72Specific control – flammable gases and vapours

72 Specific control – flammable gases and vapours

(1)  A person conducting a business or undertaking must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that, while work is being carried out in a confined space, the concentration of any flammable gas, vapour or mist in the atmosphere of the space is less than 5% of its LEL.

Penalty:  In the case of –

(a) an individual, a fine not exceeding $6 000; or

(b) a body corporate, a fine not exceeding $30 000.

(2)  If it is not reasonably practicable to limit the atmospheric concentration of a flammable gas, vapour or mist in a confined space to less than 5% of its LEL and the atmospheric concentration of the flammable gas, vapour or mist in the space is –

(a) equal to or greater than 5% but less than 10% of its LEL, the person must ensure that any worker is immediately removed from the space unless a suitably calibrated, continuous-monitoring flammable gas detector is used in the space; or

(b) equal to or greater than 10% of its LEL, the person must ensure that any worker is immediately removed from the space.

Penalty:  In the case of –

(a) an individual, a fine not exceeding $6 000; or

(b) a body corporate, a fine not exceeding $30 000.