Document oMbn7wpj10EYBX0adEJLqvvjE

FILE NAME: Reynolds Metals (RM) DATE: 1967 Dec 18 DOC#: RM053 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Letter to Tilo from Liberty Mutual RE Medical Arrangements & Examinations for Tilo Plant OEC^O LIBEBTY MUTUAL 10 Rm M Uw riM * . N*w Y ork, N M Torte 1 0 0 3 0 F U Decantar LB, 196? Mr Xalcoab X. Balcar, Pareonnal Director Tilo Conpany, Ino. 347 LongbrookAvaxma Stratford Cenaaotloat DearKr. B*kn V* recently viewed kith you tha nadieal arranganenta for your filo plant* Our flndinga to dato and reooonendatloaa raaulting aro outlined in tha attaohad roport* Basically our 00-- andatlona aro in 3 area - a progran of nodieaX araainatlcaa aolootloa of a pfayoloian a fonuliaed firot aid progran It io oar fooling that. In erdar to further dofina tha dirao tloa aodioal oontrola should taka anvlronaantal atudloo bo nada to idantify aoepoouro lavalo in your production opera tion* Onoo thaaa ara dona a ean than daflna epeoifioaUy tha ooapa of tho nadieal oxaalnation progran At tha and of tho attaohad raport ia a brief diacnsjion of nadloal aarvioe* for your diatrlbution oantara. U V Donaldson, KD* tivieloa Nadieal Diraotor ea Prevention Nad* Dopi, JVDape eoa Bnaatt B. Tbonpaon, P*a*idt X Ondrlck, Vioe-Preaideat T, J# Piccioli Sanerai jjgr* of Kfg* Janes X. MacMillan, XJ). - Madioal Director-^ Paul 0 Stickler, Manager Inauranoa Baal Botato Dept* liuift ltU lHtMK<MMr 111 1tIIUCI lIMfllT . 1 RMC45000200001981 MngCAl EXAMESAXlOfS This reoommendatlon 1 made in full knowledge of the high turnover rata. It baa bean our experience that a medical examination program often con trol* Ugh turnover by eliminating from employment thoaa individuals ho are obviously moulted tor tbs work available. This recommendation to Initiate pre-placement medical axaalnatlons Is baaed on the following* The nature of the work. Hany of the Jobs require considerable heavy labor* Careful seleotion is indicated to insure that Individuals with inadequate physical abilities are not placed in these Jobs* This is particularly important In relation to the beak, which has beoaaa such a significant* costly factor in todays Workmen'a Compensation experience. Aabeatoe is utilised la yorur product. Only recently has the true significance of the asbestoals hazard been recognized. While only a few of your employees are in close approxima tion to these operations evidence is accumulating that only a slight exposure* even at some distance can be potentially hazardous* It's particularly important that individuals with prior respiratory difficulty be excluded from such exposure* Moving equipment and vehicles are in operation in the plant* Operatore are not evaluated as to visual abilityor other oondltions which might interfere with coordination and ultimate safety* Other materials used in production - such as asphalt* mica, trlehlorethylana represent potential hazards to individuals with pre-existing disabilities or susceptibilities. The recent liberalisation of Coansotlcrut Workman's Compen sation Laws This furthar emphasises the need for more careful employee seleotion. Prior knowledge of an employees physical condition will be mandatory if unjustified claims for disabilities or aggravations are to be oontraverted. The inclusion of a Seoond Injury Statute will offer con siderable protection to employers in appropriate cases but prior knowledge of the health status of the employee will be needed to qualify tot relief. If and whan a deeisioo is made to institute pre-placement medical examinations then the appropriate aoope of the examination oan be defined. Likewise* the scope and frequencyof reereelnetions in selected circumstance# oan be out lined. RMC45000200001982 2 SELECTION OP A PHYSICIAN The most effective results can lie realiaed i&an on physician it given the responsibility for all aspects of the Tilo medical service* In this approaoh coordination is attained and management has avail able a medical advisor for any-related problem which may arise* The physician's responsibilities would include carrying out the medical examinations, treating minor compensation cases, supervising the first aid program and consulting with management. The recently steaded Connecticut Workmen's Compensation lav gives employees five choice in selecting a treating physician* However, management has the right to send them to the physician of manage ants choice for the initial emergency treatment (when a designated company physician aodste) By having their own physician* one who Is known to tbs employees from prior contacts, it should be possible to Influence continuing oare of the case by this physician* This in turn, should mean better oontrol of loet time and coste* Since the plant population is not large enough to neoessitate in-plant physician visits arrangements should be made with a physician in the near neighborhood* Any physlolan selected should, of course, tour the plant and learn its operations* Present plant slme dose noi juetify a full tias in-plant nurse* (Although oertainly a part tlme nurse ecnld be veli utilised). Any further increate in popolatimi vould, howuver, re-open conseration of this posslbillty* At preeent there le no formai flrst all program* The Individuai currently giving th bulk of th care ha* had no training. So l'euordy f treatment are kept. Xt ie*Sseommeuied tbat one individuai (with sn Alternate) be gtvsm currmst training (Red Cross) and then assignsd rasposlMUty for all fSrst aid oare, for each shift* Compiate entrles for all treatment glvan. proparly signsd, ara needad if future proteotioa fer legai reesons la aver needad* RMC45000200001983 1 \3 gISTBXBOTI01LCBHTSR3 At present apparently no craluation of any kind it made of applloanta for positlom at these looatlons. This would seen particularly significant in placing individuals In the job of mechanic. In previous correspondence youwars providedwith a saspic soreenlng fom for use In such situations. This approach could certainly be considered hotter than no attempt at all to evaluate prospective employees. But it should never be forgotten that physical examinations represent the only meaningful medical approach to control of the workmen'e compensation experience. The growing liberalisation of workmen's compensation 1c m * and the opportunity for relief under second Injury statutes, eoph*aixe the Importance of adopting this consideration as soon as possible. U RMC45000200001984