77Gas monitoring

77 Gas monitoring

77 Gas monitoring

(1) The mine operator of an underground coal mine must ensure the following—

(a) the gas content of the air at the mine is monitored,

(b) a gas content monitoring system is put into place that identifies the following—

(i) the locations at which the gas content of air is to be monitored,

(ii) sets out, for each type of gas being monitored, the gas concentration level (the alarm level) at which alarms will be activated or the supply of power will be cut to a place or plant or both,

(iii) who is authorised to set or change the alarm levels and how the alarm levels or changes to the alarm levels must be recorded,

(iv) who is responsible for acknowledging when the alarm levels are reached and recording the acknowledgments,

(v) who is responsible for communicating that an alarm level has been reached and initiating action as a result of reaching the level,

(vi) response plans to be activated as a result of an alarm level being reached,

(vii) how the actions of persons in response to an alarm level being reached, and the identities of the persons, must be recorded,

(c) the gas content monitoring system is documented,

(d) an accurate plan showing the location of all gas content monitoring plant in the mine is maintained,

(e) the safety management system for the mine specifies the alarm level for each type of gas,

(f) a record is kept of all events where an alarm level is reached,

(g) a recording barometer is provided at the surface,

(h) all gas content monitoring plant is calibrated and maintained,

(i) detection heads of gas content monitoring plant are positioned to maximise the likelihood of detecting the gas being monitored and producing accurate readings,

(j) gas monitoring plant has an alternative power supply to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, the plant continues to function if the normal power supply fails,