Document rp7r3DjQ6yXK7MkjpGKy4bXBa

*1 JAN 7 1980. RECEIVED INDUSTRIAL SAFETY EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATION 1901 North Moore Street ' Arlington, Virginia 22209 Safety Wearing Apparel Group Meeting November 16, 1979 Arlington Hyatt House, Arlington, Virginia MINUTES Listed below are the minutes of the Safety Wearing Apparel Group, Industrial Safety Equipment Association meeting which was held on Friday, November 16, 1979 at the Arlington Hyatt House, Arlington, Virginia. The following people participated: R.M. Ladick Barry.Shepard Y DorT bcnnu-df Robert Waller W.Reed Moran Charles Grossman Larry Fullen R. Leo Prindle Jim Gauerke L.M. Hatch George Dickson Lynn Goldstein Harry Lewis George Herzberger, William Hughes Jack -Casey Jr. Hud Wheeler Dick Sager Dick Minnette Mine Safety Applicances Company Gentex Corporation Gentex Corporation Boss Manufacturing Company Wheeler Protective Apparel U.S. Divers Company ISEA Counsel A-Best Products Company Edmont Wilson Edmont Wilson Fyrepel Products Company Norton Company Standard Safety, Incorporated Durafab Company, 'Incorporated Rubin Brothers, -Incorporated Safety Clothing & Equipment Company Safety Clothing & Equipment Company Inco Safety Products Company/ Granet Division Wheeler Protective Apparel, Incorporated ' Sager - Glove Corporation Steel Grip Corporation The meeting was called to order at 8:00 a.m. On motion, duly seconded and carried, the minutes of the previous meeting, November 16, 1978 were approved as presented. Following the agenda, Mr. Dick Sager reported for the ISEA/Aluminum Association Committee. The Aluminum Subcommittee of SWAG has tested fabrics relative to their resistance to molten aluminum splash. There have been significant differences in the test results of the various materials. It was underscored that the Aluminum Association DKS 230 -- J*- 2- - will not publish.a list of approved fabrics and, therefore, optional standard setting is recommended. The ASTM' standard for materials resistant to molten aluminum is expected to be formulated within a year. This standard will be designed to be receptive to new materials through appropriate formulation of the testing specifications. Mr. Ron Ladick then gave a report on the progress of ASTM Committee F.23 on chemical protective clothing. The committee will pro duce more documents to help generate voluntary standards for chemical protective materials. ASTM is considered to be the best vehicle for such standard development. The proposed test method is now out for ballot. The next meeting of this' committee is set for January of 1980. Mr. Jack Casey reported on the developments relating to the Import Committee. Trade negotiations have been completed. Results include the following: the import duty on cotton gloves will be 25% for the next 8 years; leather gloves will maintain a duty of 15% for the same period; and the duty on coated gloves will de- . crease from 35% to 14% over the next 8 years. Concern'was voiced over the problem of.transshipping. Countries which have completed their export quotas of various products are alleged to engage in a practice of shipping-goods to the U.S. through a third country in order to circumvent export limitations. Mr. Casey pointed out that several companies are relocating in Malaysia to manufacture unsupported rubber gloves. Malaysia produces 65% of the latex in the world and is committed to manufacture the finished products rather than export the raw material. He also reported that im ports of rubber and plastic rainwear are increasing from the Far East. Mr. Wilcher reported on activities'with respect to ISO-TC/9^- He stated that ISEA is administrator for this group with the excep tion of those involved in eye protection. A subcommittee exists on chemical, heat, and fine resistant clothing. ISA drafts international standards with inputs from various countries, and Mr. Wilcher*s group will draft the U.S. position. Mr. Wilcher indicated that he would welcome the assistance of any clothing manufacturers who wished to participate, and they need not be members of ISEA. The Aluminum Association has requested assis tance in developing a testing program to determine if currently available protective clothing sufficiently screens out ultra violet rays emitted during the process of welding aluminum. On a motion duly seconded and carried, Mr. Lou Ott will chair the subcommittee on ultra-violet protection for aluminum workers. Mr. James Gauerke reported on the activities of the NFPA/Fire Fighters Protective Clothing Committee. With respect to volun- DKS 231 --/ -3 tary standard setting, a review is currently being conducted to determine if products now manufactured are capable of meet ing the developed specifications. Mr. Gauerke indicated that the design-of fire protective clothing permits the outer shell material to be changed to meet individual municipal preferences. Mr. Davis Houston provided the' Membership and Activities Report. The membership has remained unchanged since 'the last meeting, and he encouraged active recruiting for expansion of the SWAG group. .1 A report was then conducted on the activities of the ANSI/OSHA Coordinating Committee. If ISEA is to develop voluntary stan dards, a task group must define the organization of the Safety Wearing Apparel Group. Thus, a formal organizational structure must be set forth for the SWAG group. The first project for the ANSI/OSHA Coordinating Committee will probably be-the development, of a test method for coated fabrics. This process will be open to the participation of all interested parties. On motion, duly seconded and carried, Mr. Dick Sager was named SWAG liaison with ASTM to set standards for heat-resistant clothing. Mr. Arthur .Wimble, Administrative Assistant, American Pulp Wood Association -conducted a presentation of the problems relating to protective clothing for forest workers. Mr. Wimble emphasized that the injury rate for loggers is one of the highest of any industry. This problem is exacerbated by the lack of motivation on the part of independently-minded loggers to wear safety equip ment. Most safety equipment is considered by them to be not only cumbersome, but inconsistent with their image as self-sufficient individuals. Most injuries result from chain saw accidents. Chain saw "kickbacks' cause injuries to the neck and to the back of'the hand when raised to protect the head area. Injuries are also common when a logger slips 'dr trips in the forest and drops the saw on his legs. Although there is a section in CFR on log ging standards, Mr. Wimble indicated that protective clothing standards for chain saw operators has not been developed. There is still a great need for testing to determine the most protec tive materials and the optimum method of wearing them. Current research has shown that any protective material would have to allow for a reaction time of at least 2/10 of a second before the saw could be removed. Mr. Wimble stated that loggers probably would be willing to pay a premium for effective safety trousers. The ability to remove and replace, safety pads would be an im portant design element for the loggers. At this point there is only one manufacturer of protective trousers in' the U..S. In addition, there is a need for a domestically produced hard-hat with a black screen mesh face guard that won't fog.' The Aluminum Subcommittee stated that a standard test method for DKS 232 -4fabric resistance to molten aluminum is needed for ASTM. The subcommittee concluded that there should be a performance stan dard for the entire garment, rather than merely for the material. On motion duly seconded and carried, the subcommittee will con tact ASTM in order to request the development of a testing pro gram. There being no other old business or new business, a motion to adjourn was seconded and adtoped. ISEA Counsel DKS 233