presentation

1. Health Hazards of the
Textile Finishing Industry
and
Their Remedial Measures
Presented By:
Mona Verma
Ph.D. Research Scholar
Deptt. of Textile and Apparel
Designing, CCSHAU,HISAR
mona.verma35057@gmail.com

2. Health hazards: a chemical that is capable of causing an acute
reaction . A chronic effect or both.
Health hazards can affect the whole body or a particular organ.
Textile processing units consists of number of subunits engaged
in different processes like pre-treatment dyeing, printing,
finishing and number of other processes that are required to
convert grey fabric into finished fabric.
The workers in the industry are facing various health hazards
due to harmful chemicals and abysmal working conditions.
Finishing refers to the treatment of textile substrates to impart
desirable properties (other than colouration), such as wash-and-
wear finish, anti-shrink finish, water-repelling finish and flame-
retarding finish.

3. Chemical Hazards- arising from liquids, solids, dusts, fumes,
vapours and gases
Physical Hazards- such as noise, vibration, unsatisfactory lighting,
radiation and extreme temperatures
Biological Hazards- such as bacteria, viruses, infectious waste and
infestations
Psychological Hazards- resulting from stress and strain
Hazards associated with the non-application of Ergonomic
Principles, for example badly designed machinery, mechanical
devices and tools used by workers, improper seating and
workstation design, or poorly designed work practices.
Types of Health Hazards

4. High temperature
The hot climate in the country poses special risks to the workers who have to
work for extended hours. Some industries do not have adequate climate
control resulting in heat stress, which causes fatigue and loss of productivity.
Slips and Trips
Slips and trips are common hazards in all industries. They are one of the most
common causes of accidents and injuries in the workplaces. Slip hazards are
exacerbated by lack of proper handling, lack of proper training and inadequate
lighting.
Sound: The continuous exposure to the sound will affects the workers in a
negative manner in such a way that, it will cause headache, loss of attitude,
presence of mind and hearing loss will occur.
If the controlling equipments are not working properly this will cause
improper temperature control in the production department. The roof of the
production department is made of asbestos sheets this will absorb more heat
this will cause to obtain more heat in the production department.
Physiological Hazards

5. Psychological Workload
Workers in textiles are required to work on a fast speed. One reason for this
fast work may be that employees are paid on piece basis, so the more they
produce more they earn.
Psychological Health Hazards

6. Ergonomically health hazards
Temperature: The temperature of the production department should
be well controlled otherwise this will affect the working performance
and attitude of the worker.
Shift: If the facilities are not given correctly and the working time is
too long mental stress will be more for the worker and this
adversely affect the work and this result in poor quality products.
The design of the work stations should be properly planned. Many
of the muscular-skeletal problems faced by these workers are caused
by uncomfortable posture and work arrangements. The work stations
should suit the workers and make the job comfortable.

8. Chemical Health Hazards
In terms of chemical hazards, wet processing is the most
significant textile finishing operation, and the methods used vary
greatly depending on end-products and applications, site-specific
manufacturing practices and fibre types.
Many chemicals used in textile finishing pose health and
physical-chemical hazards. As some processes are operated at
elevated temperatures, fire and explosion may occur.
The textile finishing also uses many hazardous chemicals other
than those for dyeing. These chemicals are divided and grouped
into oxidising agents, reducing agents, corrosives, irritants and
flammables.

9. Oxidizing agents used in textile finishing are mainly bleaching agents
such as:
 hydrogen peroxide,
sodium hypochlorite
and sodium di-chlorocyanurate.
Violent reactions may be caused by uncontrollable decomposition of such
chemicals.
For example, if the chemical reaction during peroxide bleaching is not
strictly controlled, a rapid evolution of oxygen can be caused by
decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. The volume of oxygen thus produced
may exceed the capacity of the relief devices causing the vessel to fail
catastrophically. Mixing oxidizing agents with incompatible substances
such as reducing agents will generate a lot of heat and toxic gases, or
lead to explosion. Moreover, precautions must be taken to prevent
occurrence of the following hazardous reactions between:
(a) sodium hypochlorite and acid;
(b) sodium peroxide and sodium hydrosulphite.

10. Reducing agents like sodium hydrosulphite are used in reducing
bleach bath, in stripping (i.e. removal of a dye from a substrate) and
in applying vat dyes. Other reducing agents are thiourea dioxide,
sodium formaldehyde sulphoxylate (trade name “Formosul” or
“Rongalite”), sodium bisulphite and sodium metabisulphite.
Sodium bisulphite, when contaminated with acid, gives rise to
hazardous fumes of sulphur dioxide.
Sodium hydrosulphite, when contaminated with water, generates
considerable amount of heat and may even ignite spontaneously.

11. The use of pressure equipment for high temperature operation can be
found in:
(a) scouring by kier – although the use of kier for scouring tends to
be replaced by continuous preparation ranges, both pressure and
open or atmospheric kiers are still found in use for the scouring
and bleaching of fabrics.
The main hazards include scalding by hot liquor or steam when a
person is inside the kier, or the danger of falling into the kier.
(b) Health hazard from flammable agents:
Fire and explosion hazards may arise from the use of flammable
substances, or oxidizing agents which can intensify a fire by
supplying more oxygen.
Flammable substances (e.g. petroleum spirit) are often used for
preparation of emulsion thickening in pigment printing.

12. This incurs significant fire hazards to the workplace, particularly when
the printed articles are subsequently baked at high temperature.
Some aqueous organic acids, such as acetic acid, are flammable at high
concentrations.
The solvent base of resin coatings or adhesives, which is intended to be
easily vaporized during the drying process, is usually flammable, e.g.
white spirit.
(c) Fine dust:
Fine dust or loose fibres generated from textile processing operations
like flocking may fly into the atmosphere or accumulate around
machinery, ventilation ducts or light fittings.
They will be easily ignited by electrical ignition sources such as
overloaded circuit, damaged insulation and static discharge of
electrical equipment. Fine dusts produced from processed and treated
nylon fibres may become explosive.

13. In textile finishing, strong acids and alkalis, such as sulphuric acid
and caustic soda, are commonly used. These are very corrosive
chemicals that can cause serious burns and react dangerously with
other chemicals.
The dyeing and after-finishing processes involve many chemicals
that are irritating to eyes, skin and respiratory tract.
These include formaldehyde-based resins, ammonia, dilute acetic
acid, aqueous ammonia, some shrink-resist chemicals and optical
whiteners, soda ash, various bleaches and acrylate (for preparation
of screens).

14. Process Chemicals used Health hazards
Singeing Small amounts of exhaust
gases, negligable impact
_______
Desizing - Enzymes or H2SO4 for
starch, detergents and alkali
for PVA and CMC
Bloating and Diarrhoea.
Irritant to eyes and skin
Scouring NaOH,Na2CO3, surfactants,
chlorinated solvents
Non-ionic detergents may cause
bloating and Diarrhoea, Irritant
to eyes and skin.
Bleaching -Hypochlorite -
Hydrogen -
peroxide -
Acetic acid
Chlorine gas released, causing
severe irritation of respiratory
tract and eyes tract and eyes
Toxic gases
Mercerization NaOH, surfactants, acid,
liquid ammonium
_______
Health Hazards Associated With Chemicals Used In Textile
Industries

15. Process Chemicals used Health hazards
Chemical
finishing:
- Anti-
crease
- Flame
proofing
- Softening
- CH2O
- Phosphorus
- Softeners
- Fluorinated chemicals
- Catalyst
- Formaldehyde
- Ammonia
Intense irritation of eyes and nose
and headaches.
Causing vomiting, and coughing.
High concentration can cause
respiratory arrest.
Water-
proofing
- Paraffin
- Aluminum salts
- Zircon salts
- Silicone
- fluorocarbon resins
- Toluene may be used in solvent
coating operations can cause,
headaches, confusion weakness, and
memory loss, and affects function
of kidney and liver , formation of
ozone which causes asthma

16. Process Chemicals used Health hazards
Anti-staic
finishing
Surface- active substances Possibly skin allergies
Anti-felt finish
(for wool)
- Chlorine
- Polyamide
- Epich chlorohydrin resin
Chlorine vapour is
hazardous, and can
cause respiration
problems
Moth and beetle
protection
(for wool)
- Chlorinated sulphonamide
derivatives ,Biphenyl ether
- Urea derivatives
,Pyrethroids
Pyrethroids may cause
neuro toxic effects
Weighting - Stannic chloride ,Sodium
phosphate ,Water glass
VOCs, combustion
exhausts have effect on
skin
Hydrophilising - Polyamide , Polyacrylic
- Silicon
VOCs, possibly skin
allergies

17. Process Chemicals used Health hazards
Delustering
-Phenol ,Turpentine , Pine oil
- Glauber salt,Barium chloride
-Resins containing formaldehyde
- Alkali sulphide
- Allergy inducing
- In some cases
carcinogenic substances
Abrasion
resistant
finish
- Silica gel
- Plastic resins
VOCs, causing irritation of
respiratory system. Skin
allergies
Sanforizing - Urea formaldehyde
- Melamine formaldehyde
- Skin allergies
- Carcinogenic properties

18. Process Chemicals used Health hazards
Cutting
fabrics
No chemicals
Particulates
Little effect on respiratory
system
Fusing the
interlining to
fabric pieces
Fumes of interlining
adhesive resin, and fabric
finish
Slight effect of adhesive
fumes on respiratory
system (VOCs)
Sewing Particulates Negligable effect on
respiratory system
Ironing Fumes from fabric Negligible effect on
respiratory system
Health Hazards In Garment Industry

19. Routes of entry of chemicals into the human body

20. Organs and tissues that may be affected
by particular toxic textile chemical

21. Health problems from pollution

22. Risk Assessment

23. The risk of absorption of a solvent into the body depends on:
particular chemical,
its concentration,
frequency,
duration
and mode of exposure.
Short term health effects range from loss of concentration, mild
headaches and nausea, to more severe headaches, vomiting or even
unconsciousness.
In the long term, kidney and liver damage may result from such
absorption
Risk assessment on textile finishing requires knowledge of the
properties of chemicals and the reactions involved in the
concerned chemical processes.

24. Physical form of the chemicals :
The physical forms of the chemicals used in textile finishing have
pronounced effects on the hazards of the chemicals.
For those in the state of gases, vapours, fumes, aerosols, airborne
particulates, the risk of entry into the human body as well as the risk
of fire and explosion is increased.
It should be noted that aerosol, particulate and powder forms of
combustible materials can form explosive/flammable mixtures with
oxidizing agents, including air.

25. Chemical changes
If chemical change is involved, the chemical reaction and the
products should be studied. The hazards associated with the
chemical reaction as well as hazardous properties of the reactants
and products in textile finishing processes should be identified.
Special attention should be paid to any possible side reactions and
by-products.
Temperature and pressure changes
Many physical and chemical changes may evolve heat, causing a
rise in temperature during the finishing processes. They may result
in:
(a) formation of hazardous gases, vapours or fumes;
(b) pressure increase in the container causing explosion;
(c) rapid bubbling causing splashing of hot hazardous fluids; or
(d) increase in reaction rate generating even more heat.

26. Scale of the process
The scale of the process determines the amount of hazardous
chemicals involved. Change in the scale affects the heating effect of
the operation as well as heat dissipation and pressure change in the
system.
Extent of exposure: The extent of exposure to hazardous chemicals is
affected by:
(a) frequency, duration and mode of exposure;
(b) rate of generation and concentration of the hazardous chemicals in
the atmosphere; and
(c) effectiveness of control and protective measures in minimizing the
exposure.

27. Working environment
The working environment ranging from the containers holding the
chemicals to the general conditions of the workplace is an important
aspect in the risk assessment of textile finishing. The following factors
should be considered:
(a) size and shape of the container where chemical or physical changes
take place, especially the headspace in the container and passage for
release of pressure; if the container cannot withstand or release the
increase in pressure, explosion may occur;
(b) presence of nearby ignition source, if explosive/flammable mixtures
are encountered;
(c) whether processes undertaken or chemicals stored or used are
sensitive to air, moisture, temperature or light; and
(d) ventilation of the environment.

28. Safety Measures

29. Overall strategy on establishing safety measures
Elimination of hazardous material:
The primary consideration is to adopt appropriate preventive measures to
directly control the hazards at source, such as by elimination or
substitution. For instance, certain azo dyes likely to form carcinogenic
substances during dyeing process should be replaced by non-hazardous
or less hazardous ones. These carcinogenic substances may also be
regulated by the Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Carcinogenic
Substances) Regulations.
Process and equipment modification:
Process and equipment modification can eliminate or minimize the
risks arising from the hazardous chemicals and/or processes.
Modifications may include improved process control systems or
changes in chemical application methods

30. Ex. Low bath-ratio dyeing can save energy and reduce chemicals used,
because energy and chemicals used depend on bath volume.
Jet dyeing and package dyeing are commonly used for low bath-ratio
dyeing.
It is preferable to incorporate safety considerations during design stage
of a process or equipment, as this would save additional expenses and
often reduce practical difficulty in subsequent safety adjustments.
Ventilation:
Ventilation is an effective engineering means to prevent accumulation
of vapours of explosive/flammable mixtures or inhalation of toxic
gases or vapours in the workplace. However, attention must be paid to
the relevant environmental protection requirements in the discharge of
exhaust air to prevent contamination of the outside environment.

31. All safety measures should be documented in the standard operating
procedures of the finishing process, and should be made known to all
workers concerned. The effectiveness of the safety measures should
be constantly monitored. If changes are made to the standard
operating procedure, a fresh risk assessment should be conducted and
the safety measures should be reviewed and appropriately amended.
In keeping with the concept of continuous improvement, the safety
measures should be constantly reviewed to accommodate new
development in safety technology.
Safety measures can be realised by engineering and/or
administrative means. Engineering measures such as ventilation,
equipment and process modification, etc. can eliminate or lower the
risk at source while administrative measures reduce exposure of
workers by implementation of safe work practices or procedures,
and scheduling of breaks or rotation shifts.
Standard Operating Procedures

32. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
The primary objective of using PPE is to protect workers against
the risks of hazardous chemicals entering the body through
inhalation or skin contact.
PPE should only supplement and not replace the preventive
measures. Appropriate PPE should be selected with regard to the
hazards, physical nature and the routes of entry of the chemicals
into the human body.

33. Protective Clothing:
Protective clothing provides skin protection against chemical splashes,
vapour and particulate exposures and other physical hazards. In textile
finishing, suitable protective clothing should always be worn when
dispensing and handling hazardous chemicals or dusty materials such as
dyestuffs.
Hand and foot protection :
Impervious gloves protect the hands of the worker from contacting
hazardous chemicals. If workers have to work on wet floors, they
should also wear protective footwear, preferably of slip-resistant type.
Eye protection:
Where there is a risk of eye injury through splashing, suitable eye
protectors or face shields should be worn. Safety spectacles can be fitted
with prescription lenses if required, while safety goggles that
completely enclose the eyes provides superior eye protection. If
protection to the face, mouth and nose is required in addition to the
eyes, face shield should be used.

34. Respiratory protective equipment (RPE):
Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) protects against exposure to
dusts, gases, fumes and vapours, but exposure duration should be
kept short. For fire and other major emergencies where asphyxiation
or inhalation of toxic gases is possible, RPE should comprise full
breathing apparatus.
Monitoring and health surveillance
Monitoring is a means to ensure the effectiveness of the control
measures. In textile finishing, environmental monitoring generally
involves measuring the levels of the contaminants in the air at
strategic locations in the workplace or at the breathing zone of the
workers concerned. The monitoring can be continuous or in a form
that requires regular sampling and analysis using equipment that
includes sensor with alarm device, direct-reading instrument, static
sampler and personal sampler.

36. Incompatible materials like soda ash and acetic acid should not be
stored close to each other.
Chemicals were mixed and poured in one area. Most of the
chemicals were used in plastic buckets. It was very difficult to
identify the contents of the buckets.
In order to avoid risks to workers all the containers whether small
or large should be labeled preferably in hindi or english with danger
signs and emergency actions prominently displayed. Precautionary
notices in simple language on the health hazards involved in
various operations should be displayed in the workplaces.
Remedial Measure :
Precaution while handling chemicals

37. Where work is too fast and hard, it is suggested that workers are
given some short interval breaks for better performance and less error
rate.
Focus on providing proper job, work and safety training to all the
workers for a better and full potential utilization and less errors and
accidents on job.
Workers should be provided separate work clothes, which should
not be taken to home and washed frequently.
Facilities for washing the hands with soap and running cold and hot
or warm water should be installed at strategic places so that the
workers can frequently wash their hands and skins. Separate
accommodation for outdoor clothes and work clothes should be
provided.

38. Wheeled trolleys should be used for transport and large dye drums should
be mounted on castors.
In storing chemicals, particular care should be taken to avoid confusion
where chemical names look very much alike, for example, sodium chlorate
and sodium chlorite.
Separate dispensing scoops or handling containers should be used to
prevent cross-contamination of incompatible chemicals.
Safety showers should be provided in places where there is a risk of
substantial contact with corrosives.

39. There is always a risk of falls of containers from overhead
pallets during transportation. The workers in this area should use
safety helmets. Risk of splashes and spills is always there. There
should be an emergency shower nearby.
Workers should be trained to wash off the spills if any to avoid
fire and respiratory hazards .
The garments are pressed using steam. The area was very hot
although fans were working in the area. Frequent rest breaks for
the workers and availability for nearby cold water is advised.

40. Periodic medical examination of workers is desirable especially
to discover cases of health impairment. Specially the audiometry
of workers exposed to high noise and the pulmonary function
testing should be carried out at regular intervals to monitor and
prevent and progressive lung disorders.
First-aid boxes should be provided and adequately maintained
in the workshops and adult workers should be trained to use the
facilities for even slight abrasions.
Some workers were using masks, which were found to be
inadequate against the exposures like acetic acid. If the masks
are to be sued, then proper masks should be provided suitable
against the chemicals used in the area. All the workers who mix
and transfer the chemicals must be made to wear impermeable
apron, splash proof goggles/spectacles and safety boots.

41. Smoke detectors should also be installed in this area in order to
provide an alarm in case of a fire as most of the items stored in
this area are combustible and may catch fire due to short-
circuiting or other causes.
Conclusion:
Safety and health hazards measure play an important role in any
industry. It is essential that the workers be aware of the various
occupational hazards in the industry. At the same time ,it is
necessary that the management should take necessary steps to
protect their worker from potential hazardous situations.

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