Document kVOk8xo24XQGenVLJKo6NDXO
Kovember 28, 1972
Mr. J. H. Kelly
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Bendix Corporation
1217 S. Walnut Street
South Bend, Indiana 46621
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Dear Jack?
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This concerns our discussion concerning labeling requirements vhera
__braka. linings ~ire being7shipped^ tokenstomera. it-
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In attempting to determine what practice one cuat-uae, OSHA baa-stated that l one Is meeting- the-plrt~of Its regulations itwlILl not- be-- dted for violations. As a result of this. It becones uecssurj to interpret soae of the OSHA regulations. I am enclosing with this letter copies of letters written by the Executive Secretary for the Asbestos Information Association (AXA/KA). Ton will note on these reports that Mr. Armstrong, from Bendlx corporate headquarters, attended these meetings.
There Is absolutely no question concerning the requirements for
where loose asbestos Is being shipped. The big problem develops where
members are shipping vhat the AXA and OSHA refer to as locked in
asbestos products - brake linings, brake blocks, clutch feelngs, etc.
When customers of yours drill linings, chamfer linings, cut linings, or
grind Hn1ngsy.--they Jay very well-raise the-asbestos .concentrations In ^theatnoaphere-to^bove ^heLOSHATatandard Srmesbers=haxs~lndlested
~3hstrthe drllll^^jndigTl^diHg ppegatiohs .are- problem/arrei-in .brake
lining factorlea with exiatlagcxhaust system. Therefore, If e custocer of yours atarted drilling or grinding without having proper
dust collectors,, he would probibly be In violation of the OSHA standard.
It therefore becomes your responsibility, as the supplier of the brake
lihlng, to vars the* customer of 'this possibility. The form which the
varnlng takes Is still not definite but the best guidance seems to be
If you meet the spirit of the regulations you will not be deed for e
violation. Therefore,
you oes&d'r put in every one of your skids,
. or cartons, or pallets, a warning notice to the effect: "Power tools
without duat collectors should not be used for machingng, cutting, or
sanding this product." If a notice such as this were enclosed with
every carton, or scendled on the outside of the carton. It Is likely
that you would be oeeting the spirit of the regulations, if you were
to write your customer sad tell him about this with every shipment cade,
you would probably be also ceeting the spirit of the regulations. If
you send a one time letter to your custocer saying this. It is hard to
say whether you would be meeting the spirit of the regulations.
, Plaintiffs Exhibit S-B-AS-31
HWMR0027209
Mr. J. E. Hally Bendix Corporation
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November 22,. 1972
1 as enclosing a copy of Che warning label suggested in Che OSEA regulations where loose-asbestos fibers are being shipped, and the "Instruction Sheet" suggested where a customer is to do further saehining on clutch facings, brake lining, etc.
I hope this is enough information for you. Dave Stone attended our
aost recent Asbestos Study Committee Meeting where the subject of
labeling was brought up. Your Mr. Armstrong is aware of some of
the controversy concerning labeling. The current survey indicates
Chat no Berbers are now label log shipments. A slight majority of
those responding to date indicate that they interpret the OSEA
regulations to require some kind of a warning where subsequent work
is to be done on brake linings. This is controversial item for the
Institute In that some members feel that one or two companies are
trying*to railroad them into labeling. Another group of companies
feel- that ve should comply with the splrlf of the law now and it is
not fair if they do the proper labeling and their competition does
not..
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Sincerely,
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FRICTION MATERIALS STANDARDS INSTITUTE
. EKD:llr
Eac.
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E. W. Drlslane Executive Director
HWMR0027210