Section 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.