58Atmosphere

58 Atmosphere

(1) An employer or self-employed person must ensure, in relation to work in a confined space, that—

(a) so far as is reasonably practicable, purging or ventilation of any contaminant in the atmosphere of the space is carried out; and

(b) pure oxygen or gas mixtures with oxygen in a concentration greater than 21% by volume are not used for purging or ventilation of any contaminant in the atmosphere of the space.

(2) An employer or self-employed person must ensure, during work in a confined space, that—

(a) the atmosphere of the space has a safe oxygen level; or

(b) if it is not reasonably practicable to comply with paragraph (a), the employee is provided with air-supplied respiratory protective equipment.

(3) An employer must ensure, during work in a confined space, that—

(a) an employee is not exposed to an atmospheric concentration of a contaminant in the atmosphere of the space above the exposure standard (if any) for that contaminant; or

(b) if it is not reasonably practicable to comply with paragraph (a), the employee is provided with air-supplied respiratory protective equipment or other appropriate respiratory protective equipment.

(4) An employer must ensure that an employee uses the personal protective equipment provided under this regulation.

(5) In this regulation, purging means the method by which any contaminant is displaced from a confined space.