S.I. No. 14/1923 - Chemical Works Regulations, 1923. Skip to content Disclaimer Feedback Helpdesk Gaeilge Léim go dtí an t-ábhar Séanadh Aiseolas Deasc chabhrach English Gaeilge English Produced by the Office of the Attorney General Táirgthe ag Oifig an Ard-Aighne Home Legislation Acts of the Oireachtas Statutory Instruments Pre-1922 Legislation Constitution External Resources Bills (Houses of the Oireachtas) Iris Oifigiúil / Official Gazette Revised Acts (LRC) Classified List of Legislation (LRC) Translations (acts.
(2)my other suitable apparatus approved in writing by the Inspector of Factories. Life-belt means a belt made of leather or other suitable material which can be securely fastened round the body, with a suitable length of rope attached to it, each of which is sufficiently strong to sustain the weight of a man. Efficient exhaust draught means localised ventilation effected by mechanical or other means for the removal of gas, vapour, fume, or dust, which prevents it from escaping into the air of any place in which work is carried on.† Surgeon means the Certifying Factory Surgeon of the District, or a duly qualified medical practitioner appointed by written certificate of, or on behalf of, the Minister of Industry and Commerce, which appointment shall be subject to such conditions as may be specified in that certificate. * Terms to which defined meanings are given are printed throughout in italics. † Care must be taken that the means provided do not cause a contravention of the provisions of the Alkali, &c., Works Regulation Act, 1906. Suspension means suspension by written certificate in the Health Register, signed by the Surgeon, from employment in any process mentioned in the certificate. Exceptions. Where it is proved to the satisfaction of the Inspector of Factories that by reason of exceptional circumstances in any works subject to these Regulations, or by reason of the infrequency of the process, or for other reasons, all or any of the requirements of the Regulations are not necessary for the protection of persons employed in such works, he may by certificate in writing (which he may in his discretion revoke) exempt such works from all or any of the provisions of the same, subject to such conditions as he may by such certificate prescribe. Duties. It shall be the duty of the occupier to comply with these Regulations, and it shall be the duty of all agents, foremen, and persons employed to conduct their work in accordance with these Regulations. Part I. APPLYING TO ALL CHEMICAL WORKS. 1. With regard to every fixed vessel, whether pot, pan, vat, or other structure, containing any dangerous material, and not so covered as to eliminate all reasonable risk of accidental immersion of any portion of the body of a person employed:— (
- a)Each such vessel shall, unless its edge is at least 3 feet above the adjoining ground or platform, be securely fenced to a height of at least 3 feet above such adjoining ground or platform. (
- b)No plank or gangway shall be placed across or inside any such vessel unless such plank or gangway is— (
- i)at least 18 inches wide; and (
- ii)securely fenced on both sides; either by upper and lower rails, to a height of 3 feet, or by other equally efficient means. (
- c)Where such vessels adjoin, and the space between them, clear of any surrounding brick or other work, is either (
- i)less than 18 inches in width; or (
- ii)is 18 or more inches in width, but is not securely fenced on both sides to a height of at least 3 feet, secure barriers shall be so placed as to prevent passage between them. Provided that paragraph (
- a)of this Regulation shall not apply to that part of the sides of brine evaporating pans at which raking, drawing or filling is carried on, or to saturators used in the manufacture of sulphate of ammonia. 2. The following processes shall not be carried on except under an efficient exhaust draught:— (
- a)drawing a charge from a salt cake furnace; (
- b)slaking of lime for use in a chemical process except when it is carried on in the open air or by means of an enclosed mechanical or other appliance so constructed as to prevent the escape of steam or dust into the air of any place in which any person is employed; (
- c)any process involving action of acid or alkali on metal whereby there is a liability to the evolution of arseniuretted hydrogen. 3. All mills and screens for grinding and screening anhydrous lime, and all mechanical conveyors used in connection therewith, shall be so enclosed as to prevent the escape of dust. 4.—(
- a)All places in which persons are employed and all means of access thereto shall be efficiently lighted by day and by night. (
- b)No electric arc lamp, or naked light, fixed or portable, shall be used, and no person shall have in his possession any lucifer match on any apparatus of any kind for producing a naked light or spark in, on, or about any part of the works where there is liability to explosion from inflammable gas, vapour or dust, and all incandescent electric lights in such parts shall be in double, air-tight glass covers. (
- c)Stoves shall not be used for the artificial heating of places in which there is danger of ignition of gas, vapour, or dust; if steam pipes or radiators are used for this purpose they shall be placed so that there is a space of not less than two inches between them and the wall, and shall be protected by a wire screen. (
- d)A prominent notice, legible by day and by night, prohibiting smoking or the use of naked lights, and the carrying of matches, or any apparatus for producing a naked light or spark, shall be affixed at the entrance of every room or place in which there is liability to explosion from inflammable gas, vapour, or dust. 5. Every still and every closed vessel in which gas is evolved or into which gas is passed, and in which the pressure is liable to rise to a dangerous degree, shall have attached to it, and maintained in proper condition, a proper safety valve or other equally efficient means to relieve the pressure. Nothing in this Regulation shall apply to metal bottles or cylinders used for the transport of compressed gases. 6. There shall be provided in every works where dangerous gas or fume is liable to escape a sufficient supply of:— (
- a)Breathing apparatus. (
- b)Oxygen and suitable means for its administration. (
- c)Life-belts. The breathing apparatus and other appliances required by this Regulation shall be maintained in good order and kept in an ambulance room or in some other place approved in writing by the Inspector of Factories, which shall be conveniently situated. In every such room or place and wherever required in writing by the Inspector of Factories there shall be affixed the official cautionary notice regarding gassing and burns. Such apparatus and appliances shall be inspected once every month by a competent person, conversant with their use, appointed by the occupier, and a record of their condition shall be entered in a book provided for that purpose, which shall be produced when required by an Inspector. 7. Before any person enters, for any purpose except that of rescue, any absorber, boiler, culvert, drain, flue, gas purifier, sewer, still, tank, tower, vitriol chamber, or other place where there is reason to apprehend the presence of dangerous gas or fume, a responsible person appointed by the occupier for the purpose shall personally examine such place and shall certify in writing in a book to be kept for the purpose either that such place is isolated and sealed from every source of such gas or fume and is free from danger, or that it is not so isolated and sealed and free from danger. No person shall enter any such place which is certified not to be so isolated and sealed and free from danger unless he is wearing a breathing apparatus, and (where there are no cross-stays or obstructions likely to cause entanglement) a life-belt, the free end of the robe attached to which shall be left with a man outside, whose sole duty shall be to keep watch and to draw out the wearer if he appears to be affected by gas or fume. The belt and rope shall be so adjusted and worn that the wearer can be drawn up head foremost through any manhole or opening. 8. No person shall enter any place mentioned in Regulation 7 for the purpose of rescue unless he is wearing a breathing apparatus and a life-belt in the manner specified in that Regulation. 9. A sufficient supply of non-metallic spades, scrapers and pails shall be provided for the use of persons employed in cleaning out or removing the residues from any chamber, still, tank, or other vessel which has contained sulphuric or hydrochloric acid or other substance which may cause evolution of arseniuretted hydrogen. 10. In all places where strong acids or dangerous corrosive liquids are used— (
- a)there shall be provided, for use in case of emergency:— (
- i)Adequate and readily accessible means of drenching with cold water persons, and the clothing of persons, who have become splashed with such liquid; (
- ii)A sufficient number of eye-wash bottles, filled with distilled water or other suitable liquid, kept in boxes or cupboards conveniently situated and clearly indicated by a distinctive sign which shall be visible at all times, (
- b)Except where the manipulation of such acids and liquids is so carried on as to prevent risk of personal injury from splashing or otherwise, there shall be provided for those who have to manipulate such acids or liquids, sufficient and suitable goggles and gloves or other suitable protection for the eyes and hands. If gloves are provided they shall be collected, examined and cleaned at the close of the day's work and shall be repaired or renewed when necessary. (
- c)There shall be kept affixed the official cautionary notice regarding gassing and burns. 11. There shall be provided in readily accessible positions a sufficient number of "First Aid" boxes or cupboards. Each "First Aid" box or cupboard shall be distinctively marked, and if newly provided after the date of these Regulations shall be marked plainly with a white cross on a red ground, and shall contain, besides any other medical appliances or requisites:— (
- i)A supply of suitable sterilised dressings for fingers, hands, feet, or other injured parts. (
- ii)A supply of sterilised cotton-wool. (iii) A supply of sterilised burn dressings (large and small) . (
- iv)Plaster—waterproofed on the outside. (
- v)Ointment, a 2 per cent. alcoholic solution of iodine and a bottle of sal volatile. (
- vi)A copy of the First Aid leaflet. Nothing except appliances or requisites for First Aid shall be kept in a "First Aid" box or cupboard. Each "First Aid" box shall be kept stocked and in good order, and shall be placed in the charge of a responsible person, who shall always be readily available during working hours. A notice or notices shall be affixed in every workplace stating the name of the person in charge of the "First Aid" box or cupboard provided in respect of that place. 12. There shall be provided and maintained in good order in every works in which the total number of persons employed in the processes to which these Regulations apply at any one time is 250 or more, an Ambulance room. The Ambulance room shall be a separate room used only for the purpose of treatment and rest. It shall have a floor space of not less than 100 square feet and smooth, hard and impervious walls and floor, and shall be provided with ample means of natural and artificial lighting. It shall contain at least:— (
- i)A glazed sink with hot and cold water always available. (
- ii)A table with a smooth top. (iii) Means for sterilising instruments. (
- iv)A supply of suitable dressings, bandages and splints. (
- v)A couch. (
- vi)A stretcher. Where persons of both sexes are employed, arrangements shall be made at the Ambulance room for their separate treatment. The Ambulance room shall be placed under the charge of a qualified nurse, or other person trained in First Aid, who shall always be readily available during working hours and shall keep a record of all cases of accidents or sickness treated in the room. 13. At every works there shall be provided and maintained in good condition a suitably constructed ambulance carriage, for the purpose of the removal of serious cases of accident or sickness, unless arrangements have been made for obtaining such a carriage when required from a hospital or other place in telephonic communication with the works. 14. Arrangements shall be made to the satisfaction of the Inspector of Factories for the effective training and practising of a sufficient number of persons in the use of the appliances required by Regulation 6 and in administering First Aid. 15. There shall be provided for all female persons employed whose work is done standing, facilities for sitting, so as to enable them to take advantage of any opportunities for resting which may occur in the course of their employment. 16. There shall be provided and maintained at suitable points, conveniently accessible at all times to all persons employed:— (
- a)An adequate supply of wholesome drinking water from a public main or from some other source of supply approved in writing by the local authority of the district in which the factory is situated, which shall be either laid on, or contained in a suitable vessel; (
- b)(except where the water is delivered in an upward jet from which the workers can conveniently drink) at least one suitable cup or drinking vessel at each point of supply, with facilities for rinsing it in drinking water. Each drinking water supply shall be clearly marked "Drinking Water." All practicable steps shall be taken to preserve the water and vessels from contamination. 17.—