83Use of cables in hazardous zone

83 Use of cables in hazardous zone

83 Use of cables in hazardous zone

(1) The mine operator of an underground coal mine must ensure no cable is used in a hazardous zone at the mine except as provided by this section.

Maximum penalty—

(a) for an individual—60 penalty units, or

(b) for a body corporate—300 penalty units.

(2) A cable may be used in a hazardous zone where the concentration of methane in the general body of the air is 1.25% by volume or greater only if—

(a) all circuits in the cable are intrinsically safe category ‘Ex ia’ as defined in Australian and New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 60079.11:2011Explosive atmospheres—Equipment protection by intrinsic safety ‘i’, and

(b) the mine operator, in consultation with the individual nominated to exercise the statutory functions of electrical engineering manager at the mine, is satisfied the cable is fit for use in the hazardous zone.

(3) A cable may be used in a hazardous zone where the concentration of methane in the general body of the air is less than 1.25% by volume only if the cable—

(a) is a cable referred to in subsection (2), or

(b) is a cable, other than a reeling or trailing cable, that conforms with Australian and New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1972:2006Electric cables—Underground coal mines—Other than reeling and trailing, or

(c) is a reeling or trailing cable that conforms with Australian and New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1802:2018Electric cables—Reeling and trailing—For underground coal mining, or

(d) is a cable that is determined as fit for use by the mine operator, in consultation with the individual nominated to exercise the statutory functions of electrical engineering manager at the mine.

(4) A cable referred to in subsection (3)(d) must be used solely as—

(a) part of an intrinsically safe circuit, or

(b) an integral part of a cap lamp, or

(c) part of an engineered system.

(5) A cable in subsection (4)(c) must be designed for use only within the engineered system.