Ventilation and firedamp control

• Pages: 75-89

9.

Ventilation and firedamp control

9.1.

General provisions

9.1.1.

All accessible parts of the mine should be constantly

ventilated in a manner adequate to keep those parts in a fit state

for persons to work in or pass through.

9.1.2. A place should not be considered to be in a fit state

to work in or pass through if

the

air contains either less than 19

per cent of oxygen or more than the percentages of carbon

dioxide and firedamp as specified in national laws or

regulations.

9.1.3.

National laws or regulations should also specify the

maximum and minimum temperatures and other en-

vironmental conditions, as appropriate, under which work is

allowed to proceed in any part of the mine.

9.1.4. Where there is evidence that the ventilation of any

part of a mine needs to be improved, the competent authority

should request the manager to effect such improvement.

9.1.5.

(1) All airways should be of adequate dimensions

for the quantity of air they are designed to pass.

(2) They should be systematically inspected and maintained

in good condition.

9.1.6. (1) It should be the duty of the manager to ensure

that in every mine there is a ventilation plan, kept up to date,

which specifies -

(a) the direction and distribution of the air current;

(b) the position of the main doors, any booster and auxiliary

fans,

all air-measuring stations and air crossings;

(c) any other information as may be required by the competent

authority.

(2) It is also his duty to ensure that there is a ventilation

development plan for each development district, showing -

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