Aeration and ventilation
The composition of the air in the workplaces must, as far as possible
have the characteristics of normal air. It must in no case constitute a
danger for the workers.
In case of risk of severe pollution by dust, toxic or caustic emanations,
or simply inconvenient, devices are installed to indicate levels of
concentration dangerous to health and appropriate anti-pollution
devices.
The work premises must be provided with sufficient natural ventilation
using windows and other openings with movable frames giving
directly on the outside. The opening parts, the surface area of which
must be at least equal to 1/6 of the floor area, must be distributed
judiciously to ensure effective ventilation, making it possible to
maintain the composition of the air within the limits of the normal.
In the closed work premises, without or insufficiently provided with
opening parts directly to the outside, measures will be taken to
introduce fresh air at a rate of at least 30 cubic meters per hour and per
person.
If necessary, the air introduced in this way is first cleaned by filtration
or any other effective means.
Stale and polluted air shall not be exhausted through passages and
stairways.
The atmosphere of the workplace is constantly kept free from any
pollution from outside sources, particularly from sewers, pits,
cesspools. The pipes of wastewater or washing, the pipes of emptying
of the toilets crossing through the work premises must be watertight.
For establishments that discharge wastewater or wash water into a
public or private sewer, any connection between the sewer and the
the establishment shall be provided with a hydraulic interceptor which is
frequently cleaned.
Sinks shall be made of impervious materials and shall be well-sealed
and shall have a sufficient slope in the direction of the drain pipe and
shall be so arranged as to be odorless.
They are thoroughly washed at least twice a week with a disinfectant
the solution, including the pipework.
Any work in wells and galleries and in general, any underground or
semi-underground work or semi-subterranean as well as in tanks and
other apparatus is prohibited before it has been verified that these
places do not contain substances harmful to the safety or health of the
workers and until the ambient atmosphere has been purified by
effective ventilation.
Where there is any doubt as to whether the ambient atmosphere is
harmful, workers shall be provided with safety equipment or protective
devices and they must be subject to constant supervision throughout
the work.
The dust as well as the inconvenient, unhealthy, or toxic gases are
evacuated directly outside the work premises, as and when they are
produced, provided that the legal and regulatory provisions concerning
dangerous, harmful, or inconvenient establishments are respected.
For fumes, vapors, gases, and light dust, it is installed hoods with chimneys
of call or any other effective device of elimination.
For dust caused by molds, threshing machines, mills, and other
mechanical equipment, an effective dust collection device is installed.
For heavy gases, such as mercury and carbon sulfide vapors, the
removal is done by downdraft; the work tables and equipment are
connected directly to the suction system.
In addition to the general measures described above, appropriate
masks and protective devices must be made available to workers in
areas where irritating or toxic dust, vapors, fumes, or gases are
present.
The company manager must take all necessary measures to ensure that
these masks and devices are maintained in good working order and
disinfected before being allocated to a new holder.
Atmosphere controls are periodically carried out on the employer’s
initiative and the results of these checks are recorded in a special
register opened for this purpose.