Industrial Health Survey of the South Portland Shipbuilding Corporation and the Todd-Bath Iron Works (1942)

A survey report to the U.S. Maritime Commission on two wartime shipyards in South Portland, Maine, inspected on September 18, 19 and 22, 1942, by Philip Drinker of the Harvard School of Public Health and five U.S. Navy medical and reserve officers. Most of the report covers first aid, records, ventilation, welding and spray painting. In both yards' pipe covering shops, cutting and pounding asbestos matting "created a very real asbestos hazard, as the dust and fibers were found all over the shops on rafters, machines, benches, and on the workmen's clothing." The team recommended moving the dustiest work into a well-ventilated room and periodic chest examinations of the workers.

What it shows

The general recommendations say that "as in other yards," supervision of the departments handling asbestos pipe and breeching coverings was inadequate, and that "Asbestos dust is dangerous to breathe, but the work can be made perfectly safe by means of proper ventilation." The surveyors also found that no periodic examinations were being made of men in hazardous jobs, that the yards had four cases of lead poisoning among spray painters, and that ventilation aboard ships under construction was "very poor." The report shows government surveyors in 1942 treating asbestos dust in shipyard pipe covering work as a known hazard calling for ventilation and medical checks. Drinker later led a larger survey of Navy pipe covering work (Fleischer-Drinker Study). After the report come blank yard and insurance forms (first aid pass, Maine accident report forms, a surgeon's report) and the Maritime Commission's accident summary for June to August 1942.