Schedule H (xxxiii)

COLD STORAGE OR MILK CHILLING PLANT OR MANUFACTURING OF ICE USING AMMONIA

AS REFRIGERANT AND PROCESSES INCIDENTAL THERETO

1. Application— This schedule shall apply in respect of all factories or any part there of in which

the process of cold storage, milk chilling and manufacturing of ice using ammonia or other

chemicals as refrigerants and other processes using, handling and storing ammonia or other

chemicals.

2. Definitions—For the purposes of this Schedule—

(a) "ice plant" means a complete installation for the production and storage of ice, including

the icemaker itself, that is the unit that converts water into ice together with the

associated refrigeration machinery, harvesting and storage equipment, and the building.

(b) "cold storage" means a commercial facility for storing perishable products such as fruits,

vegetables, meat, fish etc. under controlled conditions for longer periods. "milk chilling

plant" means to maintain milk at a low temperature so as to prevent any deterioration in

quality prior to processing/product manufacturing.

(c) "refrigerant" means a substance or mixture, usually a fluid, used in a refrigeration cycle.

In most cycles it undergoes phase transitions from a liquid to a gas and back again.

Many working fluids have been used for such purposes. The processes of cold storage,

milk chilling and manufacturing of ice are using generally ammonia as refrigerant.

(d) "efficient exhaust draught" means localised mechanical ventilation for removal of smoke,

gas vapour, dust, fume or mist so as to prevent them from escaping into the air of any

workroom in which work is carried on. No exhaust draught shall be considered efficient if

it fails to remove smoke generated at the point where such gas, fume, dust, vapour or

mist originates from the process;

(e) “Breathing apparatus” means (1) a helmet or face piece with necessary connections by

means of which a person using it in a poisonous, asphyxiating or irritant atmosphere

breaths ordinary air, or (2) any other suitable apparatus approved in writing by the Chief

Inspector-cum-Facilitator.

(f) "first employment" shall mean first employment in any manufacturing process to which

this Schedule applies and shall also include re-employment in the said manufacturing

process following any cessation of employment for a continuous period exceeding three

calendar months; and

3. Instruction to workers— Every worker on his first employment shall be fully instructed on the

properties including dangerous properties of the chemicals handled in the said manufacturing

process and the hazards involved. The workers shall also be instructed in the measures to be

taken to deal with any emergency, such instructions shall be repeated periodically.

4. Prohibition relating to employment of women or young persons— No women or young person

shall be employed or permitted to work in any room in which the said manufacturing process is

carried on or in any room in which ammonia or other chemicals are stored.

5. Instruments— All instruments such as pressure gauges, thermometers, flow meters and

weighing machines shall be tested at regular intervals by a competent person, and records of

these tests shall be kept in a register.

6. Safety valves— Every still and every closed vessels in which gas is produced or into which gas

is passed and in which the pressure is liable to rise to a dangerous degree shall have attached

to it a pressure gauge, and a proper safety valve or other equally efficient means to relieve the

pressure, maintained in good condition and shall be tested at regular intervals by a competent

person, and records of these tests shall be kept in a register.

7. Examination, testing and repair of plant— Examination, testing and repair of pressure vessel or

plant parts which have been in contact with ammonia and other chemicals, or which is above

atmospheric pressure, shall only be carried out under proper supervision. Examination and

testing of pressure vessel or plant parts shall be carried out at regular intervals by a competent

person, and records of these tests shall be provided in the prescribed Form meant for pressure

vessels.

8. Leakage detection of ammonia & other chemicals- Leakage of ammonia and other chemicals

through pressure vessel or plant parts shall be detected by chemical vapour detection system.

Leakage of ammonia may also be detected by using sulfur sticks.

9. Alarm system—

(a) Plant and Parts of the buildings shall be fitted with alarm systems, automatic cut- offs or

other devices to prevent overcharging or otherwise endangering the plant.

(b) Alarm system shall be activated automatically by receiving signals from chemical vapour

sensors in case of leakage of ammonia and other chemicals through pressure vessel or

plant parts.

(c) The amount of ammonia and other chemicals taken into a building in bulk containers at

any one time shall be kept as low as practicable.

10. Breathing apparatus— (a) There shall be provided in every factory where dangerous gas or

fume is liable to escape a sufficient supply of—

(i) breathing apparatus of an approved make for the hazards involved ;

(ii) oxygen and suitable means of its administration; and

(iii) life-belts.

The breathing apparatus and other appliances required by this Schedule shall (i)

be maintained in good order and kept in an ambulance room or in some other

place approved in writing by the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator, and (ii) be

thoroughly inspected once every month by a competent person, appointed in

writing by the occupier and record of their condition shall be entered in a book

provided for that purpose, which shall be produced when required by an Inspector-

cum-Facilitator.

(b) Workers shall be trained and given a periodic refresher course in the use of breathing

apparatus and respirators.

(c) Respirators shall be kept properly labelled in a clean dry light-proof cabinets, and if liable

to be affected by fumes, shall be protected by suitable containers. Respirators shall be

dried and cleaned after use and shall be periodically disinfected.

11. Exhaust draught— The following processes or operations shall not be carried on except under

an efficient exhaust draught or under such other conditions as may be approved by the Chief

Inspector-cum-Facilitator:

(a) “Machine room” or any other room of the building where compressors, receivers and

other components of refrigeration system and their instrumentation are installed, where

dust, fume, gas or vapour is produced in the process.

(b) Ammonia or other chemical storage room or part of the buildings, where dust, fume, gas

or vapour is produced.

12. Food, drinks and smoking prohibited in the workroom— (1) No food, drink, tobacco, pan or

supari shall be brought into or consumed by any worker in any workroom in which the said

manufacturing process is carried out.

(2) Smoking shall be prohibited in any workroom in which the said manufacturing process is

carried out.

13. Protective clothing and protective equipment— (1) Protective clothing consisting of long pants

and shirts or overalls with long sleeves and head coverings shall be provided for all workers

employed in the said manufacturing process.

(2) Protective equipment consisting of rubber gloves, gum boots, rubber apron, chemical

safety goggles shall be provided for all workers employed in the said manufacturing

process.

(3) Protective clothing and equipment shall be maintained in good condition.

14. Ventilation— In Machine room or any other room of the building where compressors, receivers

and other components of refrigeration system and their instrumentation are installed and

ammonia or other chemical storage room or part of the buildings, where dust, fume, gas or

vapour is produced, adequate ventilation shall be provided at all times by the circulation of

fresh air.

15. Medical Examination by a Factory Medical Officer — (1) Every worker employed in the

processes mentioned in Paragraph 1 shall be examined within 15 days of his first employment.

Such examination shall include tests for determination of the ammonia and other chemicals in

the blood and urine, pulmonary function test, EEG test, memory test and other tests as

prescribed the Factory Medical Officer. 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 six calendar months. Such 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 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.

16. Exemption— If in respect of any factory, the Chief Inspector-cum- Facilitator is satisfied that

owing to the exceptional circumstances or the infrequency of the said manufacturing process or

for any other reason which he shall record in writing all or any of the provisions of this Schedule

are not necessary for the protection of the workers employed in the factory, he may by a

certificate in writing exempt such factory, from all or any of the provisions on such condition as

he may specify therein, such certificate may at any time be revoked by the Chief Inspector-

cum- Facilitator after recording his reasons there for.