HEALTH AND HYGIENE LABORATORY
Introduction

Gujarat is one of the very fast growing states of India. Especially in chemical industries it is at top in our country. With such rapid spurt in chemical industrial growth the accompanying problems of environmental pollution, unsafe work place and unhealthy atmosphere in and around the chemical industries also draw an attention. The existence of such hazard has created a need for continuous monitoring of chemical and other industries like refineries; Port, Sea based industries etc. Pollution within and outside the factories is today's utmost urgency.

Recent amendments (1987) to Factories Act came into existence after Bhopal mishap and Gujarat Factories Rules 1995 have included many important new sections and rules related to occupational health like appointment of Factory Medical Officer, Occupational health centre, periodic medical check up of workers etc. It has also introduced the TLVs of 121 chemicals, which are more hazardous to the community and workers. The occupiers now a day should be more vigilant about his responsibilities.

Keeping in mind the above situation the State Government has set up Industrial Hygiene Laboratory under UNDP Project in 1982 with the assistance of Government of India.

The following is the set up of Industrial Hygiene Laboratory.


FUNCTIONS OF HYGIENE WING :

1. Monitoring of working environment by measuring the air samples containing different contaminants like gas, fumes vapor and dust.
e.g.

Gas Sulphur,dioxide Nitrogen oxide. Ammonia
Chlorine.
 Chemicals.
Fumes and
Vapor
 Solvents like methanol, toluene, benzene
Parathion, malathion.etc.
 Pesticides
Dust Cotton, Silica, asbestos , coal, starch etc Textile, Pottery,
Glass, Cement,
Asbestos sheets,
Thermal power,

2. Measurements of other physical factors.
a) Noise With sound level meter Industries Covered.Textile - Spinning and weaving like Engineering, rolling mills, production of weighing machines. Chemicals:Industries using generators
b) Illumination: with Lux meter. - Applicable in all industries where visual activity is done.
c) Heat with Kata and GlobeThermometer Rolling Mills Engineering Chemical.
d) Ventilation(With alnor velometer)Measures air velocity All Industries

After monitoring of working environment if the concentration of contaminants is found to be more than Threshold Limit Values ( TLV) control measures are suggested in the report send by the Industrial Hygiene Laboratory.

· Also industries directed to fill up the Form No. 37 for continuous monitoring of environment as per the Gujarat Factories Rules 1995. Hygiene Team also trying to detect the source of emission and leakages of contaminants. The TLV are prescribed under section 41 F as second schedule for 121 contaminants (List of TLVs) A list of equipments available at Industrial Hygiene Laboratory is enclosed.
·

LIST OF INSTRUMENTS USE OF INSTRUMENTS
Multi gas detector To measure NO2,HCl.NH3,EO,CO,H2S,HCN,Combustible gases in working environment.
Direct reading instrument for SO2 To measure SO2 gas in working environment.
Direct reading instrument for Cl2 To measure Cl2 gas in working environment.
Respirable dust sampler To measure respirable silica dust in working environment.
Total Dust Sampler To measure the total/ambient/nuisance dust
Noise Meter To measure the noise level in working environment.
Lux Meter To measure the Illustration/Light in work environment.
Kata and Globe Thermometer To measure Heat-Radiation (WBGT) in work environment.
Alnor Velometer To measure Air-Velocity.
Spirometer To measure the Lung function capacity of worker
Titmus vision tester To check the vision efficiancy of worker.
Personal Sampling Method by Spectrophotometer To measure the Gas,Fumes and Vapour contaminants in work environment.

The Health Wing examines the workers exposed to a particular contaminant in the factories.
As per the Gujarat Factory Rules 1995,there is statutory requirement for appointment of Factory Medical Officer(F.M.O.)in the factories as follows:

1) Up to 50 workers : On retainership basis
2) 51-200 workers : Part Time M.Officer must visit the factory twice a week and whose services shall be readily available during medical emergencies.
3) Above 200 workers: One full time F.M.O. up to 500 workers
One more M.O. for every additional 1000 workers
or part there of.

The Factories Medical Officer shall be M.B.B.S. with a certificate of Training in Industrial Health of minimum three months recognized by state government.
The F.M.O. is required to carry out the pre employment medical examination of workers in Form No. 33. He also does the periodical medical check up in Form No. 32 , every 6 months for workers in hazardous chemical industries and yearly in glass , ceramic and pottery workers, as well as refractories , foundries asbestos and textile. It should be done quarterly in pesticides and fortnightly in electroplating

According to Factories Act 1948 there are 29 types of Notifiable Occupational Diseases ( The third schedule section 89-90) List enclosed.

As per the Gujarat Factoires Rules, in respect of any factory carrying on hazardous process and there shall be Occupational Health Centre with the following services and facilities.

1) up to 50 workers : Fully equipped first aid box.
2) 50-100 workers :

O.H.C. with one room (155 Sq.m)
with one compounder.
- First Aid Box in all departments.
3) above 200 workers : O.H.C. with minimum 2 rooms (155 Sq.m) and euipped to manage medical emergencies. with one
nurse, one compounder and one sweeper.


The Medical Inspector of Factories and Certifying Surgeon are supervising the work of Factory Medical Officer and they also check Form No. 32 and 33.
Certifying Surgeon issues form No. 30 for workers handling Lead, Nitro and amido compounds. He also issues form No. 27 A for those workers working in electroplating, asbestos, foundries and chrome industries.
Along with form No. 30 and 27 A, he has to fill up; the form No. 20 (Health Register). He has to examine the workers of Pesticides and insecticides industries quarterly.

If any worker is found to have occupational disease such type of cases are isolated or issued unfit certificate. Such types of cases are referred to E.S.I.S. for further investigations, diagnoses and treatment and if required for opinion, they are referred to National Institute of Occupational Health.

Certifying Surgeon is also issuing certificate to adolescent for determination of age, in form No.5 and for the Handicapped workers form No. 3A. Certifying surgeon also help and guides the F.M.O. if he has any difficulties in his duties.

Industrial Hygiene Laboratory manages and helps to manage any training, workshop of Industrial Health and Hygiene.

Name of Post

Post

Dy. Director Of Industrial Hygiene

1
Medical Officer

1
Certifying Surgeon

3
Inspector Of Notified Factories

1