Dust masks repeatedly clogged

One visitor to the plant reported that he noticed the dust immediately after entering the plant because the bagging and hopper operations were situated near the will-call area (personal communication with vendor who regularly made deliveries to the plant).

Former employees report that the conditions were unbearable, with dust compounded by heat in the summer. Coveralls, glasses, and dust masks (3M, disposable) were available to wear, and were mandatory during times when industrial hygiene surveys found the dust measurements to be above current standards. However, repeated clogging of the masks, along with discomfort, made wearing them a chore.

In a workman’s compensation claim form from WR Grace internal records for this site, a worker states, "So I was exposed, to the tremolite in the vermiculite. I, just like every one, never wore any kind of breathing protection, except while making Monokote fire proofing. I was never told of any hazards of breathing the dust until after I had been working there for 4 or 5, maybe 6 years. After being told of the hazards of breathing the vermiculite dust, I often wondered how safe the other materials I had been working with were."

A former worker also recounted that the majority of workers used tobacco during work shifts, so that a mask would be a nuisance. Even when used, these masks were likely to be ineffective. At least two former employees have been diagnosed with asbestosis.