Document xjJyjJ8eXzgxw71Bvzxoy5m4E

FILE NAME: International Harvester (INTH) DATE: 1978 Aug 28 DOC#: INTH025 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Memo - Usage of Materials Containing Asbestos IIHTERMAX10HUIL HA RVESTER August 28, 1978 Supervisors, Plant Protection & Safety Safety Supervisors Usage of Materials Containing Asbestos' During a recent annual industrial hygiene survey at one of our plants, it was discovered that transits was being used in the Heat Treat Department induction furnaces as a support for the induction colls and as an insulator, to name just a couple of reasons. Transite contains almost 50 percent asbestos fibers, but its usage in the Heat Treat Department does not constitute an occupational health hazard. The problem occurs when bulk transite sheets are machined and excessive asbestos fibers are generated, Transite was being cut by band saw, drilled, etc, to fit inside the furnaces without use of local exhaust ventilation, respirators or other control measures. Asbestos elimination goals, OSHA requirements and good indus trial hygiene practices which must be followed when airborne asbestos fibers are generated are described in Mr. R. J. Black* s letter of January 27, 1975 sent to all operations. In my experience, the highest airborne concentrations are found when sawing asbestos-containing material. The best solution for control of asbestos pr other hazardous material, in my opinion, is substituting a less toxic material when feasible. . Melrpse Park Plant has fulfilled good industrial hygiene procedures by substituting Glastic Grade UTR glass matt poly ester laminate for transite, manufactured by Glastic Corpora tion, Cleveland, Ohio, and fiberglass pipe wrapping for asbestos pipe wrapping, etc. The substitution for transits was accomplished about five years ago, and I was informed that Glastic is a bettet material than the asbestos-containing transite. Therefore, substitution can have added benefits also, especially when the costly OSHA requirements must be met EMPLOYE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY / CHICAGO, ILLINOIS August 28, 1978 Page 2 There are now several manufacturers of asbestos-free material to he used for a wide variety of applications. More informa tion is available from this department or the Melrose Park Plant. As a reminder, all personnel exposed to asbestos in the past or present must have a medical examination as described in the OSHA standards. In this same plant other work with asbestos material was re viewed. Asbestos pipe covering was being torn down and re placed without the use.of respirators, added ventilation, precautionary cleanup:, or other requirements as stated in the government regulations. Procedures were the same for other jobs involving working with asbestos. This practice cannot be allowed to continue in any of our plants. You should review all operations involving asbestos-containing materials and enforce the policy when asbestos must be worked with* All the OSHA requirements must be followed, and substitution is a must whenever possible. If this department can be of further assistance, please con tact us. Industrial Hygienist ja c : Employe Relations Managers Industrial Relations Managers Mr. R. J. Black