Royal Decree, dated March 25, 1890, modified by the Royal Decree, dated February 12, 1895, and November 17, 1902, concerning employment in lucifer match factories.
1. In match factories where white phosphorus is used, mixing the paste and drying the dipped matches shall be carried on in a place specially set apart for the purpose.
2. Mixing the paste shall be carried on in an entirely closed vessel or in one connected with an efficient exhaust draught locally applied.
The proportion of white phosphorus in the paste shall not exceed in weight 8 per cent. of the total material, not including water.
3. Hoods and ducts communicating with an exhaust draught shall be installed at the level of the plates for dipping white phosphorus matches, and over the vessels containing the paste.
4. Drying rooms for white phosphorus matches, if entered by the workers, shall be mechanically ventilated.
5. Rooms in which phosphorus fumes can arise shall be lofty and well ventilated, preferably by an exhaust at the level of the work benches, communicating with the main chimney stack.
The workrooms shall be kept clean. No food or drink shall be taken in them.
6. In every match factory the workers shall have at their disposal a special cloak room and suitable and sufficient washing accommodation, so as to be able to change clothes before commencing, and at the end of, work, and to wash the hands and face on leaving.
Cleanliness will be obligatory upon the workers manipulating phosphorus paste or matches.