2166

THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

No. 54

Regulations under the Health Act, 1920, for the Protection of Persons employed in Lead Processes and in using Paint.

CHARLES FERGUSSON, Governor-General.

ORDER IN COUNCIL.

At the Government House at Wellington, this 27th day of July, 1925.

Present:

His Excellency the Governor-General in Council.

In pursuance and exercise of the powers conferred upon him by sections sixty-seven and one hundred and thirty-two of the Health Act, 1920 (hereinafter referred to as the said Act), and by section seventy of the Factories Act, 1921, and of all other powers enabling him in this behalf, His Excellency the Governor-General of the Dominion of New Zealand, acting by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council of the said Dominion, doth hereby make the regulations hereinafter set forth, and doth declare that the following regulations shall come into force on the tenth day of August, one thousand nine hundred and twenty-five.

REGULATIONS.

DEFINITION.

1. These regulations may be cited as “The Lead Process Regulations, 1925.”

2. In these regulations, if not inconsistent with the context,

“Lead colour” means any lead products which, when treated in the manner prescribed in Schedule A hereto, yields to such aqueous solution of hydro-chloric acid as is described in the said Schedule A a quantity of soluble lead compound exceeding, when calculated as lead monoxide, five parts per centum of the dry weight of the portion taken for analysis :

“Lead process” means any process involving the mixing, crushing, or sifting, or grinding in oil of any lead colour, or involving any movement, treatment, or manipulation of lead products or of lead colour if such process gives rise to fumes or dust from lead or lead compounds which may be dangerous to health;

“Lead products” means any carbonate, sulphate, nitrate, chromate, or acetate of lead, or any lead material used in the manufacture of such products, and containing five parts per centum or more of lead :

“Dry rubbing down” means the removal by sandpaper, pumice, or other similar material of dry paint in such a manner as to give rise to dust.

3. For the purpose of general interpretation hereof, these regulations shall be deemed to be made under the Health Act, 1920.

CONTROL OF LEAD PROCESS WORKS.

Structure of Premises.

2. No person shall use or cause or suffer to be used any room for the carrying-on of any lead process, unless such room complies in all respects with the following provisions, that is to say :-

(1.) The room shall be so situated and constructed as to prevent dust or fumes escaping from such room so as to be dangerous to the health of any person in any other part of the premises in which the room is situated.

(2.) The floor and walls of the room shall be faced with cement concrete or other material impervious to water, and so finished as to offer a smooth, readily cleansed surface.

(3.) The ceiling shall be at a height not less than nine feet above the floor-level, or such other height, not exceeding twelve feet, as the Medical Officer of Health may require, and the ceiling shall be so constructed as to offer as few crevices as possible for the lodgment of dust.

(4.) The room shall be lighted and ventilated to the satisfaction of the Medical Officer of Health, and the total window-space shall be not less in area than one-tenth the area of the floor.

(5.) Convenient to such room, but separate therefrom, there shall be provided-

(i.) A dressing-room provided with cupboards for the storage separately of the clothing of each person engaged in the lead process, and also with a cupboard for the storage of the overalls used by persons while carrying on the lead process.

(ii.) A lavatory provided with sufficient suitable hand-basins and a supply of hot and of cold water for the ablution of every person engaged in the lead process,

(iii.) A room in which every person employed in the lead process can store and eat his food.

Duties of Employer.

3. No person shall carry on any lead process, whether as owner or manager, unless in every case provision is made to the satisfaction of the Medical Officer of Health for the following matters, that is to say :-

(1.) Every lead process shall be carried on in an apparatus so closed as to prevent so far as practicable the escape of dust or fumes.

(2.) Where dust or fumes from a lead process escape, or are liable to escape, if the Medical Officer of Health so directs, an exhaust draught shall be provided so designed as to prevent the exposure to such dust or fumes of any persons working at the lead process, and so placed as to operate as near as practicable to the point of origin of such dust or fumes.

(3.) Furniture or machinery required for the carrying-on of a lead process, if fixed in position, shall be so placed and fitted as to leave any spaces below or at the sides or back of such furniture or machinery readily accessible for cleansing and inspection.

(4.) No furniture, machinery, or tools other than those necessary for conducting the lead process shall be in any room in which a lead process is carried on.

(5.) There shall be provided-

(i.) Such tools and furnishings as are required to reduce to a minimum the exposure of the bare hands and arms of persons engaged in carrying on any lead process to contact with any lead product or lead colour.

(ii.) For every person who may be exposed to dust or fumes from any lead process a respirator of a type satisfactory to the Medical Officer of Health.

(iii.) Overall garments for every person carrying on any lead processes; and

(iv.) Sufficient soap, nail-brushes, and towels in the lavatory for the ablutions of every person carrying on any lead process.

(6.) (a.) The owner or manager shall provide-

(i.) That the overall garments of every person engaged on any lead process are washed not less frequently than once every week;

(ii.) That every respirator required for persons exposed to dust or fumes from any lead process shall be kept clean and in good repair ;

(iii.) That the lavatory and the basins and towels therein are kept clean and in good repair ;

(iv.) That the floor, fittings, and furnishings of every room in which any lead process is carried on are kept clean; and

(v.) That the walls and ceilings of every such room are kept clean and free from dust.

(b.) For the purposes of this subclause “clean” means cleansed to the satisfaction of the Inspector of Factories under the Factories Act, 1921, by a method which avoids the creation of dust. Dry sweeping of such floors and walls is hereby prohibited.

(7.) Every room used for carrying on lead process shall have available for each person employed therein not less than five hundred cubic feet of air space.

(8.) No woman and no person under the age of sixteen years shall be employed on any lead process.

(9.) No person other than those engaged in carrying on lead processes shall be employed or unnecessarily allowed in any room used for such processes.

(10.) No person shall be allowed to keep, prepare, or consume any food or drink in any room in which any lead process is carried on.

Duties of Employees.

4. (1.) No person who is not employed on carrying on a lead process shall be unnecessarily in a room in which any lead process is being carried on.

(2.) No person who is employed in carrying on a lead process shall unnecessarily handle lead products or lead colours with his naked hands.

(3.) No person employed on premises in which any lead process is used shall keep, prepare, or consume any food or drink in any room in which such process is carried on.

(4.) No person shall engage in work on a lead process unless he wears suitable overall clothing, and every person who has been so engaged shall change such overall clothing and thoroughly wash his hands before he leaves the premises in which the lead process is carried on and before he eats any food.

(5.) Every person employed on a lead process shall use the tools, furnishings, and equipment specified in subclause (5) of clause 3 of these regulations while employed or after he