Schedule XXV

(See rule 84)

Manufacture of Rayon by Viscose Process.

1. Definition – For the purpose of this schedule

a) “approved” means approved for the time being in writing by the Chief Inspector.

b) “breathing apparatus” means a helmet of face piece with necessary connections by means of which

the person using it in a poisonous asphyxiating or irritant atmosphere breathes unpolluted air, or

any other approved apparatus.

c) “Churn” means the vessel in which alkali cellulose pulp is treated with carbon disulphide;

d) “dumping” means transfer or cellulose xanthate from a dry churn to a dissolver;

e) “efficient exhaust draught” means localized ventilation by mechanical means for the removal of

any gas or vapour, so as to prevent it from escaping into the air of any place in which work is

carried on. No draught shall be deemed to be efficient if it falls to control effectively any gas or

vapour generated at the point where such gas or fume originates;

f) “fume process” means any process in which carbon disulphide or hydrogen sulphide is produced,

used or given off;

g) “life belt” means a belt made of leather or other suitable material which can be securely fastened

round the body with a suitable length of rope attached to it, each of which is sufficiently strong to

sustain the weight of a man;

h) “protective equipment” means apron, goggles, face shields, foot wear, gloves and overalls made of

suitable materials.

2. Ventilation–

a) In all work rooms where a fume process is carried on, adequate ventilation by natural or mechanical

means shall be provided so as to control, in association with other control measures, the

concentration of carbon disulphide and hydrogen sulphide in the air of every work environment

within the permissible limits.

b) Notwithstanding the requirements in sub-paragraph (1) the efficient exhaust draught shall

be provided and maintained to control the concentration of carbon-di-sulphide and hydrogen

sulphide in the air at the following locations.

(i) dumping hoppers of dry churns;

(ii) spinning machines

(iii) trio-rollers and cutters used in staple fibre spinning

(iv) hydro-extractors for yarn cakes

(v) after treatment processes; and

(vi) spin baths.

c) In so far as the spinning machines and trio rollers and cutter used in staple fibre spinning are

concerned, they shall be, for the purpose of ensuring the effectiveness of the exhaust draught to be

provided as required in sub paragraph 1, enclose as fully as practicable and provided with suitable

shutters in sections to enable the required operations to be carried out without giving rise to

undue quantities of carbon-di-sulphide and hydrogen sulphide escaping to the work environment.

d) No dry churn shall be opened after completion of reaction without initially exhausting the residual

vapours of carbon-di-sulphide by operation of suitable and efficient arrangements for exhausting

the vapours which shall be continued to be operated as long as the churn is kept opened.

e) Whenever any ventilation apparatus normally required for the purpose of meeting the requirements

in sub-paragraph (2), (3) and (4) is ineffective, fails, or is stopped for any purpose whatsoever, all

persons shall be required to leave the work areas where the equipment or processes specified in the

above said sub paragraph are in use, as soon as possible and in any case not alter than 15 minutes

after such an occurrence.

f) (a) All ventilating systems provided for the purposes as required in sub-paragraphs (2), (3)

and (4) shall be examined and inspected once in every week by a responsible person. It shall

be thoroughly examined and tested by a competent person once in every period of 12

months. Any defects found by such examinations or test shall be rectified forthwith.

(b) A register containing particulars of such examinations and tests, and the state of the

systems and the repairs or alterations (if any) found to be necessary shall be kept and shall

be available for inspection by an Inspector.

3. Waste from spinning machines – Waste yarn from the spinning machines shall be deposited in suitable

containers provided with close fitting covers. Such waste shall be disposed of as quickly as possible after

decontamination.

4. Lining of dry churns – The inside surface of all dry churns shall be coated with anon-sticky paint so

that cellulose xanthate will not stick to the surface or all churn. Such coating shall be maintained in

good condition.

5. Air monitoring.-

a) Ensure the effectiveness of the control measures, monitoring of carbon-di-sulphide and hydrogen

sulphide in air shall be carried out once at least in every shift and the record of the result so

obtained shall be entered in a register specially maintained for the purposes.

b) For the purpose of the requirements in sub-paragraph (1), instantaneous gas detector tubes shall

not be used. Samples shall be collected over a duration of not less than 10 minutes and analysed

by an approved method. The locations where such monitoring is to be done shall be as directed by

the Inspector cum facilitator.

c) If the concentration of either Carbon disulphide or hydrogen sulphide exceeds the permissible

limits for such vapour or gas as laid down, suitable steps shall be taken for controlling the

concentrations in air of such contaminants. A report of such occurrences shall be sent to the Chief

Inspector cum Facilitator forthwith.

6. Prohibition to remain in fume process room.- No person during his intervals for meal, or rest shall

remain in any room wherein fume process is carried on.

7. Prohibition relating to employment of young person.- No young person shall be employed or permitted

to work in any fume processor in any rooms in which any such process is carried on.

8. Protection equipment.-

a) The occupier shall provide and maintain in good condition protective equipment as specified in

the Table for use of persons employed in the process referred to therein.

TABLE

Process Protection equipment

1. Dumping Overall, face-shields, gloves and foot wear all made of suitable material

2. Spinning Suitable aprons, gloves and footwear

3. Process involves or likely to involve contact with viscose solution Suitable gloves and footwear

4. Handing of sculpture Suitable chemical goggles

5. Any other process involving contact with hazardous chemicals

6. Protective equipment as may be directed by the Chief Inspector by an order in writing

b) A suitable room, rooms or lockers shall be provided exclusively for the storage of all the protective

equipment supplied to workers and no such equipment shall be stored any place other than the room,

rooms or lockers so provided.

9. Breathing Apparatus,-

a) There shall be provided in every factory where fume is carried on, sufficient supply of-

(i) Breathing apparatus.

(ii) Oxygen and suitable appliances for its administration, and

(iii) Life belts.

b) (i) The breathing apparatus and other appliances referred to in sub-paragraph (1) shall be

maintained in good condition and kept in appropriate locations so as to readily available.

(ii) The breathing apparatus and other appliances referred to in clauses (a) and (b) of sub

paragraph (1) shall be– cleaned and disinfected at suitable intervals and thoroughly

inspected once in every month by a responsible person.

(iii) A record of the maintenance of the condition of the breathing apparatus and other

appliances referred to in sub-clause (1) shall be entered in a register provided for that purpose

which shall be readily available for inspection by an Inspector

c) Sufficient number of workers shall be trained and periodically retained in the use of breathing

apparatus and administering artificial respiration so that at least 2 such trained persons would be

available during all the working hours in each room in which fume process is carried on.

d) Breathing apparatus shall be kept properly, labelled in clean, dry, tight-proof cabinets and if liable

to be affected by fumes, shall be protected by placing them in suitable containers.

e) No person shall be employed to perform any work for which breathing apparatus is necessary to

be provide under sub-paragraph (1) unless he has been fully instructed in the proper use of the

equipment.

f) No breathing apparatus provided in pursuance of sub-paragraph (1) which has been worn by a

person shall be worn by another person unless it has been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected

since last being worn and the persons has been fully instructed in the proper use of that equipment.

10. Electric fittings – All electric fittings in any room in which carbon disulphide is produced, used or

given off or is likely to be given off into the work environment, other than a spinning room, shall be of

flame-proof construction and all electric conductors shall either be enclosed in metal conduits or be

dead-sheathed.

11. Prohibition relating to smoking etc., - No person shall smoke or carry matches, fire or naked light or

other means of producing a naked light or spark in a room in which fume process is carried on. A notice

in the language understood by the majority of the workers shall be posted at prominent locations in

the plant prohibiting smoking and carrying of matches, fire or naked light or other means of producing

naked light or spark into such rooms. Provided that fire naked light or other means of producing a

naked light of spark may be carried on in such room only when injured for the purposes of the process

itself under the direction of a responsible person.

12. Washing and bathing facilities–

a) There shall be provided and maintained in clean state and in good repair for the use of all workers

employed in the factory where the said manufacturing process is carried on, adequate washing

and bathing places having a constant supply of water under cover at the rate of one such place for

every 25 persons employed.

b) The washing places shall have stand pipes placed at intervals of not less than one meter.

c) Not less than one half of the total number of washing places shall be provided with bath- rooms.

d) Sufficient supply of clean towels made of suitable material shall be provided:

e) Provided that such towels shall be supplied individually for each worker if so, ordered by the

Inspector cum facilitator.

f) Sufficient supply of soap and nail brushes shall be provided.

13. Rest room–

a) A rest room shall be provided for the workers engaged in doffing operations of filament yarn

spinning process.

b) Such rest room shall be provided with fresh air supply and adequate seating arrangement.

14. Cautionary notice and instructions–

a) The following cautionary notice shall be prominently displayed in each fume process room.

Cautionary Notice

(i) Carbon disulphide (CS2) and Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) which may be present in this room

are hazardous to health.

(ii) Follow safety instructions

(iii) Use protective equipment and breathing apparatus as and when required.

(iv) Smoking is strictly prohibited in this area.

(v) This notice shall be in a language understood by the majority of the workers and displayed

where it can be easily and conveniently read if any worker is illiterate, effective steps shall be

taken to explain carefully to him the contents of the notice also displayed.

b) Arrangements shall be made to instruct each worker employed in any room in which a fume process

is carried on regarding the health hazards connected with their work and the preventive measures

and methods to protect themselves. Such instructions shall be given on his first employment and

repeated periodically.

c) Simple and special instructions shall be framed to ensure that effective measures will be carried

out in case of emergency involving escape of carbon disulphide and hydrogen sulphide. Those

instructions shall be displayed in the concerned area and workers shall be instructed and trained

in the action to be taken in such emergencies.

15. Medical facilities and records of examinations and tests–

a) The occupier of each factory to which this schedule applies shall-

(i) employ a qualified medical officer for medical surveillance of the workers employed in the

fume process whose employment shall be subject to the approval of the Chief Inspector cum

facilitator; and

b) The record of medical examination and appropriate tests carried out by the said medical officer

shall be maintained in a separate register approved by the Chief Inspector of Factories which shall

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

16. Medical Examinations by the Certifying Surgeon –

a) Every worker employed in the fume process shall be examined by a certifying surgeon within

15days of his first employment. Such examination shall include tests for estimation of exposures

co-efficient (iodine-azide test on urine) and cholesterol as well as electrocardiogram (ECG) and

Central Nervous System (CNS) Tests. No workers shall be allowed to work after 15 days of his first

employment in the factory unless certified fit for such employment by the Certifying Surgeon.

b) Every worker employed in the fume process shall be re-examined by a Certifying Surgeon at least

once in every twelve calendar months. Such examination shall wherever the Certifying Surgeon

considers appropriate, include all the tests as specified in sub- paragraph (1)

c) The Certifying Surgeon after examining a worker shall issue a Certificate of Fitness in FORM-VI.

The record of re-examinations carried out shall be entered in the certificates and 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 Certifying Surgeon in a health register in FORM-V.

d) The Certificate of Fitness and the health register shall be kept readily available for inspection by

the Inspector cum facilitator.

e) If at any time the Certifying Surgeon is of the opinion that a worker is no longer fit for employment

in the fume process 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 these documents should also include the period for

which he considers that the said persons are unfit for work in the fume process. The persons so

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

incapacitated in the opinion of the Certifying Surgeon, in which case the person affected shall be

suitable rehabilitated.

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

or permitted to work in the fume process unless the Certifying Surgeon after further examination

again certified him fit for employment in such process.

17. Exemptions – If in respect of any factory, the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator is satisfied that

owing to the exceptional circumstances or infrequency of the process or for any other reason

all or any of the provisions of this schedule is not necessary for protection of the workers in the

factory the Chief Inspector cum facilitator may by a certificate in writing, which he may at his

discretion revoke at any time, exempt such factory from all or any of such provisions subject to

such conditions, if any, as he may specify therein.