Document pmr60yq4D4Zg5G66eJGXrywpw

t t- PLAINTIFF'S EXHIBIT Brake linings,ami pads and clutch assemblies are made of asbestos, which has long been recognised as a material producing a hazard to the health of those who Inbale its dust in excessive amounts over a long period of time. During the last few years, however, attention has been focused on the development of cancer of the lung and other body areas following exoosure to asbestos dust. An alert concerning the potential health hazard for persons exposed to asbestos during the servicing of motor vehicle brake and clutch assemblies was issued by the Hational Institute for Occupational Safety and Health on August 8, 197S. NIOSH cited four cases of rare mesothelial tumors of the pleura and peritoneum in persons who were employed in jobs involving brake servicing. This rare tvpe of cancer in the membrane around the lung causes 1 in 10,000 deaths in the general populace. But one study of 612 asbestos workers found that 32 (1 out of 20) had died of mesothelioma. Asbestos also causes lung cancer; and an asbestos worker who smokes is 90 times more likely to get lung cancer. The full extent of asbestos-related disease in brake servicing personnel is not known because this group has never before been systematically studied. Excessive dust concentrations measured at operations, such as blow-out of automobile drum brake assemblies, grinding of used truck brake linings, bevelling of new truck brake linings, and arcing of new auto brake linings, together with mesothelial tumors in persons so employed, affirms the necessity for effectively controlling the exposure. At present we do not have complete information on how much exposure, if any, can be tolerated; and so it is important to eliminate exposures whenever possible and minimize those which cannot be eliminated. Recommended practices are listed below. /. During brake servicing, an air purifying respirator, either single use or with replaceable particulate filters(s), as approved by the Mining Enforce ment and Safety Administration (formerly Bureau of Mines) or NIOSH, should be worn during all procedures starting with the removal of the wheels and including reassembly. During manual clutch servicing, such a respirator should be worn during removal and cleaning of the clutch, pressure plate and housing assembly and during installation of the new clutch assembly. This should also include any arcing or riveting operations. Duet should first be cleaned from brake drums, brake backing plates, brake assemblies and clutch assemblies using an industrial type vacuum cleaner equipped with a high efficiency filter system (greater than 99 percent efficiency for 0.3 jxm diameter aerosols). After vacuum cleaning, any remaining dust should be removed using a rag soaked in water and'wrung until nearly dry. Under no circumstances should compressed air or dry brushing be used for cleaning. 3 Avoid grinding or arcing wherever possible. Some brake repair shops do no grinding at all. When grinding is performed the grinding (arcing) machine should be equipped with local exhaust ventilation. At a minimum, the dust > 800* 1811 EXPERT - 0074 SCF-FORD-1292 bag of the arcing machine shall be removed and replaced with the hose of the high efficiency industrial vacuum described above. All floor cleaning in areas where brakes and clutches are repaired should be done with the high efficiency Industrial vacuum cleaner as described above. Grinding (arcing) machines should also be cleaned with such a vacuum cleaner and any remaining dust wiped with a damp cloth. An approved respirator as described above, should be used during this cleaning. In addition to those measures NIOSH also recommends the following procedures: If possible, an area should be designated for all brake and clutch repairs. Entrances into this area should be posted with an asbestos exposure warning sign as follows: Asbestos Oust Hazard Avoid Breathing Dust Wear Assigned Protective Equipment Do Not Remain in Area ' Unless Your Work Requires It Breathing Asbestos Dust Hay Cause > Asbestosis and Cancer fa Industrial vacuum cleaner bags containing asbestos dust and cloths used for wiping brake and dutch assemblies should be sealed in plastic bags and labeled with the following warning label printed in letters of sufficient size and contrast to be readily visible and legible: Caution Contains Asbestos Fibers Avoid Breathing Dust Breathing Asbestos'Dust Hay Cause Asbestosis and Cancer During removal of vacuum bags an approved respirator, as described above, should be worn. Although adherence to the above procedures should minimize any contamination of work clothing, it is recomnendad that the appropriate portions of the OSHA regulations on asbestos concerning special clothing, change rooms, etc. be followed. These call for special clothing including coveralls, head covering, gloves and foot covering to be provided, along with separate lockers for work clothes and street clothes. They also specify a change room, transportation of contaminated clothing in sealed labeled bags to the laundry, and notification of the laundry that the cloth ing is contaminated with asbestos. 8004 1812 EXPERT - 0075