Insulation Industry Testimony of Sheckler, Royer and Zumwalt at the Labor Department Asbestos Hearing (1972)

Pages of the March 16, 1972 transcript of the U.S. Department of Labor's hearing on a permanent asbestos standard (20 pages, with the Department's 1978 certificate of a true copy). Clifford L. Sheckler, chairman of the Safety and Health Committee of the National Insulation Manufacturers Association (NIMA), spoke with J. Spencer Royer for NIMA and the National Insulation Contractors Association, opposing the proposed standard and the recommendations for a two-fiber limit. Royer said many contractors could not absorb the added costs and asked for standards "that will not put us out of business." Charles Zumwalt of the Industrial Safety Equipment Association then commented on the respirator sections.

What it shows

Sheckler traced how the limit had fallen from 5 million particles per cubic foot to 12 fibers and then 5 fibers within two years, and called this a picture of "the inconsistency and uncertainty" in setting a standard. Among his requests was lead time before any lower limit took effect, so that the construction industry could "cope economically with the increased costs." He also said the two associations had twice asked for seats on the government's advisory committee and been refused.

In Johns-Manville's index

Johns-Manville's legal department indexed the Motley 1,000 in 1984. Its index describes this document as follows:

Statement of Clifford L. Sheckler (Chairman of the Safety and Health Committee, NIMA, and former long-term J-M employee) at Goldberg Hearings on 3/16/72. Sheckler states that he is representing NIMA and the National Insulation Contractors Association (NICA). Sheckler expresses their opposition to the new proposed standard. Sheckler states that the proposed standard is "neither reasonable, practical, feasible, or economically sound." Sheckler also lists a number of recommendations which he requests the Secretary of Labor to adopt. Statement of J. Spencer Royer (NICA) at Goldberg Hearings on 3/16/72. Royer expresses his disagreement with the two fiber/cc standard. Royer doubts seriously that this standard could even be met from a monetary standpoint. The proposed standard would make it impossible for the small insulation contractor to survive. Royer requests that the proposed standard be reconsidered and that further investigation and evaluation be done to initiate more practical standards that would provide protection to insulation workers, but also would not put insulation contractors out of business. Statement of Charles Zumwait (Secretary-Treasurer, Industry Safety Equipment Assoc.) at Goldberg Hearings on 3/16/72. Zumwait comments on the sections of the proposal relating to respiratory protection. He suggests that some of the sections regarding respiratory protection be re-worded. For the most part, Zumwait applauds the drafters of the recommendations.

Related documents

• Dr. George W. Wright, Testimony at the Labor Department Hearing on the Asbestos Standard (1972)
• Henry B. Moreno of Johns-Manville, Testimony at the Labor Department Hearing on the Asbestos Standard (1972)
• Fred L. Pundsack's Testimony Against OSHA's Proposed Asbestos Warning Labels, with His Letter to Arthur Goldberg (1972)
• Statements of Clifford Sheckler, Dr. George W. Wright and Henry B. Moreno at the Labor Department Asbestos Hearing (1972)

About this copy

This is document 312 of the Motley 1,000, from the set the Manville Personal Injury Settlement Trust's records facility certified as true copies, pages CRMC-Motley1000-Subj-001540 to CRMC-Motley1000-Subj-001559.