Document gxyoqRkJqXZ42rN0xExbMnq9

FILE NAME: Reynolds Metal (RM) DATE: 0000 DOC#: RM106 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Barry Castleman Notes on Documents in Reynolds Metals File Reynolds Metals -- BC Notes Jan. 1943 GM Babcock and FB Rethwisch (Reynolds Metals) "Safety in Handling Aluminum Powders" (Chem. And Metallurgical Eng.) - recommends separate lockers for work clothes and street clothes with an intervening shower or washroom, with hazardous aluminum dust. 1959 membership directory of American Industrial Hygiene Assn lists Edward Largent of Reynolds Sept. 1963 - Industrial Hygiene Bulletin "Asbestos" describes Marinite board as largest potential source of asbestos in RMC plants. Describes asbestosis in some detail and says cancer has been alleged in connection with asbestosis. Recommends local exhaust ventilation to keep exposures under 5 MPPCF, respirators, periodic medical exams of workers in dusty areas. 9-7-65 RMC specification for using sprayed Limpet asbestos insulation. "All employees working with Limpet blown asbestos are required to wear respirators." December 21 [year cut off but evidently 1966] Ed Largent internal correspondence "A Reminder on Marinite" cites 12/15/66 text quoted, "Cancer-Asbestos Link Reported by Public Health Service". Sent to 15 plant managers and Dr. JM MacMillan. Reynolds acquired Tilo Roofing in Connecticut in 1960-61. Liberty Mutual reviewed medical arrangements with the personnel director MR Baker and noted the significance of the A'sis hazard: "evidence is accumulating that only a slight exposure, even at some distance can be potentially hazardous." (12/18/67) Ed Largent, JM MacMillan "Tilo Company" (2/7/68) reports air sampling in Tilo plant and dustiness near the machine that puts the finished edges on asbestos shingles. Says "current controversy" over asbestos and cancers of the lung and peritoneum warrant careful surveillance. 11/19/68 letter from Tilo purchasing agent Brennan to Johns-Manville notes receipt of J-M's notice that bags of asbestos from J-M mines would soon carry labels warning that inhalation of asbestos over long periods may be harmful. Claiming that this would be unnecessary and unduly alarming, he requested that labels be omitted on shipments to Tilo. 1/21 /69 J-M officials consider how to resolve the objections of Tilo and two other customers to placement of caution labels on sacks of asbestos. 3/16/72 Bechtel memo on report by Reynolds on asbestos exposures from use of sprayed Limpet insulation ("considerable quantity of visible agglomerates of asbestos floating downwind of the area"). Measurements were 0.2-2.4 f/cc (2/25/72) 1/4/73 Dr. EC Irby (Assoc. Med. Dir.) memo to all plant managers "Compliance with OSHA Asbestos Regulations" encloses 1972 OSHA regs and states that "we have no asbestos counts and no serious estimates as to what the counts might be in our various asbestos using areas." Says air sampling would proceed in cast hoses where asbestos is machined and in areas where asbestos cement is handled. 3/1/73 Dr. Irby informs production managers that OSHA had cited one plant for violation of the asbestos standard. Medical Dept, recommended that machining and working of all asbestos-containing products be prohibited until we can be sure of compliance. 1/24/74 HM Cole "Company Confidential" memo on a preliminary IH survey at Sherwin Alumina Plant showed numerous violations of the asbestos regs (no PPE, no caution signs, no monitoring program, no labels on raw materials or wastes, external surfaces where asbestos insulation had fallen hadn't been cleaned of accumulations of dust, med exams not provided, food eaten in areas with asbestos dust. 3/18/74 Asbestos Counts - San Patricio Plant. 9 dust counts, highest 4 were 7.97-22 f/cc, the three highest 12-22 f/cc. 5/20/74 HM Cole memo on Industrial Hygiene Survey at San Patricio: "letters informing employees of over-exposure to asbestos fibers were held up at my request as a result of errors in my previous report." Same measurements as previously recorded were repeated in attached report of 2/19/74, the 10 f/cc ceiling limit was noted under the list of measurements. May 1974 form letter noting over-exposure attached, not clear whether workers were notified. 6/13/74 "Project Asbestos" says the prospect of causing cases of asbestosis and mesothelioma "is too grim to abide", sets goal of eliminating asbestos from Reynolds mfg processes. Lists types and makers of non-asbestos substitute products available as alternatives. Still no substitute for J-M Marinite asbestos board. Med dept urges 1) substitution, 3) safeguards removing A materials, and "2) When an asbestos containing material must be cut, milled, or machined, have it done by others off Reynolds Metals Company premises." [Apparently not too grim for Reynolds to abide the subcontracting of hazardous work. BC] 7/26/74 HM Cole, Confidential memo on IH Survey at Sherwin Alumina Plant Mar. 24-29, 1974. Removing reactor insulation showed exposure > 10 f/cc => OSHA requirement to notify Mr. Enriquez in writing within 5 days and tell him about corrective measures. MSA Dustfoe masks were provided to workers removing insulation, but OSHA regs require supplied-air respirators and protective clothing. All spraying of asbestos insulation had been discontinued. Monitoring of other workers' asbestos exposures from handling insulation and annual medical exams recommended to meet OSHA regs. Enriquez's exposure recorded as high as 10.25 and 16.73 f/cc. Not clear whether he was ever notified by Reynolds. 1//9/76 Asbestos Information Association notice about hiring Weston consultants to compose an industry response to proposed revisions of OSHA asbestos regs. 1/19/76 HM Cole response to Weston. Machining Marinite would face difficulty meeting 2 f/cc, getting down bellow 0.5 f/cc would "be extremely difficult and costly." Asserting there's no substitute for marinite inserts in the aluminum industry: "Presently we at Reynolds machine such inserts in two of our plants and all other locations have this work done outside contract." 3/26/79 HM Cole "Caution: ASBESTOS DUST..." Notes that corporate officials had recommended distributing the pamphlet to employees. Cole says he's tried to "treat this issue in a very low key manner" and objects to disseminating the pamphlet. 5/1/79 HM Cole says machining marinite discontinued by RMC. Describes safeguards to follow, medical and air monitoring, for workers removing asbestos insulation. 4/30/84 RE Benton "Asbestos Survey Sherwin Alumina Plant" details remaining parts of the facility where asbestos products were still in place and storage. 4/29/87 DW Riner "Asbestos Labeling" refers to marking newly installed asbestos 7/17/87 H DeLa Garza "Insulation Inspection" Survey found need for insulation removal. "Our personnel are not aware of the hazards involved in handling asbestos insulation." In one facility, ''Asbestos is falling from tanbks and lines and is laying on catwalks through busy areas." 8/31/89 Sherwin safety committee mtg. describes reckless removal of asbestos insulation by a foreman, asbestos removal crew brought in. 2/7/90 notes problems getting contractors to properly safeguard asbestos removal work 5/9/90 HM Cole notes citation of RMC by EPA and state of Arkansas for asbestos removal violations.