Document rJNMY3wvdvxRqMx9rZdV2nXv

ANNUAL REPORT INDUSTRIAL HEALTH BUREAU 1951 The Laboratory of Industrial Hygiene The services of the Laboratory offered to Group policyholders were discontinued on July 1, 1951. However, up to that date, health surveys were made in the plants of the following Group policyholders and recommendations were suggested to control health hazards found: Otis Elevator Company, Harrison, N.J. - Special study of Circular Saw in Carpenter Shop. Republic Steel Corporation, Alabama Nines and Mills (6), Birmingham, Alabama. Republic Steel Corporation, Buffalo, N.X Vulcan Detinning Company, Sewaren, N.J. Otis ^levator Company, Yonkers, N.Y. Analyses Six hundred and forty three (643) separate analyses were made in the laboratory. In addition, many tests were made directly in the field to determine the degree or extent of contamination of gases, solvents, and other airborne contaminants. Because of the discontinuance of the laboratory we bad to refuse to make surveys of the plants and their branches of the following companies: 2- - Belden Manufacturing Company, Richmond, Indiana The Eagle Pencil Company, New York, N.X. The Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, Philadelphia, Pa. Singer [Manufacturing Company, Elizabeth, N.J. Atlantic Refining Company (Non-service Group), Philadelphia, Pa. Armstrong Cork Company, Lancaster, Pa. Branches 40 Jones-and Laughlin Steel Corp. Pittsburgh, Pa. 65 Johns-Manville Company, New York, N.Y. 12 Otie Elevator Company, New York, N.Y. 15 Libbey-Owens-Ford Glass Company, Toledo, Ohio 8 Field Visits -P Dr. McConnell visited the Closure Plant of the Armstrong Cork Company to discuss with Dr. TT. D. Blankenship, Medical Director, their problem of toxic formaldehyde fumes. Dr. McConnell visited the Cities Service Refining Corporation and Cit- Con Oil Corporation at Lake Charles, La., in connection with the general study of the organization by the Policyholders Service Bureau. He made recommendations for a more uniform and coordinated organization of their health program; inspected their medical facilities, and reviewed their health program with Dr. J. If. Crookshank. Dr. McConnell and Mr. Barrett visited the Atlantic Refining Company, Philadelphia, Pa., to discuss the industrial -possi- bility of conducting a plant survey. Dr. McConnell visited the Dia'icnd ilkali Company Plant and observed operations 1before discussing the _ l~nt _edioal progr--v. Such subjects us frequency ox' roentuen films of chests of workers exposed to chrome; medical records; collection and analyses of dust, vapor, _nd gas samples; setting up job analyses; and physical examinations of workers were covered. Tro.vel Credit The incidental expenses for travel and maintenance incurred by our Field ien were borne by the Group policyholders for whom the surveys were made. The amount received during the year from these policyholders amounted to $2,420.84. In addition, the amount of $3,897.43 is still to be charged to Group policyholders for work completed during 1951. Special Tnruiries Two thousand one hundred and eighty-one(2,181) requests for advice on health natters were received during the year from industrial firms, large and small, and local and national health organizations. The following will give some idea of the types of information requested: Pre-natal and post-partum leaves for pregnant women in industry. Reviewed list of physical deficiencies for rejection of prospective applicants for employment. Information and statistics on overweight by age groups and sex. lames of physicians competent to examine employees. Fir3t-aid service - general practice and number and location ofHSt't'sv" Maximum allowable concentretion of noxious dusts, gases, and vapors suggested by the Now Yora' b .Jit! Dy arHSin~iI'~l'bOr. -4 - Material on poisons to be used b7 instructors in teaching first aid. Installation of an industrial medical department. ^re-placenent and periodic pb^'-ioal examinations. 3torilization ofair by ultra-violet lamps. Effectiveness of ultraviolet lights for steri_ioation of toilet seats. i.'edice! impairments due to deafness. Day of reek most cold3 develop. Names of roentgenologists in Boston whose opinions would be recognized by Industrial Commission. Also proper x-ray equipment and technique for taking films to show silicosis or asbestosis. Interpretation of chest x-ray films. Safe use of an anodizing solution. Space required for various jobs. Should salt tablets be furnished for general use by factory workers. Personal hygiene in industry. Medical centers in New York City where a complete physical check-up can be obtained. Effect on vision of fluorescent lights. Value of vaccine in prevention of mumps. Fair medical fee to cover examinations of employees by outside doctors. Physical examinations for managerial personnel. Analysis of plastic spray material. Talk to employees on industrial dermatoses including definitions of primary irritants, sensitizers arid allergies together with methods of prevention and environmental control. Reviewed claims arising from malignant neoplasm of the respiratory V system and the incidence of neoplasms of the respiratory system among employees of the printing trades. Reviewed medical program and physical examination form, discussed hazards of certain toxic substances. i -5- Categories used in breaking down cases of non-industrial absences due to illness. sterilisation of telephones. Dust control methods. 3ocks and films on first aid and atonic energy for use in a firstaid curse on civil defense. Tnforr.'-tion on bactericidal lamps. Possibility of toxic exposure to painters using'sheepskin rollers. Toxic-limits for silica dust in mines. Dermatosis from tetradiaraine in gasoline. Use of trichlorethylene vapor in reducing respiratory disease. Average weights by age, height, sex, and body structure for teen-agers. Effect on health due to standing on terrazza floors. laboratory apparatus to be used in collecting vapors due to flammable and influmable solvents. Data on bast girth and hip girth of women. References on harelip and cleft palate. Climatic conditions of Phoenix, Arizona and Denver, Colorado. i Amount of ozone that may be harmful to welders. References on sex and marriage hygiene. Relationship between aging and productiveness, accidents and illness. Effect of television on eyes. Hazards of sand blasting. Information regarding salaries of dental hygienists, also vacation plans. Occupational disease hazards in the chemical industry. 1 \ Weight Control Program Letters were v/ritten to the Medical Directors of a number of our large Group policyholders calling attention to cur weight control program. Our material on weight control suitable for professional use and for distribution tc employees was described. Requests were received from many of these physi cians for booklets to distribute to employees. Publications The following Industrial Health Booklets were completely revised and reprinted during the year:. First Aid Service for Small Plants. First Aid for All Injuries. Methods of Testing and Protecting Eyesight in Industry. Physical Examinations in Industry. --p Partial revisions were made in the following: Hoalth Protection in Welding Prevention of Oil Pimples The Industrial Health Section assisted in revising the following Health and Welfare publications: First Aid Tuberculosis In addition, a number of manuscripts were reviewed and constructive criticisms offered, i.e. Manuscript for advertisement on first aid. Vacation booklet .ublished by the National Safety Council. Script for industrial nursing film. -7- April 3951 isrue 0! Health Bulletin .'or Teachers on "Progress in 'edical Science and Public Health." -rti^le entitled "Horse Serse for t;-..* Dog Pays" by Arthur Gerard. ''-.nograph on occupational disease for the Historic-! Division of the Array medical Library. V,rote bock review for .American Review c? Tuberculosis on "Pneumoconiosis" by Dr. Arthur Vorrald. Asa neater of the Committee for Revision of M inir.urr. Reeuireraer. ts for Cor.fort iir Conditioning, Dr. McConnell 5a2.de suggestions to Walter L. Fleisher, Chairman, on suggested changes in the code. Dr. '-`oCcnr.ell wrote an article on "Colds, Disturbances Due tc" for publication in the fourth edition of Current Therapy published by W. B. Saunders Co. Dr. McConnell revised his sections on Diseases Due to Physical A.gents and Diseases Cue to Chemical Agents of the 1951 edition of Cecil' 3 Textbook of ?*sdicine. T_o new sections were added, i.e. beryllium and C_rbon Tetrachloride. Meetings and Conferences The members of the Industrial Health Section attended 19 meetings and conferences. Addresses rere aade at a number of these. Dr. ''cConneil gave a talk on the Control of Dust Problems in Industry at the Post Graduate Course in Diseases of the Chest given by the -American College of Chest Physicians. A luncheon meeting for the Medical Directors of our larger Group policyholders in the Greater New York Area and an afternoon meeting of nurses engaged in industry "ere held in the Memorial Hall in the New Unit of the Home Office. .At these meetings, the weight control film, "Losing to Win," was shown, followed by a discussion, of the importance of nutrition education in an employee health progran and how the Company's educational material could be utilised. Dr. `'cConneil gave a talk on "Iledicai Programs in the Glass and Ceramic Industry and Small Plant Progress" at the Glass and Ceramics Section of the National Safety Congress in Chicago. -8- Dr. '''cCcnnell attended a- me a ting of the American Society for Heating and Ventilating Engineers and discussed a paper on the physiological reactions to air conditioning writtan by "`r. "Leopold. '."Pile attending the annual me tinj of the Industrial .Medical Association, Dr. McConnell met with the New York State Department of Labor Committee on "aximum Concentrations and a report on the revision of Rule 34, Control of Silic_ Dust in Stone Crushing Operations aas completed. A'crointnents Dr. '"cConnell : .as appointed Part-time Consultant to the Division of Health Services and Sts cial Weapons of the Federal Civil Defense Administra He vn.ll visit plants that manufacture special weapons and give advice regarding the protection of corkers in industries preparing such materials. He-mas also appointed to the Decontamination Service cf the Civilian Defense ''edical "Services, Emergency committee of the Metropolitan Life Insiirance Company. Literature Fifty-one thousand one hundred and nine (51,109) copies of our health publications, both general and industrial were sent on request. Every month a list of the names of non-policyholder industrial firms requesting literature is sent to the Group Sales Research Section for follow-up. Testimonials Attached a1** a few copies of the many letters received expressing thanks for the materials sent and the services rendered. 1 t