N.Y. Labor Law § 299: Ventilation, heating and humidity

§ 299. Ventilation, heating and humidity. 1. Every work room in a

factory shall be provided with proper and sufficient means of

ventilation, natural or mechanical or both, as may be necessary, and

there shall be maintained therein proper and sufficient ventilation and

proper degrees of temperature and humidity at all times during the

working hours. If owing to the nature of the manufacturing process

carried on in the factory work room excessive heat be created therein,

there shall be provided, maintained and operated such special means or

appliances as may be required to reduce such excessive heat.

2. All machinery creating dust or impurities in quantities tending to

injure the health of employees shall be equipped with proper hoods and

pipes connected to an exhaust fan of sufficient capacity and power to

remove such dusts or impurities; such fan shall be kept running

constantly while such machinery is in use. If the board decides that

such apparatus is unnecessary for the health and welfare of the

employees, or that other means of protection may be provided to

safeguard the health and welfare of the employees against such injurious

dusts or impurities, it may adopt rules excepting such machinery from

the operation of this subdivision, or prescribing such requirements as

will effectuate the intent of this subdivision.

3. If dust, gases, fumes, vapors, fibers or other impurities are

generated or released in the course of the business carried on in any

workroom of a factory, in quantities tending to injure the health of the

employees, suction devices shall be provided which shall remove such

impurities from the workroom, at their point of origin where

practicable, by means of proper hoods connected to conduits and exhaust

fans. Such fans shall be kept running constantly while the impurities

are being generated or released.

4. The board shall make rules for and fix standards of ventilation,

temperature and humidity in factories and shall prescribe the special

means, if any, required for removing impurities or for reducing

excessive heat, and the machinery, apparatus or appliances to be used

for any of said purposes, and the construction, equipment, maintenance

and operation thereof.

5. If any requirement of this section or any rule adopted thereunder

be not complied with, the commissioner shall issue an order directing

compliance therewith within thirty days after the service thereof. He

may in such order require plans and specifications to be filed. In such

case, before providing or making any change or alteration in any

machinery or apparatus for any of the purposes specified in this

section, the person upon whom such order is served shall file with the

commissioner plans and specifications therefor and shall obtain his

approval of the same.