S.I. No. 252/1973 - Factories (Welfare) (Use of Bichromates in Dyeing) Regulations, 1973.

S.I. No. 252 of 1973.

FACTORIES (WELFARE) (USE OF BICHROMATES IN DYEING) REGULATIONS, 1973.

I, MICHAEL O'LEARY, Minister for Labour, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by sections 6 , 8 , 57 and 71 of the Factories Act, 1955 (No. 10 of 1955), and the Labour (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order, 1966 ( S.I. No. 164 of 1966 ), after due compliance with the provisions of the Third Schedule to that Act, hereby make the following regulations :

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Factories (Welfare) (Use of Bichromates in Dyeing) Regulations, 1973.

2. These Regulations shall come into operation on the 1st day of January, 1974.

3. These Regulations shall apply to any factory in which bichromate of potassium or sodium is used in dyeing.

4. In every factory to which these Regulations apply there shall be provided and maintained in good condition, for the use of all persons who in their employment in the factory come into contact with crystals or solution of bichromate of potassium or sodium while they are so employed, protective clothing of suitable design and material.

5. (1) In every factory to which these Regulations apply, there shall be provided and maintained in every first-aid box provided pursuant to section 56 of the Factories Act, 1955 (No. 10 of 1955)—

( a ) a sufficient supply of waterproof plastic wound dressings of a grade or quality not lower than the standards specified in the British Pharmaceutical Codex (including any supplement thereto being a supplement current at the date of commencement of these Regulations), or approved by the Minister for the purposes of these Regulations; each dressing shall be put up in an individual sealed pack marked clearly to indicate its content, and

( b ) a sufficient supply of waterproof plastic self-adhesive plaster, of a grade or quality not lower than the standards specified in the British Pharmaceutical Codex (including any supplement thereto being a supplement current at the date of commencement of these Regulations), or approved by the Minister for the purposes of these Regulations.

(2) The requirements of paragraph (1) of this regulation are in addition to, and not in substitution for, the requirements of the First Aid in Factories Regulations, 1956 ( S.I. No. 166 of 1956 ).

6. The occupier of a factory to which these Regulations apply shall arrange for an inspection twice a week by the person in charge of the first-aid box of the fingers of all persons who, while employed at the factory, come into contact with crystals or solutions of bichromate of potassium or sodium.

7. There shall be kept posted up in every factory to which these Regulations apply an easily read cautionary notice as to the effects of chrome on a person's skin. The notice shall be in a form approved for the purposes of these Regulations by the Minister.

8. If any person employed at a factory to which these Regulations apply shows a tendency to develop, or is known to be susceptible to, chrome eczema, he shall, if practicable, not be employed in the factory in work which brings him into contact with crystals or solutions of bichromate of potassium or sodium.

9. A suitable mess-room for heating and taking meals shall be provided in a factory to which these Regulations apply and maintained for the use of all persons employed and remaining on the premises during meal intervals, being persons described in Regulation 4 of these Regulations. A mess-room provided in pursuance of this regulation shall be—

( a ) furnished with tables and chairs or benches with back rests,

( b ) provided with adequate means of warming food and boiling water,

( c ) kept clean and sufficiently warm,

( d ) separate from cloakroom and washing facilities,

( e ) be placed under the charge of a responsible person.

10. The Order for securing the Welfare of the workers employed in Factories or parts of Factories in which Bichromate of Potassium or Sodium is used in Dyeing other than Job-Dyeing, dated the 22nd day of March, 1918, and made under section 7 (1) of the Police, Factories etc. (Miscellaneous Privisions) Act, 1916, shall cease to have effect in relation to a factory to which these Regulations apply.

GIVEN under my Official Seal, this 27th day of August, 1973.

MICHAEL O'LEARY,

Minister for Labour.

EXPLANATORY NOTE.

These regulations prescribe precautions to be taken for the protection of the health of persons employed in factories where bichromate of potassium or sodium is used in dyeing.