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  • ROBERT ROSS et al VS. C.C. MOORE & CO. ENGINEERS ASBESTOS document preview
  • ROBERT ROSS et al VS. C.C. MOORE & CO. ENGINEERS ASBESTOS document preview
  • ROBERT ROSS et al VS. C.C. MOORE & CO. ENGINEERS ASBESTOS document preview
  • ROBERT ROSS et al VS. C.C. MOORE & CO. ENGINEERS ASBESTOS document preview
  • ROBERT ROSS et al VS. C.C. MOORE & CO. ENGINEERS ASBESTOS document preview
  • ROBERT ROSS et al VS. C.C. MOORE & CO. ENGINEERS ASBESTOS document preview
  • ROBERT ROSS et al VS. C.C. MOORE & CO. ENGINEERS ASBESTOS document preview
  • ROBERT ROSS et al VS. C.C. MOORE & CO. ENGINEERS ASBESTOS document preview
						
                                

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LAW DRRICES Ps a a SUre 1308, 100 BUSH STREET SAN FRANCISCO, CA sd tod KEENEY & CORDERY, IMAI, TADLOCK, (415) 675-7900 a A MW BR WwW NW 14 | SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94104 .C.C. MOORE & CO, ENGINEERS, et al., Brace Imai, Esq. (Bar No. 053800) Tina Yim, Esq. (Bar No. 232597) IMAL, TADLOCK, KEBNEY & CORDERY, LLP 100 BUSH STREET, SUITE 1300 ELECTRONICALLY FILED Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco FEB 22 2013 Clerk of the Court ~ BY: RAYMOND K. WONG. Deputy Clerk Telephone: (415) 675-7000 Facsimile: (415) 675-7008 Attomeys for Defendant COMMAIR MECHANICAL SERVICES | IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. IN AND FOR THE CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO UNLIMITED JURISDICTION ROBERT ROSS and JEAN ROSS, CASE NO.: CGC-10-275731 DECLARATION OF DR. JEFFREY Plaintiffs, BIRKNER IN SUPPORT OF COMMAIR MECHANICAL SERVICES’ MOTION ¥. FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT OR, IN THE ALTERNATIVE, SUMMARY JUDGMENT Date: May 9, 2013 Time: 9:30 a.m. Dept: 503 Defendants. Judge: Hon. Teri L. Jackson Complaint Filed: December 17, 2010 Trial Date: June 10, 2013 The undersigned declares as follows: 1. L Dr. Jefitey S. Birkner, declare under penalty of perjury, under the laws of the State of California that the statements made herein are based on personal knowledge and are true and correct. 2. Teamed my B_A. in Biology and M.S. in Environmental Health Sciences from New York University. I eamed my PhD. in Environmental Health Sciences from the University of California, Los Angeles. Since 1987, [have been a-Certified Industrial Hygienist, qualified by the American Board of Industial Hygiene (“ABIED’) for comprehensive practice of the profession. I have more than 30 years of experience as an industrial hygienist, including field consuliations, managing industrial bymene teams, teaching Health and Safety Technician students and 23 years of experience as a consultant providing industrial hygiene and hazard assessment, as well as air -l- DECLARATION OF DR. JEFFREY RIRENER IN SUPPORT OF COMMAIR MECHANICAL SERVICES” MOTION-FOR SUMMaRY JUDGMENT OR, JN THE ALTERNATIVE, SUMMARY JUDGMENT i ' I, LLP Sune 3806 woo BUSH o7REET EAN PRANCISCO, CA P4104 KEENEY & CORDERY, LAW OFFICER IMAI, TADLOCK, (415) 675-7008 BW NM sampling, indoor air quality evaluations, hazardous material assessments and OSHA compliance evaluations, From 1986 fo the present, J have also been employed as Vice President Technical Services for Moldex Metric, Inc. where I provide in-house industrial hygiene and safety services including identification and abatement of asbestos-contaming materials. I have doring the course of may years as an industrial hygienist become very famihar with the uses of construction products and joint compomnds. 3. Tam a full member of the American Industnal Hygiene Association, the world's largest industrial hygiene professional society and past President of the Southern Califorma American Indusirial Hygiene Association. I have been the President of the International Society for Respiratory Protection, the Chair and Vice-Cham of the Respiratory Protection Committee for the Intemational Safety Equipment Association. I have also been the Chair and Vice Chair of the Hearing Protection Committee for the Intemational Safety Equipment Association. 4. A tne and conect copy of my curriculum vitae is attached hereto and mecrporated ‘by reference as Exhibit 1 to this declaration. 5. Through my experience, training, and research as an industrial hygienist, I have acquired extensive knowledge about the occupational exposures to asbestos fibers. I am familiar with the chemical composition of asbestos, the fiber release for asbestos-containing products, as well as the effect of differing asbestos exposures on buman health risks. My job duties have included conducting air sampling campaigns for asbestos and many other occupational chemicals. I have also provided industrial hygiene consultation and been retained as an expert for numerous asbestos- telated matters, 6. In the couse of my work as an industial hygiene consultant, I have supplemented my formal education, training and professional experience by extensive literature reviews of ashestos air sarnpling, fiber release, and risk of occupational disease. This includes extensive teview of the medical and scientific state of art of knowledge of the hazards of asbestos. 7. Throughout my career, | have become aware of and reviewed numerous publications by various entities and organizations that are relevant to my area of work, including, but not Limited to, The International Association of Heat & Frost Insulators and Asbestas Workers 2 DECLARATION OF DR. JEFFREY BIRENEBR IN SUPPORT OF COMMAIR MECHANICAL SERVICES MOTION POR SUMMARY JUDGMENT OR, IN THE ALTERNATIVE, SUMMARY JUDGMENT4 a = & 8 o Co a 85 ES Be B5 B3 53 z E FE eas Law OFFICES IMAI, TADLOCK, 3 wow Union’s official journal, The Asbestos Worker. 8, Tam familiar with the International Association of Heat & Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers Union and its official journal, The Asbestos Worker. 9. Thave reviewed the deposition of Mr, Steve Steele, in the matters of Syhia Currier, et al. v. Asbestos Defendants (BP}, San Francisco County Superior Court Case Nos. CGC-06-454325, CGC-06-451849, CGC-08-274823, CGC-09-275161, CGC-08-274946, and CGC-07-274099, Volumes I-J, dated Angust 21, 2009 and October 6, 2009. 10, Steve Steele testified at deposition that he is the business manager for Local No. 16 of the International Association of Heat & Frost Insvlators and Allied Workers Union (formerly known as the International Association of Heat & Frost Insulators and Asbestos ‘Workers Umen). (Deposition of Steve Steele, Vol. 1, 15:5-15:25, 19:4-19:10, attached hereto as Exhibit 2 and incorporated by teference.) 1l. Steve Steele testified that he is the Custodian of Records for Local No. 16, and the Custodian of Records Zor all categories of documents requested per his deposition notice, except for the joumals from his Union (i.¢., the Intemational Association of Heat & Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers). Mr. Steve Steele testified that he believes that the Intemational Association of Heat & Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers Union possesses copies of The Asbestos Warker journals from the beginning of its publication, but he did not attempt to obtain “old” copies of The Asbestos Worker journals in response or in preparation for his deposition. (Deposition of Steve Steele, Vol. 1, 31:22-32:16, of Exhibit 2.) 12. At his deposition, Mr. Steve Steele testified that The Asbestos Worker is the official journal of the Intemational Association of Heat & Frost Insulators and Asbestas Workers Union, of which Local No. 16 is a part. Mr. Steele also indicated that The Asbestas Worker is published by the Intemational Association of Heat & Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers Union and is sent ont several times per year. He also believes that the journals are sent on ot about the date indicated on the journals to each and every member of the International ‘Association of Heat & Prost Insulators and Asbestos Workers Union. (Deposition of Steve Steele, Vol. 1, 37:12-38:25, of Exhibit 2.) 3 DECLARATION OF DR. JEFFREY BIRENER IN SUPPORT OF COMMAIR MECHANICAL SERVICES" MOTION FOR SUMMARY TUIDGMENT OR, IN THE ALTERNATIVE, SUMMARY JUDGMENTcaw oefiets IMAI, TADLOCK, KEENEY & CORDERY, LLP 00 SUT 100 BUSH STREET BAN PRARCIECO. CA Paine (4157 625-7008 4am Ww F Bob 13. In response to the request for documents, Mr. Steele searched through his office, filing cabinets, and off-site storage for responsive documents. Mr. Steele found and produced at his deposition various documents, including eleven (11) editions of The Asbestos Worker that he had located in his office. These journals were identified, marked, and attached to Mr. Steele’s deposition as Exhibits EE1 through EE11. 14. During his deposition, Mr. Steele was shown and asked about eleven (11) additional] issues of The Asbestos Worker that preceded the ones he had produced. These earlier issues of The Ashestas Worker were marked and attached to Mr. Steele’s transcript as Exhibits F through P. 15. _ Mr. Steele consistently testified that these earlier editions of The Ashestos Worker appear fo have the same format as The Asbestos Worker journals he had produced, and/or simply appear to be The Asbestos Worker journals (Deposition of Steve Steele, Vol. 1, 95:20-132:8 of Evaibit 2.) , 16 Tn my review of the April, 1957, issue of The Asbestos Worker, attached hereto as Exhibit 3 and incorporated by reference, (p21) reporting on an annual meeting of the Western States Conference, noted the statement that, “The problem of asbestosis and silicosis were discussed at large stemming from the report of Local 16 in which it was revealed that eleven of its members passed away last year. A large number of men had definite symptoms of the aforementioned hazards of out trade. Most of the locals in attendance. spoke on this vital subject. ..At this time a motion was made, seconded and passed that the international continue to investigate the causes of Asbestosis and allied lung ailments caused by fibrous materials and to determine what measures can be found to combat and prevent these disease.” 17. Inmy review of the October, 1957, issue of The Asbestos Worker, attached hereto as Exhibit 4 and incorporated by reference, (p1), the magazine contained the following statement: “Health Hazards: Being well aware of the health hazards in the Asbestos Industry, President Sickles requested for the General Executive Board to make a study ofthe health hazards, with authority to appoint sub-committees, and to employ the services of such medial authorities, that will enable the board fo adopt any policies that will tend to protect the health of our International Ae DECLARATION OF DR. SEFERBY BIRENBR IN SUPPORT OF COMMATR MECHANICAL SERVICES" MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT OR, IN THE ALTERNATIVE, SUMMARY JUDGMENT4 a Sbrtz 64 a1 BUSH RTREBT SAM FRANCISCO, CA 94104 KEENEY & CORDERY, LAP! OFFICKA IMAI, TADLOCK, (455) 675-7000 membership.” 18 Inmy review of the April, 1958, issue of The Ashestos Worker, attached hereto as Exhibit 5 and incorporated by reference, (p22), the magazine reported, “The health hazards of the trade were discussed and Local No. 16 presented its case relative to the vital ‘capacity test’ given through its health and welfare program...The results are very startling and should be the concern of each member of our trade.” 19. In my review of the November, 1964, issue of The Asbestos Worker, attached hereto as Exhibit 6 and incorporated by reference, (p5), reported on the findings fram Dr. Irwin Selikoff, who analyzed the results of a number of studies or cancers in asbestos workers: “In addition, an unexpectedly large number of men died of cancer of the stomach, colon or rectum. (29 compared with 9.4 expected). ..after reviewing the problem and adding data of his own, concluded that lung cancer was a specific industrial hazard of heavily exposed asbestos workers.” 20, also reviewed the deposition of Merle C. Steele, taken in Steele v. Fibreboard Paper Products Corp. et al., San Francisco Case No, 729-384, dated January 27, 1978, attached hereto as Exhibit 7 and incorporated by reference. 21. At his deposition, Merle Steele testified that he was a member of Local 16 Asbestos Workers, since March of 1950. Asa Local 16 insulator, Mr. Merle Steele worked for multiple companies, installing various types of insulation, including pipe, boiler, and duct insulation. (Deposition of Merle Steele, 10:5-10714, 10:25-11:21 at Exhibit 7.) 22, “Possibly” in the middle 1960s, Mr. Merle Steele began wearing a respirator because he learned that the materials he was working with were dangerous to his health. Mz. Merle Steele learmed of these dangers throngh discussions at his Union, and through The Asbestos Worker Journal—a union publication sent to members quarterly, including to Mr. Merle Steele (Deposition of Merle Steele, 15:23-16:24 at Exhibit 7.) 23. Based on my review of these issues of The Asbestos Worker, as well as the depositions of Merle Steele and Steve Steele, I opine that The Asbestos Worker is a quarterly journal distubuted by the Iniemational Association of Heat & Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers, who in tum, apparently provided it to local unions, including Local 16, and distributed 5. DECLARATION OF DR. JEFFREY BIRENER IN SUPPORT OF COMMAIR MECHANICAL SERVICES’ MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT OR, IN THE ALTERNATIVE, SUMMARY JUDGMENTLAW OFFICES IMAI, TADLOCK, KEENEY & CORDERY, LLF 100 BUSH STREET AUCTE 106 SAN PRANCISGQ, CA P4ind 4415) 675-7089 to tts members. Itis also my opinion that The Asbestos Worker had been reporting on the potential health hazards of asbestos as early as 1957 and continuing through 1964, at least. I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on February 18, 2014, at Simi Valley, California. Ai ( "Jefizey 8. Birkner, PRD. 6- DECLARATION OF DR, JEFFREY BIRENER IN SUPPORT OF COMMAIR MECHANICAL SERVICES? MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT OR, IN THE ALTERNATIVE, SUMMARY TUDGMENT | | | 2; LLP SUttE 1308 00 Buse STREET LAW OEFICES SAN FRANCIGCO, CA 94/04 KEENEY & CORDERY, IMAI, TADLOCK; (@15) 875.7000 PROOF OF SERVICE I, Heather Cherry, declare: lam a resident of the State of Califomia and over the age of eighteen years, and not a party to the within action; my business address is 100 Bush Street, Suite 1300, San Francisco, CA 94104. On the date of execution below, I served the within documents: DECLARATION OF DR. JEFFREY BIRKNER IN SUPPORT OF COMMAIR: MECHANICAL SERVICES” MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT OR, IN THE ALTERNATIVE, SUMMARY JUDGMENT by transmitting via facsimile the document(s) listed above to the fax number(s) set forth below on this date before 5:00 p.m. by placing the document(s) listed above in a sealed envelope with postage thereon fully prepaid, in the United States mail at San Francisco, California addressed, as set forth below. by patsonally delivering the document(s) listed above to the person(s) at the address(es) set forth below. > On the date of execution below, Telecttonically served the document via File & ServeXpress on the recipients designated on the Transaction Receipt lotated on the File & ServeXpress Web site. I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Califomia that the above is true and correct.” . . Executed on February 22, 2013, at San Francisco, California. fs! Heather Cherry Heather Cherry Ross, Robert and Jean v. C.C. Moore & Co. Engineers, et al.. SAN FRANCISCO SUPERIOR COURT NO. CGC-10-275731 Te DECLARATION OF DR. JEFFREY BIRKNBER IN SUPPORT GF COMMAIR MECHANICAL SERVICES" MOTION FOR SUMMARY IUDGMENT OR, IN THE ALTERNATIVE, SUMMARY JUDGMENT |', LLP suire oan 190 BUBH STREET KEENEY & CORDERY. SAN FRA LAW OFFICES IMAI, FADLOCK, BC, CA s4104 (485) 675-7090 OO sb WN WW & WwW NF BP e No 13 PROOF OF SERVICE I, Tina Yim, declare: lam a resident of the State of California and over the age of eighteen years, and nota party to the within action; my business address is 100 Bush Street, Suite 1300, San Francisco, CA 94104. On the date of execution below, I served the within documents: DECLARATION. OF DR. JEFFREY BIRKNER IN SUPPORT OF COMMA MECHANICAL SERVICES" MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT OR, IN THE _ALTERNATIVE, SUMMARY JUDGMENT by transmitting via facsimile the document(s) listed above to the fax number(s} set forth below on this date before 5:00 p.m. by placing the document(s) listed above in a sealed envelope with postage thereon fully prepaid, in the United States mail at San Francisco, Califomia addressed as set forth below. >| by personally delivering the document(s) listed above to the person(s} at the address(es) set forth below: Brayton Purcell, LLP 222 Rush Landing Road Novato, CA 94945-2469 On the date of execution below, [ electronically served the document Vial LexisNexis File & Serve on, the recipients designated on the Transaction Receipt located on the LexisNexis File & Serve Web site. I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Califormia that the above is true and correct. Executed on February 22, 2013, at San Francisco, California. ‘sf Tina Yim Tina Yim Ross, Robert and Jean v, C.C. Moore & Co. Engineers, et al.. SAN FRANCISCO. SUPERIOR COURT NO. CGC-10-275731 ~B- DECLARATION OF DR, JEFFREY BIRKNER IN SUPPORT OF COMMAIR MECHANICAL SERVICES’ MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT OR, IN THE ALTERNATIVE, SUMMARY JUDGMENT