Schedule VI

Manufacture and treatment of lead and certain compounds of lead

1. Exemptions.- Where the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator is satisfied that all or any of the

provisions of this Schedule are not necessary for the protection of the persons employed, he

may by certificate in writing exempt any factory from all or any of such provisions, subject to

such conditions as he may specify therein.

2. Definitions.- For the purposes of this Schedule,-

(a) "Lead Compound" means any compound of lead other than galena which, when

treated in the manner described below, yields to an aqueous solution of

hydrochloric acid, a quantity of soluble lead compound exceeding, when

calculated as lead monoxide, five percent of the dry weight of the portion taken

for analysis. In the case of paints and similar products and other mixtures

containing oil or fat the "dry weight" means the dry weight of the material

remaining after the substance has been thoroughly mixed and treated with suitable

solvents to remove oil, fats, varnish or other media.

Explanation: The method of treatment shall be as follows:-

A weighted quantity of the material which has been dried at 100 degree

C and thoroughly mixed shall be continuously shaken for one hour, at

the common temperature with 1,000 times its weight of an aqueous

solution of hydrochloric acid containing 0.25 per cent by weight of

hydrogen chloride. This solution shall thereafter be allowed to stand

for one hour and then filtered. The lead salt contained in the clear

filtrate shall then be precipitated as lead sulphide and weighed as lead

sulphate.

(b) "Efficient exhaust draught" means localized ventilation affected by heat or

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

them (as far as practicable under the atmospheric conditions usually prevailing)

from escaping into the air of any place in which work is carried on. No draught

shall be deemed efficient which fails to remove smoke generated at the point

where such gas, vapour, fumes or dust originate.

3. Application.- This Schedule shall apply to all factories or parts of factories in which any

of the following operations are carried on:-

(a) Work at a furnace where the reduction or treatment of zinc or lead ores is carried

on.

(b) The manipulation, treatment or reduction of ashes containing lead, the dissolve

rising of lead or the melting of scrap, lead or zinc.

(c) The manufacture of solder or alloys containing more than ten percent of lead.

(d) The manufacture of any oxide, carbonate, sulphate, chromate, acetate, nitrate or

silicate of lead.

(e) Handling or mixing of lead tetra-ethyl.

(f) Any other operation involving the use of a lead compound.

(g) The cleaning of work-rooms where any of the operations aforesaid are carried on.

4. Requirements to be observed.- No person shall be employed or permitted to work in any

process involving the use of lead compounds if the process is such that dust or fume from a

lead compound is produced therein, or the persons employed therein are liable to be splashed

with any lead compound in the course of their employment unless the provisions of clause 5

to 9 are complied with.

5. Exhaust draught.- Where dust, fume, gas or vapour is produced in the process, provision

shall be made for removing them by means of an efficient exhaust draught so contrived as to

operate on the dust, fume, gas or vapour as closely as possible to the point of origin.

6. Certificate of fitness. - A person medically examined under clause 7 and found fit for

employment shall be granted by a Medical Officer a certificate of fitness and such certificate

shall be in the custody of the Manager of the factory. The certificate shall be kept readily

available for inspection by any Inspector-cum-Facilitator and the person granted such a

certificate shall carry with him, while at work, a token giving reference to such certificate.

7. Medical Examination. - (1) The person so employed shall be medically examined by a

Medical Officer within 15 days of his first employment in such process and thereafter shall

be examined by the Medical Officer at intervals of not more than three months, and a record

of such examinations shall be entered by the Medical Officer in the special certificate of

fitness granted under clause 6.

(2) If at any time the Medical Officer is of opinion that any person is no longer fit for

employment on the grounds that continuance therein would involve special danger to health,

he shall cancel the special certificate of fitness of that person.

(3) No person whose special certificate of fitness has been cancelled shall be employed unless

the Medical Officer, after re-examination, again certifies him to be fit for employment.

8. Protective clothing.- Suitable protective overalls and head coverings shall be provided,

maintained and kept clean by the factory occupier and such overalls and head coverings shall

be worn by the person employed.

9. Cleanliness of work-rooms, tools etc.- The rooms in which the persons are employed and

all tools and apparatus used by them shall be kept in a clean state.