Further precautionary measures are called for in view of industrial poisoning by furnace gases in various ceramic industries, as, for example, cement works, glass works, and tile works.
The following suggestions are made in the technical introduction to the Germany Factory Act for prevention of poisoning from carbonic oxide, carbon dioxide, and sulphur dioxide:
(1) Even the fixing of benches which might be used for sleeping on near the furnaces should be strictly forbidden;
(2) All furnaces which are roofed over should be provided with adequate side and roof ventilation;
(3) All gas pipes and cocks must be maintained in an impervious condition.
Manufacture and Use of Varnishes and Drying Oils
Unpleasant fumes are given off on boiling linseed oil with oxidising substances, which should be prevented by closely fitting covers and condensation of the fumes in cooling apparatus. In heating and dissolving resin for the production of varnishes the fumes evolved require to be dealt with in a similar way.
Preventive measures must be taken also in the use of quick-drying paints on ships and inside steam boilers as, owing to the rapid evaporation of the poisonous solvents—benzene, benzine and turpentine—fatalities have occurred. As a result of elaborate investigation by the inspectors of factories in Hamburg the following instructions were issued:
Quick-drying paint for ships and for preventing rust should only be used under the supervision of a person conversant with the danger to health and risk from fire.
They should only be allowed for the painting of interior surfaces after adoption of adequate precautions—free ventilation, use of smoke helmets with air conducting apparatus, and no naked lights, &c. Since use of quick-drying paints cannot easily be prohibited and the fumes from the substitutes for turpentine—benzene and other light tarry oils—exert injurious effect on man, precautionary measures are called for. Regulation of working hours is as important as provision of adequate ventilation. Workers, therefore, should be allowed proper intervals from work.