A. Pocius to W. E. Hodgson and E. C. Lindstrom to C. H. Jensen on Caution Labels for Canada (1965)

Two one-page memos of January 29, 1965, from the headquarters of J-M's Industrial Insulations Division. A. Pocius told W. E. Hodgson in Toronto that the printing on most high-temperature pipe and block insulations and on cement had been revised to show a caution on the inhalation of asbestos, that "all our products will have this label," and that if it was not wanted in Canada, the Canadian side would have to pay for special cartons and bags "or else you may merely cover up the label when it arrives at your Canadian Plant before it is reshipped to a customer." E. C. Lindstrom sent a copy to C. H. Jensen at the Waukegan plant, saying it was "a Division Headquarters decision and should not be modified without express consent of A. Pocius."

What it shows

This was headquarters' answer to the Toronto request that the caution be left off goods for Canada. It kept the label on J-M's own cartons but left the Canadian operation free to cover it up before the goods reached customers. Hodgson took up the choice in his reply of February 1.

In Johns-Manville's chronology

Johns-Manville's own chronology of what the company knew describes this document as follows:

A. Pocius, on 1/29/65, informs W.E. Hodgson that all products will have a caution label. If the label is not needed in Canada, either special cartons and bags will be made at your expense ". . . or else you may merely cover up the label when it arrives at your Canadian Plant. . . ." R.C. Lindstrom memorandum to C.H. Jensen on the same date, enclosing Pocius' letter, states: "(t)his is a Division Headquarter decision and should not be modified without express consent of A. Pocius."

Editor's note: J-M's description names the writer of the second memo "R.C. Lindstrom"; it is signed E. C. Lindstrom.

Related documents

• W. E. Hodgson to S. Lane and C. H. Jensen to E. C. Lindstrom on Leaving Caution Labels Off Shipments to Canada (1965)