Health of the War Worker
1942-04 1942 1940s 44 pages monoxide, but most dusts are dangerous in sufficient concentration; many workers will be meeting with a dangerous dust in T.N.T. factories. The silica dust in mining and pottery is particularly dangerous. Vapours that cause death or sickness are met with in many industrie...
| Institution: | MCR - The Modern Records Centre, University of Warwick |
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| Language: | English English |
| Published: |
London : Labour Research Department
April 1942
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/10796/B64F172A-416F-44A5-8D4E-8D12591AADD2 http://hdl.handle.net/10796/AE6DADCC-78C4-4DF4-B67F-28DB28A509E1 |
| Summary: | 1942-04
1942
1940s
44 pages
monoxide, but most dusts are dangerous in sufficient concentration; many workers will be meeting with a dangerous dust in T.N.T. factories. The silica dust in mining and pottery is particularly dangerous. Vapours that cause death or sickness are met with in many industries where industrial solvents are used; benzene and its derivatives are examples. Solids, fumes and vapours, where there is any question at all of harm to the employees, must if possible be carried away from the atmosphere immediately they are produced. The usual method of doing this is by sucking the dust or fumes up an exhaust shaft, the mouth of the shaft being sited near the place where the harmful substance is produced. Sometimes entire enclosure of a chemical process is necessary. In a few instances when efficient local ventilation cannot be applied, the individual worker must be protected by a "respirator" or "breathing apparatus." Workers should never neglect to wear these or any other kind of safety apparel when it is advisable. If masks or respirators, or other safety clothing, are uncomfortable, as they undoubtedly often are, workers must put forward suggestions for improving the design, or altering the industrial process altogether. They should never risk their health or safety as an alternative. Workers should insist on a full report on fumes and dust in their working atmosphere, either from the employers or from the factory inspector. They should not be put off by glib assurances that are not backed by scientific data. Only too often no action is taken about dangerous fumes until casualties have occurred. When planning the control of dangerous substances given off into the air, it is essential that ventilation experts be consulted. For example, the proper size of apertures, and the proper angle of the suction shafts, and a number of other technical details, are matters for experts. Finally, it is extremely important that workers see that all apparatus is kept properly maintained. Heating Par. 1. 3 (i) of the Factories Act says that "Provision shall be made for maintaining a reasonable temperature in each workroom..." 3 (2) says "Where a substantial proportion of work is done sitting ... a temperature of less than 60°F shall not be deemed, after the first hour, to be a reasonable temperature, while work is going on, and at least one thermometer shall be provided and maintained ... in every workroom." 3
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| Physical Description: | TEXT |