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Module 04
TRAINING MATERIAL FOR ASSESSING THE RISK IN THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY
WORKPLACE SPECIFICATIONS
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Discription of chapter
In this chapter, the minimum specifications of a workplace are described according to the EU Directive 89/654. This chapter aims at the familiarization of those who are engaged in Occupational Health and Safety with the minimum specifications in a work place and especially in Textile Industry, resulting in better workplace arrangements.
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M04.02.01 Workplace ventilation
Air quality should be secured in the base of hygiene.
In case that air renewal is being achieved through mechanical way (air-ducts), they should work continuously, being kept in well situation and every problem must be directly observable.
Employees must avoid air streams produced by the ventilation system and should make sure that that improper air can be extracted from low height to a safe place in the open air away from people, sources of ignition and nearby buildings and equipment.
Exposure to fumes involves health risks for the employees especially fumes from engine exhausts (forklifts, compressors), cotton dust and cotton fibres must be immediately limited.
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M04.02.02 Floor, walls, ceilings, roofs
Floors should be stable, without dangerous slopes and adequately resistant. They should also have a drain and should also have adequate vibration absorbing capacity.
The covers of any sort of floor openings should be safely established. If they are temporarily removed, proper labelling should be placed, to prevent slips and trips of employees. Any disorders (e.g. broken drains) in the floor must be immediately repaired.
Walls’ surface must be easily cleaned. Any glass walls should be indicated and labelled clearly and be made of safe materials especially when lying above work posts. Ceilings must be easy for cleaning and maintenance.
Roofs must be easy accessed. Suspension of weights from ceiling should only take place after an expert’s permission.
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M04.02.03 Falls from height, dangerous zones
Working surfaces, corridors, loading bays, platforms and any other level placed above 0.75 metres (especially in ginning houses where this is more frequent) should have a protective screen of 1.00 m. at least, either of compact structure or a fence with handrail, baseboard of 0.15 m. and a middle horizontal bar.
Where there is case of fall, protective measures should be taken. Dangerous zones have to be identified.
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M04.02.04 Docks and handling-loading platforms
Docks and loading platforms should be of proper size with a minimum width of 0.80 m. If is possible they should also have a rain screen and at least one exit along their frontage (if their length is above 20 metres two exits, one for each side). These exits should be stable. In certain cases where the level of the dock is higher than 0.75 metres, there should be a protective arrangement (though not a compact wall or fence). This kind of arrangements (portable fences) should be placed also near loading platforms in such way that would serve the easy handling of bulks. They may be convertible and easily basifugal.
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M04.02.05 Free space, suitable air volume
All workplaces should have adequate surface, size, height and air volume that will permit employees to do their job without danger. The size of the workplace should fill all requirements. They should provide safety both for normal everyday tasks, maintenance, fixing or installation of equipment. In all cases, the size of the workplace must allow employees to move through bulky equipment or materials.
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