Source: http://www2.worksafebc.com/Publications/OHSRegulation/Part22.asp
Timestamp: 2013-05-21 16:22:24
Document Index: 385858945

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 22', 'art 22', 'art 22', 'art 22', 'art 5', 'art 9']

Regulation Part 22 Underground Workings - Tue May 21, 2013
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Part 22 Underground Workings
Part 22 Contents
22.3 Work methods
22.4 New or unusual situations
22.5 Preconstruction meeting
22.6 Notice of project
22.7 Underground record
22.8 Hours of work
22.9 Additional first aid
22.10 Retroreflective devices
22.11 Self-rescuers
22.12 Underground supervisors
22.13 Underground worker health and safety representative
22.14 Impaired persons
22.15 Responsibility for ventilation
22.16 Prior approval
22.17 Qualified person
22.18 Mechanical ventilation
22.19 Air flow
22.20 Portal fan
22.21 Auxiliary fan
22.22 Modifications
22.23 Malfunction
22.24 Unventilated areas
22.25 Duct air testing
22.26 Welding fumes
22.27 Heating underground air
22.28 Heating equipment
22.29 Other heating devices
22.30 Atmospheric testing
22.31 Testing during construction
22.32 Additional tests
22.33 Radioactivity survey
22.34 Electrical installations
22.35 Communications
22.36 Illumination
22.37 Cap lamps
22.38 Maintenance
22.39 Auxiliary lighting
22.40 Battery charging stations
22.41 Pipelines
22.42 Water control
22.43 Dams
22.44 Transportation of workers
22.45 Transportation of workers by rail
22.46 Shaft conveyances
22.47 Procedures
22.48 Coordination
22.49 Evacuation procedure
22.50 Refuge stations
22.51 Rescue workers
22.52 Self-contained breathing apparatus
22.53 Dangerous conditions
22.54 Fire prevention and control
22.55 Flammable gas restriction
22.56 Equipment fire extinguishers
22.57 Accounting for workers
22.58 General requirement
22.59 Structures at the entrance
22.60 Projecting support system
22.61 Spill control
22.62 General requirement
22.63 During excavation
22.64 Shotcrete
22.65 Operator protection
22.66 Probe holes
22.67 Connecting to existing workings
22.68 Blasting at adjacent sites
22.69 Inspection before abandonment
22.70 Transport of explosives
22.71 Mechanical haulage
22.72 Transport by track haulage
22.73 Underground storage of explosives
22.74 Restriction on ignition sources
22.75 Fume class
22.76 Blasting line
22.77 Remote initiation
22.78 Water spray
22.79 Return to blasting site
22.80 Work restriction
22.81 Dust control
22.82 Work clearance
22.83 Elevated work
FIXED AND MOBILE EQUIPMENT IN UNDERGROUND WORKINGS
22.84 Logs
22.85 Internal combustion engines
22.86 Fire suppression
22.87 Hoses carrying flammable liquid
22.88 Operating requirements
22.89 Traffic control
22.90 Clearance for mechanical haulage
22.91 Track haulage and mucking equipment
22.92 Equipment hazard area
22.93 Switching
22.94 Derailed equipment
22.95 Track haulage operations
22.96 Rail tracks and switches
22.97 Automated and remote control systems
22.98 Clearance lights
22.99 Road maintenance
22.100 General requirement
22.101 Dumping procedures
22.102 Reversing when dumping
22.103 Dump worker
22.104 Track waste dump
22.105 Electrical trolley systems
22.106 General requirement
22.107 Guarding the bottom of the raise
22.108 Explosives
22.109 Suspended drill platforms
22.110 Raise climbers
22.111 Identification plate
22.112 General brake requirements
22.113 Electrically powered raise climbers
22.114 Brake components
22.115 Guarding
22.116 Controls
22.117 Electric equipment
22.118 Work platforms
22.119 Prohibition
22.120 Safety factor
22.121 Bolts
22.122 Racks and pinions
22.123 Modification restriction [Repealed]
22.124 Communication
22.125 Inspection before use
22.126 Limits and travel stops
22.127 Equipment maintenance
22.128 Operator's duties
22.129 Reporting defects
22.130 Repair requirements
22.131 Emergency procedures
22.132 Maximum load
22.133 Riding restriction
22.134 After blast monitoring
22.135 Transporting material
22.136 Electrical shut off
22.137 Cleaning
22.138 General requirement
22.139 Shaft openings
22.140 Access ways
22.141 Fixed ladders [Repealed]
22.142 General requirement
22.143 Vertical holes
22.144 Limiting descent
22.145 Water in the hole
22.146 Horizontal holes
22.147 Written notice
22.148 Worker instruction
22.149 Atmospheric testing
22.150 Automatic alarm
22.151 Ventilation
22.152 Ventilation malfunction
22.153 Air velocity
22.154 No smoking
22.155 Welding and burning
22.156 Prohibited metals
22.157 Flame arresters
22.158 Mechanical excavators
22.159 Fire resistant fluids
22.160 Combustible dusts
Underground Workings Definitions
"underground working" includes any adit, tunnel, underground excavation, chamber, caisson, raise, shaft, winze or natural entry.
In any underground working, work methods and operations must be in accordance with
(1) If an employer proposes to use methods or equipment which are new or not in accordance with standard practices for underground workings, the employer must, before starting work, submit details of the proposed methods and equipment to the Board for review and acceptance.
(1) Before commencing an underground working, the owner, or if the owner engages another person to be the prime contractor, then that person, must meet with designated officers to review the requirements of this Regulation and other information pertinent to the underground working.
(1) No later than 30 days before commencing an underground project, written notification of the project must be given to the Board by the owner or another person engaged by the owner to be the prime contractor, except that if there is more than one prime contractor employed on the project the notice must be given by the owner.
(3) Any hazards discovered during the work which were not included in the report required by subsection (2)(h) must be reported immediately to the Board.
(1) The employer must ensure that a daily log titled "The Underground Record" is provided and that appropriate information is recorded in it.
(1) The employer must not permit the employment of a worker in an underground working for a period longer than 8 hours in any 24 hours.
In addition to the requirements of sections 3.14 to 3.21, if an underground working has progressed more than 300 m (1,000 ft) underground, a first aid attendant must be available in proximity to the main underground work area.
Underground workers must wear retroreflective devices on their clothing and hard hats.
(1) For non-gassy workings, a minimum of an approved self-rescuer of the air purifying type must be carried by the worker.
(1) The employer must ensure that every worker involved in the active excavation or rehabilitation of an underground working is under the direct supervision of the holder of an underground excavation supervisor certificate acceptable to the Board.
* See also section 117, the Workers Compensation Act.
(1) In every underground working there must be a qualified underground worker safety representative on each shift who is regularly employed at the site, and is
(1) If in the opinion of the supervisor a person's ability is so impaired as to endanger the person's own health and safety or the health and safety of any worker, this person may not enter, remain, or be permitted to enter or remain in any underground working.
If an underground working involves the services of one or more subcontractors or their workers, the person engaged by the owner to be the prime contractor, or, if there is no one such person, then the owner, must ensure that the air in all parts of the underground working, where workers may work or travel, is free from injurious or dangerous concentrations of contaminants and contains sufficient oxygen to prevent danger to the health of anyone in the underground working.
(1) The design for an underground working ventilation system must have the prior written approval of the Board before installation commences.
At every underground working, the employer must appoint a qualified person on site to be responsible for all aspects of ventilation in the underground working.
(1) The employer must ensure that every underground working has a mechanical ventilation system that is
The main ventilation system must be capable of operating on blowing or exhaust duty and be equipped with a reversing switch, which normally will operate on exhaust, and the air flow must be
The portal fan may be operated on blowing duty for an initial tunnel advance not exceeding 300 m (1 000 ft).
The work face must be ventilated by means of an auxiliary fan system which
If any modifications are made to the ventilation system, the employer must inform the Board immediately.
If the ventilation system ceases to function, all contaminant producing work must stop immediately, and all engines must be shut down until ventilation is restored.
Any underground area that is not ventilated must be effectively secured to prevent the entry of workers and posted with signs to warn of the hazard.
(1) Duct air velocities must be measured at least once a week and any deficiencies must be corrected.
Fumes from welding activities underground must be controlled at the source by local exhaust ventilation.
(1) Before a heating system is installed or used in an underground working, the design, specifications, and operating procedure must be submitted to the Board for approval.
(1) The installation of underground heating equipment acceptable to the Board must include provisions for mounting, clearances and air supply, and must meet the applicable requirements of the following standards and codes as amended from time to time:
(2) With the exception of embedded pipes or ducts, all parts of the heating system must be readily accessible for inspection, maintenance, repair, and cleaning.
The following heating devices must not be located in an underground working or within 25 m (80 ft) of the portal:
(1) The employer must ensure that tests of the underground atmosphere are conducted to ensure that an oxygen deficient atmosphere does not exist, that a worker's exposure to air contaminants does not exceed the exposure limits in Part 5 (Chemical and Biological Substances), and that a worker's exposure to respirable combustible dust (RCD) does not exceed its exposure limit, which is 1.5 mg/m3, based on an 8-hour time weighted average.
* See also sections 4.1 and 4.3 of the OHS Regulation.
During construction or excavation of an underground working the employer must ensure that atmospheric tests are made for carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, combustible gases and oxygen content
(1) If the presence of a flammable or toxic gas is suspected or encountered, the employer must ensure that additional tests are made as required.
(1) When excavation commences, the employer must ensure that a survey is conducted to determine if significant levels of ionizing radiation are present at the underground working.
Electrical equipment and wiring in an underground working must meet the requirements of CSA Standard CAN/CSA-M421-93, Use of Electricity in Mines.
(1) An effective radio or telephone communication system must be maintained between the surface and underground work areas including refuge and first aid stations and at least every 600 m (2 000 ft).
(1) The employer must ensure that the minimum illumination measured 1 m (39 in) above the floor or ground level in an underground working is
(1) Cap lamps must be kept in the worker's possession at all times while underground.
The employer must establish a procedure for assessing and maintaining cap lamps or equivalent portable lighting system.
If a worker is required to assess ground conditions in an underground working, at a distance greater than the effective range of a cap lamp, auxiliary lighting must be provided to safely carry out the assessment.
The employer must ensure that battery charging stations are
The employer must ensure that air, water or discharge pipelines are
(1) If the accumulation of water might affect the stability of the working or otherwise endanger workers, the employer must ensure that a suitable system is installed to remove the water.
If there may be a danger to workers from structures for storing water in an underground working, the plans and specifications must be submitted to the Board for approval before construction begins.
(1) The employer must ensure that any railway type conveyance used to transport workers is
(1) Workers may only ride in an appropriate, designated shaft conveyance.
The employer must designate an emergency response coordinator with full authority to implement the emergency procedures.
A test of the evacuation procedure must be done within 3 months of commencing the project, and at least annually thereafter.
(1) A refuge station must be provided within 500 m (1 640 ft) of the main underground work area, which is
(1) The employer must ensure that workers holding certificates of competence in underground mine rescue valid in BC, or other similar certification acceptable to the Board, who are trained in and capable of carrying out the established emergency procedures, are available for rescue operations as follows:
(1) The employer must ensure that self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) for use in emergencies is available and located on the surface as near to the portal as is practicable, and capable of at least 2 hours operation.
(1) Only workers trained for emergencies may enter or remain in any underground working dangerous to life or health by virtue of fire, unplanned explosion, hazardous atmosphere or other hazardous condition, and no other work may be performed until the hazardous condition has been eliminated or controlled.
(f) Repealed. [B.C. Reg. 312/2003, effective October 29, 2003.]
(1) Except when needed for burning or cutting, acetylene, propane, or other volatile fuel must not be permitted underground.
The employer must ensure that mobile diesel equipment used in an underground working is equipped with a fire extinguisher acceptable to the Board.
The employer must ensure that any portal or collar excavation, including the slopes surrounding it, is effectively stabilized to prevent falls of material into the work area, or other effective means are employed to prevent injury to workers due to falls of material.
Prior written acceptance must be obtained from the Board before locating any structure built of combustible material, or any hazardous material storage, within 25 m (80 ft) of an entrance to an underground working.
Any support system projecting outside an underground working must be of sufficient strength to ensure that it does not break or collapse should material fall from above.
Storage facilities for hazardous liquids must be located so that spillage will not flow towards an underground working.
The employer must ensure that any part of the underground working accessible to workers is effectively scaled and stabilized, or secured to prevent entry by unauthorized persons, and is periodically inspected by a qualified person to prevent the development of unsafe conditions.
(1) The employer must ensure that any active underground working is examined and, if necessary, scaled daily or otherwise stabilized as the nature of the ground and the work being performed necessitates.
(1) The employer must ensure that shotcrete equipment is maintained in good operating condition, and that all practical measures are taken to control dust at the source during shotcreting operations.
Operators of cranes or other mobile equipment engaged in ground control activities must be protected against falling, flying, or intruding objects or material, by means of suitable cabs, screens, grills, shields, deflectors, guards or structures.
(1) Whenever there is the possibility of encountering excessive water, gas, or other hazard, probe holes must be drilled deep enough to identify the hazard or at least 2 rounds ahead of the round to be blasted.
When workers are working at adjacent underground work sites, they must agree to mutually acceptable blasting times and procedures.
The employer must ensure that an underground working is not abandoned, nor work discontinued, until material broken in the last round has been cleared from the face of the heading, and the face examined for holes or sockets containing explosives.
(1) The transport of explosives from the magazine or other surface storage place must be arranged so that no undue delay will occur between the time the explosives leave the surface storage and the time they are properly stored or used underground.
(1) When explosives are transported in underground workings by means of tracked or trackless mechanical haulage,
(1) If mechanical track haulage is used the locomotive must pull the conveyance carrying explosives as close to the point of use as possible.
(1) Explosives must not be stored underground without the prior approval of the Board.
(3) The magazine or storage container must meet type 4 or type 6 magazine specifications under the Explosives Act (Canada) and be conspicuously marked by a "Danger - Explosives" sign or signs.
* See section 21.40 of the OHS Regulation.
Explosives used in underground workings must
The blasting line must
Where a safe means of exit can not be guaranteed, such as in a shaft or raise, a remote means of initiation must be used.
An effective water spray (atomizer) must be activated in every development heading at the time of the blast.
(1) Written procedures for atmospheric testing and return to the blast site must be developed for each underground working.
Before other work can take place in a blasting area,
(1) Mechanical excavating devices, such as tunnel boring machines and road headers, must have an effective dust control and ventilation system which maintains workers' exposure to dust below the applicable exposure limits in this Regulation.
Before any work is done in the confined area at the head of a tunnel boring machine, the machine head must be retracted a full piston stroke from the face, if possible.
Elevated work in connection with mechanical excavating equipment must be carried out using suitable work platforms.
(1) An inspection and maintenance log must be provided and maintained for each unit of mobile equipment used underground.
(1) Only diesel fueled internal combustion engines may be used underground.
(1) All diesel powered mobile equipment used underground, capable of holding more than 25 litres (5.5 imp gal) of combustible fluids, must be fitted with a multinozzle fire suppression system in accordance with CSA Standard CAN/CSA-M424.2-M90, Non-Rail-Bound Diesel-Powered Machines for Use in Non-Gassy Underground Mines, which operates automatically in the event of a fire.
(1) Hoses and lines ducting flammable or combustible liquid on mobile equipment used underground must be installed in accordance with CSA Standard CAN/CSA-M424.2-M90, Non-Rail-Bound Diesel-Powered Machines for Use in Non-Gassy Underground Mines.
Any diesel engine being operated in an underground working must
(1) The employer must ensure that a written traffic control scheme is developed for the underground working which provides that where a worker or workers are working in proximity to track or mobile equipment, both the workers and the equipment operators are fully aware of each others' presence.
(1) The employer must ensure that a clear space is provided in an underground working for safely passing workers or equipment which provides
(1) The employer must ensure that a locomotive is equipped with
Workers must not pass
(1) The employer must establish and workers must follow safe work procedures for switching cars.
The employer must ensure that derailed equipment is rerailed by means of jacks or other mechanical devices designed for this purpose.
(1) The operator of a locomotive must ensure that
(1) Rail tracks in use must
(1) If trackless loading and hauling equipment is to be operated by an automatic system or by remote control, prior written acceptance must be obtained from the Board.
The employer must ensure that automatic or remote control equipment is fitted with lights which indicate the width of the vehicle.
The employer must ensure that haulage roads are free of holes, ruts, excessive water and loose rock, and are maintained in safe operating condition.
(1) The employer must ensure that waste dumps or spoil areas
(1) The employer must
The driver of a haulage truck must not
A qualified and suitably equipped person, who is responsible for directing traffic at a dump point, must inspect the condition of the dump site as required and report any dangerous or abnormal condition to a supervisor so that corrective action can be taken.
A track waste dump must be equipped with
If an electrical trolley system is used in dumping operations
(1) The employer must ensure that
The employer must ensure that explosives are not taken up the raise until all holes are drilled and are ready for loading.
The employer must ensure that a suspended drill platform
(1) Before a raise climber is installed, the Board must be notified and, if required, the employer must submit the design drawings and technical details of the installation, including construction materials, rated load capacities, dimensions, operating controls and safety features.
(3) A raise climber must not be put into service unless a certificate is available from the manufacturer, or a professional engineer, attesting that all critical load bearing components of the complete assembly and its accessories have been inspected and non- destructively tested by approved methods.
(4) At least once a year after it has been put into service, or when ordered by the Board, any part of a raise climber installation which if it failed could endanger workers must be non-destructively tested by persons certified in accordance with CGSB Standard CAN/CGSB-48.9712-95, Qualification and Certification of Non-destructive Testing Personnel and a copy of the test report must be made available on site for inspection by an officer.
Every raise climber must have a durable and legible identification plate which shows
(1) Raise climbers must be equipped with at least 2 separate and independently operated service brakes, each capable of safely stopping and holding the conveyance under all rated conditions of load and speed.
In electrically powered raise climber must have at least one service brake which automatically applies in the event of an interruption of the power supply to the climber, and in such an event, the service brake must be capable of being
(1) Raise climber brakes must either be designed to compensate automatically for lining wear, or the means for manual adjustment must be readily accessible.
Every raise climber must have all exposed gearing, chain drives, couplings, or any moving parts which could endanger workers effectively guarded or otherwise protected.
(1) All operating controls of a raise climber must be situated in a convenient position to allow for their safe operation.
(1) All electrical equipment, including switches, connectors, wiring and cables must be designed, installed and weatherproofed to ensure the integrity of the electric components under all operating conditions.
(1) Repealed. [B.C. Reg. 420/2004, effective January 1, 2005.]
No more than one raise climber conveyance may be installed in a raise unless approved by the Board.
The static factor of safety of all load carrying components of raise climbers and associated equipment must be no less than 5 under the maximum rated load conditions.
(1) Only racks and pinions supplied by the manufacturer or certified by a professional engineer may be used.
22.123 Modification restriction
(1) An effective means of communication must be provided between a raise climber conveyance and the base from which it operates.
(1) After a raise climber is installed and before it is put into service, the complete installation must be inspected and tested by authorized workers who have available to them the manufacturer's or professional engineer's manual which details specifications and test procedures.
(1) Whenever a raise climber is operating, the end of the track on which it travels must be fitted with a stop block to prevent the conveyance from being taken beyond the end of the track.
(1) The employer must appoint qualified persons to establish mechanical and electrical maintenance schedules for each raise climber, and to ensure that all maintenance is carried out in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations and the requirements of this Regulation.
If a worker carrying out a prescribed inspection or test on a raise climber installation finds a defect, fault, malfunction or any other condition which could affect the safe operation of the equipment, the worker must immediately notify the supervisor in charge of the installation, and the raise climber must not be used until remedial action has been taken and the supervisor authorizes a resumption of use.
(2) Repairs to a rack or pinion must only be carried out under the direction of a manufacturer's representative or a professional engineer, and the repaired components must be non-destructively tested in accordance with the requirements of section 22.110(4).
(1) Means must be readily available to enable workers to descend from a raise climber in the event of a power failure or other emergency.
The supervisor in charge of a raise climber installation must ensure that the maximum load specified on the identification plate is never exceeded.
Except for inspection purposes workers are prohibited from riding on work platforms while they are in motion.
When ascending the raise following a blast, the operator must carefully monitor the condition of the guide rail and rack ahead of the conveyance.
(1) Equipment or materials being carried in a raise climber conveyance must be properly secured.
The electrical supply to an electrically driven raise climber must be disconnected during preparation for a blast.
The employer must ensure that a raise climber is thoroughly cleaned at least weekly.
Excavation of shafts and installation of hoists in an underground working must be in accordance with the applicable regulations from the Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia or such other requirements as the Board may prescribe.
The employer must ensure that ladder ways, access ways, and platforms are maintained in a safe and clean condition and kept clear of the material hoist system.
22.141 Fixed ladders
Before a worker is permitted to enter a large diameter hole (LDH)
The employer must ensure that, before a worker enters a vertical LDH,
Workers entering large diameter holes must not descend more than 3 m (10 ft) below the casing of the hole unless ground conditions have been inspected and certified safe in writing by a professional engineer, and copies of the certification must be maintained at the worksite.
If water may be encountered in the hole, the bottom of the work platform must be fitted with flotation devices capable of positively supporting the platform and its load.
* See Part 9 (Confined Spaces) of the OHS Regulation.
If an underground working is classified as gassy a written notice specifying the contaminant gas or vapour must be posted at a conspicuous location on the worksite.
Every worker in a gassy underground working must be
In a gassy underground working additional testing for the naturally occurring gases must be conducted continuously
Continuous explosive gas monitors must be equipped with automatic alarm systems that are set and maintained to warn workers to evacuate at 20% of the lower explosive limit (LEL), or if the gas monitor malfunctions.
The main ventilation system must be on an independent electrical circuit and fans must be explosion proof and non-sparking.
If the ventilation system malfunctions
The air velocity in the main air duct must be measured at least once a day.
Workers are not permitted to smoke, or to carry or keep ignition material in an underground working if flammable gas is present.
For welding, burning or other spark producing operations, the employer must ensure that
Objects made of or containing aluminum, magnesium, titanium or light metal alloy are prohibited in a flammable gassy underground working, except for electrical equipment within a flameproof enclosure, or circumstances where there is no possibility of friction or impact.
An internal combustion engine used in a gassy underground working must be equipped with a flame arrester at the exhaust outlet.
If a mechanical excavator is used
(1) In a gassy underground working, or in a working containing combustible dusts in sufficient quantity to present a fire or explosion hazard, fire resistant fluids meeting the requirements of CSA Standard CAN/CSA-M423-M87 Fire Resistant Hydraulic Fluids, category 1 or 2 must be used in hydraulic systems of more than 10 litre (2.2 imp gal) capacity on equipment in use underground.
(1) If an underground working or portion of an underground working contains or has the potential to contain coal dust or other combustible dusts in quantities sufficient to present a fire/explosion hazard, the Board may require additional safety measures to be instituted.