HYGIENE AND SANITATION OF INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENTS

Space Per Individual

In some states the legislatures have established a minimum of 400 cubic feet of space for each individual, but this is not sufficient in some occupations and under some conditions. The amount of space per workman must of necessity be governed by several factors: namely, character of the work performed, character of the building, the hygienic conditions of same, the type of ventilation used, whether natural or mechanical, and the methods of heating and lighting. In some trades and under certain conditions 1000 cubic feet space per workman would not be excessive.

Character of Buildings

When practicable the building should be constructed especially for the kind of work to be carried on within. It should be fireproof and of a material that will lend to the hygienic demands in industry.

We do not want to pass over this subject without calling the student’s attention to the effect which may be produced by the physical, mental and nervous strain under which the work is performed. If the worker is under great tension a great amount of energy will be used up and fatigue will appear early. This will have a marked effect upon the individual and tend to lessen his efficiency. If work is performed under great physical strain, the muscular activity is greater than the muscles are able to express. Then there will be not only fatigue but actual injury done the muscles and other structures. Under such conditions the vital organs will also be overtaxed. This may result in dilatation of the heart, hernia, aneurysms, or in a general weakened condition of the body. The results of mental strain, responsibility and worry are not without their adverse effects.

Lighting, Heating and Ventilating Work Places

Industrial hygiene should be concerned about the temperature, humidity, air pressure, light, ventilation, and heating of the work place. The building should be well lighted. If possible natural light should be provided even though the first cost is considerably greater than that of artificial lighting. There will not only be a better grade of work done in natural light and with less eye strain, but the general health of the workmen will be better. If artificial lighting is used it should be electric light, since it produces less impurities and provides a more even light. The light should be evenly distributed and of a proper distance from workmen so that it will not be reflected directly into their eyes. If the occupation takes the worker out of doors then these features can not be controlled, but in this event attention must be given to the clothing of the workman. Sudden changes in the temperature should be avoided as much as possible. Innate is capable of adapting the body to extremes in temperature, but must be given a sufficient amount of time in which to bring about these changes. Men may work in the frigid temperature or in the torrid temperature and if properly clothed and acclimated will suffer no ill effects.

In many industries the laborers are forced to work in artificially high temperatures. Blast-furnace workers, glass blowers, miners, bakers, and stokers must remain in extremely high temperatures. The body may be adapted to such temperature, but the effect of the continued expenditure of energy necessary to bring about this adaptation will show adverse effects upon the body. There is a tendency to respiratory disorders and a thickening of the blood plasma which disrupts the circulatory system. Heat also has a detrimental effect upon the eyes and there is a tendency to rheumatism.

Air of a high relative humidity is objectionable from a hygienic standpoint because it interferes with perspiration and evaporation. Workers constantly exposed to atmosphere that is too damp will have a tendency to incoördinations involving the bodily secretions and respiratory disorders. The ill effects of such an environment are rather marked and if it is necessary to maintain a high relative humidity because of the processes carried on there must be special provision to guard the health of the workers. This may be accomplished by short hours and frequent periods of rest and relief from the high humidity.

Normal air pressure is fifteen pounds to the square inch, but there are many industries in which the work must be done under a greater or a less pressure. Mountain climbers are subjected to decreased air pressure while caisson workers and divers must work under greatly increased air pressure. Decreased air pressure is especially detrimental to those suffering from cardiac disorders, and may in some cases result in death. The effects of increased air pressure have been elaborated upon in another chapter and the student is referred to that section.

The location of the work is important. Subsurface work is more detrimental to health than surface work unless special precautions have been taken to make the place of work conducive to the expression of life. Subsurface workers such as miners are subjected to great heat, lack of proper light and ventilation, accumulated gases, dampness and poisons. There is also greater danger from accidents and explosions.

Industrial Dusts

In a trade in which much dust is produced there should be proper mechanical ventilation. The vacuum and plenum system should be employed. There is no factor in the industrial life more detrimental to the workman than that forcing him to breathe vitiated air laden with dust and other impurities produced by the processes employed in the trades.

The extremely dusty trades should be separated from the less dusty ones and special provision made to carry away the dust. It is often possible to substitute machinery for handwork in these trades. When the laborers are forced to work in very thick dust they may be protected in a measure by the use of respirators worn over the mouth and nose. These will catch some of the dust and act as filters.

It is often possible to place hoods directly above the machines in these trades and by means of a vacuum fan the dust is carried out through tubes.

The effects of dust upon the worker depend upon many factors. These might, however, be classified as conditioning factors in the individual and the character of the dust inhaled.

Dust from metals and minerals may produce mechanical injury to the membrane of the respiratory tract because of the sharp edges. Inhalation of dust might also bring about catarrhal conditions and coughs. There may be deposits of dust in the bronchi and even in the parenchyma of the lungs from long exposure to and inhalation of dust. This may result in consolidation and other conditions which may be purely adaptative on the part of Innate Intelligence to compensate for the presence of the foreign substances.

In F. Hoffman’s Bulletin of the Bureau of Labor, Vol. LXXIX, he gives the following classification of dusty trades according to the character of the dust produced:

“Group I—Exposure to Metallic Dust: Grinders, polishers, tool and instrument makers, jewelers, gold leaf and brass workers, printers, engravers and pressmen.

“Group II—Exposure to Mineral Dust: Stone, marble and cement workers, glass blowers, glass cutters, diamond cutters, potters, plasterers, paperhangers, moulders, core makers and lithographers.

“Group III—Exposure to Vegetable-fiber Dust: Cotton ginning, textile, linen, hemp, cordage and paper manufacturers, weavers, spinners, hosiery knitters, lace makers, jute and wood workers.

“Group IV—Exposure to Animal and Mixed Dust: Furriers, taxidermists, hatters, silk, wool, and worsted workers, carpet, rug, rag, and shoddy workers, hair mattress workers and upholsterers.”

The mortality rate from pulmonary tuberculosis and other respiratory incoördinations is very high in the dusty trades.