Document ykdwoXBLdRa9NY3ReDZ7OqVO3

3008 0U3 NATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY CCMCTTEE MEETING WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER 20. 1978 For the Company J. J. Whelan P. B. Toth Dr. D. Laderech E. E. Meyer J. Roddewig For the Union E. Kovaclch Dr. M. Silveretein F. Mirer The following Issues were dlecuaaed at the meeting which wae held In the Labor Relations Conference Room - WBQ: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) Dr. Laderach advised the union that Dr. Sherman, the plant physician?an Metuebea and head of the Company's Task Force was transferring to Dearborn, effective" January 15, 1979. Dr. Laderach stated that Dr. Sherman's transfer imiH'Bsrei a positive effect on the work of the Task Force because Dearborn and Wayne AssaaM^F- Plants could now readily participate. Dr. Laderach reviewed CTS statistics 4&o%v the Metuchen Assembly Plant with members of the coonlttee but stated that tbm^ssrk' of the Task Force was delayed because Dr. Tlchauer, the Task Force Consultant,' had been sick since the latter part of October. \ Kovaclch asked what actions were taken by the Company during this Interim period. Whelan responded that field locations had been alerted to the problems of CTS, and that early Identification, medical treatment and appropriate job placement, were particularly emphasized. Whelan reviewed some CTS statistics for Mahwah, Wayne, San Jose and Twin Cities. It was pointed out that the statistics were gathered by plant industrial relations personnel by examining medical record visits, medical leaves, safety reports and worker's compensation records. These records were not to be considered in lieu of certain medical records that would subsequently be gathered by the Task Force but might prove useful In further identifying and dimensioning the problem. The records indicated that the problem exists in the Chassis and Trim Departments but no specific Jobs were identified at this time. The union did not register any complaints about progress or approaches In this regard but riqiistld that the Company consider sending a commmicatlon to the field Identifying thm. CT^jweblem and spelling out appropriate medical procedures. We responded -thafr tbarunion's request would be taken under advisement. r *poy The Union inquired about recent complaints from union representatives at stamping and assembly plants resulting from the use of an epoxy structlonal adhesive (M2G 188A) which was causing dermatitis. Toth reported that the Company was aware of complaints from Woodhaven and Cleveland Stamping Plants. He Indicated that in both locations employes were not taking the proper precautions when using this material. Ed Meyer stated that the material was first used at the Chicago Stamping Plant approximately 1% years ego to teal tha inner and outer aluminum hood. Kovaclch stated that such Instances were example# that the Company's Hazardous Materials Program was not working effectively and berated the Company's Industrial Hygiene Department. We attempted to explain to Kovaclch that tha materiel and precautions for Its use were contained in the Hazardous Materials Catalog and was readily available to Company and Union PRODUCED BY FORD - 2- represented?** at all affected locations* Kovacich refuaedto listen to theee facts and again-begair abusing Paul Toth and his staff. Kovacich clearly wanted a commitment from^th* Company to provide the union with the data sheets for each substance contaldhd in. the Hatardous Material Catalog. Whelan explained to the union that the cheialcal composition of many of these materials was regarded as confidential and proprietary which therefore, prevented the Company from making these data sheets available to the union. Lead Control Program The union inquired about the Company's plan to implement the new final Lead Standard. Ms Toth advised the union that the Company would comply with the new standard effective February 1, 1979. Toth further advised that the Company had not yet decided whether it would promulgate a new Company Lead Control Program or a program specifically designed along the same lines as the OSHA Standard. Kovacich appeared upset that the Company would wait until February 1, 1979 for implementation of the standard and asked if the Company Intended to make employes use respirators in implementing the standard. The Company responded affirmatively and stated^tfce use of respirators was provided for in the standard. Kovacich became moije irrational and again berated Toth and his staff alleging that delay and the use of"respirators showed a poor attitude on the part of the Company. (Kovacich* s remarks were ' extremely personal resulting In Toth excusing himself from the meetings) X advised Kovacich that if he did not conduct himself more appropriately, there was no point in continuing the masting. V^ The union was then presented with a Company summary of 1977 blood lead^tamfc results primarily for Individual AAD plants. Mirer indicated that the Company's date was illustrative of a problem particularly In light of complying with a more difficult Standard. Mirer was referring to readings on the summary indicating 70 employes tested at 60 ug or above, (all at certain AAD plants) which the union regards as unacceptable and indicative of employes at risk. Mirer further stated that the union expected that Company efforts to comply with the new lead standard would be based on engineering rather than administrative controls. The union then requested * a follow-up meeting to further discuss the Company's lead control program with particular emphasis on engineering controls, rate retention, wash-up and prep time, facilities (including separate cafeterias and shower rooms), protective equipment (including underwear and shoes), participation of the unit health and safety repre sentative with regard to monitoring and access to certain medical records, and second and third party physicians. (The new standard to some degree requires these provisions * which necessitates that certain Company evaluations and decisions must be made In the very near future^. 1979 Training Conference The union was adrlstd that the 1979 Training Conference was tentatively scheduled for sometime in April-May in the greater Detroit area. Kovacich requested that the entire area of Hatardous Materials be given special attention. The Company readily agreed to this request. Asbestos In response to an earlier inquiry, Kovacich was advised that the Company was maintaining medical records on employes previously exposed to asbestos. (Sheldon Road and Sheffield had been used aa examples by the union.) Sllverstein asked If the Company intended to comply with recent recommendations mad* by the Surgeon General with 8008 0U4 ' PRODUCED BY FORD -3- regard to employes trpond to aabeatoa in the workplace. SiIvorstein atated that auch recoamendetl&s Included periodic medical examinations, referral to private physicians. the treatment and referral of retirees, etc. I Indicated that I waa not aware of the Surgeon General1 a recoomendatlona concerning expoaure to aabeatoa and would therefore get back to them at a later date. The union alao requested that the Company continue to look.fox and evaluate auitable substitutes for asbestoa. Fatalities Kovaclch and Meyer discussed the recent fatality at the Monroe Plant. Meyer pointed out that employes at Monroe including the deceased were given training sessions on the lockout procedure several times during both 1917 and 1978. (A copy of the Monroe lockout procedure was furnished to Kovaclch.) Meyer also Indicated that the Company waa contesting the OSHA citation because the citation stated that the Company did not have a lockout procedure In effect at Monroe. Kovaclch Inquired about the status of the Company's new rail car procedure-jAJLfch vaa prompted by the fatality at the Cleveland Stamping Plant. Meyer stated thqg&tha,nafw r procedure vaa not finalised but that a copy of the procedure would be p union when it was available. ;f Miscellaneous ~ . r-. & * Kovaclch requested that the Company investigate a Job at Romeo where finished tractors coming off the final line were started up in close proximity to the fueL wthghstt * thereby creating a fire hazard. Meyer indicated the job would be evaluated and he * would get back to Kovaclch shortly. The next meeting of the National Coomlttee was scheduled for 3:00 P.M., Thursday, January 11, 1979 to specifically discuss the hazardous materials grievance from the Lorain Assembly Plant. A second meeting of the Committee is scheduled for 9:00 A.M., Monday, January 15, 1979 to discuss the Implementation of the new lead standard. ^Indicates issues requiring Company action and/or followup. January 4, 1979 8008 0145 ' PRODUCED BY FORD //i^Un/eti //fp V 'tyfou/t/ ty/4U. Mte/k, A&s /fa_ 7 , - V ty/iMty /0rtO.ui 4id tyu. hi-Mi- MiA/MM/ai MM -- Maeeueety &Mi u&U MaM/fa. ftefaM' (it/' Ml/ M/M' W# Mo Ami fatU(/L M Maty. - * lity M, Ihut* le _ Mty ^Mu/. M/o Me/nzM/aoU/. A jhtyi- Juu^u Mm zca&tf Mu/Meaty&*&, MUiui/s eua, &&, // y/#i - Ju/MAee/ M/s #*rx6C /A/m MMeMt /mu. MutyCi/ 8008 0146 ' PRODUCED BY FORD