Document rpEDkeMdDLJVXL5v0dz3zvOw0

FILE NAME Colonial Sugar Refinery CSR DATE 1974 June 18 DOC CSR057 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION Memo - Notes RE Asbestos Hazard - CSR Experience at Wittenoom and Elsewhere MGK pe 18th June 1974 NOTES RE ASBESTOS HEALTH HAZARD CSR Experience at Wittenoom elsewhere asbestos as a raw material for asbestos CSR began using cement in the early 1940's CSR mined white asbestos chrysotile in the early 1940's , simnalblluqeuaanstbietsiteoss crocidolite in about 1944 we dust with Manville in Canada and From discussions later with Cape Asbestos blue in South Africa were inhalation of asbestos dust always aware of some danger from be similar to or fibre Initially we understood this to heard of asbestosis and other related silicosis but later diseases that any industrial dust was potentially Our attitude was harmful and should be avoided or prevented We provided of dust increasingly elaboraatned more eaftfetchteivAeusmteraanls ian Blue Asbestos collection at our factories and mill in particular CSR the W.A. Mines Department and Health Department b Australia were all largely guided and other asbestos users in fibre had been produced and overseas experience where asbestos and still is More used industrially for over 100 years = and its hazards as with many has been learned about asbestosMuch more elaborate precautions other products in common use law to mini- taken nowadays in some cases specified by are to asbestos dust but this is paralleled mise human exposure in all other industries by similar precautions devices are seen as necessary no All kinds of protective not regarded as important 20 industry generally which were face masks in The use of hard hats safety glasses years ago etc. are simple examples have not stopped development of nuclear Radiation liazards are taken fuels and power stations - but proper precautions I do not accept that it can be agrreesepdonsthiabtilCiS tiResactiend regar~ or treated lightly its irresponsibly at Wittenoom or elsewhere in our to the asbestos dust hazard with the ther manufacturing operations We acted in accordance current state of knowledge and adopted good industrial practice production The of blue asbestos and amosite in South Africa is continuing and these fibres are in common industrial use world wide The same applies to white asbestos These materials can be safely used if proper procedures are followed M.G.K. 18/6/74 WIC WIC aed WIC WIC WIC WIC WIC C.C. Mr. Mr. Mr. Mr. A.C. A.V. A.J. J.H. Browne Shaw Campbell Matthews This This was written written from from from from my prend prend prendprend The recolection recollecrtieoncollection recolle--ction ---7 matters pri1or8/6 seeing seeing Howanur s~ emo dont Howanur Howanur Howanur Howanur Sunther Sunther it it it Sunther matters Sunther s~ emos~ emo note tac tac matters , x note of 18/6 dont tac dont dont prior prior . well to to well well t