Pennsylvania Code
Title 34 - LABOR AND INDUSTRY
Part I - Department of Labor and Industry
Chapter 13 - PROPANE AND LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS
Subchapter C - MANUFACTURE OF NITRO AND AMIDO COMPOUNDS
SPECIFICATIONS
Section 13.178 - Health precautions

(a) Process men. This term as used in this section shall mean those employes whose work brings them into immediate contact with nitro and amido compounds, either in the manufacture of those compounds or in the repair of apparatus used in their manufacture. The term does not include employes whose duty is in the power plant or other employes whose work does not bring them into such contact.

(b) Information. The employer shall inform all employes engaged in the manufacture or other handling of nitro and amido compounds of the poisonous quality of these products and the necessity for strict compliance with all health precautions enumerated in this section.

(c) Clothing. Shirts, overalls, caps, stockings, shoes, gloves and other wearing apparel which have become saturated with poisonous nitro and amido compounds in such manner that the skin comes in immediate contact with them, shall be immediately taken off, the skin washed with vinegar and then with water, and the employe shall then put on clothing which has not been in contact with these substances.

(d) Liquor and smoking. Employes shall be warned that the use of alcoholic liquors and chewing tobacco is harmful to their health. Smoking in the workroom is strictly forbidden.

(e) Dining, washing, and dressing rooms. Food shall not be kept or eaten in the workroom. A suitable dining room absolutely separate from the workroom shall be provided. Employes shall not be allowed to enter this room until they have washed both face and hands. The washing and dressing rooms, and bathrooms, shall be separate from the workrooms. These rooms shall be suitably fitted, kept clean, and properly heated. No one shall be allowed to keep any wearing apparel in the workroom. All process men shall dress in the dressing room or washroom. Each process man shall have two lockers, one for his working and one for his street clothing, or a properly divided double locker or such method for storing clothing as the Department may approve or its authorized representative. A proper number of washing appliances shall be provided. Soap and towels shall be furnished in suitable numbers and free of charge.

(f) Bath. Every workman who comes in contact with the nitro and amido compounds shall take a bath daily before he leaves the factory.

(g) Disability. It is recommended that men who suffer from inflammation of the bladder not be employed in factories where nitro and amido compounds are made.

(h) Alcoholic liquor. Men who are addicted to the use of alcoholic liquors shall not be employed and no employe upon whom the odor of alcoholic liquor is detected shall be allowed to enter the factory.

(i) Age. It is recommended that process men be between the ages of 22 and 50 years. It is also recommended that applicants for employment presenting evidences of anemia or of emaciation not be employed as process men because of their increased susceptibility.

(j) Women. Application for permission to employ women in the manufacture of nitro and amido compounds shall be filed with the Department. It may be granted to women over 18 years of age after scientific investigation by the Department has determined conclusively that exposure to the compounds in question does not exist.

(k) Toilets. Toilets shall be provided in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 41 (relating to sanitation).

(l) Drinking fountains. The employer shall provide and maintain a sufficient number of sanitary drinking fountains readily accessible for the use of all employes.

(m) Eating. It is recommended that all process men be alerted to the danger of

(n) Excessive perspiration. It is recommended that those who suffer from excessive perspiration not be employed as process men.

(o) Bodily cleanliness. Since bodily cleanliness is essential to good health, it is recommended that those employes who do not take frequent baths not be employed as process men.