence to say that after an exhaust system has once twrn installed it should be maintained 1 good operating condition. However, the nrnnerw cases one encounters m the plants where this obvious neces sity is not carried not, indicates that it is really one of the major considerations m connection with the elmanatUm of dust or fumes. Cases are not unknown where (he Mower has in smite wanner become reversed so (hat the air is heinjt ejected and diffusing the tfurt, rather than (rawing it in ; other instance* where the effi ciency of (he system ha* hern lowered or its value nullified by clogging up, dis connection o t wearing out of the piping, etc., are aU too common. One concern. **f which the writers have knowledge, ha* a ~U* tube permanently installed in one of its main extaurt systems sti that the foreman or safety man can tell at a glance whether tlierr arr any changes that would indicate a break-down in the system, A11 such instsllattnu* should have regular inspection* hy some compe tent person as a routine (part of (heir upkeep. It will he* luffieltewt here to discus* respiratory apiipment very briefly. The simplest form of this equipment '* the filter respirator. Such respirators have a definite value for temporary use such as sweeping up, cleaning out bios, shoveling material*, etc.. lwt they require careful fitting and constant supervision to sec that they are being properly used. tt is <mr opinion, after watching the nicere effort* In a number nf plants to enforce the t*e n f three respirator*, that it is rather impracticable to require them to be used on ftdMmte operatiort One notices the men, under these condition*, surreptitiously pmthing the respirator aside and gasping in free air like a fish out of water. Certainly, if they are to be used any considerable length of tune, fre quent rest perunf.% ihuilil he flowed where the men can get ottt ntfn the free air fur a Tew roiitptes refreshment. There are *lw the large air-fed helmets, with whirfr most of it* are familiar, wed for sandblasting, etc., which have lieevt tarried to a high sta ir nf |>crfcrti for the purposes to which they are adapted. We believe, however, that much more tine could he made advantageously of the type of apparatus that lies midway between the fitter respirator awl the alr-frd helmet, namely, tlie light, atr-fed respirator which covers tlie n*e and mouth and leaves the rest of the face exposed. With a light hose attachment, this W ee offers considerable freedom nf movement, and if air outlets were supplied so the hose could be quickly transferred from me outlet to another rt would seem to be practicable to use them over a considerable area. They afford the advantages of a pure air supply without excessive weight and without the restriction to breathing that is imposed by the filter respirator. Jtitsl ht industry 'S?U The Medical Supervision of W orkers Exposed to D ust By W. J. W cCONtfELL, M.D. Asaiatant Medical Director, Metropolitan Life Inearence Co., Nvr Y ork City The speaker o u t in p art: The hannfutaes* o( dust* varies widely in accord ance with the physical and chemical natures of each imlividual suhstance. Certain are wlutite or lightly vrfnWe ht the Uxly Bttwh ami their harmful effect are proportional to the toxicity of the cinip**nd* forme!. Lead, mercury, and arsenic are example* of ih*imjim diirt. O ttur dusts exert their harmftil effects locally on the skin aikl mttcntis tM*'>br*iiev and tlicongl* irritation to tltc respiratory passages. Chronic acid and atknlie* arc examines Atteultuu recently 1* hem called to (lie prnlI>ty hartnhil effect f dusts arising frmu rad*-active ores. A hturthgrovp of dusts which are fuoduhle r very difficultly soluble n\ the body ftnhls may initiate harmful iwUhtilogiral Itm conditions. These may tie subdivided iut*i non-ftlurowa and fibrosis prtxhieing dusts. The organic dnst% mainly the vegetable filer*t such as cotton, jute, hentp, efc,, arc lum-fiitrrnri* producing dust. 'Hie fihmsl* producing dusts are HmttCil, so far as wc luve evidence, to a few of the inorganic mineral dust*, such as free silica, crystalline ailtoo, t{trtr, and certain combined silicates. Of the fihrnws producing dim*, dime having a high jwwirtage of free stltca are admittedly Hie tnnst important Ixxau exposure over a f>erir*d iff years to such dust* dtslroeffy predisposes the mdivwhul i*> tulwrrniesis. The effectiveness of dust control measure* in prevnulng diseases prtxluced by dust can he determined only hy careful physical examination of the workers so exposed tinder* the guidance if comfictent mcrlicat supervision. The benefits which accrue to the employer and otployce, alike, as a result of the physical examination of all applicant* for employment, as well a* (eriixKcal examiuatnm of those already engaged, would indicate very carcfnl coiKlcrntin liy iwlnrtry of a program for control of sickness. Such a procedure protects the employer from engaging an applicant alrtady physically * mentally impaired who later may claim disability for a condition either not associated witb employment nr contracted during a pre vious employment, The applicant's physical and mental conditioc is established and by keeping record of his Mifwtcituent illnesses awl accidents, the question of re sponsibility for injuries and sickness need never arise. The applicant is prtKcctad from engaging m work for winch he w physically ffl adapted which, if undertaken, might easily bring about serious impairment of his health. Tor example, an applicant with an arrested (uhrrrntos who seeks work in a certain dusty occupation, if allowed ^to engage in such work might readily convert an inactive tuberculosis into^ an active one; thereby endangering life^or at least seriously impairing the applicant's future rfficimcy ami earning capacity. Whereas the same applicant if assigned to a position that involve* no such ex posure, might be expected to cunttime for years a* a useful and productive work man. The exauttutidn erf applicant* Cif etnptnjfoirut likewise protects those that are already employed frmn tlic risks of cnmcntuumhlc eliscases such as tuberculosis and various acute respiratory ami other infections being iutrmliieerf into their midst hy a new applicant. Many of tl younger individual* w1k> seek empkyment Jiavr never lirfnre re ceived a thorough physical examination anel consequently arc unaware of die de fects from wbirh they offer. As a result of physical examination, many defects are located which may he removed or ciarreted before they have caused k r q a n b lc damage, thereby increasing the efficiency *rf the worker and often averting definite and finally chronic diseases. Furthermore, incipient tuberculosis, unsuspected dis eases of the heart, kidneys, and a !axt of other diseases erf a similar nature, re discovered and tlie applicant referred for proper medical care and treatment which otherwise might have hem postponed until too late.^ Of even more importance than the initial physical examination of applicants h the periodic examination and care of old employee* lv an industry. Such a pro cedure nerves to cheek tlie efficiency of preventive measure* deigned to prevent occupational diseases. It offers the most effective way of controlling the health oi 30 T-rrra. .mW A unuoi S a friy Cont/rrss --National Safety Cannai large groups of worker? hy discovering early not only occupational disease? hut many other einulitttnii that go tMufisrnrrred until the worker in acutely tfl or he* come? disabled. U the various cotttaghim conditions go unrecognized other? be* conte iniecled, thereby canning serions comotnc toss, as we!) a? cndaitgcrmg the health of a group of individuals. The mfomntkui obtained front physical examination? *ffnr<U tin* w dlcal super visor the opjmrttnnty to make certain that employee* are engaged in suitable work out of which they are yetting maximum results, to correct the effect? of undue ex* pmure to harmful environmental conditions and generally to lessen alt occupa tional harstrds. As a public health measure^ it is impossible to over-estimate the value of (lerKlc examinations In establishfag interest io sielcttc?? prevention. The set-up of a proper program (or medical control of workers exposed to dust dejiettds upon, the number of employee* involved and individual plant conditions, A series of articles under the title nf "The Medical Tdepartnient Manual" hy TV. Hart E. Fisher appearing in rtwreot imhuImt* of "Jndmfrtaf Medicine," give? a com prehensive accomil nf the nrgflitiratmn and npcratiwi of a medical department* I- Tlie estalilislirpeut of a medical department with adequate facilities and med ical personnel wltn Itgte qualified in the fiekl of industrial medicine. prove? aiudy** of all ojxratitui? in the plant should be made ami the nxxllraf supervisor should lt?t all possible]health hazards and familiarise lttm?elf with their physio logical effect?. If necessary* lie ?luinkt conduct re?eacch studies to determine the harmful effects of new Milsmnccs introduced into plant process*? about which little is known. In cooperation with other departments, he should investigate tlie extent of the hazards and devise mrasttre? of control. 2. Tlie routine examination nf all applicant? for employment. The procedure sbmdd include a drfalled history of the applicant's previous illnesses and accidents classified under (a) disease? nf dulfllionrl. Cb) general mfertiou? diseases. fe> respiratory disrasr?. f|> m trrral diseases. and (c) ardtfrnft and revising physical defect?. A detail-! history nf previous occupai hm? o ttsitn l hi is very important. A mere statement of llir l>[v of inrfmfry iu whirls the aiiplfrant was engaged ha? slight value if any. The exact dirties performed % car! erupatott should le noted and informaturn ascertained as to the provide Jnu*fJ of exi*?irr 1 fiaxanfotts siihstMKes. ^ After the history ha? Iw-en lakni and a tdiotograt) Cor trfenliiteation purposes (if tort of routine) w nuwle, the applicant shoufd lx* directed to thr examining room where l*c i? iiutntcteil to remove hi? clothing for niyscai exam ination. This exannnaikni slxmh! he made a? complete a? ? considered necessary to determine tfe applicant's ^lydcaf ronriitiorL If the applicant) lia? I^rrn or will hr expn?WI to dusts whirl induce lung dis ease?, no X-ray picture o f flic elirst i? ait important part n f the examination. ^ Tin? part of the examination umv he referred to an experienced roentgen clmrst, a? the value nf fhi< irihod of difummi? depend? tipoct t(w type of pictures taken and the experience of Hie Trailer who interpret.? them. The examining physician al?n may nerd additpinat mfurmfllioi obtained by laboratory analyse* of the hloort, soutint. and the urine. TIk-sc aids to diagnosis should He provided nr made avail We when desirable. 3. The rating ,-nicl placement of applicant?. fn cooperation with the personnel department, the aupBrant should be rated and placed, not only on hi? training and past experiences. hut also on hi? iJiytea! and mental abilities to fill vacancies occur ring from time U lime. The record of Id? physical and mental exatniuntion should he the confidential pnmerty the mertirnl department, 4. Periodical xcat examination? The frequency of periodical examination? neerwariry mttt depend upon vvidital circumstance? according to the need for such examinaiinns a? determined hv the supervising phvsrnn. Where physical exanmt lions are made for the first time, the employee? nf long standine muld he given ample explanmon of the benefits of suri examinations and be given assur ances that fher jobs are secure. 5. Provision for the disabled. Fruplnvecs who develop disohilitics during the course of employment *I)/'hI/| le rc-assigncd to occupations which wifi not interfere with or aggravate the disability. or they should he provided for in other ways. A JO Vnm fFM T T W H N T Y - T I U K h A N N U A L S A P E T Y CO N G k j/s ' N ATIO N AL SAPliTV COUNCIL -itu* Fire Prevention THURSDAY AFTERNOON SESSION * October 4,1934 TIk Fire Prevention Stfiioft convene! in tlte Statler ljtc! with Outirnian H arold 1* Miner, Manager, Safety and F trt ProtfCtiwi Division, I I t. ditPont de Nemours & Cn^ Wilnunxltw, Ihdawarc. prcsiilinjf After liriflly wclDitig jl>e delegates. Chairman Miner intnxTuccd the first stieaker. How H om e F ires A re Caused By R . B- C R IS W E L L Ohio Inspection Bureau, Columbus, Ohio SpeaJtmg eatcmittirunemisly, Mr. Crikwcll gave a denxmstrathmi of tlie device* employed and the argtviuunu Advanced hy JbiuHdf l other member* ui the Uhtu Inspection JJurcau in hrfugmg to tlie attcutuui or <clx>l children the writ Inaurd* of flaiininlile stiltstinces m the Imittcs. Itis otyect wan tu inform anfety titftitwen, and |Krlh[W ulltcrt in lit atulkucc wlw> miftht be interruled in becoming *fety peakers, how to me simple device* lit etmvttieing the udmel du!lmi of tlx* necessity for caution to avoid fires and cx|d(ttioitc Farit device and method was outlined Ixicfly, Imt with striking detail, wune of the drowmstrations being as follows: A match, still Waring, was thrown carelessly into a small waste ha*kct, as so many persons stilt cutttimic to dn, and the waste paper mimediairiy dared jitio a dangerous blaze. W ith a slKirt talk alvmt the forest ranger* aiul their wurlittdnesx in Uniting u it smoldering cam p fires in the North Wood*. Ik next carefully hrnkc a match to make sure the match had gone <mt completely before he tm*cd it w t k . Said be, "C iu|ierie your matches; they shouldn't go out alniK.** A small i(<ill ftonse, wired in sim ilar fashion to a nntifnrtaMe home, was ex hibited, and after an explanation^ itlining the many light and lain} fixture' coupled with electrical devices, which might he loaded out* the electric circuit in any home, the speaker attached these device* otic after another itutil the fuse blew c u t; tlten he used a copper penny to plug tlte circuit until a fire developed fit the attic of the doll house. Strangely enough, an ordinary fish bowl, with the goldfish swimming about, if exposed in a sunny nook of the living room, with a flimsy curtain in the right spot beside it, or even a flammable rug underneath, can cause a disastrous fire. The circular fish bowt and the w ater act as a lens to concentrate the sun's rays. This has happened repeatetlty. said (lit speaker. A pretty Itltle doll, made of pyroxylin, or jme other flammable material, ha* often become ignited itt die land of a child and ha* burned fj* child severely before 31