Subchapter B. LEAD CORRODING AND OXIDIZING
GENERAL PROVISIONS Sec.
13.131. Purpose.
13.132. Penalty.
SPECIFICATIONS
13.141. Place.
13.142. Physical examination—age.
13.143. Age.
13.144. Habits of employes.
13.145. Safety.
13.146. Sanitation.
13.147. Physical examination.
13.148. Carbonate of lead or white lead; Old Dutch Process.
13.149. Carter process.
13.150. Sublimed white lead.
13.151. Manufacturing.
13.152. Nitrate of lead and of soda.
13.153. Dry grinding, sieving and packing.
13.154. Posting of lead poisoning law.
Authority The provisions of this Subchapter B issued under section 2 of the act of July 26, 1913 (P. L. 1363, No. 851) (43 P. S. § 471), unless otherwise noted.
Source The provisions of this Subchapter B adopted August 1, 1917; amended through July 1, 1968, unless otherwise noted.
Cross References This subchapter cited in 34 Pa. Code § 11.85 (relating to applicable provisions of other regulations).
GENERAL PROVISIONS
§ 13.131. Purpose.
This subchapter sets forth rules to safeguard the lives, limbs and health of workers, and places the responsibility of complying with the provisions of this subchapter upon both the employer and employe.
§ 13.132. Penalty.
Any person who violates any of the provisions of this subchapter and interferes with the Department or its duly authorized representative in the enforcement of such provisions or regulations shall be penalized under the provisions of section 15 of act of May 18, 1937 (P. L. 654, No. 174), (43 P. S. § 25-15).
SPECIFICATIONS
§ 13.141. Place.
(a) Every employer shall, without cost to his employes, provide and maintain for the protection of his employes who are engaged in the work or process of the corrosion of metallic lead into carbonate of lead, by any and all processes, or who are engaged in any work or process in the manufacture of red lead, litharge, basic lead sulphate (sublimed white lead), nitrate of lead and nitrate of soda, workrooms which shall be as follows:
(1) Adequately lighted.
(2) So ventilated and arranged that there is a continuous and sufficient change of air.
(3) Separated by walls and doors composed of fire resisting material from all departments in which the work or process is of a nondusty character.
(4) Provided with a smooth floor permitting an easy removal of dust by any of the following methods:
(i) Vacuum cleaning.
(ii) Flushing the floor with water.
(iii) Sweeping after the floor has been thoroughly sprinkled with a sufficient quantity of wet sawdust to lay all dust.
(b) Dry sweeping of the floors and walls is prohibited.
(c) The walls of all rooms shall be smooth and either painted or whitewashed at frequent intervals. Dust should be prevented from accumulating upon the walls either by vacuum cleaning or by flushing the walls with water.
(d) The daily removal of all dust from floors and walls by vacuum cleaning is recommended as the best and most economical method of cleaning.
Cross References This section cited in 34 Pa. Code § 13.147 (relating to physical examination).
§ 13.142. Physical examination—age.
Persons engaged in occupations involving exposure to lead dusts, lead fumes, or lead solutions in any volume shall be at least 18 years of age and shall be physically examined at the expense of the employer by a licensed physician at least once every 30 days. Records of such examination shall be kept on file and shall be available to inspectors of the Department.
Source The provisions of this § 13.142 amended through June 10, 1977, Pa.B. 1592. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (13413).
§ 13.143. Age.
No employes less than 18 years of age shall engage in the following work or process:
(1) Stripping the stacks.
(2) Making repairs to ventilating systems.
(3) Working in the dry packing of any of the following:
(i) Carbonate of lead.
(ii) Litharge.
(iii) Red lead.
(iv) Basic sulphate of lead.
(v) Sublimed white lead.
Source The provisions of this § 13.143 amended June 10, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 1592. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (13413).
§ 13.144. Habits of employes.
Because the use of alcoholic liquors and chewing tobacco undermines the health and predisposes to lead poisoning and industrial accidents, it is recommended that employers exclude such persons who habitually use alcoholic liquors or who chew tobacco from employment in any capacity in the lead corroding and lead oxidizing industries.
§ 13.145. Safety.
(a) The following shall conform to the safety standards of the Department:
(1) Power transmission machinery.
(2) Railings and toe boards.
(3) Stationary steam engines.
(4) Boilers.
(5) Ladders.
(6) Fire prevention plans and equipment.
(7) Elevators.
(8) Artificial lighting.
(b) When the provisions of this subchapter require it, the employer shall provide and renew when necessary, without cost to the employe, at least one reasonably effective respirator for each and every employe, and it shall be the duty of the employe to keep clean the respirator provided by the employer and to use such respirator at all times while at work.
(c) A respirator shall be considered efficient only when it fits the contour of the face and allows no air to enter the mouth or nose except air which has passed through the respirator. At least three thicknesses of gauze or cheese- cloth shall be considered an efficient respirator if such gauze or cheesecloth is thoroughly washed every day.
§ 13.146. Sanitation.
(a) Purpose. This section sets out the sanitary requirements for employes who handle dry lead or dry compounds containing lead in excess of 10%.
(b) Washrooms. The employer shall provide a washroom, or rooms, which shall be separate and apart from the workrooms, kept clean and equipped with any of the following:
(1) At least one lavatory basin for every five employes, fitted with waste pipes and two spigots conveying hot and cold water.
(2) Basins placed in troughs fitted with waste pipes and for each basin two spigots conveying hot and cold water, at least one basin for every five employes.
(3) Troughs of enamel or similar smooth impervious material, fitted with waste pipes and for every 2 feet of trough length two spigots conveying hot and cold water, and at least 2 feet of trough length for every five employes; or troughs of enamel or similar smooth impervious material, fitted with waste pipes without plugs, and a continuous spray of warm water.
(c) Nailbrush, soap and towels. The employer shall also furnish nailbrushes and soap and shall provide at least three clean fabric towels per week for each employe, or a sufficient number of sanitary paper towels.
(d) Time allowance. A time allowance of not less than 10 minutes, at the expense of the employer shall be made to each employe for the use of such washroom before the lunch hour and at the close of each work day.
(e) Shower bath. The employer shall provide at least one shower bath for every ten employes. The baths shall be as follows:
(1) Approached by wooden runways.
(2) Provided with movable wooden floor gratings.
(3) Supplied with hot and cold water controlled within each individual bath.
(4) Kept clean.
(f) Use of bath. The employer shall provide at least two clean fabric bath towels per week for each employe. An additional time allowance of not less than 10 minutes, at the expense of the employer shall be made to each employe for the use of such baths at least twice a week at the close of each work day. The employer shall keep a record of such time that such baths are used by each employe. Such record shall be open at all reasonable times to inspection by inspectors of the Department.
(g) Washing facilities. All employes shall use the washing facilities furnished by the employer.
(h) Urinals. Urinals and water closets shall be provided in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 41 (relating to sanitation) and all other rules of the Department.
(i) Locker room. The employer shall provide a dressing room or rooms, which shall be as follows:
(1) Adequately heated when necessary.
(2) Separate from the workrooms.
(3) Furnished with a double sanitary locker or two single sanitary lockers for each employe.
(4) Kept clean and sanitary.
(j) Wire baskets. Wire baskets for clothes may be provided in lieu of lockers. If so provided, they shall be attached to a rope passing through a pulley and pulled up to the ceiling when containing clothing.
(k) Eating rooms. The employer shall provide eating rooms which shall be as follows:
(1) Separate from the workrooms.
(2) Furnished with a sufficient number of tables and seats.
(3) Kept clean and sanitary.
(l) Prohibition. No person shall be permitted to take any food or drink of any kind into any workroom, nor shall any employe remain or be permitted to remain in any workroom during the time allowed for meals.
(m) Drinking fountains. The employer shall provide and maintain either a sufficient number of sanitary drinking fountains readily accessible or individual drinking cups for the use of all employes.
(n) Overalls. The employer shall provide at least one pair of overalls and one jumper for each employe, and repair and renew such clothing when necessary, and wash the same at least once each week, all without cost to the employe.
(o) Notice. The employer shall post in a conspicuous place in every workroom, in all washrooms, dressing rooms and eating rooms the following notice, or similar notices calling attention to the known dangers from such work or process, and simple instructions for avoiding as far as possible such dangers:
DANGERS OF LEAD
Lead is a poison.
With proper care you can handle it with no danger.
If handled carelessly it will almost without fail cause sickness.
This sickness, commonly called lead poisoning, may be only slight or it may be very severe.
It may show itself as headache; cramps; constipation; loss in weight; paralysis; disease of the heart, blood vessels, or kidneys; insanity; and may cause death.
AVOID LEAD POISONING
Keep lead dust out of your nose
Wear a respirator when working in lead dust.
Do no dry sweeping. Clean floors and walls with a vacuum cleaner, wash them with water, or sweep only when dust has been laid with wet sawdust or similar material.
Keep lead dust out of your mouth
Before eating and before leaving work wash hands, arms, and face with soap and warm water, and rinse mouth thoroughly.
Keep fingernails short and clean, scrub hands with a brush, soap and warm water.
Keep beard and mustache cut short; or better still be clean shaven as it is hard to wash dust from hair.
Bathe often, every day if possible.
Take no food into the workroom; it will gather dust that you will eat later on.
Chew no tobacco while at work; lead is sure to reach your mouth when you handle your tobacco with unwashed hands.
Keep yourself in good health
Eat a hearty meal before starting work.
Drink plenty of milk.
Use no alcoholic drinks.
Have a good bowel movement every day; take an occasional dose of Epsom or Glauber’s salts or other laxative if necessary.
If not feeling well consult your plant doctor or your family physician at once. Every case of lead poisoning can be cured if treated early.
By taking home remedies or by depending on the advice of fellow workers or friends you lose valuable time, causing your sickness to last longer and to be more severe.
Additional copies of this notice, Form I-117, suitable for posting, will be furnished without charge upon written request to the Department of Labor and Industry, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120.
§ 13.147. Physical examination.
(a) The employers shall cause every employe who is exposed to lead dusts, lead fumes, or lead solutions, to be physically examined at least once a month by a licensed physician for the purpose of ascertaining if symptoms of lead poisoning appear in any employe. The employe shall submit himself to the monthly examination, and to examination at such other times and places as he may reasonably be requested by the employer, and he shall fully and truly answer all questions in regard to his physical condition asked him by the examining physician. These examinations shall be made by a licensed physician, designated and paid by the employer, and shall be made during the working hours. A time allowance at the expense of the employer shall be made to each employe so examined.
(b) Every physician making an examination pursuant to this section and finding what he believes to be symptoms of lead poisoning, shall enter, in a book kept for that purpose in the office of the employer, a record of such examination, which shall contain all of the following:
(1) The name and address of the employe so examined.
(2) The particular work or process in which the employe is engaged.
(3) The place, date, and finding of such examination.
(4) Directions given in each case by the physician.
(c) The record shall be open to inspection at all reasonable times by inspectors of the Department.
(d) If the examining physician believes that lead poisoning is present, he shall send a report in duplicate within 48 hours to the Department and a report to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
(e) The examining physician shall within 48 hours report such examination and finding in writing to the employer, and upon receipt of such report the employer shall not continue the employe in any work or process where he may be exposed to lead dust, fumes, or solutions included in § 13.141 (relating to place).
§ 13.148. Carbonate of lead or white lead; Old Dutch Process.
(a) Melting pot. The melting pot of the buckle casting machine shall be provided with a hood connected with an efficient air exhaust.
(b) Lead dust. The work of stripping the stacks shall be so conducted, and such adequate devices provided and maintained by the employer as to protect the employe as much as possible from lead dust.
(c) Other equipment. The employer shall equip the crane bucket, box, barrel, car or other receptacle into which the corroded buckles are dumped, with a hood or other tight-fitting cover connected with an efficient air exhaust, which shall be connected with an efficient dust collecting system. Such system shall be regulated by the discharge of air from a fan, pump or other apparatus through an enclosed cloth dust collector, having an area of not less than one square foot of cloth to every cubic foot of air passing through it per minute. If this cloth dust collector is not of the portable type, it shall be placed in a separate room or in a permanent dust house equipped with baffles or such other appartus to adequately take care of all dust which it may receive. The dust collector shall be provided with adequate means, so that the dust can be removed by an employe or employes who are outside the room or dust house, and no employe shall be required or allowed to enter such room or dust house except for the making of essential repairs, and then only when the dust-collecting machinery is not in operation.
(d) Gas escape. The employer shall equip the crane bucket, barrel, box, car or other container in which the corroded buckles are transported from the stack to the place where they are dumped with a cover to prevent the escape of dust.
(e) Discharge point. The dump, hopper, chute or other point at which the corroded buckles are discharged from the crane bucket, barrel, box or other receptacle which contains them, shall be equipped with a hood having connection with an efficient air exhaust and dust-collecting system, as provided for in subsection (c).
(f) Separator screens. Separator screens and their vents shall be dust tight and shall be connected with an efficient air exhaust and dust-collecting system, as provided for in subsection (c).
(g) Drag boxes. All drag boxes shall be so constructed that the dry lead shall enter under the water and not on top of the water.
(h) Dry pans. All dry pans shall be enclosed and so equipped with mechanical exhaust ventilation that dust cannot enter the workroom. The efficacy of such mechanical exhaust ventilation shall be approved, in writing, by the Department or its authorized representative. It is recommended that all employes engaged in the work of emptying a dry pan should wear respirators.
(i) Chasers, pulverizers and mills. All chasers, pulverizers and mills shall be properly encased with covers, and connected with an efficient air exhaust and dust-collecting system, as provided for in subsection (c).
(j) Hoppers, chutes and dumps. All hoppers, chutes and dumps, not otherwise mentioned, shall be connected with an efficient air exhaust and dust-collecting system, as provided for in subsection (c).
(k) Conveyors, elevators and mills. All conveyors, elevators, and mills, where lead is handled dry, shall be connected with an efficient air exhaust and dust-collecting system as provided for in subsection (c).
(l) Packing by machine. All packing of dry white lead, red lead, litharge, or any other dry substance containing lead in packages over 100 pounds in weight shall be carried on by means of an approved type of enclosed packing machine.
(m) Packing by hand. All packages 100 pounds or less in weight may be packed by hand under a hood equipped with an efficient air exhaust and dust-collecting system as provided for in subsection (c).
Cross References This section cited in 34 Pa. Code § 13.149 (relating to Carter process); 34 Pa. Code § 13.151 (relating to manufacturing); and 34 Pa. Code § 13.153 (relating to dry grinding, sieving and packing).
§ 13.149. Carter process.
(a) Melting pot. The melting pot shall be provided with a hood connected with the chimney stack or with other efficient air exhaust.
(b) Blow chamber. The blow chamber shall be so enclosed as to be dustproof and means shall be provided to empty it mechanically. The blow chamber shall not be entered when blowing is in progress. It may be entered when blowing is not in progress only for the making of repairs or to clean the chamber. The employes so engaged shall wear respirators.
(c) Conveying equipment. The employer shall convey the blown lead to the cylinders or reels either by a screw conveyor with dustproof cover, or the crane bucket, barrel, box, car or other conveyor equipped with a dustproof cover.
(d) Reels. Care shall be taken in conveying the blue lead into the reels to create as little dust as possible. Employes engaged in this work shall wear respirators.
(e) Pipes to reels. The pipes conveying the carbon dioxide to the reels shall be tight and inspected daily for leaks. A record of such inspection shall be kept in a book.
(f) Emptying reels. Care shall be taken in emptying the reels to create as little dust as possible. Employes engaged in this work shall wear respirators.
(g) Dry thrasher. The dry thrasher shall be enclosed and connected with an efficient air exhaust and dust collector, as provided for in § 13.148(c) (relating to carbonate of lead or white lead; Old Dutch Process).
§ 13.150. Sublimed white lead.
(a) Furnance. The furnace shall be tight so that dust or fumes cannot escape into the workrooms.
(b) Pipes. All pipes leading from the furnace shall be tight so that dust or fumes cannot escape into the workrooms.
(c) Bag house. The bag house shall be in a closed room, separate and apart from the workrooms, and no employe or other person shall be required or permitted to enter such room or bag house unless wearing a hood or such other protective device as shall be authorized by the Department or his authorized representative.
(d) Protectors. It shall be the duty of the employer to provide such authorized device for the use of all employes without expense to the employes, and all employes and other persons who enter the bag house shall wear such devices.
§ 13.151. Manufacturing.
(a) Purpose. This section sets out the requirements for the manufacture of all of the following:
(1) Litharge or massicot.
(2) Flake litharge.
(3) Red lead.
(4) Minium.
(5) Orange mineral.
(b) Furnace. The furnace, at the point of discharge, shall be equipped with a hood or such other device as shall efficiently remove all dust and fume that is generated, and all apparatus shall be approved by the Department or its authorized representatives.
(c) Dust. Employes shall be instructed to take care in removing the contents of the furnace so as not to create dust. The employer shall equip all trucks, cars, barrels or other containers into which the litharge, flake litharge, red lead or orange mineral is raked or otherwise brought from the furnace, either with a hinged cover so that when one side of this top is being depressed to allow material to enter the container the other side will be closed, or equip the receptacle with a hood or other dust tight cover connected with an effecient air exhaust and dust-collecting system, as provided for in § 13.148(c) (relating to carbonate of lead or white lead; Old Dutch Process). The provisions of this subsection do not apply to that type of mechanical furnace in which the oxidized material is deposited either mechanically or by hand beneath the oxidizing hearth.
(d) Melting pot. In the manufacture of flake litharge the melting pot shall be provided with a hood connected with an efficient air exhaust.
(e) Falling material. It is prohibited to rake or otherwise cause material containing lead to fall from the furnace to the floor of the workroom.
(f) Separate room. In the manufacture of litharge by means of a cupellation furnace it is permitted to dump the litharge in a separate room if all employes entering such rooms wear a hood or such other protective device as shall be authorized by the Department or its authorized representative.
(g) Protectors. The employer shall provide such authorized devices for the use of all employes without expense to the employes, and all employes shall wear such devices, and no employe or other person shall be permitted to enter the workroom unless wearing such device.
(h) Storage. Scrap lead and tailings shall not be stored or otherwise left on the floor of the workroom. All such material shall be either kept in boxes with dustproof covers or kept thoroughly damp at all times while so stored.
§ 13.152. Nitrate of lead and of soda.
(a) The lead melting pot shall be provided with a hood connected with a stack or other efficient air exhaust.
(b) All employes handling these materials shall wear suitable gloves which shall be furnished by the employer without expense to the employe.
§ 13.153. Dry grinding, sieving and packing.
All crushing mills, grinding mills and sieving machines, operating on material in a dry state, if containing lead in any form shall be connected with an efficient air exhaust and dust-collecting system as provided for in § 13.148(c) (relating to carbonate of lead or white lead; Old Dutch Process).
§ 13.154. Posting of lead poisoning law.
(a) The employer shall post an abstract of the lead poisoning law wherever employes are exposed to the following:
(1) Lead dust.
(2) Lead fumes.
(3) Lead solutions in the manufacture of white lead.
(4) Red lead.
(5) Litharge.
(6) Sugar of lead.
(7) Arsenate of lead.
(8) Lead chromate.
(9) Lead sulphate.
(10) Lead nitrate.
(11) Fluosilicate of lead.
(b) Such abstracts are printed in several languages and are available upon application to the Department.
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