Queensland Consolidated Regulations

COAL MINING SAFETY AND HEALTH REGULATION 2017 - REG 359

359 Exposure to atmospheric contaminants other than carbon dioxide

(1) Subject to subsection (2) , the ventilation officer for an underground mine must ensure a person is not exposed to an atmosphere at the mine containing a contaminant—

(a) mentioned in schedule 6 , column 1; and

(b) having a general body concentration exceeding the applicable long-term exposure limit concentration.

(2) Subject to subsection (3) , the person may be exposed to the atmosphere for not more than 15 consecutive minutes if—

(a) in the 15 minutes—

(i) for a contaminant for which a maximum exposure limit concentration is stated in schedule 6 , column 3, opposite the name of the contaminant—the concentration does not exceed the applicable maximum exposure limit concentration; or

(ii) for a contaminant for which a maximum exposure limit concentration is not stated in schedule 6 , column 3, opposite the name of the contaminant—the applicable maximum exposure limit concentration is safe; and

(b) the exposure happens—

(i) at not less than 1-hour intervals; and

(ii) not more than 4 times in 8 hours; and

(c) the mine has a standard operating procedure for working in the contaminated air to ensure the maximum exposure limit concentration is not exceeded.

(3) A person may be exposed to an atmosphere containing a brief surge of hydrogen sulphide causing a maximum exposure limit concentration exceeding the concentration stated in schedule 6 , column 3, opposite the name of the contaminant if the person is—

(a) wearing personal breathing protective equipment; and

(b) working under a standard operating procedure for working in air contaminated by hydrogen sulphide.

(4) This section does not apply to a person who is wearing self-contained breathing apparatus in an emergency or for a mines rescue purpose.

(5) In this section—

"applicable long-term exposure limit concentration" , for a contaminant, means—

(a) for a person working not more than 8 hours a day or not more than 40 hours a week—the long-term exposure limit concentration stated in schedule 6 , column 2, opposite the name of the contaminant; or

(b) for a person working more than 8 hours a day or more than 40 hours a week—the long-term exposure limit concentration stated in schedule 6 , column 2, opposite the name of the contaminant, as adjusted having regard to a recognised standard for adjusting exposure limits for extended working hours.

"applicable maximum exposure limit concentration" , for a contaminant, means—

(a) for a person working not more than 8 hours a day or not more than 40 hours a week—the maximum exposure limit concentration stated in schedule 6 , column 3, opposite the name of the contaminant; or

(b) for a person working more than 8 hours a day or more than 40 hours a week—the maximum exposure limit concentration stated in schedule 6 , column 3, opposite the name of the contaminant, as adjusted having regard to a recognised standard for adjusting exposure limits for extended working hours.