Augmenting Cleansing Process for Reducing Occupational Hazards Experienced by Labours Handling Pyrotechnical Chemicals in Firecracker Units

Abstract

The value of Human resource is considered to be very important in fire work industries. Nearly 90% of fire crackers are manufactured in Sivakasi, which is considered to be the hub of fireworks production in India. The manufacturing process, type of storage and handling of chemicals are some of the important factor which bears the responsibility of affecting the worker’s health. Firecrackers manufacturing involves mixing of various chemicals. Moreover, it leads to lot of health issue to the workers like respiratory disorders, skin problems, damage to kidney, mental impairment and eye irritation, also it can cause cancer. Out of these major problems, skin and respiratory issues are mainly caused due to the direct handling of chemicals without safety precautions. Chemicals such as Sulphur-di-oxide, copper nitrate and magnesium are highly used in manufacturing the crackers. In order to overcome these hazardous problems, we have planned to make a soap for the affected people through precipitation method, using organic solvent (ETHANOL) and with the mixture of alum and sodium lauryl sulphate salts. The main aim of doing this project is to give a product of low cost with longevity and with good quality, which provides ample protection through cleanliness to the people who work in fire cracker units