Schedule XX

HANDLING OR MANIPULATION OF CORROSIVE SUBSTANCES:

1. Definition.—For the purposes of this Schedule—

(a) "corrosive operation" means an operation of manufacturing, storing, handling,

processing, packing or using any corrosive substance in a factory; and

(b) "corrosive substance" includes Sulphuric acid, Nitric acid, Hydrochloric acid,

Hydrofluoric acid, Carbolic acid, Phosphoric acid. Liquid chlorine, Liquid bromine,

Ammonia, Sodium hydroxide and Potassium hydroxide and a mixture thereof, and any

other substance which the State Government by notification in the Official Gazette

specify to be a corrosive substance.

2. Flooring.—The floor of every workroom of a factory in which corrosive operation is carried on

shall be made of impervious, corrosion and fire resistant material and shall be so constructed as to prevent

collection of any corrosive substance. The surface of such flooring shall be smooth and cleaned as often as

necessary and maintained in a sound condition.

3.Protective equipment.—(1) The occupier shall provide for the use of all persons employed in any

corrosive operation suitable protective wear for hands and feet, suitable aprons, face shields, chemical

safety goggles and respirators. The equipment shall be maintained in good order and shall be kept in a clean

and hygienic condition by suitably treating to get rid of the ill effects of any absorbed chemicals and by

disinfecting. The occupier shall also provide suitable protective creams and other preparations wherever

necessary.

(2) The protective equipment and preparations provided shall be used by the persons employed in

any corrosive operation.

4.Water facilities.—Where any corrosive operation is carried on, there shall be provided as close

to the place of such operation as possible a source of clean water at a height of 210 centimetres from a pipe

of 1.25 centimetres diameter and fitted with a quick Coding valve so that in case of injury to the worker by

any corrosive substance, the injured part can be thoroughly flooded with water. Whenever necessary, in

order to ensure continuous water supply, a storage tank having a minimum length, breadth and height of

210 centimeters, 120 centimeters and 60 centimeters respectively or such dimensions as are approved by the

Chief Inspector cum-Facilitator shall be provided as the source of clean water.

5. Cautionary notice.—A cautionary notice in the following form and printed in the language

which majority of the workers employed understand, shall be displayed prominently close to the place

where a corrosive operation is carried out and where it can be easily and conveniently read by the workers.

If any worker is illiterate, effective steps shall be taken to explain carefully to him the contents of the notice

so displayed.

CAUTIONARY NOTICE

DANGER

Corrosive substances cause severe burns and vapours there of may be extremely hazardous. In case of

contact, immediately flood the part affected with

plenty of water for at least 15 minutes

Get medical attention quickly.

6. Transport.—(1) Corrosive substances shall not be filled, moved or carried except in containers

or through pipes and when they are to be transported in containers they shall be placed in crates of sound

construction and of sufficient strength.

(2) A container with a capacity of 11.5 litres or more of a corrosive substance shall be placed in a

receptacle or crate and then carried by more than one person at a height below the waist line unless a

suitable rubber wheeled truck is used for the purpose.

(3) Containers for corrosive substances shall be plainly labelled.

7. Devices for handling corrosives.—(1) Tilting, lifting or pumping arrangements shall be used for

emptying jars, carboys and other containers of corrosives.

(2) Corrosive substances shall not be handled by bare hands but by means of a suitable scoop or

device.

8. Openings of valves.—Valves fitted to containers holding a corrosive substance shall be opened

with great care. If they do not work freely, they shall not be forced open. They shall be opened by a worker

suitably trained for the purpose.

9. Cleaning tanks, sills etc.—(1) In cleaning out or removing residues from sills or other large

chambers used for holding any corrosive substance, suitable implements made of wood or other material

shall be used to prevent production of arseniuretted hydrogen (arsine).

(2) Whenever it is necessary for the purpose of cleaning or other maintenance work for any worker

to enter a chamber, tank, vat, pit or other confined space where a corrosive substance had been stored, all

possible precautions required under Section 36 of the Code shall be taken to ensure the worker's safety.

(3) Wherever possible, before repairs are undertaken to any part of equipment in which a corrosive

substance was handled, such equipment or part thereof shall be freed of any adhering corrosive substance

by adopting suitable methods.

10. Storage.—(1) Corrosive substances shall not be stored in the same room with other chemical

materials such as turpentine, carbides, metallic powders and combustible materials, to accidental mixing

with, which may cause a reaction which is either violent or gives rise to toxic fumes and gases.

(2) Pumping or filling overhead tanks, receptacles, vats or other containers for storing corrosive

substances shall be so arranged that there is no possibility of any corrosive substance overflowing and

causing injury to any person.

(3) Every container having a capacity of twenty litres or more and every pipeline, valve, and fitting

used for storing or carrying corrosive substance shall be thoroughly examined every year for finding out

any defects, and defects so found out shall be removed forthwith. A register shall be maintained of every

such examination made and shall be produced before the Inspector cum Facilitator whenever required.

11. Fire extinguishers and fire-fighting equipment.—An adequate number of suitable types of fire

extinguishers or other fire-fighting equipment, depending on the nature of chemicals stored, shall be

provided. Such extinguishers or other equipment shall be regularly tested and refilled. Clear instructions as

to how the extinguishers or other equipment should be used, printed in the language which majority of the

worker employed understand, shall be affixed near each extinguisher or other equipment.

12. Exemption.—If in respect of any factory on an application made by the Manager, the Chief

Inspector cum-Facilitator is satisfied that owing to the exceptional circumstances, or the infrequency of the

process or for any other reason to be recorded by him in writing, all or any of the provisions of this

Schedule are not necessary for the protection of the persons employed therein, he may by a certificate in

writing which he may at any time revoke, exempt the factory from such of the provisions and subject to

such conditions as he may specify therein.