sec.359Exposure to atmospheric contaminants other than carbon dioxide

### sec.359 Exposure to atmospheric contaminants other than carbon dioxide 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— mentioned in schedule 6 , column 1; and having a general body concentration exceeding the applicable long-term exposure limit concentration. Subject to subsection (3) , the person may be exposed to the atmosphere for not more than 15 consecutive minutes if— in the 15 minutes— 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 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 the exposure happens— at not less than 1-hour intervals; and not more than 4 times in 8 hours; and the mine has a standard operating procedure for working in the contaminated air to ensure the maximum exposure limit concentration is not exceeded. 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— wearing personal breathing protective equipment; and working under a standard operating procedure for working in air contaminated by hydrogen sulphide. This section does not apply to a person who is wearing self-contained breathing apparatus in an emergency or for a mines rescue purpose. In this section— applicable long-term exposure limit concentration , for a contaminant, means— 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 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— 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 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. (sec.359-ssec.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— mentioned in schedule 6 , column 1; and having a general body concentration exceeding the applicable long-term exposure limit concentration. (sec.359-ssec.2) Subject to subsection (3) , the person may be exposed to the atmosphere for not more than 15 consecutive minutes if— in the 15 minutes— 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 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 the exposure happens— at not less than 1-hour intervals; and not more than 4 times in 8 hours; and the mine has a standard operating procedure for working in the contaminated air to ensure the maximum exposure limit concentration is not exceeded. (sec.359-ssec.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— wearing personal breathing protective equipment; and working under a standard operating procedure for working in air contaminated by hydrogen sulphide. (sec.359-ssec.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. (sec.359-ssec.5) In this section— applicable long-term exposure limit concentration , for a contaminant, means— 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 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— 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 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. - (a) mentioned in schedule 6 , column 1; and - (b) having a general body concentration exceeding the applicable long-term exposure limit concentration. - (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 - (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 - (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. - (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 - (i) at not less than 1-hour intervals; and - (ii) not more than 4 times in 8 hours; and - (a) wearing personal breathing protective equipment; and - (b) working under a standard operating procedure for working in air contaminated by hydrogen sulphide. - (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. - (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.