Document MJXoE11X1kOjwE2QJ7Ea5vrw9

FILE NAME: Asbestos Sacks and Bags (ASB) DATE: 1949 DOC#: ASB007 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Annual Report of the Chief Inspector of Factories - Presented in 1951 v ts x n O' V*-' '* *r . . ..;,t--- * **.' * `Vr i f : : i;~; . v.-v 4 FACTORIES ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CHIEF INSPECTOR OF FACTORIES FOR THE YEAR 1949 .s, m u m / l * ..... w fiv Command o j H a Mates!} re b ru tir? I 9S I L HIS ^?md. 8155 LONDON MAJESTY'S STATIONERY PRICE 4s. 6d. NET' OFFICE U - ' A c ' -` .**r..ii'. Even in the home of this staple" industry ^ e r e jiie hardly any unoccupied weaving sheds, and what premises have been avaflable have not complied ,'ith either the whole or parts of Regulation 7 of the Cotton Cloth Factor^ Regulations. The main difficulty has been in complying with Regulation 7(m hich prescribes that the average height of a shed shall not be less than 141 :et and Regulation 7(h), which prescribes that the lights shall face between orth-east and north-north-west. In a number of suitable cases exemptions om parts of Regulation 7 have been granted, but there have been several cases here applications from firms to use unsuitable premises for weaving have een rejected on the grounds that the premises have been so patently at fault om the viewpoint of the Regulations that District Inspectors have ihesitatingly advised the people concerned to seek alternative premises. Inspectors report that the number of "dry" sheds, i.e., those in which no eps are taken to humidify the atmosphere by artificial methods, is ldoubtedly increasing, due in part to changes in the type of cloth woven, :tter sizing and the introduction of rayon yarns into cotton sheds. Where tificial humidity is used, it is reported as a great deal less on the whole than is the custom at the time of the introduction of the Regulations. The long warm summer last year gave ample opportunity for observing nditions in weaving sheds when outside temperatures were high, and it was teresting to find that in only very few cases did the Inspectors in cotton tricts find contraventions. These cases were mainly among firms weaving ry fine cloths where 75 per cent relative humidity was stated to be required avoid warp breakages. As the temperature rose, readings in excess of F. w'ere found on the wet bulb, whilst humidity was still required to ain 75 per cent relative humidity. Complete air conditioning plant which iuld entail the installation of refrigerating plants to deal with the very few t dry days on which such conditions occur in the normal English summer, lilst a possible solution of the problem, is not a practical one from the ancial and economic standpoint. Another marked change over recent years is the fact that temperatures are ely found too low on cold mornings -- the use of unit heaters and air lditioning plants and combined heating and ventilating plants has materially proved conditions in the sheds, and temperatures can now be raised much re quickly than by former methods. Far more cotton-weaving factories /e now installed plant whereby the temperature can be automatically itrolled. Asbestos Regulations "he Code of Regulations dealing with the dangers arising in the handling asbestos has been in force since 1931, and reports show that constant lance is necessary in order to ensure that there is no slackening in the fulfil- rt of the precautionary measures laid down. In factories where processes tduled under the Regulations are carried on, the maintenance of dust trol, particularly adequate exhaust ventilation at all possible points where t may be evolved, is of the utmost importance. Those firms which have long experience with the product and realize how the incidence of estosis arises are fully alive to the many problems involved, and from the ection point of view, it is very necessary to keep an ever watchful eye the new use of asbestos in some manufacturing or other process, for tnple, on ships or buildings where the work may be undertaken by some- not fully realizing the necessity of preventing as far as possible the ilation of asbestos fibre and dust.- ` ' -- - -- n It is well known in this industry as in others where there isf a 'dnsC'^hzfi^; J`;\ {hat there is scope for research and experiment in the effective application'of exhaust ventilation to a variety of processes and machines. The -weaving of asbestos is one such process, and reference is made to one weaving factory where it had been the practice to wet the asbestos befqre weaving and it was realized that there would be certain advantages if this wettiilg could be dispensed with. The local application of exhaust ventilation above and below the warp, behind the heald and at the "beat up" have been tried with only partial success and it was thought that it might be possible to place^ach loom in an exhausted enclosure so that the weaver remained outside and all the dust produced at various parts of the loom thus extracted without entering ihc air of the shed. This was tried experimentally on a pair of looms. The enclosures were built up of light hardboard panels some hinged and some removable to give access to the loom when necessary. Panels of transparent plastic material were fitted in the top of the enclosures and artificial lighting provided inside. The enclosures were exhausted from the top. It was found that this was an effective way of dealing with the dust, but there were so many other difficulties with regard to lighting, heating and handling to over come that the firm decided not to extend the idea. It was finally considered that reorganization involved in filling a weaving shed with large box-type enclosures was too complicated to make the idea worth-while. Other methods of exhaust ventilation are now being considered. The main method of preventing the escape of dust into the air of another weaving shed consists of a combination of an extensive exhaust ventilation system and wet processes. The weft pirns are steamed in cabinets situated alongside the looms and the warp is damped as it passes over a roller which revolves in a trough of water mounted in front of the warp beam. Exhaust ventilation is also applied above and in front of the shuttle race and beneath the reeds and healds. Blending for the textile product at this works is at present carried out by hand on the floor of one workroom, mechanical exhaust ventila tion being provided in this room by means of a duct at a height of 7 ft. 6 in. on the walls with many openings fitted with slides which can be opened or closed as required. Experiments are in hand, however, with a mechanical drum blender in which an oil spray is injected as the drum rotates and the whole plant installed in an enclosure provided with exhaust ventilation. One large asbestos factory has instituted a scheme for replanning and reorganizing part of the works where opening and mixing processes are carried on. because they were dissatisfied with the existing methods of dust suppres sion and realized that having regard to the old premises in which these particular processes were housed nothing short of re-siting and reconstruction would solve their difficulties. At the same time, on the medical side, the firm has started a new scheme of medical examinations, and has appointed a part-time works' doctor who has a thoroughly good knowledge of the asbestos industry and the risks of working therein. The new scheme includes an initial clinical examination and X-ray screening, followed by a clinical and/or . X-ray examination every year of workers employed in scheduled areas. Arrangements have been made to buy screening apparatus and to have X-ray films taken. It is proposed to alternate clinical examinations carried out by the works' doctor with those carried out by the Pneumoconiosis Medical Panel and for this purpose the firm is anxious to work closely with this Panei and j "ave made a request to the local doctor in charge. The scheme should be well , pnder way in 1950 and its development will be watched with the greatest t interest. . , .. j- Portable asbestos spraying plants are used to an increasing extent by:con- j fi'actors on buildings, ships, etc., for insulation purposes. Asbestos is fed'into I he spraying machine by hand, and conveyed by means of a small spiked iand to a small card cylinder which takes the fibre from the travelling band nd feeds it in a flocculent condition to a fan by which it is blown to a spray un where it is ejected by means of compressed air. The spray gun consists of centre jet for asbestos, surrounded by four jets of water which converge on le asbestos spray at about 1 foot from the end of the gun. Also a fine Dray of water is provided over the spike band conveyor in the actual lachine. The control, by means of a valve on the spray gun, is so arranged lat the water jets must be in operation before asbestos can be delivered to le gun. If the water supply fails the supply of asbestos is automatically opped. In view of the risks to health unless proper precautions are taken in le spraying of asbestos by means of these portable plants, the firm from hich they are hired runs a school where employees of various insulation ?ntractors are given a course of training in their proper use and manipulation, sting about 14 days, and representatives attend these courses from overseas ; well as from the British Isles. Several Inspectors refer to the unsatisfactory practice of packing raw .bestos fibre into unlined hessian or jute bags (frequently it is shipped at the rnntry of origin,and delivered to a factory in this manner) which renders orkers handling them liable to considerable exposure to dust and fibre. The egulations prohibit the use of such sacks or bags for transport of the material ithin the factory -- for which purpose only containers constructed of ipermeable material kept in good repair are permitted. In handling packages hich are not impermeable, the use of an approved type of respirator by all orkers concerned is very important. Clay Works (Welfare) Special Regulations, 1948 These Regulations have now been in force for over a year and it is possible give a better assessment of the degree of compliance than was possible last ar. It appears that this is variable from works to w orks; on the whole a rious attempt to fulfil the requirements is being made in the larger works, it much remains to be done in the smaller places. These small works are :ed with their own special problems; many of them work only intermittently d some have remained closed for long periods. Demand varies and they are 4 always ible to compete with the larger firms ; they are often situated in mote areas without sewerage or piped water supply. In some localities it :ms that employers have decided not to act unless pressed, particularly on ; provision of protective clothing, and several Inspectors suggest that legal oceedings may be necessary before this attitude is changed. In one District ximpletely non-co-operative firm was prosecuted and fined, and now shows ;ns of improvement. In another, a firm fined for breaches of the safety :tions of the Act has had a general change of attitude and is now setting out the provision of amenities. The best progress is reported in the provision of washing facilities, some- les in the face of very real difficulties of water supply and drainage. Many lorts tell of new basins with hot water laid o n ; some works have shower- ths and a number of ablutions blocks are approaching completion. Where : provision is of good standard and well placed, it is found to be well tronized and abuse is rare. Poor provision rapidly becomes worse as there no incentive to treat it well. There has been steady development in the provision of canteens. In the ailer works, snack meals are popular. 1 Some messrooms have been trans- med by colour schemes.' 1 T' .... ' SSp'-'V1 1 '$, '* .V, '^X; r-: Pneumoconiosis V -V - i * '/-Tp' The usual Tables have been brought up to date and are set out bdoW. _ TABLE XIV DBATHS FROM FIBROSIS OF THE LUNG, INCLUDING SILICOSIS, ASBBSTOSIS, Pn e u m o c o n io s is and By s s in o s is (E ngland and W a les), 1940 t o 1949 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947' 1948 1949 Siucosis:-- . . . . 1 Refractories industries ... 2. Pottery, manufacture o f... 3 Sandstone quarrying and dressing ............... 4 Sandstone masons 5, Metal grinding ............... 6. Sandblasting ............... 7. Steel dressing and cleaning of castings ............... 8. Stone, pebble, (lint and sand cru sh in g ............... 9. Scouring powders, manu- facture of ............... 10. Abrasive wheel manufac- lure .......................... 11. Glass cutting and bevelling 12. Millstone dressing 13, Slate quarrying and dressing........................... 14. Granite quarrying and dressing........................... 15. Tunnel mining (sewage works, etc.) ............... 16. Coal mining ............... 17. Gold mining (South Africa) 18. Tin Mining ............... 19. Iron ore (haematite) mining 20. Lead mining ............... 21. Copper mining ............... 22. Barytes mining ............... 2i. Clay mining 24. Mining engineers 23. Miscellaneous ............... 16 12 7 7 6 9 8 10 13 13 53 45 47 41 32 41 49 54 48 63 42 24 14 24 26 21 20 12 28 15 67 58 40 53 31 44 41 43 40 36 24 13 13 11 7 11 6 9 8 14 13 4 4 6 7 6 4 5 5 5 4 9 9 4 10 5 22 13 13 18 5 1 2 1 4---- 3 1 3 -- 2-- 1 1 1-- -- -- 1 -- -- -- 1 1 2 1-- _ -- -- 1 2-- --I -- 2-- __ -- -- 1-- -- ---- -- -- -- 7 6 4 6 7 6 13 20 16 21 1 13 2 1 4 1. 1 2 54445 32 232 196 230 276 - 277 323 343 347 322 336 10 7 7 4 9 4 7 5 4 4 21 17 12 14 11 19 14 12 11 20 20 -- 47 13 5 7 2 9 6 12 1 1 1 1 2_ 9 1 -- 1 2 1_ __-- _ 1 3 3-- 4-- 2 1 1_ 3 -- _ _ 1_ 1_ _ _ 1 -- _ 3 I__ ] 1 2 1 2 1 2 2 4 5 6 11 . 7 7 Total--Silicosis 522 406 417 470 445 508 553 558 534 575 Asbestosis ........................... 11 17 11 8 10 11 16 15 15 17 Pneumoconiosis :-- Coal Mining Other Industries ............... 34 64 78 230 317 420 -- -- -- -- 3 11 5 12 19 14 Byssinosis -- -- 6 7 1 10 3 4 8 7 Other Cases of (Non-Occu- pational) F ibrosis 650 461 443 493 531 529 568 616 651 554 Grand To t a l ............... 1,183 884 877 978 1,024 1,133 1,223 1,435 1,544 1,587 jjp*s9a5i9#>icci m jar -V 139 r \ ; ;*r'. ; '*. . ; : - : F atal Cases Investigated u p t o the end o f 1949 .*. i r S: S il ic o s is Pottery:-- Silicosis ....................................... Silicosis with Tuberculosis .............. Sandstone:-- Silicosis ... Silicosis with Tuberculosis .............. Grinding of Metals:-- S ilic o sis.................................................. Silicosis with Tuberculosis ............. . Sandblasting:-- Silicosis .................................... . Silicosis with Tuberculosis ............... Manufacture of Scouring Powders:-- Silicosis ... Silicosis with Tuberculosis ............... Miscellaneous:-- Silicosis ... ........................... Silicosis with Tuberculosis ............... Total:-- S ilic o sis............... Silicosis with Tuberculosis ............... Number of deaths Average age at death Duralio a of employment in years Longest Shortest Averagt 579 423 206 209 102 196 61 96 13 6 211 206 1,172 1,136 61 -2 55-5 59-2 56-7 58-7 53-7 48 -7 46 1 37-2 40-8 54-6 51 -2 58-5 53 8 62 -0 67 -0 60 0 55 -0 56 -0 53 -0 28-0 46 0 37-0 11-2 57 0 500 62 0 67 -0 2 8 38 8 5 0 34-6 9-0 39-4 5 0 37 -2 14-0 36-4 2-8 32-9 1 -7 12-3 2-0 13-1 2-3 8-2 2-0 7-0 1 5 23-3 0 7 25 2 1 5 34-2 0-7 31 1 A s b f s io s Asbestosis ............... ............... Asbestosis with Tuberculosis 186 48-2 48-0 78 39 -2 29-0 0-5 15 6 0 8 10 5 Industrial Lung Diseases of Iron and Steel Foundry Workers A survey extending over four years of the industrial lung diseases amongst iron and steel foundry workers has been made by a team led by Dr. A. I. G. McLaughlin, one of the medical inspectors. His collaborators were Dr. E. A. Cheeseman (Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Queens' University of Belfast), Miss Jessie Garrad (Medical Research Council), Dr. S. Roodhouse Gloyne (London Chest Hospital and the Institute of Social Medicine, Oxford). Dr. H. E. Harding (University of Sheffield), Dr. M. H. Jupe (London Hospital), Dr. K. M. A. Perry (London Hospital), Dr. C. L. Suther land, O B.E. Ministry of National Insurance), with Mr. K. L. Goodail. Mr. W. B. Lawrie and Mr. H. Woods (Engineering and Chemical Branch of the Factory Inspectorate). Over 3,000 foundry workers in 19 foundries were examined clinically and radiologically; analysis was made of the records of lung diseases in foundry workers in the files of the factory department and of the Pneumoconiosis Medical B oard; pathological examinations were made of the lungs of 64 foundry workers and dust surveys were carried out in three foundries. The Report, which has been published (1950) in book form by H.MStationery Office, shows that nearly all categories of foundry workers are liable to inhale dust which produces abnormal X-ray pictures of the lungs, some of the abnormal shadows representing actual lung fibrosis, but others indicating deposits in the lungs of iroo oxide which does not cause fibrosis. , ?-iV r jcosis.twas^ found to be a serious risk amongst^auuLand ' castings, furnace bricklayers and some ifqo nwuldfcrs. Petiliwa^fl0 '' ^ r 4 a a l t n m i l / l o r n M ira ! c rr n r l r n r 4 fl(l C i> n A ltO l l i n f f "miked'dust" pneumoconiosis ------- ----- . . ---------develop abnormal X-ray pictures which represent mainly sidercriis which is " , disabling: but if they work in a fettling shop they are liable to contract D addition, mixed dust pneumoconiosis and sometimes silicosis. Coremakers and Pattern shop workers are exposed to a minimal risk of contracting lung disease. Other categories of workers are dealt with in detail. The incidence of active tuberculosis found in the survey was not high, being 3-6 cases per 1000, which is about the incidence found in the general population. ' The careful dust survey made by Mr. Goodall in an iron foundry revealed dust cloud concentrations varying between 270 and 2,800 mineral dust particles per cc. with median particle sizes between 0-5 ft and 0-8 ft. In a steel foundry he made another survey which showed that there were also widely varying con centrations of airborne dust in different foundry processes. The highest concentration was found in a shotblasting chamber. * - *" The pathological work by Dr. S. Roodhouse Gloyne and Df. H. E. Harding is particularly valuable, because no previous foundry survey has included a i description of the pathology of the workers' lungs. There is always room for speculation about the causation of X-ray shadows, but not as a rul about '$ histological appearances. MISCELLANEOUS HEALTH. AND WELFARE , Building (Safety, Health and Welfare) Regulations The introduction of this comprehensive code of legal requirements in October, 1948, applying as it does to practically all building work and placing responsibility on small as well as large building contractors, coincided with an increase of building work, and the enforcement of the Regulations has taken up an appreciable amount of the time of all Inspectors during the past year. It has been a year of intensive instruction; apart from visits to individual sites a very large number of lectures have been given to all types of audiences drawn from the trade. In one instance, for example, 200 workers on a London site spent practically the whole of their lunch time questioning an Inspector on points under the Regulations. . . .. . The main impressions after a full year's working of the Code is that steady progress has been made. This, as was to be anticipated, is more marked amongst the large contractors than amongst the small, and cases where the latter appear to have no knowledge of the requirements are still being met with. One District, for example, reports the case of the builder who, having no proper hoist on a job, rigged up a platform which was raised and lowered four storeys of a tall factory building with the aid of a motor lorry moving shuttle fashion across the mill yard. In another report is the following descrip tion of a scaffold found in use in a large northern town. When seen, the working platform was one unfenced 9-inch plank some 40 feet above a city street. It was supported by means of two ladders slung from wire ropes over the parapet of the building and carrying ladder brackets which carried the Plank. The support for each ladder was merely a 112 lb. weight attached to each supporting wire over the parapet. Access was by clambering over the parapet and descending one of the vertical ladders. In dead weight alone, 141