Document jg1NQ3GYXp3kXXvrwR849VRDy

FILE NAME: US Gypsum (USG) DATE: August 13, 1936 DOC#: USG043 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: 1936 Letter to WL Keady regarding report of dust conditions in Jersey City plant pgat survey -Jersey city CB2CA30 - August 13* 1936 fir. V. L. Keody, Vie President* omee* We heve e comprehensive report of duet conditions in our Jersey city plant and a report on the x-ray of the aploye# examined at that plant by or. Gardner's organisation. Zn brief the findings a r m 1. Diagnosis of asbestosis for five non. 2. Possibly five additional aon hare asbestosis but necessary to eonflra by ellnloal correlation. 3. serious asbestos dust hazard under present operations. WHAT CONSTITUTES POSY HAZARD: Dr. Gardner points out that various authorities have tentatively sug gested a concentration of five Billion partiles of fres sillos por oubio foot of air as H o l t s above which a silicosis hazard Bight exist* and this value has met with soae recognition. there la no standard for eafe concentration of aeboetoe duet comparable to the value Just given for free silica duet. However* Dr. Gardner quotes the results of a survey node la four abeatoe fabricating planta and reported in 1935 in Bulletin #43* Department of Labor and Xnduatry of Pennsylvania, the incidence of asbestosis among workers with more than five years exposurei Average Dust concentration - Por sach Group studied Percentage of Each croup Having asbestosis 44 millionparticles per ou. ft.air 17 5 # * 73% (8 Z7% <4 10j5 (3 out of 11persone) 15 * ) SO ) The authors ofthe reportconclude thatit is not possible from their findings to establish the maximum safe condition of asbestos in the air. DP3T ENCOUBTEHED IN FLAWT Among them are asbestos* infusorial earth* slats* clay, soapstone* aloe and llaestone. Dr. Gardner advises some of these ainsrala are definitely Mr. 5, L. Keady 8 AUgUSt 13 1936 hazardous; others are probably not very dangerous although conclusive proof is looking) and till others have been shown to be practically hornless* M S I, COKCSSTMTIOK IS VLaHX Dr, Gardner considers concentration of an excess of five alllion parti* oles p er cu. ft. of air hazardous. T he following conditions, were found 1 #1 b ln in building ffl here turn was shoveling asbestos - 896 alllion particles per ou. ft. air. 8 Inside # 3 bin where bags of asbestos d a y eto. were opened and contents pushed Into screw conveyors the count was 88 alllion particles. 3. Over the opening of the fourth floor through which the bins are supplied the concentration was 79 Billion particles. 4. concentration where asbestos boards a re sawed was 6 aillion part i d ee. 5. Loading bags with asbestos cement on first floor gave a concen tration of 261 Billion particles. This is highly hazardous. Other hazardous counts were also given. T h e summary and conclusion froa J}r. Gardner*e report looking to preven tion lists the men who should wear respirators until dust conditions are brought within safe limits and gives detail recommendations on ex haust systems prevention of dust leakage and ventilation. oihsr cosstewra In addition to asbestosls there are a number of other physical disabili ties among the asn such as heart disease tuberculosis syphilis eto. There are cases with aotive manifestations of tuberculosis. C a s e #870 (H. T*rby) has a unilateral chronic tuberculosis. Possi bility of sanatoria treatment of this man should bs considered. Case #344 (wltkowskl). In view of the faot that this individual la only 19 years of age. his condition should be investigated further to determine whether treatment is required. Thors seems to be no suggestion of a sllloosls hazard at Jersey City. It a y be allegec, ir oases arise that those with tuberculosis have con- Kr. f. L. Ready 3 August 13 1936 treated t h U disease a* a result of their occupation* 1* that immediate steps he taken to provide respirators for those own eovered b y 33r. Gardner* recommendation* X e a suggesting to ttr. heads and hr* Rambert that this be done* 2* That prompt notion he taken to install neoesaary dust proven* ticn and ventilation equipment. 1 a m also suggesting to Sr* Reads and hr* Rambert that this he dons* CSa?ESATIOH FCR OCCITPATICBAL SISSA3BS Certain named diseases such as mercury poisoning* lead poisoning, etc* cos* under the Compensation Act of He* Jersey* However, silicosis and asbeatosis are not named and aay claims arising out of these diseases might he under common law* IN2P3AKCS I-ROTSCTlOH to r diseases listed under the Compensation Act, we have unlimited insu rance protection* Cur insurance for occupational disease ol&ims which might be made under common law is plaoed with the Continental casualty Company for the primary coverage of 5*000 for one person or aggregate claims of $15,000 in one year* Our excess ooverage of 45,000 for one person and 165,000 aggregate for one year la insured with Lloyds* If claims are filed both of the companies may canoel the occupational dis ease coverage* FOR COI.'SlDERATION 1* Chat action shall we take on notifying the men who have been examined of the various diseases which they have? 2* what notion shall we take in connection with the continuation of the employment of our men who have occupational end other diseases? 3. what action shall we take on the tubercular cases? TRP*S0C General Sorvioe Manager