Candidate Support Pack - Scottish Qualifications Authority

2.24
Activity 13
What protective clothing is available for you to use?
Please tick the appropriate boxes.
Smock coat Goggles
Boilersuit Face mask
Apron Jacket/trousers
Rubber gloves Safety shoes
Cotton gloves
Other?
Lint and dust
There are a number of potential risks from lint and dust in the laundry.
GC8N 22 — Laundry Operations Level 2
Answer sheets p. 2.63
Because cotton is a cellulosic, fibrous material it sheds small fibres due to the mechanical
action of the laundering process. These fibres are called lint.
Dust, debris, human skin scales, hairs and so on are brought into the laundry with the
soiled linen.
The variable airflows in a laundry caused by heat, the movement of goods and the
opening and closing of doors, result in turbulence, which moves all this dust and lint
around in the air. A 50 kg dryer sucks 3500 cubic feet of air per minute in through the
tumbling work and out to the atmosphere.
When the plant closes at night or for longer periods, airborne dust and lint settle on
surfaces throughout the laundry. It is important that the cleaning procedures prevent the
build-up of lint and dust in the laundry because it is a health hazard and a fire hazard.
Cotton lint itself is not a health hazard, but no dust or lint should be inhaled in large
quantities.
The quality of the air breathed in by laundry operatives should be checked by the manager
from time to time and the level of potentially irritable dust kept to a minimum by good
cleaning procedures.
The quality of washed and finished fabrics can be spoiled because of re-contamination by
dust.
Equipment should be cleaned frequently. This prevents the dust and lint build-up that can
potentially reduce efficiency and become a cause of malfunction and danger to the
operative.
The build-up of dust and lint on machinery and overhead is a serious fire risk.