Document zMwKqK7vk9Qx3401JRZk5VB0

FILE NAME: Asbestos Sacks and Bags (ASB) DATE: 1968 DOC#: ASB 100 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Meeting Minutes & Industry Rep Attendee List AB Reference: D ,182/61866/PJC. Notes of a meeting r v Builaang , Trinity Square : X9oS Present: Mr, R,H* Butler - Chairman .. .BA, Boyce, Ellerman & Bucknall Steamship Co. Ltd. B.M.R. Bingham, Cunard Steamship Co, Ltd, 2a.J. Brazier, Asbestos Fibre Importers Committee Mr, W.A. Cam.*non, Thomas Y/allis Ltd. Mr. W. Chapman, Furness Withy : Co, Ltd. Hr. W. Exeil, Thomas Wallis Ltd. MM. J. Rutter, Port of London Authority Mr, J. Harper, Scruttons Maithy Ltd, Mr. R.T, Lewis, Asbestos Fibre Importers Committee Mr, D.C. Kandell, L.O.T.E.A, Mr, H.M. Sabin, Canadian Pacific Steamships Ltd, Mr, W. Scott, Asbestos Fibre Importers Committee In attendance - Mr, P.J, Camp Mr, Butler opened by explaining that the meeting had been calle-. discuss the problem of handling asbestos in the Port of London and he rer Mr, Brazier to outline his proposals. Mr, Brazier outlined the position regarding the handling of asbe. ... in other U.X. ports, as set out in the Agenda for the meeting, ana comment..c .ms with the improvement in packaging and the research into the problems of handil...j asbestos - the A,F.I.C. were anxious to explore any avenue whereby it might be possible to overcome the refusal to handle asbestos by certain sections of the London labour force. Commenting on the present position in London and the circular leu, r distributed by Mr. Munday on the 27th July, 1967, Mr. Bingham stated thar ... Compuny had not been shipping asbestos because of the current difficulties c_-- Mr, Cameron stated that, whilst his labour were at one time willing to handle the commodity in impervious bags, they would not go against the Union directive, which was aimed at preventing the handling of asbestos unless it was packed in metal drums or containers. Mr, Cameron also stated that he had discussed the possibility of re-opening discussions regarding the handling of asbestos in bags with he H.M.m, & D. and had been assured that no useful purpose would be served -by such a move. Mr. Futter stated that palletised asbestos was still being handled by the Authority's labour at South West India Dock and mentioned the possibility that any attempt to persuade labour in other sections to handle the commodity could possibly have the adverse effect of extending the Ocean Trades embargo to the shorixy1s men. Referring to the progress that had been made in unitisation, Mr. Scott B . wod samples of Canadian Crysotile Asbestos and South African Amosite M... --..os and illustrated that the former xype of asbestos, as distinct from :.e 1.. . varies./, id not lend itself to press packing and palletisation. hapman produced photographs of palletised carbon black (enveloped in c -board) ana suggested that Mis type of packaging might be a possible so' ::i problem, The opinion was expressed, however, that fin the present a:.. .ion ontainers or drums were the only pack acceptable to the Ocean Trades ... a ...sing upon the use of d^ums, Mr. Brazier stated that t f c had been estimated th, . miis type of packaging would increase the price of asbestos by some - son,. y - j m, drums being required annually. 1 - Possible ways of approaching the workpeople in an attempt to improve the current situation were fully discussed and both Mr; Harper and Mr. Butler expressed the view that - as the Factory Inspectorate's pamphlet "Problems arising from the use of Asbestos" did not state that there was no risk at all - and in consideration of the fact that the difference between Asbestosis and Mesothelioma and blue and white asbestos had already been fully explained to the men at Union meetings - the Ministry of Labour's publication would do little in itself to help solve the problem. The possibility of a trial period during which consignments would be handled unn-r medic*.1, and possibly Union, supervision - enabling dust counts G--vjpJT0o3Gc*. CixG U b^i. taken - was also discussed but concern was again *i<jA 00 0c. &>.. vx that there was no risk at all, little improvement would be made. In this connection, Mr. Butler suggested that an approach should be made to the medical team which produced the Factory Inspectorate-s pamphlet with a view.to them establishing (a) which type of asbestos and packs can be handled ex ship without safety precautions being taken and (b) the precautions to be observed aboard ship when other asbestos is handled. hr. Scott stated that he did not consider that there should be any problem in getting a medical opinion stating that the handling of "white" asbestos did not give rise to any risk of Asbestosis in the conditions experienced in the holds of "essels and it was, therefore, agreed that the A.F.I.C. and L.O.T.E.A. would have further talks with a view to progressing the handling of Canadian asbestos an impervious bags, Mr. Brazier ensuring that the Committee would be well informed ss to medical opinion. The Port Authority would not be involved since they were not concerned with the handling of Canadian asbestos and the existing Transport & General Workers1 Union ruling was passed by the Ocean Trades and not P.L.A. representatives. - 2-