Document rxbbkdqKD6wB9ew4nKzqVJjMv

( INDEPENDENT OIL WORKERS'UNION 7' AFFILIATED WITH O.C.A.W. LOCAL Mil . ' * i. Ji I. ' ` ` ; f j 911 BILL1NGSPORT ROADWwx ' -- GIBBSTOWN, NEW JERSEY 08027 ' -J----- (609) 423-3615 -- March 23, 1981 ' Arthur B. Hiser, General Manager Mobil Oil Corporation Paulsboro, New Jersey 08066 ! "< --' . Dear Mr. Hiser: ..... . 11*j j j I have written the local Occupational Safety "and Health <-____ f Administration office asking for a complete' Inspec'tion-ef-/the--L____ { refinery to determine whether employee exposure to the'mahy___ l_ __ j pipelines which we covered years ago, with insulation con- '** taining asbestos, are now posing a serious health hazard to our workers. Your response to my 03HA complaint about deteriorating asbestos seemed to satisfy Mr. Alendorf so much that he feel3 the case can be closed. .I must disagree, because of the start ling facts. V/e know for a fact that there are miles of pipe lines in the refinery which are covered with insulation which contains asbestos.- we know that to this day Mobil repudiates any accusations of serious health hazards existing in the refinery. V/e know that the examinations of 137 employees performed by Dr. Irving J. Selikoff of Mount Sinai School of Medicine in 1972 and 1973 revealed that significant asbestos-related lung damage exists among our.workers in the refinery. Approximately three years ago Mobil started informing some employees that their last examination revealed changes in the lungs, specifically lateral pleural wall thickening, which is associated with exposure to asbestos. Though the Union has been unable to obtain information to determine the severity of this problem, Mobil's Medical Department and 03HA does know. The 'Accident and Illness' log (03HA 200) fails to list lung damage cases. PLAINTIFF'S EXHIBIT MBL-265 05B27 447597 Our records reflect cognizant evidence that asbestos has and is 3till being handled in an unsafe manner and in dis regard to proper procedures currently, the demolition of No. 2 TCC and No. 3 Gas Plant units is creating this very hazard. Despite employee complaints to management, contractors continue to knock: asbestos to the ground. The dust is carried for an infinite distance. Efforts to force contractor com pliance of safety procedures have been frivolous. Asbestos insulation is not being removed in accordance with applicable 'health and safety regulations. After spending many lunch and break periods documenting the locations of some of the exposed asbestos, I submitted a five page report to Mr. Mouton (August 1980). I've asked for periodic updates to check the abatement of the discrepancies reported. It seems to be standard Mobil policy to communicate or provide employees with as little information possible and in the most troublesome manner. I can't seem'to obtain a status report on the progress of removing or covering the asbestos in sulation. In an effort to improve communications, I request that we meet, at your convenience, to discuss the problems of asbestos in our workplace. I would also ask that we tour areas of the refinery to satisfy your mind, as Plant Manager, that these problems are very real. In closing, I wish for nothing more than the day we start solving our own problems from within the plant as'I believe it should be. Respectfully yours, Kenneth R. Estes, Chairman Health & Safety Committee 0-5828 447598 2- Recognizing the above case I h*ve a great deal of difficulty in understanding your posture. Your statements relative to the Paulsboro operation are slanderous in nature and are not only unconstructive in terms of our safety program but appear to be intended to harass and detract from the program. We are dedicated to improving the safety performance at the Paulsboro Refinery,and the record speaks for itself. We will continue to improve, and we will welcome any positive suggestions for improvement. Very truly yours, /rdm 05826 447596