The Asbestos Industry Regulations, 1931

This is not a research study and has no health data; it is the Asbestos Industry Regulations, 1931, British factory rules signed by Herbert Samuel. They covered crushing and mixing asbestos, making asbestos textiles, insulation slabs and insulating mattresses, and dry sawing or grinding asbestos articles during their manufacture. Asbestos meant any fibrous silicate mineral or any admixture containing one. Factory occupiers had to provide mechanical exhaust ventilation against asbestos dust, with exceptions such as enclosed plant or asbestos too wet or greased to give off dust. Occupiers also had to have this plant examined at least every six months, supply breathing apparatus for certain jobs, and bar young persons from named tasks unless already employed in them when the rules began. Workers had to use the equipment provided. Some listed processes were exempt if done only occasionally, with no one working at them over eight hours a week and no other listed process carried on. The Chief Inspector of Factories could relax the rules by certificate if satisfied this would not endanger health. Most rules took effect on 1 March 1932; some were delayed six or twelve months.

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From J-M's medical library

This copy comes from the Johns-Manville medical library. It was among the papers J-M kept in its medical library without an index entry.