Schedule IX

LIMING AND TANNING OF RAW HIDES AND SKINS, WET LEATHER

FINISHING AND PROCESSES INCIDENTAL THERETO

1. Cautionary notices

(1) Cautionary notices as to anthrax in the form specified by the Chief

Inspector-cum-Facilitator shall be affixed in prominent positions in the

factory where they may be easily and conveniently read by the persons

employed.

(2) A copy of a warning notice as to anthrax in the form specified by the Chief

Inspector-cum-Facilitator shall be given to each person employed when he

is engaged, and subsequently if still employed, on the first day of each

calendar year.

(3) Cautionary notices as to the effects of chrome on the skin shall be affixed

in prominent positions in every factory in which chrome solutions are used

and such notices shall be so placed as to be easily and conveniently read

by the persons employed.

(4) Notices shall be affixed in prominent places in the factory stating the

position of the "First-aid" box or cupboard and the name of the person in

charge of such box or cupboard.

(5) If any person employed in the factory is illiterate, effective steps shall be

taken to explain carefully to such illiterate person the contents of the

notices specified in paragraphs 1, 2, and 4 and if chrome solutions are

used in the factory the contents of the notice specified in Paragraph 3.

2. Protective clothing

The occupier shall provide and maintain in good condition the following

articles of protective clothing:

(a) water-proof foot-wear, leg coverings, aprons and gloves for persons

employed in process involving contact with chrome solutions, including the

preparation of such solution;

(b) gloves and boots for persons employed in lime-yard; and

(c) protective foot-wear, aprons and gloves for persons employed in processes

involving the handling of hides or skins, other than in processes specified

in clauses (a) and (b):

Provided that—

(i) the gloves, aprons, leg coverings or boots may be of rubber or leather, but

the gloves and boots to be provided under sub-clauses (a) and (b) shall be

of rubber;

(ii) The gloves may not be provided to persons fleshing by hand or employed

in processes in which there is no risk of contact with lime, sodium sulphide

or other caustic liquor.

3. Precautions against dangerous fumes, gases, etc.-

(1) No person shall be required or allowed to enter any chamber, tank, vat,

pit, pipe, flue or other confined space in any factory in which any gas,

fume, vapour or dust is likely to be present to such an extent as to involve

risk to persons being overcome thereby, unless it is provided with a

manhole of adequate size or other effective means of egress.

(2) No person shall be required or allowed to enter any confined space as is

referred to in sub-paragraph (1), until all practicable measures have been

taken to remove any gas, fume, vapour or dust, which may be present so

as to bring its level within the permissible limits and to prevent any ingress

of such gas, fume, vapour or dust and unless-

(a) a certificate in writing has been given by a competent person, based on a

test carried out by himself that the space is reasonably free from

dangerous gas, fume, vapour or dust; or

(b) Such person is wearing suitable breathing apparatus and a belt securely

attached to a rope the free end of which is held by a person outside the

confined space.

4. Ventilation

Adequate ventilation arrangements shall be provided and maintained at all

times in the process area where dangerous or toxic or flammable or

explosive substances could be present. These arrangements shall ensure

that concentrations, which are either harmful or could result in explosion,

are not permitted to be built up in the work environment.

5. Washing facilities, mess-room and cloak-room

There shall be provided and maintained in a cleanly state and in good

repair for the use of all persons employed

(a) a trough with a smooth impervious surface fitted with a waste pipe without

plug, and of sufficient length to allow at least 61 centimeters for every ten

persons employed at any one time, and having a constant supply of water

from taps or jets above the trough at intervals of not more than 61

centimeters ; or

(b) at least one wash-basin for every ten such persons employed at any one

time, fitted with a waste pipe and plug and having a constant supply of

water together with, in either case, a sufficient supply of nail brushes, soap

or other suitable cleansing material, and clean towels ;

(c) a suitable mess-room, adequate for the number remaining on the premises

during the meal intervals, which shall be furnished with (1) sufficient tables

and benches and (2) adequate means for warming food and for boiling

water.

The mess-room shall

(1) be separate from any room or shed in which hides or skins are stored,

treated or manipulated,

(2) be separated from the cloak-room and

(3) be placed under the charge of a responsible person;

(d) The occupier shall provide and maintain for the use of all persons

employed, suitable accommodation for clothing put off during working

hours and another accommodation for protective clothing and shall also

make adequate arrangements for drying up the clothing in both the cases,

if wet. The accommodation so provided shall be kept clean at all times and

placed under the charge of a responsible person.

6. Food, drinks, etc., prohibited in work-rooms

No food, drink, pan and supari or tobacco shall be brought into or

consumed by any worker in any work room or shed in which hides or skins

are stored, treated or manipulated.

7. Medical facilities and records of examination and tests

(1) The occupier of every factory to which the schedule applies, shall

a. Employ a Health Surveillance Officer for medical surveillance of the

workers employed therein.

b. Provide to the said Health Surveillance Officer all the necessary facilities for

the purpose referred to in clause (a).

c. arrange for inspection of the hands of all the persons keeping in contact

with the Chromium substances to be made twice a week ; and

d. provide and maintain and supply suitable ointment and plaster in a box

readily accessible to the workers and solely used for the purpose of

keeping the ointment and the plaster

(2) Workers employed in this scheduled process / operation shall be medically

examined by the Health Surveillance Officer-

(a) Once before employment, to ascertain the physical fitness of the person to

do the particular job:

(b) Once in a period of six months, to ascertain the health status of all the

workers in respect of occupational health hazards to which they are

exposed; and in cases where in the opinion of the Health Surveillance

officer it is necessary to do so at a shorter interval in respect of any

workers.

(3) The record of the examinations referred to in sub-paragraph (2) shall be

maintained in Health Register in Form: HR which shall be kept readily

available for inspection by the Inspector-cum-Facilitator.

(4) No person shall be employed for the first time without a Certificate of

Fitness in Form: XVII granted by the Health Surveillance officer. If the

Health Surveillance officer declares a person unfit for being employed in

any process covered under sub-rule(1),such a person shall have the right

to appeal to the Inspector-cum-Facilitator who shall refer the matter to the

Medical Officer whose opinion shall be final in this regard. If the Inspector-

cum-Facilitator is also a Medical Officer, he may dispose of the application

himself.

(5) Any findings of the Health Surveillance officer revealing any abnormality or

unsuitability of any person employed in the process shall immediately be

reported to the Medical Officer who shall in turn, examine the concerned

worker and communicate his findings to the occupier within thirty days. If

the Medical Officer is of the opinion that the workers examined is required

to be taken away from the process for health protection, he will direct the

occupier accordingly, who shall not employ the said worker in the same

process. However, the worker so taken away shall be provided with

alternate placement unless he is in the opinion of the Medical Officer, fully

in capacitated in which case the worker affected shall he suitably

rehabilitated.

(6) A Medical Officer on his own motion or on a reference from an Inspector-

cum- Facilitator may conduct medical examination of a worker to ascertain

the suitability of his employment in the scheduled Process/operation or for

ascertaining his health status. The opinion of the Medical Officer in such a

case shall be final. The fee required for this medical examination shall be

paid by the occupier.

(7) The worker taken away from employment in any process under sub-rule

(2) may be employed again in the same process only after obtaining the

Fitness Certificate from the Medical Officer and after making entries to that

effect in the Health Register.