Document yk44drMBN5e3X1JaV9mKXKeRd

FILE NAME: Foseco (FOS) DATE: 1973 Oct 16 DOC#: FOS033 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Memo FOSECO, INC. ' t IHTER-COMPANY AND INTER-DEPARTMENTAL CORRESPONDENCE to: cc! J. Ailes Mike Wood oATUi October lfi, 1973 s u b j e c t : Raw Material RHX-3562 A number of employees have expressed a concern over their reaction to the new raw material R1&-3562. There are so things about this material 1 feel you should know. 'll'f&fc&fl&el $ OSHA has recently advised American industry that it must find substitutes for asbestos; Asbestos is a widely used material and has been the back bone of many Foseeo products for years. Finding an adequate substitute a ' has been a top priority at Foseeo. The very' future of the Company depends on our suceess In accomplishing this. J PMX-3562 Is a temporary solution to the substitution problem. It Is a l natural material that is mined in up-state'New York. It is silica* free and has no serious health consequences associated with it's use. By comparison, the standards for airborne particles allowable are SO million parts per cubic foot as apposed to 2 million pares per cubic foot of asbestos. The In.terpace Company which mines this material has been doing so for 20 years and no employees have suffered any internal ill effects. T This material is classified as a nuisance and it certainly can be. 4 Different people react differently to it, but standard reaction is itching and irritation upon contact, particularly around areas where there is chaffing and where the individual has been perspiring. It is' possible through constant contact to build up in immunity to the irritation. Employees at the mine have to go through "break-in period" of approximately 1 week after returning from vacation or a period of etss whsra^they ara not exposed to the material. There are a number . of chinjytewa can do to minimize the nuisance of this material. It will raquiro'-fbae" everyone recognize that the potential for irritation exists sad'-work intelligently to minimize the effects. On a separate sheet I aa H a t i n g soma "do1# and don'ts" for people who handle che material. Finally 1 feel that it is very important that everyone advise their supervisor as to the reactions they are having and perhaps any success ful techniques they might discover to minimize the irritation. Of course it gats without saying, that anyone who wishes CO consult A physician over chair reaction to tha msterlal should report to Personnel where arrangements will be made. We will continue to examine our work practices sod attempt to find the best way of handling this material. 1 can assure you that Fosoco is. searching world-wide for other substitutes for asbestos. J 1 FOS-00-0a00ffl l227 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HANDLING RHX-3S62 * Employees uho handle ehe material known as RMX-3562 have two options to combat the nuisance irritation caused by the material. I. Knowing that an impunity builds up with exposure, employees may choose to not use protective cream. This will enable them to determine whether they are able to build up an immunity to the material. 2. The cream Kerodex hai been proven to be an effective protection against the nuisance Irritation of this material. However, as long as it Is used, no Immunity is developed. Therefore, the Kerodex must be used ss directed at .all times. Skin must be clean and dry before application. It must be lightly and evenly distributed over all possibly areas of exposure leaving no excesses. This process must be repeated during break times to continue Che protection the cream provides. Once the material makes contact with unprotected skin the nuisance irritation will appear and it is too late for the protective' cream. ( * ' 's Regardless of whether one chooses to use the protective cream which is available in the supervisor's office or not, Che following do's and don'ts should be observed by everyone having contact with RMX-3562: Do wear long clothing to reduce the amount of skin exposed. Do wash frequently, particularly at breaks and shower thoroughly before going home. Don't wear work clothes home but change your cloches after ihowri8- Pon't wash work cloches with Che rest of the family's wash, but wash them separately. Don't scratch or rub the irritated areas. Do handle ehe material in such a way as to minimize not only your 27 28 T