Schedule ‘H’(xi)

LIMING AND TANNING OF RAW HIDES AND SKINS 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 notice specified in sub-paragraphs

(1), (2) and (4) and if chrome solutions are used in the factory, the contents of the notice

specified in sub-paragraph (3) as well.

2. Protective clothing.- The occupier shall provide and maintain in good condition the following

articles of protective clothing :-

(a) waterproof footwear leg coverings, aprons and gloves for persons employed in

processes involving contact with chrome solutions, including the preparation of such

solutions;

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

(c) protective footwear, aprons and gloves for persons employed in processes involving the

handling of hides or skins, other than in processes specified in sub- paragraphs (a) and

(b) above :

Provided that the gloves, aprons, leg coverings or boots may be of rubber or

leather, but the gloves and boots to be provided under sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) shall

be of rubber.

Provided further that 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. Washing facilities, mess room and cloak room.- There shall be provided and maintained in a

clean 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 of at least 60 centimetres 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 60 centimetres; or at least on 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 clean water; together with, in either case, a sufficient supply of nail

brushes, soap or other suitable cleansing material and clean towels;

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

meal intervals, which shall be furnished with sufficient tables and benches and adequate

means for warming food and for boiling water. The mess room shall –

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

manipulated;

(ii) be separate from the cloakroom; and

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

(c) suitable accommodation for clothing not worn during working hours and another

accommodation for protective clothing and also adequate arrangements for drying of 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.

4. Food, drinks, etc. prohibited in workrooms- No food, drink, pan and supari or tobacco shall be

brought into or consumed by any worker in any workroom or shed in which hides or skins are

stored, treated or manipulated.

5. Medical facilities and record of examinations and tests.- (1) The occupier of every factory in

which the schedule applies, shall –

(a) employ a Factory Medical Officer for medical surveillance of the workers

employed where the no of workers is more than 50;

(b) provide to the said factory medical 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

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) The records of medical examinations and appropriate tests carried out by the said medical

practitioner shall be maintained in a separate register approved by the Chief Inspector-

cum-Facilitator, which shall be kept readily available for inspection by the Inspector.

6. Medical Examination by Factory Medical Officer - (1) Every worker employed in any of the

processes to which the schedule applies shall be examined by a factory medical officer within

15 days of his first employment. Such examination shall include skin test for dermatitis and

detection of anthrox bacillus from local lesion by gram stain. No worker shall be allowed to

work after 15 days of his first employment in the factory unless certified fit for such employment

by the Factory medical officer.

(2) Every worker employed in the said processes shall be re-examined by the factory

medical officer at least once in every twelve calendar months. Such re-examination shall,

wherever the Factory Medical Officer considers appropriate, include tests as specified in

sub- paragraph (1).

(3) The factory medical officer after examining a worker shall issue a Certificate of Fitness in

Form XXXIII. The record of examination and re-examination carried out shall be entered

in the Certificate and the Certificate shall be kept in the custody of the manager of the

factory. The record of each examination carried out under sub-paragraph (1) and (2),

including the nature and the results of the tests, shall also be entered by the factory

medical officer in a health register in Form V.

(4) The Certificate of Fitness and the health register shall be kept readily available for

inspection by the Inspector cum facilitator.

(5) If at any time the Factory Medical Officer or Medical Officer is of the opinion that a

worker is no longer fir for employment in the said processes on the ground that

continuance therein would involve special danger to the health of the worker, he shall

make a record of his findings in the said certificate and the health register. The entry of

his findings in those documents should also include the period for which he considers

that the said person is unfit for work in the said processes. The person so suspended

from the process shall be provided with alternate placement facilities unless he is fully

incapacitated in the opinion of the factory medical officer, in which can the person

affected shall be suitable rehabilitated.

(6) No person who has been found unfit to work as said in sub-paragraph (5) above shall be

re-employed or permitted to work in the said processes unless the Medical Officer, after

further examination, again certifies him fit for employment in those processes.