Lead poisoning and lead absorption : $b The symptoms, pathology and prevention, with special reference to their industrial origin, and an account of the principal processes involving riskLegge, Thomas Morison, Sir
Science
Lead poisoning and lead absorption : $b The symptoms, pathology and prevention, with special reference to their industrial origin, and an account of the principal processes involving risk
Legge, Thomas Morison, Sir
Lead poisoning
It is the duty of the occupier to enter in Part I. the following
particulars with regard to each person examined: (1) Name in full
(Column 2); (2) the process in which he or she is employed (Column
3); (3) age when first employed (Column 4); and (4) date of first
employment in that process (Column 5); and these particulars, in
respect of each person so employed, must be entered immediately on
commencement of work in the process named.
Various methods of noting the state of health of the workers have
been adopted. Use of the words “Good,” “Very fair,” and “Fair,” is
common as indicating the state of general health, with special note in
addition, often in the form of a symbol, of the presence and character
of definite ill-effects. The object of the register, however, is to
keep a record intelligible not only to the Certifying Surgeon, Factory
Inspector, and occupier, but also to the workers. Entries, therefore,
on a uniform system are desirable, taking account of the two aspects of
the health of every lead-worker, which must be considered (_a_) that
indicative of specific effects from the occupation, and (_b_) that of
general health uninfluenced by the employment. With this in mind, the
following system of entry in the health register has been adopted:
The entries should be made upon a uniform system, as below,
indicating degrees of deviation from normal health, and
distinguishing (by use of _numerals_) those attributable (or possibly
attributable, in whole or part) to work in lead, from those not
so attributable, for which latter _letters_ should be used. The
conclusion is perhaps best expressed as a fraction
1 2
---, ---,
A C
and so on.
The numerals should be taken to mean:
1. Passed without comment (no observed effect of lead).
2. Blue line (or indication thereof).
3. Marked (quasi-pathognomonic) anæmia, or other signs of impairment
of health. (Albuminuria, or slight deficiency in tone of the extensor
muscles of the forearm, would, and miscarriage, or other suspicious
history of illness between examinations, might, come under this head.)
4. Suspension or transfer, by reason of impairment of health from
effects of work in lead. (In such cases the surgeon would be prepared
to entertain an application for a certificate under the Workmen’s
Compensation Act.)
Except in the case of a worker whose exposure to lead is only recent,
renal disease should always be indicated by a numeral.
Letters should bear the following meaning:
A. No comment (_i.e._, fair general health).
B., C. Increasing degrees of impairment of general health.
(Pregnancy, if without suspension, should be entered as C.)
D. Suspension or transfer, for reasons other than impairment of
health from effects of work in lead.
X. Carelessness, or neglect of precautions, or unsuitability for work
in lead. (Suspensions for such reasons should be marked DX.)
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