24Ventilation requirements for diesel unit operations

24 Ventilation requirements for diesel unit operations

(1)  This regulation applies in respect of an underground mine in which one or more diesel units are used.

(2)  The mine operator must ensure that there is maintained, in each workplace at the mine in which a diesel unit is operated, a flow of air that is sufficient –

(a) to dilute the engine exhaust gases to the lowest practicable levels; and

(b) to ensure that the air flow is not in any case less than the minimum ventilation rate of air flow specified for the purposes of this regulation.

Penalty:  In the case of –

(a) a body corporate, a fine not exceeding $13 000; and

(b) an individual, a fine not exceeding $6 500.

(3)  For the purposes of subregulation (2) , the minimum ventilation rate of air flow for a workplace at a mine is –

(a) the greater of –

(i) 3.5 cubic metres per second if the mine is an underground coal mine, or 2.5 cubic metres per second if the mine is any other underground mine; or

(ii) the rate, for the diesel units operated in the workplace, calculated in accordance with subregulations (4) , (5) and (6) ; or

(b) in relation to a diesel unit, or to an underground mine, that is specified in a determination under subregulation (7) , the rate specified in the determination.

(4)  The minimum ventilation rate of air flow, for a diesel unit operated in a workplace, is –

(a) if the maximum exhaust gas emissions of the engine in the diesel unit contain less than 1 000 ppm of oxides of nitrogen and less than 1 500 ppm of carbon monoxide – 0.05 cubic metres per second per kilowatt of the maximum rated engine output capability, of the unit, that is specified, by the manufacturer of the unit, for the fuelling and timing configuration at which the engine of the unit has been set; or