Ventilation

• Pages: 43-46

CHAPTER X

VENTILATION

REGULATION 37. GENERAL PROVISIONS

1.

All underground workings accessible to the workers shall

be traversed by a regular air current sufficient to keep them in

a fit state for working and in particular to avoid any excessive

rise in temperature, and to dilute firedamp or any noxious

gases or fumes to safe proportions, in ordinary operating con-

ditions.

2.

Failing an exemption granted by the competent author-

ity, the air velocity in shafts and roadways should not exceed

8 m (25 ft.) per sec, except in shafts, cross-cuts, or main return

airways which are not ordinarily used for the transport of mineral

or the travel of workers.

3.

(1) A place shall not be deemed to be in a fit state for

working if the air contains either less than 19 per cent, of oxygen,

or more than certain percentages of carbon-dioxide and firedamp

respectively, to be specified in national laws or regulations.

(2) Every current of air vitiated by loss of oxygen, an ad-

mixture of noxious or flammable gases, or heated to an excessive

extent, shall as far as practicable be conducted to the surface by

the shortest route.

(3) The extent of the workplaces shall be limited, if necessary,

so as to safeguard workers against excessive deterioration or

temperature of the air.

4.

(1) In every district through ventilation shall be provided

before coal-getting is proceeded with.

(2) All airways, with the exception of air shafts and raises

not ordinarily used for the transport of mineral or the travel of

workers, shall be maintained with sufficient dimensions to permit

the easy and normal transport of men and materials.

5.

(1) No changes shall be made in the general ventilation

system of a mine except by order of the manager.

(2) No major change shall be made unless all employees are

out of the mine, except mine officials and the employees in charge

during the change.