Document mB3wDjnqVBpGwJ38q9Z9pxKN0

FILE NAME: Owens Illinois (OWILL) DATE: 1944 Jan 8 DOC#: OWILL013 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Letter from The US Maritime Commission to the Navy Dept. United s t a t e s m aritim e C ommission WASHINGTON 65 Shattuck St. Boston 15, M ass. January 8, 1944 Buraau of Ships " Havy Department' Washington, P. C, Gentlemen* Attn Captain Ingram, Boon 2074, Building 75 Yesterday I received a long distance oall from Mr. W. 6. Hazard, Indusj trial Bygiene Division of Hew Jersey, Trenton, Hew Jersey, in which Hr. Hatard stated that the union wen at Hew York Shipbuilding Co. had asked their help regarding the use of Aaosite for pipe Insulation on Navy vessels they are constructing. 'Q I happen to know the unicn official, McCloskey, who Is not easily put ' off end who is distinctly on the reasonable side, they asks (1) how generally is Aaosite used, (2) will the. Havy allow the use of anything else, and (S) what protection, if any, is needed. r It seems to me these are reasonable questions and should he answered. * 2 know Eatard very well - he is a V, S. Public Health Service officer assigned to Hew Jersey for the duration. His only desire is to help the company get on with its job and do it without daaaging anyone*s health. Hatard stated that Dr. Goldman of the Bethesda labs (U.S.P.B.S.) found the Anosite to be nostly asbestos. Dust counts in the room where the men were working were very much higher than anyone would recommend - they ran up to 25 _illioa. A figure ef 6 million for asbestos is recommended. 2f this material snast be used, X suggest the men be required to wear Bureau ef Mines dust respirators approved for the nuisance dusts, or else that the material be applied wet. It the latter expedient is impracticable the job ought to be ventilated. We would point out that we had some had spots in baby aircraft carrier construct ion at our falser Vancouver yard. After a little bit of work with the Zmbor-lknagement group we got the men to wear air line respirators and they now use them without making any objection. The use of dust respirators in both Bavy and Maritime yards Is sketohy. Both organisations could save a let ef trouble by having them used more - just as the mining industry has done. ix c c rrf - J t. U n it e t t e s Ma r itim e c o m m issio n WASHINGTON Paga 2. Pleat rite or telephone at toon at possible at the natter it urgent Tie can easily hare a labor disturbance, especially if we ignore the coaplslnt. It may be better to handle it verbally - henee the request that you telephone ne tOKgwood 2330). I will then phone Eazard at once or you can* Sincerely yours. Ce I Ccsdr. H. S. Sessions tl. S. Maritime Cercdtsion Philadelphia, Penna. \ S 3?- 4 i ru ibh % /Loo S'gfr-- & ooocj S 3 dl MW SC L --,