Subchapter I. TEXTILE INDUSTRIES
GENERAL PROVISIONS Sec.
47.341. Scope.
47.342. Apparatus.
47.343. Machines.
47.344. Exhaust systems.
DYEING AND FINISHING
47.351. Heating and ventilating.
47.352. Special hazards.
47.353. Penalty.
Authority The provisions of this Subchapter I issued under act of May 18, 1937 (P. L. 654, No. 174) (43 P. S. § § 25-1—25-15), unless otherwise noted.
Source The provisions of this Subchapter I adopted January 1, 1925; amended through August 1, 1968, unless otherwise noted.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
§ 47.341. Scope.
This subchapter sets forth rules to safeguard the lives, limbs and health of workers in textile industries, and places the responsibility of complying with such rules upon both employer and employe.
§ 47.342. Apparatus.
Mechanical power transmission apparatus shall be guarded according to the requirements of Chapter 29, Subchapter C (relating to mechanical power transmission apparatus).
Cross References This section cited in 34 Pa. Code § 47.351 (relating to heating and ventilating).
§ 47.343. Machines.
(a) The machines listed in this section are those of known danger for which efficient guards are in common use. Other machines may be added from time to time as practical methods of guarding are devised.
(b) Machines shall be guarded as follows:
(1) Picker, opener, willow. Picker, opener, willow and similar equipment hopper feed shall be provided or the feed rolls shall be provided with a cover or guard arranged to protect the fingers of the operator while feeding material. The cylinder shall have a cover and be so interlocked that the cover does not open while the machine is in motion.
(2) Cangill boxes. A slotted cast iron guard through which the material passes shall be provided for the horizontal calendar roll at the delivery end of the machine.
(3) Shear-revolving knife. Shear shall have a cover or barrier bar arranged to protect the fingers of the operator from contact with the knife.
(4) Washer (laundry type), dry tumbler drum. A device shall be provided which acts to prevent the inside barrel from moving when the revolving drum door is open. If the revolving barrel is not enclosed by the machine itself no interlock is required but the barrel shall be smooth or so guarded as to prevent accidental contact with employes.
(5) Centrifugal extractor (whizzer). Each centrifugal extractor or whizzer shall be equipped with a metal cover provided with an interlocking device that prevents the cover from opening while the basket is in motion and the power operation of the basket while the cover is open. The device shall not prevent the movement of the basket by hand to insure an even loading. Each machine shall have an effective brake mechanically operated.
(6) Hussong machines. The superintendent shall cause all chains used in connection with Hussong machines to the inspected at least once a month and a report of such inspections shall be kept on file, accessible to inspectors of the Department at all times. The superintendent shall also be responsible for the constant supervision of the machines to insure that work is done under the safest possible conditions.
(7) Flat work ironer. Feed rolls shall be provided with a bar across the front so arranged that the striking of the bar by the hand of the operator stops the machine. Pressure rolls shall be covered or guarded to prevent a person from reaching into the rolls without removing the guard. This may be either a vertical guard on the sides or a complete cover depending upon which type of machine is used.
(8) Power guillotine cutter. A device shall be provided which, in order to operate the machine, requires the use of both hands in a position sufficiently distant from the point of operation of the machine so that the hands of an operator are not caught under the descending cutter.
(9) Slitter. A guard which completely encloses the cutting discs shall be provided to protect the fingers of the operator from accidental contact with the cutting edges when the machine is in operation.
(10) Sewing machines. Power-driven single needle sewing machines used for straight sewing without folders shall be provided with an approved needle guard so that the fingers of the operator are protected from accidentally slipping under the needle. The guard shall be of such form that the needle may be threaded conveniently without removing the guard.
(11) Looms. Pins or studs in eccentric motion of looms in or along passageways shall be guarded. An approved shuttle guard shall be provided.
Cross References This section cited in 34 Pa. Code § 47.351 (relating to heating and ventilating).
§ 47.344. Exhaust systems.
The following machines shall be covered and exhaust systems shall be installed for the removal of dust or fly:
(1) Dusting and opening machines in the manufacture of woolen and worsted yarns such as willows, burr pickers, and mixing pickers.
(2) Machines used in the preparation of cotton for carding of cotton yarns such as openers and pickers.
(3) Machines used in the manufacture of cotton yarns on cotton waste cards such as willows, pickers, and openers.
(4) Machines used in the spinning of asbestos yarn such as willows, pickers, and cards.
(5) The cylinders, workers, strippers, and doffers of cards for carding cotton waste shall be enclosed. Exhaust systems are not required.
DYEING AND FINISHING
§ 47.351. Heating and ventilating.
(a) The requirements of this section in addition to the requirements of § § 47.342—47.343 (relating to apparatus; machines) shall be complied with in dyeing and finishing establishments.
(b) Dye houses shall be equipped with ventilating systems which will produce the following conditions:
(1) During the months of November, December, January, February, March, April and May, the temperature of the dye house shall be maintained between 40°F and 95°F. During this period when the weather is clear and the outside temperature is 40°F or more, the dye house shall be kept free from steam to a height of 6 feet from the floor. The ventilating system employed to produce this freedom from steam shall be maintained in operation during less favorable weather conditions.
(2) During the months of June, July, August, September and October, the dye house shall be kept free from steam at all times to a height of 6 feet from floor.
(c) The systems which are used to produce the conditions set forth in subsection (b) may consist of ventilating fans, heating coils, hoods with flues attached over kettles or introduction of hot air on other natural ventilating devices.
§ 47.352. Special hazards.
(a) Caustic soda or potash. When caustic soda or caustic potash is used, means shall be provided for emptying containers in which the material is received without employes coming in contact with the caustic. Steam solution towers or specially arranged hoists and vats with provisions to prevent splashing may be used for this purpose.
(b) Carboys. Carboys shall be provided with inclinators or the acid dispensed from them by pumps or hand operated siphons. The carboys shall not be stored close to steam pipes.
(c) Clear water, oils, soda. If corrosive materials such as concentrated acid or caustic soda are used, clean water shall be piped so as to be within easy reach of employes. A solution of bicarbonate of soda shall be available for use in cases of acid burns, and a supply of mineral or vegetable oil shall be kept on hand at all times for the relief of victims of caustic soda burns. Care shall be exercised to prevent the deterioration of these preparations.
(d) Pipes and drains. Dye kettles and vats which may at any time contain hot or corrosive liquids shall not empty on the floor but shall be provided with pipes or drains of sufficient capacity to carry off the contents of the vat without backing up on the floor.
(e) Tanks and vats. Tanks and vats containing hot or corrosive liquids shall be so protected that employes do not accidentally fall into them. This may be done either by railings or other means or by elevating the tank or vat to a height of 3 or more feet above the floor or working platform.
§ 47.353. Penalty.
Any person who violates this subchapter or any regulations of the Department or who interferes with the Department or its duly authorized representative in the enforcement of these provisions or regulations shall be subject to summary proceedings before an alderman, magistrate, or district justice, and upon conviction 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).
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