Schedule XXIII

Manufacture and Manipulation of Dangerous Pesticides

1. Definitions.- For the purpose of this Schedule,-

(a) 'Dangerous Pesticides' means any product proposed or used for controlling,

destroying or repelling any pest or for preventing growth or mitigating effects of

such growth including any of its formulations which is considered toxic under and

is covered by the Insecticides Act, 1968 and the rules made thereunder and any

other product, as may be notified from time to time by the State Government.

(b) 'Manipulation' includes mixing, blending, formulating, filling, emptying, packing

or otherwise handling.

(c) 'Efficient exhaust draught' means localized mechanical ventilation for removal of

smoke, gas, vapour, dust, fume or mist so as to prevent them from escaping in the

air of any work-room 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.

(d) 'First Employment' means first employment in any manufacturing process to

which this Schedule applies and also includes re-employment in the said

manufacturing process following any cessation of employment for a continuous

period exceeding three calendar months.

2. Application.- This Schedule shall apply in respect of all factories or any plant thereof in

which the process of manufacture or manipulation of dangerous pesticide hereinafter referred

to as the said manufacture or manufacturing process is carried on.

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 employees shall also be instructed in

the measures to be taken to deal with any emergency. Such instructions shall be repeated

periodically.

4. Cautionary notice and Placards.- Cautionary notices and placards in the form specified

in Appendix I of this Schedule and printed in the language of the majority of the workers

shall be displayed in all workplaces in which said manufacturing process is carried on so that

they can be easily and conveniently read by the workers. Arrangements shall be made by the

occupier or the manager of the factory to periodically instruct the workers regarding the

health hazards arising in the said manufacturing process and methods of protection. Such

notices shall include brief instructions regarding the periodical clinical tests required to be

undertaken for protecting health of the workers.

5. Medical examination.- Every worker employed in the processes mentioned in clause 1

shall be examined within 15 days of his first employment. Such examination in respect of

Halogenated pesticides shall include test for determination of the chemical in blood and in fat

tissues EEG abnormalities and memory tests. In respect of organophosphorus compounds,

such examination shall include test for depression of cholinesterase in plasma and red blood

cells.

6. Protective clothing and protective equipment.-

(a) 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.

(b) (i) Protective equipments consisting of rubber gloves, gum boots, rubber aprons,

chemical safety goggles and respirators shall be provided for all workers employed

in the said manufacturing process.

(ii) Gloves, boots, aprons shall be made from synthetic rubber where a pesticide

contains oil.

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(c) Protective clothing and equipment shall be worn by the workers supplied with such

clothing and equipment.

(d) Protective clothing and equipments shall be washed daily from inside and outside if the

workers handle pesticides containing nicotine or phosphorus and shall be- washed frequently

if handling other pesticides.

(e) Protective clothing and equipment shall be maintained in good repair.

7. Floors and work benches.-

(a) Floors in every work room where dangerous pesticides are manipulated shall be of cement

or other impervious material giving a smooth surface.

(b) Floors shall be maintained in good repairs, provided with adequate slope leading to a

drain and thoroughly washed once a day with hose pipe.

(c) Work benches where dangerous pesticides are manipulated shall be made of smooth, non-

absorbing material preferably stainless steel and shall be cleaned at least once daily.

8. Spillage and waste.-

(a) If a dangerous pesticide during its manipulation splashes or spills on the work bench, floor

or on the protective clothing worn by a worker, immediate action shall be taken for thorough

decontamination of such areas or articles.

(b) Cloth, rags, paper or other material soaked or soiled with a dangerous pesticide shall be

deposited in a suitable receptacle with tight fitting cover. Contaminated waste shall be

destroyed by burning at least once a week.

(c) Suitable deactivating agents, where available, shall be kept in a readily accessible place

for use while attending to a spillage.

(d) Easy means or access shall be provided to all parts of the plant for cleaning, maintenance

and repairs.

9. Empty containers used for dangerous pesticides.- Containers used for dangerous

pesticides shall he thoroughly cleaned of their contents and treated with an inactivating agent

before being discarded or destroyed.

10. Manual handling.-

(a) A dangerous pesticide shall not be required or allowed to be manipulated by hand except

by means of a long handled scoop.

(b) Direct contact of any part of the body with dangerous pesticide during its manipulation

shall be avoided.

11. Ventilation.-

(a) In every work room or area where a dangerous pesticide is manipulated adequate

ventilation shall be provided at all times by the circulation of fresh air.

(b) Unless the process is completely enclosed, the following operations during manipulation

of a dangerous pesticide shall not be undertaken without an efficient exhaust draught—

(i) emptying a container holding a dangerous pesticide,

(ii) blending a dangerous pesticide,

(iii) preparing a liquid or powder formulation containing a dangerous pesticide.

(iv) Changing or filling a dangerous pesticide into a container tank hopper or

machine or small sized containers.

(c) In the event of a failure of the exhaust draught provided on the above operation, the above

operations shall be stopped forthwith.

12. Time allowed for washing.-

(a) Before each meal and before the end of the day's work at least ten minutes in addition to

the regular rest interval shall be allowed for washing to each worker engaged in the

manipulation of dangerous pesticide.

(b) Every worker engaged in the manipulation of dangerous pesticides shall have a thorough

wash before consuming any food and also at the end of the day's work.

13. Exemption.- If in respect of any factory the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator is satisfied

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

or for any other reason, which he shall record in writing, all or any of the provision 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

conditions as he may specify therein. Such certificate may at any time be revoked by the

Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator after recording his reasons therefor.

14. Manipulation not to be undertaken.- Manufacture or manipulation of a pesticide shall

not be undertaken in any factory unless a certificate regarding its dangerous nature or

otherwise is obtained from the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator .