Document pLBdQKqb7xp0L7KjJ5Bo6BXD

I o I SAFETY METHODS FOR FRSTSNT1NO OCCUPATIONAL AND OTHER ACCIDENTS AND DISEASS V WILLIAM H. TOLMAN, Ph.D. - MIKTOIW -th* MnieM HCfcvai r iirnr AND LEONARD B. KENDALL - . ILLUSTRATED v.r* I I harper & brothers publishers NEW YORK AND LONDON MCMXII1 < ( i | t < aS SAFETY use them. Instruction to workers, especially those just entering dangerous employment, may be given in various ways. Apart from lectures on the subject condse instruction should be available in the form of notices and illustrated placards displayed in the workrooms or handed out ss leaflets. Official leaflets are drawn up and published by some governmental departments, the employers being obliged to make known and distribute the same. Of individual protective measures, those have the greatest importance which, as far as possible, prevent poison from contact with any portion of the body and from inhalation. If this is not completely possible, however, the poison should be quickly removed, so that it shall not penetrate more than is absolutely necessary. Such pro tection can be secured by means of suitable equipment for the worker, as, for instance, proper clothing, protectors for the mouth and nose, and scrupulous cleanliness when eating. It cannot be suffidently emphasized that only these measures afford effective protection against in dustrial poisoning, particularly against those having a lingering chronic action. The importance of wearing suitable clothing on the premises'should be strongly impressed upon workers in dangerous trades. The ordinary or street-dothcEs should be taken off and replaced by special suits to be worn dur ing working-hours. It is not sufficient for a working-suit, jacket, or apron to be put on aver the ordinary clothing. The working-suit should be taken off before the midday meal and before leaving the factory and exchanged for the street-clothes. Working - garments should be cut perfectly plain, without folds or pockets, and should be (iiI INDUSTRIAL POISONS ' *49 made of strong, smooth, washable materials. By remav- J ing the worlddjg-dothes before meals and before leaving the factory the poison is not carried into lunchrooms or into the homes of the workers. ., . Direct contact with poisonous substances should be avoided as far as possible. If, however, it is necessary for the workman to handle poisonous materials, moisten or dust his hands with them, gloves should be worn. This is particularly necessary when the poison is of such character as to easily enter the skin, producing skin- diseases, sores, and tire like. When there is danger that poisonous substances might come in contact with the body it Is wise to order that extra strong and impermeable working-garments be worn. When dealing with dusty, poisonous materials the. wpr^xnan should be provided with a suitable head-dress, as' poisonous dust readily adheres to hair and scalp. Employers should see the advantages of providing and maintaining suitable worldng-dothes for employees, where there is danger of poisoning. But, as before mentioned, the mere provision is not enough; employees must be com pelled to wear them if the benefits are tobe at all apparent Of very great importance Is the provision of rooms for - changing clothing, with adequate washing facilities and lockers for holding both the street and working clothes. Each worker should have an appointed washing-place tnd a locker for his individual use. The best type of locker is one divided by a partition into two separate compartments closed by separate doors, one compart ment for the worldng-dothes and the other for street- garments. This separation of the clothing worn inside and outside the premises is of importance in factories dealing with poisonous materials.