Chapter VI: Appendix: To Chapter III

Order of the Federal Council of July 31, 1897, regulating Letterpress Printing Works and Type Foundries in pursuance of section 120_e_ of the Industrial Code.

I. In rooms in which persons are employed in setting up type
or manufacture of type or stereotype plates the following
provisions apply:

1. The floor of workrooms must not be sunk deeper than half
a metre (1.64 feet) below the ground. Exceptions may only be
granted by the higher administrative authority where hygienic
conditions are secured by a dry area and ample means of lighting
and ventilating the rooms.

Attics may only be used as workrooms, if the roof is underdone
with lath and plaster.

2. In workrooms in which the manufacture of type or stereotype
plates is carried on the number of persons must not exceed such
as would allow at least 15 cubic metres of air space (529.31
cubic feet) to each. In the rooms in which persons are employed
only in other processes there must be at least 12 cubic metres
of air space (423.450 cubic feet) to each person.

In cases of exceptional temporary pressure the higher
administrative authority may, on the application of the
employer, permit a larger number in the workrooms for at the
most 30 days in the year, but not more than will allow 10 cubic
metres of air space (352.87 cubic feet) for each person.

3. The rooms must be at least 2.90 metres (8.528 feet) in height
where a minimum 15 cubic metres are allowed for each person, in
other cases at least 3 metres (9.84 feet in height).

The rooms must be provided with windows which are sufficient
in number and size to let in ample light for every part of the
work. The windows must be so constructed that they will open and
admit of complete renewal of air in workrooms.

Workrooms with sloping roof must have an average height equal to
the measurements given in the first paragraph of this section.

4. The rooms must be laid with a close fitting impervious
floor which can be cleared of dust by moist methods. Wooden
floors must be smoothly planed, and boards fitted to prevent
penetration of moisture.

All walls and ceilings must, if they are not of a smooth
washable surface or painted in oil, be limewashed once at least
a year. If the walls and ceilings are of a smooth washable
surface or painted in oil, they must be washed at least once a
year, and the oil paint must, if varnished, be removed once in
ten years, and if not varnished, once in five years.

The compositors’ shelves and stands for type boxes must be
either closely ranged round the room on the floor so that no
dust can collect underneath, or be fitted with long legs so that
the floor can be easily cleaned of dust underneath.

5. The workrooms must be cleared and thoroughly aired once at
least a day, and during the working hours means must be taken to
secure constant ventilation.

6. The melting vessel for type or stereotype metal must be
covered with a hood provided with exhaust ventilator or chimney
with sufficient draught to draw the fumes to the outer air.

Typefounding and melting may only be carried on in rooms
separate from other processes.

7. The rooms and fittings, particularly the walls, cornices,
and stands for type, must be thoroughly cleansed twice a year
at least. The floors must be washed or rubbed over with a damp
cloth so as to remove dust, once a day at least.

8. The type boxes must be cleansed before they are put in use,
and again as often as necessary, but not less than twice at
least in the year.

The boxes may only be dusted out with a bellows in the open air,
and this work may not be done by young persons.

9. In every workroom spittoons filled with water, and one at
least for every five persons, must be provided. Workers are
forbidden to spit upon the floor.

10. Sufficient washing appliances with soap, and at least one
towel a week for each worker, must be provided as near as
possible to the work for compositors, cutters, and polishers.

One wash-hand basin must be provided for every five workers,
with an ample supply of water laid on.

The employer must make strict provision for the use of the
washing appliances by workers before every meal, and before
leaving the works.

11. Clothes put off during working hours must either be kept
outside the workroom, or hung up in cupboards, with closely
fitting doors or curtains, which are so shut or drawn as to
prevent penetration of dust.

12. Artificial means of lighting which tend to raise the
temperature of the rooms must be so arranged or provided with
counteracting measures, that the heat of the workrooms shall not
be unduly raised.

13. The employer must draw up rules binding on the workers,
which will ensure the full observance of the provisions in
sections 8, 9, 10, and 11.

* * * * *

II. A notice must be affixed, and a copy sent to the Local
Police Authority, showing: (_a_) the length, height, and
breadth of the rooms; (_b_) the air space in cubic measure;
(_c_) the number of workers permitted in each room.

A copy of rules 1 to 13 must be affixed where it can be easily
read by all persons affected.

* * * * *

III. Provides for the method of permitting the exceptions named
above in sections 2 and 3, and makes it a condition of reduction
in cubic air space for each person employed as typefounder or
compositor, that there shall be adequate mechanical ventilation
for regulating temperature and carrying off products of
combustion from workrooms.