Document qdw6B10jR9DVqD5KQmxREVazM

Minutes of Meeting of Asbestos Study Committee -3- February 16, 1973 Upon motion duly made, seconded, and unaninously passed, it was RESOLVED: That (1} where asbestos containing materials - not have the asbestos fiber completely locked in, or (2) where subsequent operations may be performed on asbestos containing materials, the hazardous labeling practice be adhered to in accordance with the Label Specifications in the OSHA Standards for Exposure to Asbestos Dust. The Michigan requirements for labeling toxic and hazardous materials were discussed. These had been sent to the Members of the Committee in December 1972. The Ford Motor Company had called to the attention of manufacturers the labeling requirements for hazardous substances pursuant to Act #282 of Michigan Public Acts of 1967. In the Michigan Standards there are specific labeling requirements concerned primarily with flammable and toxic materials. They do not specifically include asbestos. There are certain label requirements such as "DANGER, WARNING, CAUTION." The Federal OSHA requirements for asbestos specify CAUTION, which Is the least sensational of the type headings used. Of course, the DANGER warning in the Michigan regulations is for materials that would be almost Instantly lethal. However, it is difficult to tie In asbestos to the specific label required. It is felt by the Committee Members tuat adherence to Federal OSHA requirements should be the first step taken. While the Issue cannot be specifically resolved, it is felt that compliance with the Federal OSHA regulations for asbestos would Indicate compliance with the Michigan regulations. While It is desirable that any label used by the Members should also cover the requirements of-various state codes, the first step would be to get the Hembezs to label according to the Federal OSHA regulations. As regards the Committee's recommendation to the Membership, a decision cannot be made as yet on the size of the label. The OSHA regulations state that the label shall be "of sufficient size and contrast as to be readily visible and legible." Mr. Weaver has received some data on typical caution labels now in use. Mr. Wyatt will furnish the Secretary the label type that his firm is using. Based on the labels now in use, the Secretary will distribute this information to the Members of the Committee for their review. With this information, the Committee should be in a position to propose label specifications to meet the Federal OSKA requirements. HEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE ARTICLE "ASBESTOS. THE SAVER OF LIVES, HAS A DEADLY SIDE** Copies of this article had been distributed to Members of the Committee. In addition, based on requests from Members not associated with the Committee, there were additional copies of the article distributed. As the brake lining industry as such was not a specific target, it was felt that no reply to the Times article was called for by the Institute. Mr. Weaver brought to the meeting copies of another article in the Saturday Review of the Society entitled "An Asbestos Town Struggles With a Miller.*' This particular article concentrated on the .Tohns-Manville plant in Manville, New Jersey. This, of course, was not their brake lining, facility. Other than the specifics of the individuals from Manville, the article relied on much of the same background chat appears in the article in the New York Times. No action is planned on these articles, but they are almost required reading.