7. Workers coming into contact with phosphorus paste or matches shall be examined monthly by a surgeon appointed by the Minister of Industry, who shall be paid by the occupier.
Workers having decayed, unstopped teeth, or exhibiting symptoms of gingivitis or stomatitis, or in poor health at the time of examination, shall be temporarily suspended from work.
The surgeon shall enter the results of his monthly examinations in a prescribed register.
This register shall be shown to the Factory Inspector on demand.
These decrees are supplemented by further orders regarding the taking of samples of paste in match factories and store houses (Royal Orders of March 25, 1890; February 12, 1895; April 18, 1898; November 17, 1902).
As is evident from the Belgian enactment, in states where prohibition of white phosphorus is not in force, palliative measures only are possible and even then they can only be enforced in large factories when automatic machinery is used to eliminate hand labour in dangerous operations. In this respect the introduction of closed, ventilated, mechanical mixing apparatus provided with mechanical stirrers, closed and ventilated mechanical dipping and drying apparatus, are especially important. Certain modern American machines carry through the whole complicated process of the phosphorous match industry automatically. Seeing that prohibition of white phosphorus is an accomplished fact and that matches free from risk in their manufacture answer every purpose, the universal enforcement of the prohibition of white phosphorus should be striven for in civilised states.
Carbon bisulphide
(See also pp. [68-71] and [193-5])
Use of carbon bisulphide in the vulcanising of indiarubber goods by dipping them into the liquid and subsequently drying them (usually in a current of hot air) causes development of carbon bisulphide fumes in considerable quantity, especially if the articles to be dried are laid on shelves or hung up in the workroom, a procedure which should never be permitted. Drying must be carried out under local exhaust ventilation.