Synthetic Resin and Plastics

Industries / examples: Manufacture of phenolic, epoxy, polyester, PVC, polyurethane and other resins/plastics.

Principal hazards & agents

Reactive monomers (vinyl chloride, styrene, acrylonitrile, formaldehyde)
Isocyanates (PU) and epoxy/amine hardeners (sensitisers)
Phthalate plasticisers; thermal decomposition fumes; dust

Health effects

Angiosarcoma (vinyl chloride), occupational asthma and dermatitis (isocyanates, epoxies, formaldehyde), narcosis, nasopharyngeal effects (formaldehyde).

Engineering controls

Closed polymerisation with monomer leak detection (esp. VCM); LEV at compounding, moulding and extrusion; isocyanate and formaldehyde air monitoring; substitution of sensitisers where possible; control of thermal-degradation fumes.

PPE

Organic-vapour / isocyanate (air-fed) respirators
Chemical gloves and coveralls
Goggles
Skin protection against sensitisers
Safety footwear

Statutory vs annotation: only the entry name and its sub-items are First-Schedule text. The hazard, health-effect, control and PPE notes are occupational-hygiene context, not statutory text. First Schedule, the Factories Act, 1948 [See section 2(cb)] — "List of Industries involving hazardous processes" (29 entries). Section 2(cb) defines "hazardous process". Verbatim list confirmed against the official Factory Inspectorate (Government of Puducherry, Labour Department) publication of the Factories Act, 1948 (py.gov.in/sites/default/files/labourfactory.pdf) and cross-checked with the bare-act text at AdvocateKhoj (advocatekhoj.com/library/bareacts/factories/schedule1.php). The Schedule may be amended/added to by the State Government under section 2(cb) read with section 41A.

Reference information for occupational-health professionals — not medical advice, and not a substitute for examination by a qualified physician.

Other hazardous processes

All 29 hazardous processes — First Schedule

MedFactory — Occupational Health Centre software for Indian factories