The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1905-08-05
PROTECTING
Safeguards Provided by the Belgian
Government for Its Labor
ing Glasses.

The Belgian government has is
sued 2 decree prescribing the pre-
c%autionary measures to be OBJ
served by owners of workshops to
safeguard the health of the I'm
ployes and to provide against ac
cidents to them, United States
Consul McNally, at Liege, who has
made a report on the subject, says
that every precautiOn is demand
ed hat will in any way protect
the health of the Belgian work
men or lessen their liability to
injury. "The solicitude of the
Belgian government for its work
ing classes" says he, lis to be
highly commended, and the fruit
of such devotion is evident in the
disposition of the workmen and
their tendency to remain with the
same employers throughout their
lives"
In the ordinary workshop which
the decree is intended to cover
each workman must have a free
space Of ten cubic yards. The
shop must have a height of three
yards and must be ventilated in
a thoroughly sanitary way. Ger
tain prescribed apparatus must be
used to supply fresh and draw out
vitiated air. This apparatus must
have at least a capacity of 30 cubic
yards an hour for each workman.
la manufacturing establishments
where the work is unhealthful the
capacity of the apparatus for re
newing the air must be at least 60
cubic yards per hour for each
workman.
The owners of all establish.
ments SHAH provide against the es.
cape of gas or the existence Of
odOrs, vapOrs or dust that might
in any way affect the health of the
workmen. All shops shall be con
veniently and systematically
lighted, so that the workmen may
be enabled to follow their employ
ment without danger to their
sight. All necessary precautions
shall be taken to keep the air pure
and to avoid the overheating of
shops. During the winter the
workshops must be conveniently
and sufficiently heated, and in
summer provision must be made
against high temperature. The
heatingo II htingapparatu shall
be placed so as not to discommode
or injure the workmen by reason
OF It's proximity.
The waste, residue, sweepings
and other accumulations shall be
removed daily and destroyed. In
establishments where the work is
unhealthful the workmen must
not enter or leave the workshop in
the same clothing worn during
employment, A cloakroom. with
wash stands and other necessary
accommodations, must be estab.
lished for the ISL of employees.
The heads of manufacturing en-
terprises must prohibit the carry
ing or eating of foods within rooms
where toxic materials are being
manufactured. The water used.
whether it be for drinking, spray
ing or manufacturing purposes.
must be pure.
The decree contains further pro.
visions to guard the workmen
against the influences of vapors OF
odors of any kind and against ac.
cidents from machinery, and to as.
sure the solidity of the building
and the absolute security of every.
thing pertaining to the place
where workmen are employed.
Particular attention is drawn to
the safety Of ladders, wells and
st~aircases, and to precautions
against fire. The introduction OF
alcoholic stimulants into the work.
shops or any part or place acces.
sorry to them is absolutely forbid.
den.