J. P. Kottcamp to S. A. Williams on Asbestosis Cases at Waukegan (1932)

A one-page "Personal & Confidential" letter of November 25, 1932, from J. P. Kottcamp, manager of J-M's Waukegan, Illinois, factories, to Vice President S. A. Williams, headed "Asbestosis Cases." Kottcamp says the most important step was to install dust collecting systems in the textile department, the pipe covering saw room and the shingle plant. "We do not compel our employees to wear respirators," he writes, and most employees "are very much opposed to using these respirators as they claim they interfer with their breathing."

What it shows

Dr. Keller, who examined Waukegan's workers, and a Mr. Hampson called monthly examinations "an absurd procedure," but the plant was now examining all new employees and, as quickly as possible, the old ones. He urged Williams to approve the dust equipment, which together with the examinations "should greatly fortify our position in case suits develop similar to the ones referred to by Mr. Silverman in the case of the Union Asbestos & Lumber Company." A month later Kottcamp reported that no money had yet been spent (letter of December 22, 1932).

In Johns-Manville's chronology

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

J.P. Kottcamp, Waukegan plant manager, 11/25/32 writes S.A. Williams (Vice President) of need to install dust collection in textiles, pipe covering saw room and shingle plant, respirator and exam policies, need to fortify J-M's position "in case suits develop similar to the ones referred to by Mr. Silverman in the case of the Union Asbestos & Lumber [sic] Company."

The organization of the American Industrial Hygiene Association in 1939 appears to have been a factor in the eventual disbanding of the club.

Related documents

• S. A. Williams to J-M Plant Managers Asking for a Report on Dust Control (1932)