NON-RESPIRATORY PPE (PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT) TESTING LABORATORY (NRTL)

INTRODUCTION :

OBJECTIVE:

The main objectives of Non-Respiratory PPE Testing Laboratory are:

• The main objectives of Non-Respiratory PPE Testing Laboratory are:

Render Technical advice to the manufacturers on the functional efficiency and the quality improvement and guidance to the user industries on selection, use, care and maintenance of the respiratory PPE.

PPE TESTS AS PER BIS :

INSTITUTIONAL FEE:

The present charges for the services rendered by the laboratory for testing of different types of Non-Personal Protective Equipment are given below:

Non- Respiratory Personal Protective Equipment

RESPIRATORY PPE (PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT) TESTING LABORATORY (RTL)

INTRODUCTION:

Most of the chemicals that are used, handled, processed or manufactured in industries are harmful to the workers in varying degrees. These chemicals may be toxic, corrosive or carcinogenic and may cause health hazards through inhalation, ingestion or skin absorption. Technological measures are practiced in many industries to control toxic contaminants in work environment. However, there are situations when the use of respiratory devices becomes vital and essential.

It has been observed from the Hand Book of Labour Statistics (1992), of Labour Bureau, Ministry of Labour, Government of India, Chandigarh/Shimla that every year more number of workers get exposed to the various types of chemicals and contract occupational diseases. Thus, PPE play an important role in safe-guarding the health of the industrial workers from various occupational diseases, provided they meet the requirements of the specified standards of BIS.

OBJECTIVES:

The main objectives of Respiratory Equipment Testing Laboratory are :

Render Technical advice to the manufacturers on the functional efficiency and the quality improvement and guidance to the user industries on selection, use, care and maintenance of the respiratory PPE.

PPE TESTS AS PER BIS:

INSTITUTIONAL FEE:

The present charges for the services rendered by the laboratory for testing of different types of Respiratory Personal Protective Equipment are given below:

Respiratory Personal Protective Equipment:

NOTE: The samples along with the Bharatkosh payment receipt and letter should be submitted for testing.

AMENDMENT IN THE FACTORIES ACT:

First Schedule {Section 2 (cb)} of the Factories (Amendment) Act, 1987 provides the list of 29 different industries involving hazardous processes Second Schedule (Section 41-F) lists the permissible levels of 117 toxic chemicals causing various occupational diseases by entering into body through the vital respiratory mode. In view of this, it is of foremost importance to use various respiratory PPE as the preventive measures against these toxic chemicals. Rule 81 of Model Rules under the Factories Act, 1948 (corrected upto 31.3.1987), Government of India, prescribes the use of various PPE.

ACHIEVEMENTS:

Disposable dust masks: A simple, inexpensive, comfortable and disposable type dust mask was developed by this Laboratory. It was made from low cost man-made fibers by the die-punch moulding technique. Developed masks were subjected to performance tests in accordance with the U.S. Bureau of Mines specifications. Extensive work was carried out on these masks to determine the performance parameters such as filtering efficiency, breathing resistance and mechanical strength. The complete know-how data was transferred to the National Research and Development Corporation (NRDC), New Delhi for its transmission to the industries for its commercial production.

PRESENT TESTING FACILITIES :

This Laboratory is equipped with the facilities to undertake the testing of Breathing Air of cylinders (SCBA) and Dust respirators / Dust masks, as per the Standard specifications laid down by the BIS. The equipment used for testing Respiratory personal protective equipment are procured and utilized as per the specifications mentioned in the Indian Standards.

The division also conducts visits of participants from different industries, factories, colleges, institutes etc for demonstration of PPE’s and testing work carried out in the laboratory. In-Plant Training at the factory / industry etc. is conducted for creating awareness and spreading information about the PPE’s importance of wearing them, proper use, maintenance, etc. at work place, for the safety of workers.

The division conducts study/surveys for the estimation of the compressed air quality at source, drawn from the compressor situated at the company/factory/ supplier’s premises

INFORMATION & ACITIVES OF RESPIRATORY AND NON-RESPIRATORY PPE TESTING LABORATORIES:

Aspects on which the user Industries are advised:

• Type of PPE
• Quality and performance
• Workers’ views/suggestions towards the acceptability/suitability of PPE
• Managements’ views
• Awareness to proper selection, use, care and maintenance of PPE.

Aspects considered for advising the manufacturer:

• Anthropometric data
• Ergonomic design
• Convenience and comfort during use
• Quality and reliability and
• Suitability under tropical conditions

LIST OF INDIAN STANDARDS (IS) FOR RESPIRATORY AND NON-RESPIRATORY PPE’s

INSTITUTIONAL FEE /TESTING CHARGES:

Institutional fee is nominal and is basically promotional in nature. The institutional Fee /Testing charges are to be paid online through the government website Bharatkosh. The current institutional fee /Testing charges for the service rendered by the Laboratory for testing of various types of Respiratory and non- Respiratory PPE are levied as given below:

Respiratory Personal Protective Equipment:

Non-Respiratory Personal Protective Equipment:

NOTE: The samples along with the Bharatkosh payment receipt and letter fir testing, should be submitted / sent for carrying out testing work in the laboratory.

TRAINING PROGRAMMES:

The division conducts training programmes on various topics with regard to the activities carried out by the division. The information about various types of hazards prevailing at work place, hazardous working conditions, safety measures/ precautions, etc. pertaining to the importance of both Respiratory and Non- respiratory PPE’s at workplace, information about the types of PPE’s, proper use, care, maintenance, necessity of wearing etc. is given to the participants who attend such Training Programmes.

In-Plant Training programmes are also conducted at the Factory/ Industry/ Company Premises/ Workplace etc. for spreading the information and creating awareness about the Safety and Health of the workers there by making the work and the working conditions suitable and safe for the well being of the workers and for the overall social and economical development of the nation.

FIELD STUDIES / SURVEYS :

The Respiratory testing laboratory receives cylinders filled with breathing air drawn from the compressors located at the plant/ at the premises /at company area. Inspection and testing of the compressed air at source and inspection of the compressor, its location, environment, ventilation, dust free atmosphere etc. at a place where it is kept, is necessary to ascertain the quality of air drawn.

Hence the Field studies / Surveys are conducted for testing the quality of compressed air at source, drawn from the compressor located at Company / Factory. The suppliers/ Vendors/ manufacturers, etc. may contact the Respiratory Testing Laboratory of the Institute for such study through e-mail or letter, so that the concerned officials can inform about the details, procedure, dates etc. as per the feasibility of the work schedule.

CHARGES FOR THE STUDY/SURVEY:

The testing charges are Rs. 15,000/- per day which includes field study/survey, data collection (one day), Calculation, Analysis, Compiling, Report writing, Printing, Binding etc.(1-2 days). Once the field study/survey is scheduled the charges towards the same can be paid online through the Government website- Bharatkosh.