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FILE NAME Manville JMA DATE 1969-1979 DOC JMA345 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION Shipbuiders Council of America Minutes Letter Report & Article BCC 7 H. M. JACKSON F. J. SOLON JR C. L. SHECKLER CARL THOMPSON DICK DARROW M. M. SWETONTIC eR4@After""d"iscussing with Hugh Jackson and Cliff Sheckler on 5/2/6 I also sent Mr. Ruddy cop of the NIMA booklets booklets copy of the new tent~ t standards proposed by Dr. Stokinger # # 338- 4 15903A # 202 the ACGIH and concerning these copy of standard 15903A 15903A 202 Mr. Ned Ruddy Executive Secretary Shipbuilders Council 1730 K. Street N. W. Washington D. C. Dear Dear Dear Dear Ned Ned Ned Many rtheagnakrtsdhanksthanks thanks thanks for contacting Manville through Hill & Knowlton with with with particular partpiculararticular with regard regard regard regard regard regard particular particular to the effect of the Healy Act upon your industry regard to the Threshold Limit Values pertaining to As I mentioned we recently prepareandd Commerce some background material on the in the area of asbestos and human health or sponsored by Manville I am material for your use in your discussion on Monday ; Leon gave to the Department of various research programs that are being sponsored attaching a copy of this with the Labor Department pa As we agreed on the phone it is going to take time to develop the necessary techniques and equipment to provide maximum protection to workers who handle and apply containing products in the field in the The Insulation Industry Hygiene Research Program described| attached green page report represents we feel the proper approach to this problem Embracing as it does science industry and labor this research program represents a voluntary approach as contrasted to governmental regulation If after reading give me a call the attached you have additional questions , please Sincerely wpr att W. P. Raines Director of Public Relations | ~ ( April 11 1969 JOHNS MANVILLE COMMENTS FOR DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE RE HR 2503 A bill to promote the safety of workers in making asbestos products for shipment in commerce purposes engaged and for fo! ~ other GENERAL Manville Corporation and the asbestos industry in general support the objectives of this measure -- to promote the safety of workers engaged in making asbestos products -- and are vigorously pursuing programs of health and safety protection in asbestos plants as well as among fabricators and applicators of certain asbestos products It should be made clear that the manufacturing installing handling and selling of containing products per se constitutes no health hazard However the industry recognizes and has long been controlling occupational conditions where excessive dusts from asbestos may constitute a health hazard for workers exposed to these dusts over extensive periods of time The manufacturers observe strict health safety practices under such conditions and also actively cooperate with their applicators and fabricators in promoting health safety practices in the use of asbestos products under conditions where dusts might be generated SPECIFIC COMMENTS ON PROPOSAL 1. A special bill dealing only with the asbestos industry would be unnecessary undesirable and duplicative Congress has before it legislation that would establish federal administrative machinery 2 for health and safety protection applying to all U.S. industry HR 3809 the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1969 is one of several such measures before the House and Senate Labor Committees These bills would vest authority in the Department of Labor working with the Department of Health Education and Welfare some These proposals spell out in detail the limitations of authority the methods for setting safety and health standards and the res- ponsibilities of industry labor and established standard agencies for cooperating the federal agencies HR 2503 relating only to asbestos would vest all authority in the Department of Health Education and Welfare including inspection authority which would in effect duplicate the existing and proposed responsibilities of the Department of Labor 2. HR 2503 is too broad and specific in its provisions written its As presently provisions would appear to apply to many small retailers who merchandise such products as roofing floor tiling wallbroad or ceiling tile which contain asbestos bonded with other materials such as cement or plastics Such items do constitute not a health hazard and yet the provisions of the bill ~, would seem to encompass them 3. The standard authority that would be granted to the Secretary of Health Education and Welfare does not provide for orderly consultation with established standard organizations or with industry as is generally recognized as desirable in other Occupational Safety and Health proposals The fact is that standards for occupational levels of asbestos dusts Threshold Limit Value were examined and modified in 1968 by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists representing federal state and municipal governments These standards are accepted by industry as well as federal and sate safety and health officials for enforcing federal and state laws respecting occupational safety and health CONCLUSIONS CONCLUSIONS If Congress decides that legislation should be enacted establishing a federal Occupational Safety and Health Program the other asbestos industry along with industries would be subject to such an Act This would be the more orderly and acceptable method of procedure -- legislatively administratively and from the industry standpoint A separate act relating only to the asbestos industry is unnecessary and undesirable # # For industry health and safety pratices see attachments ~ ATTCIMENT NO 1 ASBESTOS INDUSTRY'S HEALTH AND SAFETY PROGRAMS The asbestos industry expresses its concern for workers health and safety through the effective medical industrial hygiene and safety programs of individual companies and of industry associations The Manville Corporation has instituted in all its plants uniform industrial hygiene standards maintained through a central Department of Environmental Control The company has installed and continually improves and updates all types of equipment and techniques for controlling dust and fumes A reprint of an article from INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE AND SURGERY March 1968 describes the Johns- Manville EnviroCon ntm roleDn ept arta mel nt See Attachment No. 2 The company's approach to dust control and elimination of all possible health hazards is embodied in an official policy statement In cooperatioinn conjunc wit thioo thn er agencies Manville will continue to seek new information about the biological effects of asbestos fiber and to develop ways ~ of assuring maximum possible protection from occupational hazards for its employees in asbestos mines mills and plants and among fabricators and applicators of this essential material ATTACHMENT NO 1 In keeping with this policy Manville is currently sponsoring sponsoring or is cooperating in a number of research programs in the area of asbestos and human health Typical of these research projects are the following 1 INSULATION INDUSTRY HYGIENE RESEARCH PROGRAM This program is the nation's first cooperative effort by an international labor union industry and science consulting with government to undertake a health research program for industrial workers The Insulation Industry Hygiene Research Program is jointly financed by the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers and Manville along with the Sprayed Mineral Fibers Manufacturers Association This program is designed 1 to develop improved methods for minimizing exposure of insulation workers to dusts and fumes encountered in their work 2 to disseminate know- ledge of these improved methods of dust control wherever they may be applied advantageously and 3 to offer cooperation advice and assistance toward their universal W adoption The Program Director and Chairman is Dr. Irving J. Selikoff Director of the Environmental Sciences Laboratory Mount Sinai School of Medicine New York and President of the New York Academy of Sciences The U. S. effort as a pilot program which it hopes to see adopted ATTACHMENT NO 1 by other industries The PHS is providing consultation and technical assistance through its Bureau of Occupational Safety and Health See Attachment No. 3 ASBESTOS INDUSTRY STUDY This is a 7 to 10 year environmental clinical and epidem- iological study of workers exposed to asbestos which is being conducted by the Division of Occupational Health of the United States Public Health Service with the cooperation of the asbestos industry The purpose of the study is 1 to obtain information on the health effects of exposure to the major types of asbestos used in the United States -- chrysotile crocidolite and amosite 2 to develop criteria for safe exposure levels and 3 to establish medical and environmental criteria for surveill- ance where asbestos is encountered or used More than 20,000 asbestos workers throughout the country are being included in the study 3 EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE CANADIAN GENERAL POPULATION tt! This is a study being conducted by the Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health under the director- ' ship of Dr. Corbett MacDonald Chairman of the Department of Epidemiological Medicine at McGill University in Montreal The purpose of this study is to examine the * ship between asbestos exposure and causes of disease or relatic ( ATTACHMENT NO 1 ~, 4 death among several thousand workers in the asbestos producing regions of Quebec 4 FIBROUS DUST STUDY This program being undertaken by the Industrial Hygiene Foundation of America is an investigation of the factors involved in the pathogenicity of asbestos dust and of the tru nature of ferruginous bodies often misleadingly called asbestos bodies Animal experiments are being used in this study The findings of this program will be the basis for identifying asbestos health hazards in industry and for suggesting specific engineering or other process controls to eliminate such hazards These and other health research programs are being supported in addition to Manville by other asbestos miners and manufacturer and by associations such as the Quebec Asbestos Mining Association and the Asbestos Textile Institute Other types of programs in addition to health research ~ being sponsorebdy industry groups include the distribution of two handbooks Recommended Health Safety Practices for use of asbestos and other mineral fibers to guide contractors and workers in the insula- tion industry These booklets are distributed by the Committee on Safety and Health of the National Insulation Manufacturers Association , : . C : 5 5 ATTACHMENT NO 1 which also conducts an intensive health safety information program for contractors A similar information program is being set up by another industry association the Asbestos Cement Products Association Industrial Industrial Industrial Industrial Industrial Industrial Industrial Industrial Surgery Surgery Surgery Surgery Surgery SurgerySurgery Surgery Surgery Surgery Surgery Surgery Surgery Surgery Surgery Control of Worker Unified in All Johns NCREASED REALIZATION that today's problems - cannot be tackled piecemeal is being reflected in industry's changing approach to employee health safety air and water quality control and product toxicology Traditionally the larger the company the more people were involved in these questions and chances are they were not always in close contact with each other on problems of mutual concern For many this is no longer the case Greater understanding is bringing a heightened sense of immediacy to these questions and the business community recognizes that environmental problems must be viewed broadly One major company leading the way for industry which illustrates this trend distinctly is Manville It has been one of the first to adopt a total approach and build an organization of trained people to handle it The company's management established a new Department of Environmental Control picked a top engineer to head it and pulled several interrelated responsibilities together under his direction Edmund M. Fenner the department's director is a mechanical engineer by training he started with the company 27 years ago in design work and has held a variety of engineering positions Just prior to assuming his new post he was a Project Manager in Plant Engineering He reports to the company's Vice President for Research Development and Engineering Arthur C. Smith Every 90 days Fenner and Smith give the company's president Clinton B. Burnett and his staff a detailed briefing on environmental control activities backed up by a carefully docu- mented written report Since Smith is also a member of the company's board of directors environmental control is assured a voice when necessary at the highest policy level Department Has Catalytic Function As Fenner explains his department does not solve problems for others they find the pro- blems report them and establish the level of the solutions required Of course they necessarily work closely with M's engineering industrial relations production and legal staffs We're expediters he adds in the sense that we provide a catalyst to keep things moving The department is also the first single function that looks at the overall picture covering 12 operating divisions and some 60 plants and mines and gives top management periodic sum- maries 4 Environmental control functions in several ways one of the most important being its responsibility for the environment of workers This is the responsibility of Clifford L. Sheckler a 30- es i ap \ ~ a r \ : { i rae Tt } 4 : . at! : \ i a t . s . : as - . c ' : . . Sa bke^' -~ae a - i ( mee i, Do. od e : y te j Sty ; Bernese meee 4 PLANNING TRIO . . . Reviewing proposed installation are key members of Manville's new Environmental Control Department left to right Clifford L. Sheckler Manager of Occupational Environmental Control Edmund M. Fenner Direc- tor of the department and James M. Siegfried Chief of Community Environmental Control March 1968 '1968 L.M.P.C. Inc. 215 : year veteran Fenner with the comp who reports to U.S. Public Heal dust and funes ervice to measure noire Sheckler heads a staff of ten consisting of nine industrial hygienists and a supervisor and as Manager of Occupational Environmental Control also approves safety equipment used in the They are adding external monitoring to their duties in support Siegfried's ity and using of a item Siegfried's area of responsibil- visual check list to obtain an interim audit of plant emissions includ- company's plants The industrial separate locations industrial hygiene hygienists are based at four where the company maintains labs Manville N.J. Wauke- ing airborne solid and liquid as well as sound As equipment is acquired and additional training obtained precise measurements will be made at all locations gan Ill and Lompoc Calif covering the eastern central and western regions of the U.S. and Asbestos Quebec covering Canadian opera- tions | Since the company operates in 30 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces Siegfried keeps an eye on actual and pending legislation and regula- tions at Federal state and local levels Periodical- Fenner Sheckler and James M. Siegfried the third key member of the department are head- ly he issues to all people concerned within the company summaries of these under the title quartered at the company's Research and Engi- Environmental Control Notes neering Center largest of its type in the world near Finderne N.J. Until he assumed his new position as Manager of Community Environmental Control Siegfried whose background includes a degree in geology chemistry and physics had spent almost a year on special as- The department's quarterly reports besides covering occupational and community control also summarize the company's participation in health studies being conducted by outside agencies though the department may not be the coordinator in each case Some of these involve signment involving liaison with Federal state and local agencies concerned with air and water pollution expenditures by the company through industry groups while others call for cooperation with government and medical researchers Each Plan Checked Annually Another area of interest to the department is Manville's industrial hygienists are product toxicology all inquires directed to the primarily concerned with surveying and monitor- company are referred to Shecklerand the de- ing internal conditions They check each of the partiment works closely with operating divisions company's plants and nines at least annually in preparation of the texts used to label products t special using equipment TET ee some ree O de evat eloped by . the and instruct users in their proper handling ee , aN mr pak? : eek as a ee 4 { i a . 4 Lo |. ree toa wr 27 7 . ee.e G - . be \Co, ia oe ~~ \ wf . STATION . .. Hygiene | Hygiene : nee < were et es mee ee | - STATION SURVEY .. M Industrial . . | Assistant Barry Russo makes spot check of. conditions on production line at the company's N.J. pipe plant | ManvilleLe 4 a4 osLeatetediieatad1 et ty Rem neem ae . * wT. oe i 7 a | res . 9 69 . we {~ wl, Se 216 fi1968 I.M.P.C. Inc. . . Industrial Medicine and Surgery treat ete Ee SOUND SOUND SAMPLE . . ' Checking noise levels on production line at M's Waukegan III plant are " Frank J. Angelos center Industrial Hygienist in ; i charge of Central Region lab and Dennis R. Christensen Industrial Hygiene Assistant me ee ee 2a ame a oe oa Se | _ eee ed we a Safety Emphasized An additional step has taken Sheckler around the country in recent weeks to attend regional meetings sponsored by the National Insulation Manufacturers Association Together with a representative of another firm he has given a series of presentations to contractors and applicators that have proved highly successful and are expected to be continued Emphasis is on safe and correct handling of materials and ade- quate employee protection having been involved in his previous position with the company in workmen's compensation he is also well qualified to cover this subject for the audiences During the first year after its establishment members of the department will visit every . manufacturing and mining location operated by the company Beyond that they expect to con- tinue making as many visits as possible Fenner believes in face meetings to get to the root of problems and understand conditions in the field no So far he is convinced the new department is doing an effective job of communicating both to management and operating staffs With the backing of top management especially the company president he is assured that divisional and plant managers are kept aware of environmental control Response to the department's publications has been good and he can already point to several situations where while the department did not provide solutions their interest in them did speed matters up Solutions Fenner points out are the responsibility of individual plants in conjunction with the director of plant engineering and his staff In some situations outside engineering consultants will be used to help solve particular prob- lems as has been the case in the past Creation of a new department does not itself solve problems And Fenner readily suggests this But M is one company that has decided to adopt a total concept approach in control of internal and external environments The de- partment serves as a focus for corporate involve- ment increases awareness at every level and does much to help assure that improvements are implemented March 1968 '1968 I.M.P.C. Inc CO + 217 | Sand .S.HIPBUILDERS COUNCIL +L Me ++ OF AMERICA 137077 Minutes Safety Committee Meeting Shipbuilders Council of America April 2 1969 ~oyeastee es a Tay ee: Alabama Dr Str whois bee DPoRcEkSDEAT 628667.5 628667.5 e indal April 2 The Safety Committee of the Council convened at 9:30 M. 1969. Present were Harry H. Howard Chairman Lloyd Beers Bethlehem Steel Corp. Bath Iron Works Corp. G. M. Bryan Ingalls Shipbuilding Div / Litton _ John Carey Vernon Duke Bath Iron Works Corp. Alabama Dry Dock & Shipbuilding John F. Fitzgerald David A. Lavalette Jacksonville Shipyards Inc. _ General Dynamics / Quincy William F. Metts Newport News SB & DD Co. Harold J. Morgan Lloyd J. Piccin General Dynamics Groton Sun Shipbuilding & DD Co. _ M. P. Redford Norfolk Shipbuilding & DD Co. Linwood Temple Bath Iron Works Corp. G. P. Walls Lk Maryland Shipbuilding & DD Co. Edwin M. Hood President Edward P. Ruddy Secretary s _ Shipbuilders Council of America Shipbuilders Council of America While the following statement was made by a member of the Committee later at the meeting it was pertinent to all subjects dis- cussed and therefore reported at this point The member of the Com- mittee stated . oo ep ee The money involved in the subjects discussed at the ' Accident Prevention Committee meetings go far beyond thatinvolved in practically every other committee that _._ functioning within the Council There is nothing that is discussed by other groups that really approaches the po- tential cost to shipyards of America like that involved in the subjects discussed by this !! Committee 7 At the invitation of Committee Chairman Howard the President of the Council opened |the meeting with brief comment on several items 7 of current interest oa. = | ae hkl Sis Deft'SEXDeft'SEX Deft'SEX 2FOR ID Duke 1980 Ne CHANGE OF NAME TO ACCIDENT PREVENTION COMMITTEE Mr. Hood noted that the Council had adopted revised ByLaws which among other things made changes in the Council's committee structure including a reconstitution of the Safety Committee as the Accident Prevention Committee This change subject to Board approval is to take place in June Reaction of the Committee members was unanimously favorable with comment by several particularly endorsing the elimination of Safety from the Committee name ASBESTOS FIBER HEALTH HAZARDS IN SHIPYARDS - The Committee had before it press clippings which pointed up a potentially serious problem involving asbestos fiber health hazards in shipyards Apparently recent medical studies among asbestos workers of the incidence of asbestosis and a type of lung cancer associated with exposure to asbestos had led to recommenda- tions that the acceptable Threshold limit be reduced from 5 millions of particles per cubic foot to 2 millions Also there has been wide publicity of autopsy findings of asbestos bodies in the lungs of a high percentage of the general population The implication was that asbestos fibers are becoming an important pollutant in the general atmosphere See attached article fromWASHINGTON POST date.d.. December 4 1968 Mr. Hood reported that a member of the Council's Board at its March meeting had stated his opinion that the Federal safety rules and regulations on this subject now being considered for adoption probably constitute one of the most important areas for Council acti- vity member had proposed further that the safety and health problem of asbestosis also industrial deafness might best be dealt with by the Council on an industry basis In order to be effective the Board member suggested that the Council consider establishment of highly skilled technical and medical group to cope with these prob- lems - Mr. Hood reported further that the Board had agreed the matter should first be reviewed by the Safety Committee with a view | to submitting its recommendations to the Board Council President Hood noted that David Swankin Director of the Bureau of Labor StandarSds tandards had disclosed an intense interest of in the industry'sindustry's handling this potentiallyserious healthproblemand had pinpointed asbestosis as an area to which he hoped the shipyard industry would direct close attention His basic thought appeared to be \ a desire that a situation such as the recent black lung controversy in coal mining be avoided One member of the Committee referring to the proposal that this problem be dealt with by the Council on an industry basis by means of a highly skilled technical and medical group suggested that companies having these talents among their employees should appoint them to such a group To get things started he pro- posed that a three group including two technical men from the management industry and one from the Committee representing the area be appointed The three group would study the situation and report back to the Committee with its suggestions However sub- sequent discussion disclosed a lack of clarity as to how serious the problem really is and also that some yards already have studies under way to determine the situation both from the standpoint of industry use of asbestos and as to the medical picture Additionally Labor Depart- ment industrial hygienists were reported to have approached several shipyards to determine what action is being taken by industry There was mention that Dr. Irving Selikoff named in the WASHINGTON POST article has also contacted some yards Dr. Selikoff was reported to be Director of Environmental Medicine at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York and a part of a joint venture between Mt. Sinai Manville Corp. and the International Pipe Coverers and Refrigeration Workers Union Others mentioned as having an interest included the International Office of Asbestos Workers Aetna Insurance and the Armstrong Company A feeling was expressed by several members of the Committee that it is unwise for the yards to refuse access by these interests In this context attention of the Committee was drawn to an article in the WALL STREET JOURNAL dated March 17 1968 which discloses that Hill & Knowlton Inc. national public relations firm is now representing Manville Corp. on health problems connected with asbestosis and other diseases workers develop from inhaling asbestos dust Ensuing discussion convinced the Committee that there are a lot of things going on and that at this time rather than appointing the roup of technical people that had been proposed it would be advisable to first develop further information The consensus was that the problem close needs close watching withcoordination ofthe available information and prompt prompprtompt prompt action ; action The Committee agreed that the Council should immediately action take steps to develop what is taking place in the various areas catalogue all of them and determine where the Council can coordinate and fit into the picture ue As one step the Committee agreed the Council should ask all members to provide any information they may have such as studies being made visits from research groups and so forth Concern was expressed both as to the asbestos and the hearing problem that the American Medical Association seems to be left out Mention was made Industrial Medicine Division of that a Dr. Howe who heads up AMA is the proper person to the approach for coordination with that group Hill .... Mr. Hood agreed that he would establish liaison with the and Knowlton concern to further develop develop the activities under way and that the AMA would be contacted During the discussion there also was comment that so long as asbestos is used in industry it will present a health problem and that at least from the shipyard industry point of view the eventual solution may lie in the use of substitutes One proposal was that recommendations be made to the Navy MarAd and ship- vessel owners that asbestos containing products not be specified for construction It was recalled that in sandblasting the safety and health problem had led to substitution of shot blasting and synthetics The thought was expressed that there may be a substitute for asbestos In any event the use of masks was recognized as quite objectionable~ from a worker efficiency standpoint Committee discussion indicated arisen suddenly and that recent publicity for surveys by the labor unions also that the problem has not has resulted from suggestions feeabas pI ODO=== It was Lo ce unites ind : reported that a peneD iaias ts unver 142 lle: - | paper onthe problem is Dorp iw oe scheduled ote 2 | oe e bt ce to be presented at the National Safety Council meetings in York on April 16th HAZARD urtherasasbes thet aso bess tos problem is new it was pointed out that as long ago as 1964 the Council had received a letter from then Director of the Bureau of Standards Arthur Motley listing number of items of this nature which the Bureau intends will evolution as a matter of lead to some regulatory action in the future . Further Committee discussion of various bits andpieces.of information led recognition that basically a national rather than a single industry problem is involved and that at this point the Council would not be justified in industry ansmirttaailsing behalf shipyard ansmittal a fund to make a for do r study door is develoned for on of the O ' n s in fi 5 The Committee recognized that the shipyard employer is at a particular disadvantage because under present legal principles the last employer is being held responsible for all damage to a worker even though his exposure may have been during previous employment periods The legal situation appears to be quite like that in the hear- ing cases At the conclusion of the Committee discussion Council Presi- dent Hood stated he would contact Hill and Knowlton and inform the Committee as to his findings SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING - February 24 25. 1969 Mr. Ruddy reported that the President of the Council as member of the new Safety Advisory Committee to the Bureau of Labor Standards had attended the first day of that group's day meeting in late February and that he Mr. Ruddy had attended the second day in place of Mr. Hood He reported that a good part of the material made available to the advisory group at the meeting had been already re- produced and distributed to the Council's Committee and that he would continue this procedure to keep the Committee informed as to the activities of the Advisory Committee Mr. Ruddy reported that one important recent outgrowth of the general industry expanding dialogue on safety matters has been an interest by the U. S. Chamber of Commerce the NAM and similar na- tional business groups in the Longshoremen's Harbor Workers Com- pensation Act One reflection of general industry concern with this law is seen in the scheduling by the National Association of Manufacturers of a symposium for high level policy makers on the pending Burton Bill which proposes to increase the benefits under that Act from 70 to 105 per week The NAM symposium is scheduled for late April and Mr. Ruddy back in promised to report ~ to the Committee due course as to the outcome of the discussions . beeen HAZARDOUS MATERIALS DATA SHEET .. ...- ws N The Committee was informed that this final regulation is expected to be issued by the Bureau of Labor Standards in a matter of days and when to the Committee all available copies will members yards While the final text has not been disclosed to industry it is expected that the regula- the to tion and the data sheet will follow Safety Committee some time ago format agreed the Council's The members of the Committee agreed that it would be useful if a standard form of transmittal letter is developed for use by the yards in forwarding the data sheet to their suppliers Mr. Ruddy indicated he would ^ coordinate such a developmental effort if Counsel for the Shipbuilders Council agreed that this is a proper activity HANDLING OF POTENTIALLY EXPLOSIVE SHIPS BY U. S. REPAIR YARDS The Committee had before it a request by the Council's Board that it review the ship repair industry's overall policy as to handling vessels that are in potentially explosive condition whether due to their not being gas freed or because of other factors The basic thought which prompted the Board to direct this review was that if yards continued to handle these tankers it would be only a matter of time before a major catastrophe occurred with loss of life and property both in the shipyard and enviorns The Committee was informed that at its meeting on March 5 members of the Board had indicated their agreement with the principle that no vessel should be handled in a ship repair yard until it has been gas freed or otherwise rendered safe and that it was the apparent sense of the Board that this matter should be reviewed by the Council to deter- mine what should be done to eliminate potential dangers As a first step the Board had agreed that the Safety Committee should consider the problem at its meeting April 2 1969 and submit its recommenda- tions to the Board Subsequent to the Board meeting the President of the Council received a confirming letter on the subject which states in part As you can appreciate the cost and time involved in gas freeing a tanker can be an important cost factor to a ship operator and as a consequence this - question of gas freeing becomes a part of the competitive atmosphere surrounding the procurement of ship repair work As I indicated at the Directors Meeting ~ is not in our mutual best interests to inject safety considerations of this type into the competitive arena and you will recall I proposed to make our position s--~ clear on an individual company basis to the Coast Guard and the Department of Labor Prior to taking , this action and as a result of the discussions and assur- ances that the Council would consider this matter in some depth and take reasonable prompt action I agreed to defer my approach to the governmental authorities on this subject 7 am not unaware that the most effective action could probably be taken on an industry wide basis by the Shipbuilders Council and I the heartily endorse purpose which such action is intended to However as achieve you realize this matter has been sidered for several con- years and no action has been forth- coming would appreciate your early advice as to the Council might propose that would program this problem : effectively solve of Mr. Ruddy recalled that in 1963 Committee of the a special Ad Hoc lines for Council had been appointed to develop guide- deliberation with the National Fire Protection in the formulation revised Association of non freed regulations dealing with the handling vessels ship repair yards At that time the problem stemmed from various legal problems out of the MISSION SAN which had arisen collided in FRANCISCO episode - a tanker which had the Delaware River with another explosion and fire had almost vessel and the ensuing numerous destroyed the tanker and there were crew deaths and injury . Legal opinion at that time indicated that fully responsible for shipyards could be any catastrophic incident resulting presence of an explosive vessel in from the Committee had shipyard The 1963 Ad Hoc considered a proposal that NFPA Code 306 for the Control Gas Hazards " Standard on to should be amended Vessels be Repaired Section 4 by ship repair yardtso greatly restrict the haF ndliT ng of these tankers Committee discussion highlighted a number of consider if further restructions are imposed on the things to including |. shipyards 1 2 Importance of the work to the industry - wee bel le, Damage to customer relationships 973 3 Imposition of additional restrictions on yard management 4 Impact depending upon a yard's geographical location 5 Prospects of shore shops acquiring work now done integrated yards by _ nae + a habit As to the geographical problem it was explained that if tanker in a northeast United States port is found to require management a repair yard service but the of yard refuses to accept the tanker unless it is freed the vessel will probably leave the port and clean at sea while enroute back to the Gulf so that when it arrives at the Gulf it can enter a ship repair facility ~ in clean condition os a It was reported that differences of opinion had developed on this question and in order to determine what position should be taken by the Shipbuilders Council a survey had been made of all members At that time the outcome based on volume of tanker work was about 10 to one against further restrictions ee. - After discussion the Committee step a survey somewhat along the lines of made to determine the present position of of the Council on this important question agreed that as a first that in 1963 should be the individual members BUREAU OF LABOR STANDARDS ADMINISTRATION OF SAFETY REGULATIONS The Committee entered into a round robin discussion of recent experiences with administration of the safety and health regulations by the Bureau of Labor Standards with particular emphasis on There inspection procedures and instances of legal action Overall comment indicated a hardening of attitude among the member yards was problems agreement that it is of prime importance that in all legal counsel should be called in very early when cases shipyard arise There is some disenchantment with the procedures which are being described by the Government as informal In one case it was re- counted that the called informal hearing actually turned out to be a full dress legal proceeding be Based on the discussion it was the sense of the Committee that if possible informal conference should set with Bureau of Labor Standards Director David Swankin so that the yards could these problems discuss further with being present without further delay issuance him of the regulation staff insofar insofar as as th ed eee res . v me.e that may The members of the Committee also agreed to submit by letter to the President of the Council any problems arise the interpretation or administration of specific regulations so that can be taken up with the Bureau rather than waiting for the Bureau come up with its own revisions to the regulations in they to EMPLOYEES COMPENSATION COMMISSION ADMINISTRATION OF COMPENSATION ACT The members of the Committee were unanimous that a major factor in the large increase that has taken place in Workmen's Compensation insurance premiums is due to the arbitrary powers which reside in the Deputy Commissioner One member of the Committee suggested that perhaps in place of the Deputy Commissioner a hearing board ought to be established Others pointed out that the cost increase is due in large measure to averaging by insurance companies with arbitrary premium and award determinations Based on the discussion it was agreed that this matter Council should be referred to the Legal Committee of the to determine what might be done to change Section 21 of the Longshoremen's and Harbor Workers Compensation Act so as to improve claims administra- tion The thought was expressed that when the Congressional Committees schedule hearings on the pending legislation to amend the Longshoremen's Longshoremen's and Harbor Workers Compensation Act this matter should be brought to their attention and a specific proposal made on behalf of the shipyard industry if the Legal Committee so determines HEALEY SAFETY REGULATIONS The Committee was informed that revised Healey Public Contracts Act Safety and Health Standards originally scheduled to become effective February 17 1969 had been delayed for a period of 90 days as a result of urgent requests by industry associations for their review the Nixon Administration by A letter interposing objections to a number of new provisions on which industry had not had an opportunity to com- ment and strongly requesting such a delay was submitted by the Council to Secretary Schultz Among new problem areas in the regulations are of course the sections dealing with noise levels and asbestos threshold levels The Committee agreed that the Council should again distribute the January 17 1969 revision along with a copy of the existing regulation and the two position letters previously submitted to the Labor Department with a request that Members submit additional comment The Committee agreed that as a minimum the Secretary of Labor should be asked to further delay issuance of the regulation insofar as the hearing problem and asbestos is concerned The Committee was in agreement that the shipyard industry will have most serious problems of compliance unless some change is made in the standards as now pending 10 STANDARD UNIFORM STATE SAFETY SAFETY LAW One major subject being currently discussed within the Department of Labor and which has labor on the agenda of the Advisory Standard Uniform State Safety Law been taken up with industry and Committee is a proposal for Mr. Ruddy reported that the specific proposal for a uniform act before the Advisory Committee had been reproduced and forwarded to the Committee for their re- view - / tue nN ot After brief discussion it was decided that all legislation dealing with the Federal and State Workmen's Compensation and Safety laws including the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act are matters that can best be handled by the Legal Committee and that the Secretary of the Council should take whatever action may be required to bring these matters to the attention of that Committee There was Congress agreement that the Council should testify before the increases in the level of benefits being proposed in the Burtaognainst ' Bill 6949 ps : ) GEAR CERTIFICATION certification oe Mr. Ruddy reported that comment been received from . members of the Committee on the Bureau of Labor Standards regulation Part 1505 Gear Certification published in the FEDERAL REGISTER REGISTER - March 1969 and forwarded to the members of the Committee for final comment March The assumption assumption is that from the the shipyards this regulation is viewpoint of _ as whether shoreside cranes acceptable There was some discussion now require No action was taken , ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 3:00 P. M. E.P. Edward P. Ry Secretary 15905B te . an COUNCIL OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS ELECTED FOR 1970-1980 At Council's 58th Annual lowing Officers and Directors Meeting yesterday Mar. 14 fol- were elected for 1979-1980 term Board Chairman Treasurer Vice President Vice President & Secretary " Vice President Edwin M. Hood Beverly C. Kendall Stuart S. Adamson Frank R. Nicholas Kesterman D. Pasco REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS Atlantic Coast Pacific Coast Gulf Coast DIRECTORS Ralph E. Ryan G. Graham Whipple Leonard Erb Ralph W. Cousins Wilfred Leonard J. Eggington Erb '~ C. Larry French 1. John I. Gilbride P. Daniel Gold David H. Green Carmen Guide Peter S. Hepp Jr. John S. Jacox David H. Klinges Robert L. Massa 3J. Radcliffe Maumenee M. Lee Rice John L. Roper III Ralph E. Ryan RicharGd. Seitz 3J. Sugrue John F. Sullivan P. Takis Veliotis Jr. G. Graham Whipple Newport News building Rohr Marine Inc. Ship- Ingalls National Steel Shipbuilding and Ship- building Company Todd Shipyards Corporation Colt Industries Inc. Savannah Machine & Shipyard Company Lake Shore Inc. Sun Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company Westinghouse Electric Company Bethlehem Steel Corporation Coastal Dry Dock & Repair Corporation Alabama Dry Dock & Ship- building Company Avondale Shipyards Inc. Norfolk Shipbuilding and Drydock Corporation Seatrain Shipbuilding Corp. Maryland Shipbuilding and Drydock Company Jacksonville Shipyards Inc. Bath Iron Works Corporation General Dynamics Corporation Electric Boat Division Lockheed Shipbuilding and Construction Combany Functions of Executive Committee Finance Committee and Ad Hoc Committee on Future Directions were consolidated with estab- lishment of Executive Committee composed of Messrs Cousins French Gilbride Hepp Klinges Rice Sullivan and Veliotis Mr. French was elected Chairman At same time David T. Cianelli P. Daniel Bethlehem Cold Steel Colt Industries Inc. and Corporation Shipbuilding Division were elected Chairmen of Allied Industries and Legislative Liaison Committee respectively Committee James R. Barker Chairman National Maritime Council - also Board Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Moore McCormack Re- sources Inc. - was principal speaker at Council's Annual Meet- ing luncheon His message not only are U.S. shipping and ship- building in deep trouble SO too is entire Nation He voiced concern about national will to solve today's serious problem of countering Soviet expansionism With constant expansion in world trade he cited lost opportunities and deficiencies in planning tunities for for flag shipping and also deplored U.S. shipyard - critical mass of 1 lost oppor- billion - as result of flag liner operators placing merchant ship con- struction contracts in Far East see 2/15 SW ANOTHER SETBACK IN BRINGING ALASKAN OIL TO U.S. CONSUMERS : On Tuesday Mar. 13 Standard Oil Company of Ohio SOHIO abandoned plans for 1,000 pipeline to carry Alaskan oil from Long Beach CA to Midland TX Announced reasons end- less government permit procedures plus inflation and regulatory requirements have upset economic viability of project Incurred cost to SOHIO 50 million THE WALL STREET JOURNAL Mar. 14 says Ironically other Federal energy policies may have indirectly contributed to SOHIO's decision Those policies which have caused an increase in interstate shipment of natural gas could make the gas pipelines SOHIO had planned to use unavailable for oil use " SOHIO will continue shipping some Alaskan crude to Gulf Coast ports by water through the Panama Canal Edward Cowan in THE NEW YORK TIMES Mar. 14 reports The immediate apparent implication of the announcement by the Stand- ard Oil Company of Chio was that there would be no quick in- crease in Alaskan oil production which now stands at 1.2 million barrels a day There had been hopes of lifting output to 1.6 million barrels by 1980. Presumably that additional oil would have displaced crude oil imports It can be anticipated that this development will trigger another round of demands for export of Alaskan crude oil to Japan via swap of Mexican oil originally destined for Japan INSIDE DOE newsletter Mar. 5 sees possible Presidential announcement to allow Alaskan oil exports in June when Export Administration Act restrictive provisions expire Department of Energy is alleged to have firmly and finally concluded that such exports are in the national interest and DOE Sec- retary James R. Schlesinger has reportedly been pressing for President Carter's concurrence : : ge re a : _ =~ ay . oY e