Document mpaEqqM5dzDbzbQgLwGOpBx7b

KELSEY-SEYBOLD CLINIC 6624 Fannin 526-2671 Houaton, Tt* 7702S October 20, 1971 Dear Sir: The Kelsey-Seybold Clinic of Houston, Texas has formed a Consulting Service in Industrial Health in connection with our longstanding Occupational Health Services program. We have enclosed two copies of a brochure which outlines the services available to you. This brochure also lists the men who are available to conduct surveys. The new Occupational Safety and Health Act prompted the formation of this consulting service. We hope that we will be able to provide these services for your company. If you need additional information, please call us at 526-2671. Thank you very much for your consideration. Sincerely yours, rune Occupati h} nston, M.D., F, A.C.Pr.M. Health Services M.RT/nh C 000266 LAM022176 * OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SERVICES INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE CONSULTATION Kelsey-Seybold Clinic 6624 FANNIN HOUSTON, TEXAS 77025 (713) 526-2671 c 000267 LAM022177 t 4 * Introduction The Occupational Health Services Sec tion of The Kelsey-Seybold Clinic has served progressive industry for years, specializing in medical problems associated with patients' occupations. Services have included periodic health examinations for executives and other employees and concern for diseases and injuries related to the business activities of the patient. In consequence of the implementation of major Federal legislation, the Clinic has now expanded its capabilities to include specialists in Industrial Hygiene. We are now prepared to assist management in pro viding a safe and healthful work environment and complying with the requirements of recent legislation. Industry has long recognized moral, ethical and legal responsibilities for pro viding safe and healthful working conditions, proper sanitation based on sound medical principles and accepted environmental health standards. The Occupational Safety and Health Act, enacted on December 29, 1970, greatly expands these responsibilities. The measure has broad implications for businesses of all sizes, including employers with as few as one or two employees on the payroll. ) j V ! I i 1 i \\ t c 000268 LAM022178 In sum, the law requires employers to provide safe places of employment, free from 4 health hazards.. Records of deaths, injuries and illnesses related to the work situation must be kept, and must be made available to governmental agencies and employees upon request. Inspections by authorized governmental agents may be made without notice, and employees can participate in such inspections. Any worker or labor union representative may request a visit by a government inspector. The requirements that industry continue its concern for product safety under laws such as the Federal Hazardous Substances Labeling Act and other laws to protect consumers and users of manufactured products remain in force. ! l r 2 c 000269 LAM022179 ** Occupational Hazards Many work situations involve exposures to hazardous physical and chemical agents and other environmental conditions which can be detrimental to the health or efficiency of employees.' Typical examples include: .. .inadequate lighting, leading to eye strain as well as reduced employee productivity and efficiency. ...high noise levels, with the potential . for employee discomfort, temporary or permanent physical datnage to hearing, psychological disorientation and other undesirable effects. High noise levels are not restricted to heavy manufacturing, but may arise as well from computer facilities and other office machines. .. .exposure to toxic substances from manufacturing, formulation or appli cation processes and operations. Such exposures may produce acute effects that are immediately obvious, but also more subtle, frequently undetectable manifestations from long term exposure to lower concentrations. .. .fire hazards with inadequate attention to fire prevention, fire fighting and employee safety. . . .hazards to life and limb as a result of inadequate provision for protective clothing, equipment, training and safe practices in all phases of busi ness operations. It seems reasonable to anticipate that the extent to which a given business meets the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act will be a major determinant of insurability and premium costs. -3- | ( j 1 j ' f ^ i ': C 000270 LAM022780 / ? Occupational Health and Safety The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (PL 91-596)1 is now law, and took effect May 1, 1971. The law requires em ployers to maintain a work place free from "...recognized hazards that are causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees." To this end, the law.mandates: .. .setting of standards by the Secretary of Labor (of the United States) for employee protection. ...inspections of the work situation, 1 with employee representation at inspections. .. .employees who believe a violation to exist may request governmental inspections. In case an employee believes there is "imminent danger", he can request an immediate investi gation through a special telephone contact at the Department of Labor in Washington. .. .record keeping and monitoring of work-related injuries and illnesses by employers. ...promulgated standards may require monitoring and recording of exposure to harmful materials, and employees may have access to such records. .. .enforcement by means of citations issued for violations. .. .hearings to be conducted by an Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission to rule on alleged violations. .. .cessation of plant operations in cases of "imminent danger". * COPIES OF THE LAW AND STANDARDS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON, O. C. 20402. REQUEST PART 2 OF THE FEDERAL REGISTER DATED MAY 29, 1970. -4 - \% I I * I I L. I l i j C 000271 LAM022181 .. .establishment of a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health within the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, the purpose of which is conduct research in this vital field. In accordance with the provisions of this Law, the Texas Occupational Safety Board, reporting directly to the Governor, has been approved for the administration of the Law within the State of Texas. An active inspection program is a key requirement of compliance with the Law. An active training program for inspectors is in progress. The Occupational Health Services Section of The Kelsey-Seybold Clinic now offers clients the requisite technical exper tise to contend with existing or potential problems involving occupational health and safety. This service is offered on a pro fessional consulting basis. The precise activities required and the time commitment involved will be determined by the nature of the problem. Some typical examples: .. .assessment of a noise hazard, involving detailed measurements of noise levels and establishment of a "Noise Profile" for the installation. Audiometric surveys of employees and institution of a routine program of periodic audiometric acuity checks might also be involved. Employee protection practices would be rec. ommended where needed, and "haz ardous areas" defined. The noise profile is additionally useful for planning future plant expansions or modifications to minimize noise problems. .. .determination of exposures to toxic agents. This might require air sam pling programs within the plant to measure concentrations of toxic organic vapors, inorganic toxicants -5- I j j j |j | t I f ` ! : ) L. f C 00027? LA'/](.'22 !82 such as heavy metals, particulate matter composed of or containing toxic chemicals, etc. Samples would be. analyzed and a dosage (concen tration-time exposure) established. Alterations to processes, procedures or operations would be recommended to bring the installation into compli ance with the law and a generally healthful, safe operation. To the extent necessary, the possibility of contamination of environmental con tacts such as food and water would be determined. .determination .of the toxicological properties of a product or raw materials may be necessary. This would provide information to make recommendations with respect to the storage, handling and use, as well as to the require ments of law in terms of precautions and labels. .survey of installations for general safety practices in terms of fire, accidents, sanitation and lighting. .survey of the work environment for hazards due to the use of radio active materials or other potentially hazardous forms of electromagnetic radiations. Solving the Problem As the first approach to resolving con cern for occupational health and safety, The Kelsey-Seybold Clinic recommends one or two days of consultation with our Industrial Hygiene specialists. This activity, which is especially attractive for the smaller business or industrial establishment, will serve to provide an overview of the work situation in terms of the operations involved. Potential problem areas can thereby be detected and identified, and in many instances it can be -6- f ; j ;i 1 r"' l i C 0002*73 LAM022183 I established that the environment presents no significant hazards. Where potential problems are disclosed by a preliminary review, a more detailed investigation will be recommended and outlined. The client is always advised, before any work is undertaken, precisely what will be done, the reasons for these actions, and the estimated cost. Detailed studies will generally include a review of absenteeism rates, history of work-related injuries, identification of hazardous situations, and where and to the extent necessary, actual measurement and quantification of the hazards. Measurements may involve toxic gases in the plant, noise levels in plant or office, temperature extremes, vibration, undesirable discharges, unsatisfactory sanitation condi tions, illumination, and others as necessary. Where the most complete study is indicated, special attention is accorded possible synergistic effects of several stresses at individually acceptable low levels which could produce an overall stressful and un healthful situation. Brief professional resumes of our Indus trial Hygiene specialists are included. All environmental determinations are made by the use of generally accepted analytical and measurement techniques, procedures and instrumentation under the direct supervision of expert professionals. The cost of these services will be based on the time commitment requirement and the complexity of the study. As noted, estimates of costs are provided management before work is initiated. Summary The Occupational Health Services Section of The Kelsey-Seybold Clinic offers business management a completely integrated service, including: .. .advice and counsel to management with regard to the provisions and -7 - j j i j J jj* j ! j 1 1 j I it i i ) i 'I i f f L I I c 000274 LAM022784 r 'I I requirements of the Law and the characteristics of a safe and health ful work environment. .. .environmental assessment and definition of problem situations by the application of generally accepted instrumentation and methodologies. .. .interpretation of measurement data in terms of health and safety require ments and the Law. .. .recommendations with respect to remedial measures where necessary to assure a safe and healthful work situation, compliance with the Law and guidance 'in planning for the future. Remedial measures may involve the definition of hazardous areas or operations, substitution in materials or processes, provision of protective equipment, clothing or devices, training of personnel, installation of monitoring or sur veillance instrumentation or controls, etc. .. .assistance to companies in the event of legal involvements. For further information or to arrange the initial interview, please call (713) 526-2671, ext. 216. -? f .. > i !* 1f i i j ! j i i t. -8- # C 000275. ~ LAM022185 Curriculum Vito Stanley M. Pier, Ph.D. B.S. - Chemistry M.S. - Organic Chemistry/Inorganic Chemistry Ph.D. - Organic Chemistry/Theoretical Physics/ Inorganic Chemistry Associate Professor of Environmental Health, The School of Public Health of The University of Texas at Houston Director of Environmental Sciences, The Pace Company Consultants & Engineers Specialties: Environmental Health Tests and Measurements in Occupational and Environ mental Health Air Pollution Water Pollution Noise Pollution Professional Societies: American Public Health Association Air Pollution Control Association Water Pollution Control Association American Society for Testing and Materials American Chemical Society Sigma Xi Phi Lambda Upsilon Research Society of America I+ ! ;l Richard K. Severs, Ph.D. B.S. - Physics M.A. - Administration Ph.D. - Environmental Health Assistant Professor of Environmental Health, The School of Public Health of The University of Texas at Houston Specialties: Environmental Health Instrumenta tion Air Pollution Ergonomics Professional Societies: American Industrial Hygiene Association * American Public Health Association Texas Public Health Association Air Pollution Control Association American Institute of Physics American Association of Physics Teachers -9- i 1' l t- i i C 000276 LAIVI022186