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i Minutes of Mooting on Use of Insulation Materials in Shipyards The meeting ves held October IS, 1970 at Mount Sinai School of Medicine for the purpose of considering health hazards created by the use of Insulating materials during ship construction, refit or demolition; to ascertain what procedures for controlling hazards had been instituted or vere planned; to determine what activities should be undertaken to reduce exposures in this industry to toxic substances; and to disseminate information. A list of participants and organiza tions represented is attached. | tor. Selikoff reviewed the data on"the biological effects of exposure to asbestos which have been developed by clinical and epidemi ologiesl studies of Insulation and shipyard workmen. The records * . show that, in addition to asbestos!s, this jgroup exhibited significant ly elevated incidences of lung cancer and mesothelioma. Actions should be taken promptly to correct conditions, with particular em phasis on reducing peak exposures as it is considered that these are . especially significant as a cause of injury,. . Ur. Reitze opened a discussion of environmental conditions in shipyards by relating observations made jin visits to many*operations in the United States. * He pointed out that removal of insulation pro duced large amounts of dust and that 'this operation was done by many different trades. Similarly to building construction work, mixing mor tar and handsaving operations also created considerable dust# Some } f* dust reduction measures were in use in almost all yards, but no yard was utilizing all procedures# Many operations were similar to those observed in the building construction Indus ry during surveys by the field staff of the insulation Industry Hygiene Research>rogreo. tor. PLAINTIFFS EXHIBIT \vv^nfiS9. PLAINTIFF'S EXHIBIT 1H33.00 WV-11659 r -2\ Carboo stated that conditions which had prevailed In Kevy shipyards were similar to those found in privet facilities. An intensive con trol program has been Instituted in the Pugit Sound Maval Shipyard involving substitution or materials containing lower percentages of asbestos* use of local exhaust ventilation, [control of waste handling and us of personal'protective equipment. Regulations covering use of asbestos-centalning materials ere being prepared and will be dis tributed to all tfavy; cbtpyexds.^ j Dr. Kicholsoo described the healtlj protection prograta which is in operation at the Devoaport Dockyard at Plymouth, England. The sain emphasis of this program is on use jof personal protective equipment, isolation of operations, housekeeping and Substitution of * materials. *; There was considerable discussion pf control procedures which have been, or could be, used. Substitution of materials contain ing reduced aaounts of asbestos, use of piastie bags for mixing mortar, use of downdraft tables for hand-sawing work., provision of respirators and disposable coveralls were all mentioned. It was apparent that procedures were now available which would greatly reduce peak exposures to dust and that the most complete program is operation was that of the Puget Sound Kaval Shipyard. Mr. 0'Kelli stated that the U.S. Department of labor was re sponsible for health and safety in ship construction sed would be draft* ,&ng regulations covering this industry. The regulations will not con cern such items as work practices but will establish health and safety standards. The Question of the most productive course of action was dis cussed by Ur. goladay. It appeared that sufficient knowledge was avail* able to permit development of recommendations for control procedures* I i 5 These recommendations would bo developed by an ad hoe committee composed of representatives from each group having an Interest in or responsibility for ship construction, refit or_demolition. Hopefully, this committee would collate Information and produce recommendations i for consideration by the groups coneernod. The Environmental Sciences i f~ * Jjfthorntory* Mount Siimi School of Medicine, wpuld sponsor thift^work as part of the insulation industry hygiene research project. The con sensus, of the seating was- that this procedure;was feasible end should' *pe followed. The suggested time for corapletirlg this task was throe months, at which time another general meeting!would be arranged. * Dr. Selikoff expressed his appreciation to the participants and the meeting adjourned. V 1 ( I