Schedule XII

PRINTING PRESS AND TYPE FOUNDRIES-CERTAIN LEAD PROCESS

CARRIED ON THEREIN

1. Definitions

In these regulations—

(1) 'Lead material' means material containing not less than 5 Percent of lead.

(2) 'Lead process' means

(a) The melting of lead or any lead material for casting and mechanical

composing;

(b) The recharging of machines with used lead material; or

(c) any other work including removal of dross from melting pots, cleaning of

plungers ; and

(d) Manipulation, movement or other treatment of lead material.

(3) 'Efficient exhaust draught' means localized ventilation effected by heat or

mechanical means for the removal of gas, vapour, dust or fumes so as to

prevent them from escaping into the air of any place in which work is

carried on. No draught shall be deemed efficient which fails to remove gas,

vapour, fume or dust at the point where they originate.

2. Exhaust draught

None of the following process shall be carried on except with an efficient

exhaust draught:

(a) Melting lead material or slugs;

(b) heating lead material so that vapour containing lead is given off ; or

unless carried on in such a manner as to prevent free escape of gas,

vapour, fumes or dust into any place in which work is carried an ;or

unless carried on in electrically heated and thermostatically control- led

melting pots.

Such exhaust draught shall be affected by mechanical means and so

contrived as to operate on the dust, fume, gas or vapour given off as

closely as may be at its point of origin.

3. Separation of certain processes

Each of the following processes shall be carried on in such a manner

and under such conditions as to secure effectual separation from one

another and from any other process:

(a) Melting of lead or any lead material;

(b) casting of lead ingots;

(c) Mechanical composing.

4. Container for dross

A suitable receptacle with tightly fitting cover shall be provided and used

for dross as it is removed from every melting pot. Such receptacle shall be

kept covered while in the work-room near the machine except when the

dross is being deposited therein.

5. Floor of work room

The floor of every work-room where lead process is carried on shall be

(a) Of cement or similar material so as to be smooth and impervious to

water;

(b) Maintained in sound condition;and

(c) Shall be cleansed throughout daily after being thoroughly damped with

water at a time when no other work is being carried on at the place.

6. Mess room

There shall be provided and maintained for the use of all persons employed

in a lead process and remaining on the premises during the meal intervals,

a suitable mess -room which shall be furnished with sufficient tables and

benches.

7. Washing facilities

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

repair for the use of all persons employed in a lead process,

(a) A wash place with either

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

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

five such 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

(ii) at least one wash basin for every five such persons employed at any one

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

water laid on or always readily available ; and

(b) A sufficient supply of clean towels made of suitable material renewed daily

with a sufficient supply of soap or other suitable cleaning material.

8. 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).

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

medically examined by the Health Surveillance Officer-

i. Once before employment, to ascertain the physical fitness of the

person to do the particular job:

ii. 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.

Provided that such examination shall include tests for lead in urine and

blood, ALA in urine, hemoglobin, stippling of cells and steadiness tests.

(4) 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.

(5) 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.

(6) 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

incapacitated in which case the worker affected shall he suitably

rehabilitated.

(7) 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.

(8) 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.

9. Food, drinks, etc., prohibited in work rooms

No food, drink, pan and superior tobacco shall be consumed or brought by

any worker into any work-room in which any lead process is carried on.