Reports to the Secretary of State for the Home department on the use of phosphorus in the manufacture of lucifer matches.
- Thorpe, T. E. (Thomas Edward), 1845-1925.
- Date:
- 1899
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Reports to the Secretary of State for the Home department on the use of phosphorus in the manufacture of lucifer matches. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.
51/294 (page 31)
![I examined the register of the monthly medical visits. It was well kept, and, to judge from the occasional remarks of the inspector, seemed to be efficient. I was informed that these remarks were not without their influence on the personal cleanliness and general tidiness of the operatives. The largest factory in Grammont, the centre of the Belgian match industry, Grammont. is that of M. Mertens, now known as the Belgian Match Co. I visited it in company with M. Joseph Brughmans, Inspecteur du Travail a l’Administra- tion Centrale, and M. Em. Van de Weyer, Assistant Inspector, to both of whom I am under many obligations for their courtesy and for the readiness with which they facilitated my inquiries. This factory employs about 350 workers: 80 per cent, of its production consists of “safeties,” and only 20 per cent, of ordinary phosphorus matches ; much of its produce is intended for the English market. The general hygienic conditions, although improved of late years, compare unfavourably with those of the Ghent factory. The “ composition ” is made in a courtyard, and the mixing is done by hand; there is no machinery for the purpose, and no special ventilation either of the apparatus or place in which the operation is performed. The “ batches ” when finished are kept in buckets in the yard. The dipping is done by hand under a hood connected with the chimney of the fire used to melt the sulphur and paraffin—‘but the ventilation is not good. The batch of “ composition ” in use is kept warm in a bain-marie placed over an adjoining fire, and near the door of the room; there is no special ventilation beyond that of the door and fireplace, and therefore no proper provision against the escape of the fumes into the atmosphere of the dipping house. The splints, as usual, are single dipped. The ventilation of the drying place is done by a fan worked by hand, but the fumes are allowed to escape into the room in which the drying chambers are placed. This is separate from the filling and packing room. About 30 boxers and three packers were at work at the time of my visit in filling so-called “parlour” matches for the English market—mainly for sale by “ stores ” and grocers who placed their own names and advertisements on the boxes. There was no other means of ventilating the room except by the windows, and by the two stoves which were used to warm the place in winter. There was, however, very little “ firing ” of matches, and the condition of the hands of the operatives, as regards traces of paste upon them, was generally good. There was, however, no provision for washing, nor were the other arrangements for the comfort of the workers all that could be desired. The hours of work were from 6 to 8, 8.30 to 11, 1.30 to 4s, and 4.30 to 6. The conditions in the “ safety ” portion of the factory were generally better. Newer and better machinery was in use, and the dipping was done by the Roller machine already described on p. 20. The box-making machinery was also a very noticeable feature in this section of the works. The factory at Anderlecht of Messrs. Mariotte & Co., which I also visited Anderlecht in company with MM. Brughmans and Van de Weyer, is exclusively engaged in the manufacture of wax matches (allumettes-bougies), mainly for the English market. The manager, M. Cos, kindly took me round the works and explained all the features of the methods of ventilation, together with the other precautions taken to ensure the health and comfort of the workers. The place is well arranged, and is kept in remarkably good order; indeed, the inspectors assured me that it has the reputation of being one of the best managed match factories in Belgium. The condition of the buildings, the state of the walls and the floors, the yards, passages, and outbuildings, was sufficient proof of the existence of careful supervision. The factory, when in full operation, employs about 300 workers. The phosphorus is obtained partly from France, partly from America. The “ composition ” is made under a hood, in a bain-marie, connected with a good ventilating arrangement. The “ laboratory ” contains only one mixing vessel of large capacity, and only one mixer is em]Joyed, who has been occupied at tire process for upwards of 2s years. Gum only is used, and the agitator is worked by hand. The paste contains 7 per cent, of phosphorus, calculated on the dry materials. The mixing place was light, airy, and well ventilated, and the floor, tables, and walls, and the various mixing vessels were clean and well kept. D 4](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b2804003x_0051.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
