Textiles

• Pages: 40-44

14. Textiles

14.1. Fibre preparation

14.1.1. Where asbestos fibre is supplied in paper or plastic bags, the bags should

be opened and emptied either automatically or in an enclosed booth connected to a dust

extraction system.

14.1.2. In either case there should be provision for the collection and disposal of

empty bags within the same dust extraction system to prevent the escape of dust into

the workplace.

14.1.3. The delivery of fibre from the hopper to the machine employed for

opening and for the elimination of non-fibrous material should be fully enclosed and

provided with a hood.

14.1.4. The fibre should be fed into the machine mechanically and discharged,

within enclosed conditions under negative pressure, into the storage chamber.

14.1.5. (1) Where blending is required with other grades of asbestos fibre or

with cotton or man-made fibres, input and output should be automatically controlled,

the blending itself taking place within an enclosed chamber.

(2) Blending should not be carried out by hand-mixing or in open

spaces.

14.2. Carding

14.2.1. Where practicable, direct mechanical or pneumatic feed from the

blending operation to the card input should be used. Alternatively the fibre should be

transported in a dust-proof container.

14.2.2. Where a container is used, it should be discharged into the card in a way

which minimises the escape of dust. This may be achieved by joining the container

outlet with the entry aperture of the hopper.

14.2.3. The card or group of cards between the fibre hopper and condenser

should be interlocked with the working of the machine.

14.2.4. (1) Wherever possible, dust should be collected and should not be

allowed to escape into the card enclosure or into the general atmosphere.

(2) Negative pressure should be maintained within the enclosure by

means of the exhaust ventilation system.

14.2.5. Where entry into the enclosure is required while the machines are

running, appropriate respiratory protection should be worn.

14.2.6. Specific dust extraction points should be located close to the working

surface of the card, particularly where pressure points are created by the carding action.

14.2.7. Where laps and rope lagging are being produced, the delivery conveyor

from the doffer cylinder should deliver the material for subsequent processing and

packing within an enclosed and ventilated chamber.

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