Document rJB4e1QqDOjd2OoqxVBRXL2J

Inter Office Communicetion Hey 12, 1972 Hr. E> Eichen Electrical end X-ray Optics Research end Engineering Scientific Subject: Asbestos Staple Evaluation tor Occupational Safety and Baaltb Act (OSHA) Since the Occupational Safety end Health Act of 1970 beoeae lev, there have been promulgated mice end regulations related to the control of airborne oootaainants encountered by eaploye* during the normal oouree of their work. Although the beeic Act stipulates that rules and regulations ere to be promul gated for monitoring, recording, posting, end informing employes of their hazardous work conditions along with other requirements, we are Just now seeing specific detailed regulations by which ve east abide appearing in the federal Register. Of immediate concern is control of asbestos dust in those Industries and operations where there is a potential for this type exposure among the working population. At Ford we hare potential exposures at our Sheldon Bond heater and air-conditioner housing operations aad at other plants among a certain auaber of maintenance personnel Involved in asbestos insulation. One aspect of the present OSHA requirement is a change in technique used for detemining asbestos dust concentrations. Whereas in the pert dust concentrations were determined with the aid of a conventional light field microscope technique, It Is now required that a phase contrast microscope at a kOO-k^O magnification be used for this determination. Since we do not have a phase contrast microscope, the cooperation of your office has permitted us to make preliminary determinations of asbestos dust exposure with your equipment and personnel, lowwr, it was our understanding from the beginning of these studies that you were not in a position to provide ue with services on samples oollected during routine monitoring. At present, in order to determine potential hasards share asbestos is encountered in product manufacturing as well as maintenance applications, an initial evalu ation of approximately 1J0 s--qilf a la required. The auaber required thereafter is not known at this time but would depend a greet deal on the findings in our initial study. However, we do know if a proposed regulation presently submitted to the Department of labor by the national Institute of Occupational Safety and Health is accepted aad put into lav, we would be required to monitor areas of potential asbestos exposure on aa annual basis. Areas found to exceed the minimal accepted criteria would have to be monitored on a quarterly basis until appropriate control measures reduced exposures. Xn our opinion, this would mean evaluating approximately >00 saaples per year (this does mot take into consideration amqding requirements ve may encounter for disc brake asseably operations presently proposed for our Ten Dyke Plant). ib 5007 CV37 PRODUCED BY FORD SCF-FORD-0810 Nr. K. Klchen -2- Iby 12, 1972 Your post eoopermtion in assisting us to evaluate collected aabeatoa duat sanples baa been greatly appreciated. Please advise Whether or not your office la In a poaltlon to continue providing thla evaluation on a routine basis considering the masher of saaples that my be Involved. tail X. Toth, Biiperviaor Znduatrial Hygiene Unit Bnvironaeatal Health Section Naploye Health Services Department as c DO7 PRODUCED BY FORD