Document pmKZ7EeBbjL5yb741MvVrKxJ7

IIIF February 15, 1994 Monday ' Tuesday Monday Monday Wednesday Thursday Monday Monday Tuesday Thursday Pet. 20 Feb. 21 Feb. 27 Feb. 27 Feb. 29 March 1 March 5 March 5 March 6 March 8 Us30 P.M. 8:00.A.M. Us30 P.M, 7s30 P.M, 4:30 P.M. 7;30 P.M. 4:30 P.M. 7s00 P.M. 8:00 A.M. ?:00 P.M. Grievance-Negotiating Committee Meeting 3rd Step Grievance Meeting - Carbide Grievance-Negotiating Committee Meeting Kanawha Valley Labor Council L.L.598 Executive Board Meeting L. L. 598 Regular Membership Meeting Crievance-Negotiating Committee Meeting Mountain State Auxiliary #562 3rd Step Grievance Meeting - Carbide Steward's Meeting UNITED FOOD OPERATION I am very happy to report that as a whole the UTG is doingalot to help those that are less fortunate than those of us that have a regular job and a steady income to support our families. But, I am very unhappy to report that those of ns at the South Charleston Plant of Union Carbide and the members of thic Local Lodge have done very little to help in this very worthwhile effort. The other plants around the valley and their union members are giving- much more support to this effort than we have given ;vfc this time. There will be nine more weekends that we can make a very concerted effort to help those that have been unemployed for an extended period of time. We have several members of this local lodge, our own union, brothers, that have been out of work so long that they have used up all of their unemployment benefits and those* that live in Kanawha or Ibitnzun counties 'could "receive'help from this organization. In the Flash, dated January 13* 1984. I asked that anyone willing to volunteer to help in this effort should call this office (744-5837 or 744-1812), but up to this time, I have only heard from one member that is willing to help in this effort. Beginning this Thursday and Friday until April 12 and 13, I would hope that everyone entering the plant on these days will have at least one can of food to deposit in the drums that are located around the plant for this purpose and please, even if you don't wish to bring any food items for those in need, don't throw your trash in these containers. These containers can be found at any of the following locations: Bldg, 82 at east door - Bldg. 45 Area 1 locker room - Bldg. 251 Area 2 locker room - Bldg. 133 Area 3 locker room - Bldg. 436-1 Silicone Area - Bldg. 309 Maintenance Shop locker room - Bldg. 314-2 Cafeteria and Bldg, 106-1 Laboratory. Those employees that are working in North Charleston that wish to donate in any way can bring your donations to your work area and if someone will call this office on Friday afternoons, yo\ir donation will be picked up and delivered to the warehouse. ' Anyone that would rather make a cash donation can do so by giving your money to any of our stewards or committeemen or if you wish to give by check, you should make your check payable to UFO or United Food Operation. Please let's all try to remember this program every week until'April 13 as I am sure there is not one person in the plant that does not wish to help in this effort, but we are all just a little bit forgetful. Let's make a very special effort so no one can ever say that the employees at this location do not wish to help those that are in need. Thank You. From: Clear Report Published by Center for Labor Education and Research, UAB Editor: _ Ed Brown Asbestos is the family name for a group of about 30 natural minerals that occur as masses of compact or silky fibers. These fibers may become dry and brittle and break up into tiny particles that float in the air, stick to the clothes and are easily inhaled or swallowed. The tiny particles cannot be seen by the naked eye but can be seen with a special high power electron microscope. ' . Because of its qualities, asbestos has more than 3000 uses. It is heat proof, .fireproof, soundproof, resistant to moisture and to most industrial chemicals. It is strong and flexible and can be woven into yam and cloth. Asbestos also has good friction properties. UCC 011584 The construction industry is the chief consumer of ashestoa; in building products, insulation, friction materials and textiles. .. Before the early 1970s asbestos was mainly used in heat insulation and fireproofing of commercial buildings, A second wide use was in insulation and fireproofing of ships. Much of the knowledge about the health effects of asbestos has come from the exposures of thousands of insulation worker . Today, it is estimated that millions of workers are exposed to asbestos. It is known that exposure to airborne asbestos fibers can lead to fatal scarring of the lungs (asbestosis), cancer of the lungs,, cancer of the lining of the lungs and abdominal wall (mesothelioma), cancer of the stomach and large intestine, and cancers of other organs, Asbestosis is a long term disabling and fatal lung disease with a'long lag period between initial exposure to asbestos fibers and the appearance of the first symptom. This sym ptom is usually shortness of breath on physical exertion. Other symptoms may include shortness of breath at rest, difficulty in breathing, cough? chest pain, lack of appetite, loss of weight, bluish discoloration of the skin and lips, clubbing of fingers or toes#' lung infection, or heart failure. Lung tissue and sputum usually contain many "asbestos bodies,'* which are colored fragments of fibers. There is no cure for asbestosis. About all that can be done for the patient is to make their life a' little more comfort able through breathing exercises and good nutrition.. CANCER Oy THE LUNGS -- The risk for lung cancer is increased by exposure to asbestos fibers. The risk is further increased in a cigarette smoker who is exposed to asbestos as com pared with a worker who does not smoke. It is important that an asbestos worker either quit smoking or never begin. ' MESOTHELIOMA - This rare type of cancer of the linings of the chest Wall, lungs or ab dominal wall is almost exclusively caused by exposure to asbestos. It occurs not only among workers, but also household members, (Workers* spouses or children may be exposed to asbestos fibers.from contaminated work clothes or equipment brought home.) One exposure may result in mesothelioma after a lag period of 10--ij.0 years. Mesothelioma is a painful, wasting disease, and is fatal. CANCER OF THE. STOMACH AMD LARGE IHTESTXHS - Asbestos workers have an increased risk of cancer of the stomach or large intestine. Exposure takes place by swallowing asbestos fibers while eating, dr;.nking or smoking at the workplace with contaminated work clothes and hands. Cancer of other organs may occur as a result of either breathing or swallowing asbestos. HOW CAE THE WORKER AVOID EXPOSURE TO ASBESTOS? - The worker can largely avoid exposure to asbestos if he and his employer comply with OSHA standards. Eor example, the employer must regularly monitor the workplace air for airborne asbestos fibers in areas where it may be present. The current permissable exposure level for asbestos is no more than 2 fibers, no longer than 9 micrometers per cubic centimeter of air, on an 8-hour time weighted average,, It is commendable that after several years' delay OSHA is seriously considering the adoption of a lower exposure level. The employer is required by the standard to provide engineering controls, medical surveillance procedures, protective clothing and equipment, promote safe work practices, and must provide warning Bigna in areas where asbestos is present. . The worker, in turn, must wear the protective clothing and equipment, shower daily at . the end of the work shift, change into clean street clothes, and should not take home contaminated work clothes for laundering. The worker must not eat, drink or smoke in the workplace or leave without thorough showering and change of contaminated work clothes or equipment. Medical surveillance includes; preemployment, periodic, and termination health examin ation of the worker at the expense of the employer. These comprehensive examinations should include as a minimum, a 1b" x 17" anterioposterior chest x-ray, lung function tests, and questioning about any history of pulmonary disease. Other special health tests may be included when indicated. Medical examination records of the worker should be available to the Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA and his medical representatives and to the worker's personal physician at the request of the worker. If the worker suspects the presence of unsafe levels of asbestos or other unhealthful work practices, he should discuss these problems with his union representative or employer. Where an active labor-management safety committee exists they could help solve the problem. Ir. circumstances where more speedy action may be indicated, the worker should consult :he nearest OSHA office. The serious health effects of asbestos can be prevented by avoiding exposure at all times, In addition, CLEAR 'in cooperation with Safe State Agency of Tuscaloosa, Alabama is .conducting classes fox* workers in approved methods for the removal and disposal of asbestos-containing ceilings in public schools. For further information call: Bill Walls, .OSHA Project Director at Clear, 93^4-2101. \ .- ' ." . ' . Baird A. Carpenter, Ret. 12-8-03 H. S. Pierson, Ret. 1-29-814 HEW CHAIRMAN OF TEE SAFETY COMMITTEE Kyle Puterbeugh, Pipefitter in Area II, has been appointed Chairman of the Safety Committee UCC 011585