Report of the Director-General of Public Health, New South Wales.

  • New South Wales. Department of Public Health.
Date:
[1958]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report of the Director-General of Public Health, New South Wales. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    86/160 (page 86)
    (2) Factories:— (a) Noise intensity was dangerously high in a shoe factory; this mainly resulted from the beam presses used to stamp out leather heels and soles. (b) Extensive investigations were carried out in a carpentry and Joinery shop. (c) In a large Sydney Tobacco factory considerable annoyance was being caused to employees working near an air compressor and from the fans of an air conditioning system. (d) Noise intensity readings were taken in a motor car assembly plant at the various individual processes. (e) Readings were taken in the vicinity of a glass annealing chamber. (3) Complaints Involving Residential Areas:— The alleged nuisances resulted from the operation of a panel beating shop, a confectionery manufacturing plant, a non-ferrous foundry and from rivetting in a light marine engineering factory. Further meetings of the Occupational Deafness Committee have been held during the year and discussions have taken place as to the desirability and need for “ Noise Regulations ”. It has been suggested that — “ If the noise level to which a person is exposed is ninety decibels or over, a hearing conservation programme involving noise analysis, noise reduction, hearing testing and ear protection should be instituted.” I consider that the above proposal, although representing the ideal, is not industrially practical or desirable at this stage of the State’s development. If legislation is desirable then I consider that for the present little more is required than legislative authority:— (1) To test the hearing of those employees significantly exposed to noise during working hours. (2) To require employers to provide ear defenders and for the employees to wear them. Printing Industry Asthma Due to the Use of Anti-setoff Spray During the year five factories were visited where this material is used. Anti-setoff is a solution of gum acacia in ethyl alcohol used for fixing wet print to prevent smearing by the next sheet added to the pile. Gum acacia is a well known allergin and in some instances it is possible to substitute Dextrose thereby eradicating the hazard. Five out of 30 employees medically examined were suffering from asthma; four of these people believed that their chest condition was due to, or at least made worse by, the inhalation of the anti-setoff mist. Only one of these five men had a positive patch test to gum acacia. Alcohol concentrations were usually about 150-200 p.p.m. In another factory an acetone-dexterine-water mixture was used; breathing zone concentrations of acetone were 75 p.p.m. Welding During the year we have investigated many complaints concerning alleged health hazards from welding. In spite of the large amount of welding carried out in every country of the world, and the enormous numbers of people involved, current industrial literature contains but few records of new cases of illness from this cause. It is true to say that in most instances, modern day welding techniques and methods, are very safe provided common sense precautions are taken. However, like in many other fields manufacturers are constantly bringing out new methods and, to some extent, one can understand why and how some of the fears frequently expressed by the workers, originate. A process which has caused welders a great deal of concern during the year is known as “ Low Hydrogen Welding ”. Many are firmly convinced that it is particularly hazardous. Up to date it has not been possible clinically to confirm these suspicions. 38 men working in 4 factories were examined and the incidence of signs and symptoms compared with figures quoted by English colleagues for other types of welding (A. T. Doig and L. N. Duguid, “ Health of Welders, 1956 ”). From the following figures it will be seen that “low hydrogen welding” compares favourably:— Low Hydrogen Other Types Welding of Welding (Australia) (U.K.) per cent* per cent. Nasal irritation. 36 35 Cough. 21 51 Other Respiratory Symptoms .... 36 60 Doig and Duguid’s percentage relate to 247 welders.