Fabrication workshops which give shape to our windows, gates, railings… generate a lot of dust, fumes and radioactive elements besides metal waste. Maintaining indoor air quality, cleaning and waste management are ongoing activities at the unit, says Tejinder Singh Kalsi, the Director of Fab Tech, one of the biggest metal fabrication units in Mumbai. He also visited Clean India Pulire 2013 in Mumbai to source cleaning products for the factory.
There is a constant requirement for cleaning and maintenance in any fabrication unit. “Fabrication job causes generation of metal scraps (aluminum, iron, steel and others) in massive quantum. These wastes are collected and stored in metallic bins for daily disposal. Metal scraps cannot be allowed to litter on the shopfloor or the factory premises, as they could contaminate the air and pose health hazards. Hence, the first and foremost task is to clear and clean the ground area on a regular basis.
“Within the factory, high-speed fans constantly run to repel the toxic and obnoxious smoke generated during the production process. Germicidal and anti-bacterial chemical sprays are also used very frequently to clear dangerous toxins that float in the air. Cleaning with chemical agents on the factory/workshop floors, walls and window panes is a regular job.
“Firstly, we create a physical barrier to ensure that the dangerous components or highly toxic fumes don’t spread. A welder can come into contact with carbon monoxide, ozone or other toxic substances while performing his work. Other potentially harmful aspects of welding include working with extremely heavy objects, being exposed to flash, welding in awkward postures, and experiencing extreme noise. For this, we maintain ventilation mechanisms and carry out regular cleaning of floors using bleaching agents and disinfectants.
“The paint area is totally separated from the main area of engineering operation and are cleaned daily with anti-emulsifying (enamel paint) chemicals which remove the toxic effects of the paints. Because the area is curtained, no virus/microbes of the paint can fly in the open air.”