Electric Lamp Manufacturing

ELECTRIC LAMP MANUFACTURING. Main hazards: 1. The effect of illuminating gas from burners (containing, in our factories, about 18% carbon monoxide, 2% unsaturated hydrocarbons, and 25% methane). Due to incomplete combustion and the possibility of gas leaks, as well as the very large number of burners, the danger of CO poisoning cannot be excluded. 2. High temperature generated by the burning gas. Preventive measures against illuminating gas and high temperature: a) rational ventilation, b) sufficient cubic capacity, c) supervision of the airtightness of the equipment, and d) if possible, separating female workers not directly involved in gas work into another, isolated room. 3. Extreme eye strain due to the need to examine the thinnest wires and filaments (up to 0.047 mm in diameter) when soldering electrodes, inserting upper hooks into the stem, winding tungsten filament onto these hooks, controlling these operations, and some others, due to the need to detect a shade of color or light (exhausting carbon bulbs, working on the "Ablitz apparatus," checking with a Gessel current, photometry), all work associated with the need to peer into a brightly glowing lamp, etc. The measure of control for work involving the examination of small objects is the introduction of mechanization wherever possible according to production technology. In those cases where machine work is not entirely satisfactory (winding filaments) or impossible (control), the best lighting conditions, selection of a rational background, introduction of work breaks, reduction of the working day, and timely periodic transfer to other work harmless to the eyes, etc., are necessary. Eye irritation when observing bright objects can in a number of cases be prevented by work regimen, shielding of parts not subject to observation, weakening of the current at the moment of checking for defects after the completion of calcination on the burner frame, etc. It is advisable to use glasses with light filters, with which the brightness of light would be weakened to the proper degree, while the possibility of observation would not be impaired. Here, specially adapted "driver-type" glasses with "TIS" lenses No. 4 for brighter work and No. 5 for less bright work (Vitebsk Optical Factory) are recommended. Means for preventing eye strain when checking lamps can hardly be proposed, as here the entire effect of the work depends on the "accuracy of the eye" and speed of reaction. 4. Danger of eye injury from flying shards when processing glass with a circular saw and files, as well as during manipulations with bulbs from which the air has already been exhausted, especially during their calcination, basing, and current testing (in these cases, shards of a burst lamp fly far and with great force). Preventive measure: wearing protective glasses with thick lenses (preferably with "triplex," which do not produce shifting shards). 5. Inhalation of phosphorus vapors when spraying stems with amorphous phosphorus, sublimation of white phosphorus, and partly during the operation of pumps. The danger when spraying stems can be almost nullified by performing the work in a fume hood; incomparably more dangerous is the sublimation of white phosphorus (amorphous phosphorus, with an artificial influx of air, burns in the apparatus and turns into P₂O₅, the vapors of which can enter the surrounding atmosphere). Here, sealing of the equipment, reduction of pressure inside the apparatus when opening it, proper exhaust, etc., are necessary; at the moments of opening the apparatus, the female worker must wear a combined gas mask-dust respirator. 6. Contact with metallic mercury when cleaning mercury pumps. Good ventilation of the room, mandatory use of rubber gloves during work, as well as timely and especially thorough cleaning of the room in the area of the workplace are necessary.