Document peezeaQ7bLLGrgELG21oNQKBw

I 1N7.1 1 AT&T June 17, 1974 to. G. M. Wilkening, Head Environmental Safety and Health Department Dell Telephone Laboratories 600 Mountain Avenue Murray Hill, New Jersey 07974 Dear George: American Telephone and Teleorsph Company 195 Broadway New York. N. Y. 10007 Phone (212) 393-9000 PLAINTIFF'S EXHIBIT SWB-138 The Bell System Practices section covering the placement of fiber-cement (transite) conduit is due for revision. Since the material contains some asbestos, we would like to determine the appropriate precautions, if any, that should be followed when cutting the duct during work operations as per 0SHA 'standard on exposure to asbestos fiber. In order for us to determine if any precautions are necessary, we would appreciate your initiating a program to determine: 1. The level of airborne asbestos fibers that employees could be exposed to when the duct is cut with a regular saw while it is dry; 2. if the level of asbestos is high in (1) above, (a) does wetting the duct significantly reduce this level? (b) what is the level of exposure when the duct is cut with a circular device like a pipe cutter? It is important tliat these tests be conducted in an open atmosphere, closely resembling the actual working environment. Mr. R. Callahan, who can be reached on 212-393-4753, will be glad to answer any questions you may have on this request. Very truly yours, / Manager - Safety and Supplies O '! / t c? -Z'-rz'*' Engineering Manager - Outside Plant / Methods and Materials ee: C. Harmon - Practice Writer - Winctc lem Dr. R. W. Stone - Medical Director - .a&T G. R. Crimp - Assistant Engineering Jvlanager - AT&T 'y< ? } 'at 003662 J. C. Lake Minnjrr. rr'~-T'j~r' 4mm- IInnsstallation anrf Paai?nai Sng naa.-.r.,-j Planning and Development Western Electric 3800 Golf Road Rolling Meadows. III. 60008 312 956-3165 MR. G. A. NAVARRO, Manager Engineering Switching Equipment and Step-by-Step PECC Hawthorne Works Re: Transite Cable Penetration Closures File: IE 600.3 At a conference held on March 22, 1974 in New York City with represen tatives from AT&T, BTL, CIE and WECo Medical Director, it was decided that the Bell System approach is to eliminate, wherever possible and practical, the fabrication of transite material under uncontrolled en vironment within Central Offices. This general policy means the elimi nation of transite material used in Central Offices as cable penetra tion closures on floors and walls. Attached is a letter from 3TL gtvrng permission to substitute steel for transite on an interim basis. Since we want to eliminate any possible health hazards to our installers, we are requesting that you take im mediate action to substitute steel for transite on all affected piece part drawings. The type of steel used for floor covers should be of similar thickness as the present ceiling covers. We are recommending that the wall covers be made out of 1/16" thick steel. This matter was discussed with Mr. J. Simpson, BTL on April 8, 1974 and it was stated that the testing of wall closures should be com pleted by the 1st quarter of 1975. Att Copy w/Att. to: W. Pferd i Whippany-BTL Whippany-STL Hawthorne Works Hawthorne Works Kearny Works Kearny Works iawthorne Work.? CONFIDENTIAL 003663 TransIte Cable Hole Cover Plates - Case 20233"3 TV V. Beii Laboratories Whippany Road Whippany. New Jersey 07981 Phone (201) 386-3000 MAR 2 1 RECD March 18, 1974 Mr. J. Glowacki Assistant Manager Common Installation Engineering and Services WE - Rolling Meadows - .' i` , ' Re: Letter of June 5, 1973* concerning use of transits cable hole covers . The health problems associated with the generation of asbestos particles in the field use of transite cable hole cover plates are fully understood by the Buildings and Power Laboratory. My department has completed a test program evaluating the fire resistance of cable holes packed v.ith KS-5048 bags and is near ing completion of a similar evaluation program on the cable hole closure filled to 25 percent by volume with communication cable. A report is currently being issued on tne first program and the report on the second group of tests will be issued shortly thereafter. Based on the results from these two programs, it is our opinion that a steel cover plate, comparable to the present ceiling plate, should be used as an interim measure to replace the transite cover plate. It should be cut and handled identically to the ceiling plate. Several alternative materials are being considered for possible future use but will require test evaluation to determine their compatibility with closure design requirements. We shall keep you informed as to progress in this area. ,/t / WH-2431 orr /-- W. Pf-rd Head Telephone Building Planning Department Copy to Messrs. E. J. I'innorty AT&T - 195 oad'.vay n J XI c CONFIDENTIAL 003664