Australian Capital Territory Current Regulations Australian Capital Territory Current Regulations(1) This section shall apply to any tunnelling operation that is a compressed air work within the meaning of the Act.
Age limits
(2) No person shall work or be employed in tunnelling—
(a) at pressures up to 30 pounds per square inch if the person is over 50 years old; or
(b) at pressures over 30 pounds per square inch if the person is over 45 years old.
(3) No person under 20 years old shall work or be employed in tunnelling work in compressed air.
(4) However, in exceptional circumstances the medical officer may set aside the age limits in individual cases.
Appointment of medical officers
(5) A legally qualified doctor shall be appointed to carry out the duties that are prescribed by this section as being the duties of a medical officer.
(6) The chief inspector shall be notified in writing of the name and address of the medical officer immediately after he or she is appointed.
Appointment of medical officers—medical orderly
(7) When the working pressure exceeds 25 pounds per square inch an experienced medical orderly shall be constantly in attendance for the purpose of recompressing any person who shows symptoms of compressed air illness, and for the purpose of attending to minor injuries.
(8) The medical orderly shall be a person approved by the medical officer and, preferably, shall be the holder of a St. John Ambulance certificate or equivalent qualification.
(9) The medical orderly may work on other duties provided these are such that he or she will be readily available for medical orderly duties when required.
(10) No person shall work or be employed to work in compressed air unless on or after the date the person has been examined by an appointed medical officer, and has been certified by the officer as being fit to work in compressed air.
(11) The examination shall include an X-ray examination of the chest.
(12) The medical officer's report shall be kept and produced to an inspector on demand.
Supervision of health during work
(13) It shall be the duty of the medical officer to inform each person at the time of a preliminary medical examination that any attack of ‘bends' (pains in the joints and limbs or abdomen), giddiness, vomiting or difficulty in breathing, disease of the heart, lungs, kidneys, genital organs, a chill, or any other disease that may come on the person during or after work may have the most serious consequences to his or her health and the person shall be instructed that immediately on noticing any such indisposition the person must report it to the medical officer, or to a medical orderly, or failing either, to the contractor or a responsible representative of the contractor.
(14) The symptoms and treatment of compressed air illness as mentioned in schedule 9 shall be exhibited in a conspicuous position in the workers's change room.
(15) A contractor shall not allow any person—
(a) known to be suffering from bends, cold in the head, sore throat, or any other illness or disease, or
(b) under the influence of intoxicating liquor;
to enter any compressed air chamber.
(16) Persons employed continuously in compressed air shall be medically re-examined regularly at the following intervals:
(a) at pressures not exceeding 25 pounds per square inch—every 6 months;
(b) at pressures exceeding 25 pounds per square inch but not exceeding 35 pounds per square inch—every 3 months;
(c) at pressures exceeding 35 pounds per square inch but not exceeding 45 pounds per square inch—every 6 weeks;
(d) at pressures exceeding 45 pounds per square inch—every 4 weeks.
(17) Unless so re-examined and found fit as mentioned in this section no person shall work, or be employed to work in compressed air.
(18) Any employee who has been absent from work for more than 7 days owing to illness of any kind, or who has been absent from work due to any other cause, except for recreation, for a period of more than 3 weeks shall not work or be employed to work in compressed air without first producing a certificate of fitness from the medical officer.
(19) No person shall work or be employed to work in compressed air after 12 months, or any lesser period that the medical officer may determine, has elapsed.
(20) Every person not accustomed to work in compressed air shall be tested to the working pressure obtaining at his or her place of work by being subjected to the pressure in the medical or airlock.
(21) If the employee shows serious symptoms after test, or after the first 2 full working periods, the employee shall not work in compressed air.
Compressed air workers' badge
(22) It shall be the duty of a contractor employing persons to work in compressed air to supply to every such person a compressed air workers' badge.
(23) It shall be the duty of every person employed or working in compressed air to, at all times, wear a compressed air workers' badge.
(24) Every compressed air workers' badge shall be manufactured and used in the way mentioned in section 99 (17) to (19).
Safe working periods — general
(25) Except in case of emergency, no person shall work or be employed to work in compressed air for longer in any period of 24 hours than the period corresponding to the pressure in which the work is carried out as set out in table 100:
Table 100
|
gauge pressure lb/in 2 |
working period |
gauge pressure lb/in 2 |
working period |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-15 | 8 hours | 40-50 | 3 hours |
| 15-25 | 6 hours | 50-55 | 2 hours |
| 25-40 | 4 hours | 55-60 | 1 1 / 2 hours |
(26) Provided that—
(a) the 8 hour and 6 hour working periods each include a meal break of 1 / 2 an hour; and
(b) the 8 hour working period includes times required for compression and decompression, but the other working periods shown in the table do not include times for those purposes nor time occupied in changing shifts.
Safe working periods — observation period
(27) After decompression from pressures between 25 and 40 pounds per square inch, all persons shall be detained for observation for 45 minutes before leaving the site of the work.
(28) This period of detention shall be increased to 1 hour after decompression from pressures between 40 and 60 pounds per square inch.
Compression
(29) During compression, the pressure shall be increased gradually and uniformly to ensure that no person is distressed.
(30) The rate of compression shall not exceed 5 pounds per square inch per minute.
Decompression
(31) Decompression shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of schedule 7, table 7.3.
(32) However, at pressures lower than 18 pounds per square inch, decompression shall be conducted at a rate that will not inconvenience any person, but shall not be completed in less than 5 minutes.
(33) A copy of schedule 7, table 7.3 shall be posted in the man-lock.
Airlock attendants
(34) Every airlock shall be serviced only by a reliable, and specially trained and selected person.
(35) The airlock attendant, if without previous experience of either working in or controlling airlocks, shall be specially trained.
(36) The airlock attendant shall at no time operate more than 1 man-lock.
(37) The airlock attendant shall remain outside the lock near the entrance, and shall not be employed for more than 8 hours in any 24 hours.
(38) Written instructions about the gauge pressure in the working chamber and compression and decompression times shall be given to each airlock attendant.
(39) A copy of the instructions shall be suitably exhibited in a conspicuous position near the man-lock.
Airlock records
(40) A record of workers employed in compressed air shall be kept.
(41) This record shall show for each employee the period of stay in the working chamber, the gauge pressure and the time taken for decompression.
(42) When the working pressure exceeds 20 pounds per square inch, automatic recording instruments shall be installed to record the pressure in the working chamber and in the man-locks, and these records shall be carefully kept.
(43) All the records shall be made available to an inspector on demand at all reasonable times.
Man-lock — size
(44) Each bulkhead shall be provided with 1 operating man-lock and 1 emergency man-lock, each of sufficient size to hold at any one time the entire force of workers engaged in any 2 successive shifts, with a minimum of 3 square feet of floor space per worker.
Man-lock — access
(45) The door between the man-lock and the working chamber shall remain open except during compression and decompression and during the procedure of passing material through the lock.
(46) In tunnels of large diameter the emergency man-lock shall be near the roof and within the protection of the safety curtain, with proper access to it from both inside and outside.
(47) In tunnels of small diameter if it is not practicable to provide an emergency man-lock near the roof, the emergency chamber with safety door shall be at the end of the operating man-lock nearer the working face, and shall be of the same size as the operating man-lock.
(48) The safety door shall never be closed while there is any person in the working chamber.
(49) Except in an emergency, the workers shall be prohibited from emerging through the material locks, or, when the material lock and the man-lock are one and the same, the material lock valves shall not be used when workers are in the lock.
Man-lock — fittings
(50) Every lock in which persons are compressed or are decompressed shall be fitted with a suitable instrument panel on which shall be mounted the necessary pressure gauges in duplicate, an accurate timepiece and a copy of schedule 7, table 7.3.
(51) The instrument panel shall be adequately illuminated.
(52) The man-lock shall have valves both inside and outside the lock.
(53) The valves to which the airlock attendant has not access shall be covered with a case, the door of which is locked and has a glass panel that may be broken in case of emergency so as to permit the valves to be operated.
(54) Except in case of emergency, valves shall only be operated by the airlock attendant.
Medical lock
(55) A medical lock at least 5 feet in diameter shall be provided when work is being carried out at a pressure of 25 pounds per square inch or over.
(56) Should any case of compressed air illness occur when the working pressure is less than 25 pounds per square inch, it may be dealt with in the man-lock.
(57) The medical lock shall have 2 compartments, so that entry may be obtained to the inner chamber while it is under pressure.
(58) The lock shall be adequately ventilated, protected from the direct rays of the sun or adequately heated if required, and shall be adequately lighted.
(59) The lock and its equipment shall be kept in a clean state.
(60) The lock shall be provided with suitable equipment including a couch not less than 6 feet in length, clean blankets, dry woollen garments, a food lock and a telephone.
(61) The medical lock shall be located within the immediate vicinity of the works and arrangements shall be made to ensure that the lock is ready for operation during the 12 hours after the end of any shift.
(62) The medical lock shall be equipped with a small, glazed aperture so that a patient under treatment in the lock can be kept under observation by the attendant from outside the lock.
(63) It shall be provided with a pressure gauge and an accurate timepiece for each compartment.
(64) The timepiece and the pressure gauge for the main compartment shall be in a position that they can be readily seen by the attendant whether the attendant is inside or outside the lock.
Additional bulkhead
(65) Wherever the gauge pressure in the working chamber exceeds 30 pounds per square inch, a 2nd bulkhead with airlocks shall be provided after the tunnel has been constructed for a reasonable distance.
(66) The working pressure in the outer section shall be maintained at approximately 1 / 2 of the absolute pressure in the working chamber.
Communication
(67) The working chamber and the airlock shall be in telephonic communication at all times with the airlock attendant, who shall also be provided with telephonic or other satisfactory means of communicating with the contractor or his or her representative on the works.
(68) The contractor shall depute a representative to be at all times available for communication with the airlock attendant.
(69) In the event of telephone failure, signals shall be transmitted by tapping.
(70) A suitable code of signals shall be formulated on the job and a copy of this code shall be posted inside and outside the man-lock.
Overhead gangway
(71) In all tunnels 16 feet and over in diameter or height, an overhead gangway shall be provided from the working face to the nearest airlock.
(72) An overhead clearance of 6 feet shall be maintained unless otherwise approved.
Safety curtains
(73) Safety curtains shall be provided in all tunnels if there is the possibility of a ‘blow' causing an inrush of water or material being excavated.
(74) The safety curtain shall at no time be distant more than 200 feet from the working face.
Fire precautions
(75) If danger of fire exists, a fire hose at least 50 feet in length with a suitable nozzle connected, shall be provided on both sides of the tunnel bulkhead.
(76) Water lines shall extend into the tunnel with a hose connection every 200 feet, and this system shall be maintained ready for use at all times.
Lighting
(77) All lighting in compressed air chambers shall be by electricity only, except in cases of emergency.
(78) One worker in the airlock shall be provided with an electric pocket lamp, and candles and damp-proof matches shall be provided in the working chamber and in each man-lock.
(79) All portable incandescent lamps shall be guarded by a wire cage large enough to enclose both lamp and socket.
(80) The lamps shall be constructed in accordance with the Standards Australia, Approval and Test Specification No C. 118, Electric Hand Lamps.
Electric installation—voltage
(81) The voltage used for electric lighting circuits between the last bulkhead and the working face shall not exceed 32V for alternating current and 50V for direct current.
Electric installation—wiring
(82) Except as otherwise provided in this regulation, all wiring for light and power circuits shall comply with the requirements of the S.A.A. Wiring Rules, for damp or hazardous locations.
Air supply
(83) A minimum of 25 cubic feet of clean, fresh air shall be supplied each minute to each worker in the working chamber, and a minimum of 10 cubic feet per minute to each worker in the man-lock.
(84) In the event of any reduction of the air pressure below a point to be specified from time to time by the engineer in charge of the work, the airlock attendant shall notify the workers in the working chamber, and preparations shall be made immediately for their withdrawal from the working chamber.
Free air intake
(85) The free air intake shall be so situatedd as to ensure an ample supply of clean, fresh air.
(86) The utmost care shall be taken to avoid contamination of the air by fumes from the exhausts of compression ignition or internal-combustion engines and from all other sources.
Purification and refrigeration of compressed air
(87) An approved oil separator shall be used between the compressor and the air receiver and an air filter of approved type shall be installed between the air receiver and the working chamber.
(88) The air shall be cooled after compression, if necessary, so that the temperature in the working chamber does not exceed 80° Fahrenheit when measured with a dry bulb thermometer.
Compressed air plant
(89) If the air compressor, used for supplying air under pressure for the purposes of compressed air work in tunnelling is driven by electric power, stand-by compressor plant shall be provided and shall be of such capacity that, in the event of failure of the electrically-driven units, at least 50% of the air supply may be maintained.
(90) With other than electrically-powered compressors not more than 50% of the compressor units shall be driven from any 1 power unit and, if practicable, the power units shall be interchangeable.
Air lines and fittings
(91) Each air line shall be equipped with the following fittings connected in the order shown:
(a) an air receiver of such capacity as to be capable of delivering at least 2 000 cubic feet of air to the working chamber at normal working pressure, for the purpose of reserve storage in the event of failure of the compressor plant;
(b) a stop valve;
(c) a pressure-reducing valve located close to the man-lock;
(d) a non-return valve located close to the man-lock.
(92) The air supply shall be through duplicate air lines between the air receiver and the working chamber.
(93) An adjustable safety valve shall be fitted on the outside of the bulkhead to a separate pipe leading from the working chamber through the bulkhead to the outside air.
Testing of equipment
(94) All locks and air receivers shall be subjected to test and inspection in accordance with the provisions of the Australian Standard Rules for the Design, Construction, Inspection and Operation of Boilers and Unfired Pressure Vessels and their Appurtenances published by Standards Australia, as revised in May, 1942.
(95) Pressure gauges shall be installed and tested in accordance with the relevant provisions of the rules mentioned in subsection (94).
Change rooms
(96) Without prejudice to the requirements of part 10 (which among other things relates to the provision of certain accommodation for the health of persons), there shall be provided and maintained for the use of persons employed in compressed air work in tunnelling—
(a) properly heated, lighted and ventilated change rooms and drying rooms; and
(b) bathing accommodation, namely, 1 shower equipped with running hot and cold water for every 8 men employed on the same shift and 1 for every 8 women employed on the same shift, and 1 for any number less than 8 such men or women, as the case requires; and
(c) suitable and adequate earth or water closets at the rate of 1 closet for every 10 men employed on the same shift and 1 for every 10 women employed on the same shift, and 1 for any number less than 10 such men or women, as the case requires.
Information to be posted in change room
(97) A copy of the following information shall be posted in the change room for the information and instruction of persons employed in compressed air work in tunnelling:
(a) subsections (13) to (21) and (98) to (100); and
(b) schedule 9; and
(c) the name, address, and telephone number of the medical officer.
Prohibition of smoking and intoxicating liquor
(98) No person shall smoke in the man-lock or in the working chamber.
(99) No person shall carry on his or her person any smoking materials while in the man-lock or in the working chamber but shall leave all such materials in the change room.
(100) No intoxicating liquor shall be brought into the vicinity of the working chamber, provided that the carrying of alcoholic spirits or other stimulants into such places for medical purposes may be approved by the medical officer.
Copy of pt 8 to be available
(101) A copy of this part shall be kept at the works office and shall be available to every person on the works who is engaged in the compressed air work.