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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1976.

SAFER INDUSTRIAL ENVIRONMENT FOR DRY BATTERY WORKERS

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THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (DRY BATTERIES) REGULATIONS 1976 APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL EARLIER THIS YEAR AND PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY COMES INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 1, 1977.

THESE REGULATIONS.WHICH AIM TO CONTROL HEALTH HAZARDS POSED BY CARBON BLACK, MANGANESE DIOXIDE AND AMMONIUM CHLOR IDE USED IN MANUFACTURING DRY BATTERIES ARE INTENDED TO BRING ABOUT A SAFER INDUSTRIAL ENVIRONMENT FOR WORKERS.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED THAT CARBON BLACK CAUSED IRRITATION TO THE EYES- MANGANESE DIOXIDE WAS TOXIC AND COULD HAVE CUMULATIVE POISONOUS EFFECTS ON THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM- AND AMMONIUM CHLORIDE COULD CAUSE DERMATITIS.

HOWEVER, HE SAID, THE MAIN RISK WAS THE POSSIBILITY OF POISONING BY MANGANESE DIOXIDE WHICH MIGHT BE INGESTED, INHALED OR ABSORBED THROUGH THE SKIN.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID: +UNDER THE REGULATIONS, FACTORY PROPRIETORS MUST TAKE THE FOLLOWING MEASURES.

(1)

(11)

(IV)

(V)

PROVIDE PROPER VENTILATION OF WORKPLACES TO KEEP CONTAMINANTS IN THE ATMOSPHERE WITHIN SAFE LIMITS- SEGREGATE CERTAIN PROCESSES OF MANUFACTURE, AND

PROVIDE PROPER STORAGE OF CHEMICALS TO REDUCE THE RISK OF CONTAMINATION=

PROVIDE PROTECTIVE CLOTHINGS FOR WORKERS= MAINTAIN A MINIMUM STANDARD OF CLEANLINESS OF WORKPLACES- AND

PROVIDE WASHING FACILITIES FOR WORKERS.+

MEMBERS OF THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE WILL CALL ON FACTORIES MAKING DRY BATTERIES IN THE NEAR FUTURE AND DELIVER TO THE MANAGEMENT AN EXPLANATORY LETTER LISTING THESE REQUIREMENTS.

IF NECESSARY, THEY WILL ALSO GIVE ON-THE-SPOT ADVICE AS TO THE BEST WAYS OF COMPLYING WITH THE REQUIREMENTS.

J

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