The occupier should provide and maintain in good repair for all persons employed in lead processes—
(1) Suitable lavatory accommodation, including at least one lavatory basin for every five such persons, fitted with a waste pipe, or placed in a trough having a waste pipe, and having a constant supply of hot and cold water laid on; or alternatively troughs of enamel or similar smooth impervious material, fitted with waste pipes without plugs, and having a constant supply of warm water laid on, and affording a length of at least two feet of trough for every five such persons.
(2) Soap, nail-brushes, and a sufficient supply of clean towels, renewed daily.
Discipline, and responsibility placed on some one person to see to the cleanliness of the lavatory appliances and adequate supply of the necessary means for washing, can alone insure proper use of them by the persons employed. The workman has so narrow a margin of time in which to get his breakfast and dinner that he cannot be expected to wash if facilities for doing so fail. The alternative of an enamelled iron trough with jets of warmed water is in our experience much the most satisfactory installation where the number employed is more than five or six. Provision of soft soap or of soap in the form of powder, and nail-brushes nailed to the table, hinder peculation. Wooden stands for holding wash-basins present almost invariably a most uninviting appearance unless covered with sheet lead.
Well-equipped wash-hand basins with hot and cold water laid on close to the work-place are sometimes provided in addition to the lavatory proper. If looked after they are valued and used, but if not they become converted into receptacles for oddments.
Fig. 9.—Good Washing and Bath Accommodation in a Lead Smelting Works.
Fig. 10.—Washing Trough, Douche Baths, and Clothes Cupboards.
Type common on the Continent.
Roller towels should be at least 15 square feet in area for every three persons employed, and renewed daily.