CHAPTER - I

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION TO AC SHEETS INDUSTRY :

The desire for good, clothing, shelter, love and possession never end a
human being. Human beings are called as the “creatures with never ending
desires” But among these desires food, cloth and shelter are said to be the most
basic need of human beings, which protect them from natural calamities. From
the older days till the present time, there were number of changes in the method
of consisting houses for having shelter.

The name Asbestos derives from the Greek a-, “not”, asbestos-,
“extinguishable “,. The term may refer to the everlasting wicks of the ‘Eternal
Flame’ in the temple of the Vestal virgins, or possibly an alternate translation
such as “indestructible” may bee appropriate, though it is difficult to admit that
asbestos is a truly wondrous material. In a technological world it is a
manufacture’s dream. It is strong yet flexible i.e., it has tensile strength far in
excess of steel, it is resistant to chemical attack, it has amazing thermal and
acoustic insulating properties, it is non conductive and above ad all it is amazing
fire resistant.

WHAT IS ASBESTOS:

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral found in underground rock

formations. For commercial purposes, it is recovered by mining and rock
crushing. Fine particles invisible to the eye, are present kin the air and water
everywhere. All of us may be inhaling them and ingesting them through drinking
water every day for our life times without any adverse effect on health.

White asbestos (chrysotile variety) constitutes 98% of world production for

its commercial use. Indian asbestos cement sheet and pipe manufactures import
all their requirements of chrysotile fibers from Canada, Brazil, Russia, Zimbabwe
and Kazakhstaaan for production of AC sheets and pipes. Asbestos is also mined
in India but quantity and quality –wise it is of no relevance to our asbestos
cement production.
Asbestos fiber (composed mainly of magnesium and silica) is a great
reinforcing agent. While its tensile strength is greater than steel, it has other rare
and highly valued fire retardant, chemical resistant and heat insulating qualities.
In fact it is a magic mineral and no other substitute can match its properties.

COMMERCIAL UES OF ASBESTOS:

In the year 1899 the first patent for the manufacture of Asbestos Cement
sheet was done in Germany. Asbestos was mined and used commercially in
North America beginning in the late 1800s. Its use increased greatly during World
War II. Since then, it has been used in many industries. For example, the building
and construction industry has used it for strengthening cement and plastics as
well as for insulation, fireproofing and sound absorption. The shipbuilding
industry has used asbestos to insulate boilers steam, pipes and hot water pipes.
The automotive industry uses asbestos in vehicle brake shoes and clutch pads.
More than 5,000 products contain or have contained asbestos. Some of them are
listed below:

Asbestos cement sheet and pipe products used for water supply and sewage
piping, roofing and siding, casings for electrical wires, fire protection material,
electrical switchboards and components, residential and industrial building
material, electrical switchboards and components, residential and industrial
building materials, friction products, such s clutch facings, brake linings for
automobiles, gaskets, and industrial friction materials, products containing
asbestos paper such as table pads and heat protective amts, heat and electrical
wire insulation, industrial filters for beverages and underlying material for sheet
flooring, Asbestos textile products, such as packing components, roofing
materials , and heat and fire-resistant fabrics (including blankets and curtain)
and other products, including ceiling and floor tile; gaskets and packing , paints
coatings and adhesive ,caulking and patching tape, Artificial ashes and embers
for use in gas-fired fireplaces, caulking and patching tape, Artificial ashes and
embers for use in gas-fired fireplaces; plastics; vermiculite containing consumer
garden products; and some talc-containing crayons, Asbestos is currently used
most frequently in gaskets and in roofing and friction products.
Asbestos is the name for a group of naturally occurring silicate minerals that
can be separated into fibers. The fibers are strong, durable and resistant to heat
and fire Asbestos materials are also long, thin and flexible, so that they can even
be woven into cloth. Because of these qualities, asbestos has been used in
thousands of consumer, industrial, maritime, automotive, scientific and building
products. During the twentieth century, some 30 million tons of asbestos were
used in industrial sites, homes, schools, shipyards and commercial buildings in
the United States.

WHAT ARE ASBESTOS CEMENT (AC) PRODUCTS:

AC products are made with a mix of chrysotile fibers (about 8-9%) cement
and other raw materials. Over 90% of asbestos fiber imports of India go into AC
sheet and pipe production.
AC Sheets have been used In India for 70 years. Being weather – proof and
Corrosion resistant, these sheets are practically ageless and maintenance free,
whereas metal sheets corrode and deteriorate with age and exposure.
 AC Sheets have also proven to be the most cost effective easy- to –install,
strong and durable roofing material for warehouses, factories, low –cost housing
and practically, any structure needing a roof. Apart from India, Russia, China,
Thailand, Brazil and Japan are some of the largest users of AC Sheets.
AC shuts and pipes, being corrosion and erosion – free, once properly laid
and jointed, need no maintenance or replacement. They are also very cost
effective. AC products, which consume low energy in manufacture and do not in
any way deplete the natural resources, meet the needs of the country in its
developing economy in the context of rapidly rising population and limited
resources.
Ac products are manufactured under (ISI) license strictly conforming to the
standards of bureau of Indian standards. IS 4559 / 1992 for Corrugated Roofing
Sheets, IS 2098/1997 for Flat Sheets and IS 1626 (Part 111)/1994 for Roofing
Accessories.

WHAT IS THE SITUATION IN INDIA?

In India, only the chsrysotile variety of asbestos, which is considered safe, is

used in asbestos-cement products, anomaly sheets and pipes. The fibers are
mixed and bonded with cement and other raw material, with no chance of
escaping into the atmosphere. Asbestos cement products are being
manufactured in India since 1934. Workers in asbestos cement product industry
in India have not had any adverse health effects I spites of decades of services,
there being no risk of exposure to asbestos dust because of pollution control
measures installed in the factories. Health effects I spite of decades of services,
there being no risk of exposure to asbestos dust because of pollution control
measure installed in the factories. Health of the workers is closely monitored as
per directives and regulations of the government agencies.
There is no risk whatsoever in living or working under the AC roof, as
asbestos fibers are bonded (locked in ) with cement and cannot get released in
to the atmosphere.
Transportation of drinking water in AC pipes is absolutely safe as confirmed
by the World Health Organization, Ingested asbestos if any does not pose any
health risk.
Indian climatic conditions never required the type of asbestos spraying and
insulation, at one time common in the West. Thus, the health hazards and risks
associated with the past asbestos fiber usage in the western countries, have
nothing to do with the asbestos products or application in India.

“ In India Asbestos Cement sheets have been extensively used by Indian

Railways for the last 50 years to provide the safest form of roofing to the
thousands of Railways Platforms across the country where over I crore people
step every day. It is noteworthy that AC Sheets have not withstood the t4est of
time with no reported risk/casualty to the Indian traveler nor has there been any
adverse effect on the local environment. Another major Consumption of AC
Sheets is in the roofing of Food Corporation of India Go downs, where millions of
tons of food grains are stocked. The above two examples are testimony to the
fact that Asbestos Sheets are absolutely safe to use.

It is worth noting that India uses only about 6 to 7% of the asbestos produced
in the world. (The rest is used in other countries, where odiously, it is accepted as
safe).

POLICIES OF GOVERNMET OF INDIA ON ASBESTOS:

The Government of India has constituted various expert committees to study

the asbestos industry and having been satisfied that asbestos does not actually
pose a health risk to the workers at the manufacturing plants so long as the work
place pollution controls were in place, or to the public who use the asbestos-
cement products, the Ministry of Industry, allowing any person to set up a factory
without the need for an industrial license from ministry.

The Ministry of Environment, Govt, of India, vide its Gazette Notification dated
20.01.2000 has deleted asbestos from the list of “Hazardous chemicals”. The
Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of
Consumer Affairs, Bureau of Indian Standers, et al have laid-down regulations,
standards, guidelines and recommendations specific to the asbestos industry, in
line with those of international Labour Organization, world Health Organization
and other bodies.
The Central and State Pollution Control Boards, Labour and Factory Inspectors also
regularly monitor the factories compliance with the mandatory safety standards and pollution
control levels.

SCOPE OF THE STUDY

 This particular study about Work Stress Management is restricted within the

organization. The study is conducted on the employees of the organization. This is not

because of non-availability of resources but the nature of the study itself restricts it. It

studies the existence or non – existence of stress among the employees in the

organization and identifies the factors which are contributing for stress (If any). It also

provides the various steps adopted by the organization for managing the work stress of

the employees, which can be used as future reference for decision-making and policy

making with regard to the employees. This study reveals the morale of the employees.

OBJECTIVES
 The objective of the study is to identify the existence of work stress in
the organization.

 If YES, then to study the factors causing stress among the employees

 To study the impact and usefulness of Work Stress Management and

also to suggest measures for coping with stress.

LIMITATIONS
 Due to constraints of tie and many other resources this study is confines to

manages and officers of patancheruvu plant medak (dist).

 The opinions, behavior and attitudes of the respondents reflected in this study

are restricted to the duration of the research and are subject to change with the

passage of time.