Document wq78mXMX0krg6n380gxEm73JB

Managers' Notice No. 951 May 23, 1974 The company is making the following news release today: Akron. -- The most intensive research and development program in its history, a multimillion dollar program in which more than 100 scientists, engineers and technicians are working to develop new technology, was announced today by B.F.Goodrich. Aim of the program is to reduce to the lowest possible level losses of vinyl chloride and thus, reduce exposure in manufacturing operations. "Time is required to break technological barriers, to engineer, build and install new equipment," Anton Vittone, President of the Company's Chemical Division, said, "but incremental improvements can be expected on a continuing basis as our research.and development efforts identify improvements that can be made in our plant operations." "We are working on several programs on a six day and even seven day per week basis with our most capable, dedicated and highly skilled people." "These programs include moving toward a more automated 'closed* system, which we believe will substantially reduce vinyl chloride losses and exposure." A careful, in-depth analysis of the proposed permanent Occupational Safety and Health Administration standard relating to worker exposure to vinyl chloride is being made by the company. According to Vittone, "The proposed standard of no detectable level of exposure does not appear to be possible with the current state of technology and, if imposed, could displace not only the 6,500 vinyl chloride monomer and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) production workers, but also hundreds of thousands of other employees in the companies which use PVC. "Industry, labor, government and the scientific community must continue to cooperate to make the most of our time and our resources. All of us have a stake in the outcome of these efforts to assure the safety and well-being and continued employment of hundreds of thousands of workers." "Given time we are confident we can develop the technology to assure safe limits without an undue disruption of jobs^' Vittone concluded. George Pow Director of Employee Relations Distribution: B.F.Goodrich Chemical Company Cleveland Office Sales Offices (TWX) Plants Technical Centers (Telecopier TWX) BFG32611 T00frG9f#