Document v67pVMdgaqg8pzEpbBmOn6yXZ

February 20, 1975 Legal Section Industrial Chut--lea of Ohio Ohio Deportments Building Ctxhmbus, Chio 43215 Risk #220620 Rat O.D. 151790 Henry Bass had worked, it --a learned that.his. job of 'preparing aortar is no longer being pai fi:ri1 bythe fine that hired him ncr by any other firm at the work aits. Repre--ntJrtiv* air sasplaa ocxild not be obtained; however, the following inforaatian raey be of interest to you; ` The claimant mbs employed by Kopper* Ccnpany, Incorporated, Engineer ing and Construction Department, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This firm do-- contract Work for Republic Steel's Cleveland facilities. Mrs. Harrington, telephone rusher 412*371-3300, extension 814, explained that the claimant was hired as a transient employ* from a Cleveland union hall and that he was a laborer with the title of Air Ibol Operator. All of his work while eaployed by Koppers Company, InocsTpcrated was performed at Republic Steel in Cleveland. According to txspany records, that nay not be complete, the claimant's experience 1s as follows! Started 11-20-57 Layed off 12-19-58 Started 12-7-59 Layed off 7-14-61 It could not be confirmed whether or not the claimant received a physi cal examination and X-ray. ' Upon contacting the claimant, he stated that he worked at Republic Steel sporadically for 10 to 15 years making murtor for the repair of blast furnaces and the building of coke ovens. Ha also stated that he mixed the mortar ingredients in a shed that became dusty Airing this operat ion. Mortar la oensnt, a fin* powder of. burned lima and clay, mixed with sand and water. Cement'used for.mortar oentains approxi-- nately M par cant silicon dioxide, and the sand rnild have been of high free silica content. :. In studies of cement workers enployed in oanant-plants-: it waa concluded that there is a oonslatent association between, work in cement plants and obstructive ventilatory iapairmerrt. In conclusion, air sanples representative of the claimant's ' c exposure to dust could not be obtained because his work is rot i .4 being performed' on the job site at present, nor could it be . confirmed when it would be done again. However, the material* ) be mixed indoors contained free silica chat, without adequate control, could likely became airborne when handled or mixed, thus, exposing him to occupational dust containing free silica. There was no information available to ascertain the suitability of. or e-cistence of centreIs. Sincerely, Hon Sherman' ' / Industrial Hygienist RS:bis PffSWBB 7