S.I. No. 274/1956 - Quarries (General) Regulations, 1956.

S.I. No. 274 of 1956.

QUARRIES (GENERAL) REGULATIONS, 1956.

I, WILLIAM NORTON, Minister for Industry and Commerce, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by section 86 of the Coal Mines Act, 1911, as adapted by the Adaptation of Enactments Act, 1922 (No. 2 of 1922), and as applied to quarries by virtue of section 19 of the Mining Industry Act, 1920, and subsection (2) of section 128 of the Factories Act, 1955 (No. 10 of 1955), hereby, after due compliance with the provisions of Part I of the Second Schedule to the Coal Mines Act, 1911, make the following general regulations :—

PART I. PRELIMINARY AND GENERAL.

1 Short title and commencement.

1. (1) These Regulations may be cited as the Quarries (General) Regulations, 1956.

(2) These Regulations shall come into operation on the 12th day of November, 1956.

2 Application of Interpretation Act, 1937 .

2. The Interpretation Act, 1937 (No. 38 of 1937), applies to these Regulations.

3 ..

3. In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires—

" the Acts " means the Quarries Act, 1894, the sections of the Metalliferous Mines Regulation Acts, 1872 and 1875, thereby made applicable to quarries, and the Mining Industry Act, 1920 ;

" the Regulations " means the general regulations for the time being in force with respect to the quarry ;

" special rules " means special rules established for, and for the time being in force at, the quarry under sections 24, 25, 26, or 27 of the Metalliferous Mines Regulation Act, 1872 ;

" owner " when used in relation to any quarry, means any person or body corporate who is the immediate proprietor or lessee or occupier of any quarry or of any part thereof and does not include a person or body corporate who merely receives a royalty, rent or fine from a quarry, or is merely the proprietor of a quarry subject to any lease, grant or licence for the working thereof, or is merely the owner of the soil and not interested in the minerals of the quarry ;

" inspector " means an inspector appointed under section 15 of the Metalliferous Mines Regulation Act, 1872 ;

" Minister " means the Minister for Industry and Commerce ;

" agent " when used in relation to any quarry, means any person having, on behalf of the owner, care or direction of any quarry or of any part thereof ;

" overburden " means any ground or material lying on the rock or other mineral to be worked.

4 Application of these Regulations.

4. (1) These Regulations shall apply to every quarry of whatever depth as if they were special rules established for the quarry under the Metalliferous Mines Regulation Act, 1872.

(2) In respect of any quarry at which fewer than ten persons are employed at the same time and at which mechanical power is not used, paragraphs (4) and (6) of Regulation 8 and paragraph (2) of Regulation 20 of these Regulations, so far as they relate to the posting of notices, the making of written reports and the keeping of report books, shall apply only if and in so far as the Minister is satisfied that it is reasonably practicable for them to be complied with and has served notice in writing on the owner or agent requiring compliance with them or any of them.

(3) The Minister may exempt from the application of any of the provisions mentioned in paragraph (2) of this Regulation any other quarry in respect of which he is satisfied that it is not reasonably practicable for the owner or agent to comply with such provision.

(4) These Regulations shall be in addition to and not in diminution of special rules.

PART II. SAFETY (GENERAL PROVISIONS).

5 Working of the quarry.

5. (1) The working of the sides and of the overburden or tops of the quarry shall be carried on so as to prevent dangerous falls of ground or materials.

(2) The overburden shall be cleared back a sufficient distance from the working face of the quarry to prevent danger from falls. Where, owing to the position of the boundary, the natural conditions or other special circumstances, the Minister is satisfied that it is impracticable to adhere to this requirement, he may grant an exemption subject to such conditions as to working as he may think proper to ensure safety.

(3) Except with the approval of, and subject to conditions laid down in writing by, the Minister, the face of the quarry or of any gallery shall not be worked so that it assumes an overhanging position.

(4) Secure means of access by which all persons employed can go to and from their working places shall be provided and maintained in good condition by the owner or agent. No ladderused as a means of access to or egress from the quarry shall be fixed in an overhanging position or at an inclination to the horizontal of more than seventy-five degrees. Every such ladder in regular use shall have substantial platforms at intervals of not more than ten yards, and a strong hold-fast at each platform and the ladder shall project at least three feet above the platform in every case ; and, where necessary for safety, a handrail shall be provided in the case of ladders of a permanent character.

(5) Where machinery is used for raising or lowering persons, regulations shall be made by the owner or agent to suit the special circumstances of the case, copies of which shall be kept constantly affixed in the office at the quarry and in a convenient place adjacent to the said machinery.

6 Explosives.

6. (1) No explosives shall be used in any quarry except in accordance with the provisions of this Regulation and the provisions of special rules.

(2) No explosive shall be taken into or used in any quarry except explosive provided by the owner, who shall also provide a suitable place or magazine for storage of explosives.

(3) All explosives shall be conveyed from the place of storage or magazine to the quarry in secure cases or canisters so made and closed as to prevent any escape of the explosives and any danger from sparks.

(4) No explosive shall be taken out of any such secure case or canister unless it is to be forthwith used for blasting.

(5) Every workman or gang of workmen temporarily in possession of explosives shall keep them, when not required for immediate use, in a properly constructed locked place or chest provided exclusively for the purpose ; and such place shall not be within and such chest shall not be taken into any place where there is a fire nor into any mess-room or work-room or similar place where persons congregate. The interior of every such locked place and chest shall be kept clean and free from grit.

(6) Detonators shall be kept in secure and securely locked boxes separate from any other explosive and such boxes shall not be placed in any receptacle containing other explosives.

(7) No person shall smoke or have any naked light while carrying, handling or using explosive or while within twenty feet of any person who is so doing ; but this provision shall not prevent the use of a naked light for firing a shot.

(8) No boring shall be done in, or metal tool introduced into, any hole or socket of a hole which has been blasted with gelignite or any other explosive containing nitroglycerine or guncotton.

7 Notice of working of quarry.

7. Where the working of a quarry is commenced the owner or agent shall give notice thereof in writing to the Minister within two months after such commencement.

8 General duties of owner or agent.

8. (1) The owner or agent shall comply with the provisions of the Regulations and to the best of his power enforce the observance thereof. If the owner does not himself exercise close and effective supervision of all the operations at the quarry, he shall appoint, in writing an agent for the purpose.

(2) The owner or agent, shall see that a sufficient supply of proper materials and appliances is at all times provided and maintained in an efficient state for the purpose of ensuring the safety of the quarry and the persons employed and of carrying out the provisions of the Acts, the Regulations, the special rules and any regulations made by the owner or agent in pursuance thereof.

(3) (a) The owner or agent or some competent person or persons appointed by the owner or agent for the purpose, shall daily inspect—

(i) every working place and travelling road, and all adjacent places from which danger might arise, including the overburden or tops of, and all means of access to, the quarry ;

(ii) the external parts of all plant, machinery and appliances, including all chains, ropes, chain and rope attachments and ladders used by persons employed.

(b) If any danger is revealed by the inspection, steps shall be taken at once to remove it and, except for that purpose, any person exposed to the danger shall be withdrawn.

(4) A true report of every such inspection shall be made and signed forthwith by the person who has made the inspection and shall be kept at the quarry. A true report of any danger revealed in the course of the inspection, or any other danger observed by or notified to the owner or agent, together with the steps taken toremove the danger, shall be made and shall be signed and dated by the person making the entry.

(5) All such reports as are by the Regulations and special rules required to be kept at the quarry shall be in such form as the Minister determines and shall be provided by the owner or agent and the reports or a correct copy thereof shall be kept at the quarry or, in the case of a group of quarries in the same ownership, at a place to be approved by an inspector. Any inspector and anyone having the written authority of any inspector and any representative of the workmen employed at the quarry may, at all reasonable times, inspect and take copies of and extracts from any such reports ; but nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to impose the obligation of keeping any such report or a copy thereof for more than twelve months after the making of such report.

(6) For the purpose of making known the provisions of the Acts, the Regulations and the special rules to all persons employed in and about the quarry, the owner or agent shall cause a copy of the Regulations and a copy of the special rules to be kept posted up in some conspicuous place at or near the quarry where they may be conveniently read by the persons employed.

9 Persons employed.

9. (1) Every person employed at the quarry shall comply with the provisions of the Acts, the Regulations and the special rules and any regulations made by the owner or agent in pursuance thereof and with such directions concerning safety and discipline as may be given to him by those in authority over him.

(2) Every workman employed at the quarry shall, before commencing work and during the course of it, and especially after blasting, make a careful examination of his working place, and remove any loose rock, stones or ground which might be dangerous.

(3) Every person employed at the quarry who notices anything that appears unsafe or likely to cause danger, shall remedy the matter if it is within the scope of his duty and, if not, shall forthwith report it to the owner or agent.

(4) No person employed at the quarry shall throw down rock, stones, ground or other material so as to endanger other persons.

(5) No person shall remain under a suspended wagon or load. No person shall travel or be allowed to travel by means of an aerial ropeway without special permission from the owner or agent.

PART III. HEALTH AND WELFARE.

10 First aid.

10. The owner or agent shall provide and maintain so as to be readily accessible a first-aid box or cupboard of such standard as may be determined by the Minister, and nothing except appliances or requisites for first aid shall be kept in a first-aid box or cupboard.

11 Sanitary conveniences.

11. If the Minister is satisfied on representations made to him or otherwise that sanitary conveniences ought to be provided at any quarry, he may by notice served in writing require that sufficient and suitable sanitary conveniences shall be provided by the owner or agent.

12 Lighting.

12. The owner or agent shall maintain sufficient and suitable lighting, whether natural or artificial, in every part of the quarry in which persons are working and in any part of the quarry where the absence of such lighting would constitute a danger.

13 Suppression of dust and removal of fume.

13. (1) Where, in connection with the carrying on of any operation or process in a building at a quarry, there is given off dust of such character or to such extent as to be likely to be injurious or offensive to the persons employed, or any substantial quantity of dust of any kind, all practicable measures shall be taken to protect the persons employed against inhalation of the dust and to prevent its accumulating in any work-room, and in particular, where the nature of the process makes it practicable, exhaust appliances shall be provided and maintained as near as possible to the point of origin of the dust so as to prevent it entering the air of any building or shed.

(2) The following provisions shall apply to the working of silica rock :—

(a) No person shall use or cause or allow to be used in the quarry any rock drill worked by mechanical power unless an efficient jet or spray or other equally efficient means is provided and used so as entirely to prevent the escape of dust into the air.

(b) No stone shall be crushed or ground in a stone-breaking machine or grinding machine unless such machine—

(i) is provided with an exhaust fan and efficient dust collecting appliances so arranged as to prevent the escape of dust into the air of any place in which work is carried on ; or

(ii) is provided with an efficient water or steam spray or other arrangement to prevent the escape of dust into the air ; or

(iii) is so entirely enclosed as to prevent the escape of dust into the air.

For the purposes of this paragraph, silica rock means quartz, quartzite, ganister, sandstone, gritstone and chert but does not include natural sand or rotten rock.

(3) No internal combustion engine shall be used in any building or shed unless provision is made for conducting the exhaust gases from the engine into the open air.

14 Changing and messing accommodation.

14. (1) The owner or agent shall provide and maintain, for the use of persons employed, a suitable place or places for changing clothes and for the taking of meals, and such arrangements as are reasonably practicable for drying clothes and for the provision of an adequate supply of clean and wholesome drinking water.

(2) At every quarry where more than thirty persons are employed the accommodation provided for changing and drying clothes shall be separate from the accommodation provided for the taking of meals, and the latter accommodation shall be furnished with adequate means of warming food and boiling water.

(3) If the Minister, after consultation with the owner or agent and with the persons employed or their representatives, is satisfied as respects any quarry that the application of any of the requirements of this Regulation would be unreasonable or impracticable, he may, by certificate in writing, exempt the quarry from such requirements.

15 Lifting excessive weights.

15. No person shall be employed in lifting, carrying or moving anything so heavy as to be likely to cause injury to him.

16 Protection of eyes.

16. Suitable goggles or effective screens shall be provided by the owner to protect the eyes of the persons employed in any of the following processes :

(a) breaking and dressing of stone or slate when carried on by means of hand tools or other portable tools ;

(b) welding or cutting of metals by means of an electrical, oxy-acetylene or similar process.

PART IV. MACHINERY, PLANT AND BUILDINGS.

17 Machinery in motion.

17. (1) Machinery shall not be cleaned while in motion.

(2) Machinery shall not be oiled or greased while in motion unless provision be made for the operation to be performed in safety.

(3) Belts shall not be put on or put off while machinery is in motion by mechanical power except by means of a safety contrivance.

18 Fencing.

18. (1) Every fly-wheel and all exposed and dangerous parts of machinery shall be kept securely fenced.

(2) The top of every shaft and, as far as reasonably practicable, the top of every quarry, where dangerous, and the top of every hopper and kiln shall be kept securely fenced.

(3) All gantries and platforms (other than temporary wheeling-planks) where dangerous, shall be securely fenced on each open side and shall have on each such side a continuous skirting board not less than six inches deep, except in the case of gantries and platforms in the form of bridges, which shall have on each such side a continuous skirting board not less than nine inches deep, but if an inspector is satisfied as respects any quarry that the application of the requirements of this paragraph to any platform would be unreasonable or impracticable he may by certificate in writing exempt the quarry from such requirements in respect of any such platform.

(4) For every staircase in a building or affording a means of exit from a building and for every gangway and gantry a substantial hand-rail shall be provided and maintained on each open side, and any open side of any staircase shall also be guarded by the provision and maintenance of a lower rail or other effective means.

(5) All openings in floors of buildings shall be kept securely fenced except in so far as the nature of the work renders such fencing impracticable.

(6) All floors, steps, stairs and passages in a building or affording a means of exit from a building and all gangways, gantries and platforms shall be of sound construction and properly maintained.

(7) All fencing or other safeguards provided in pursuance of the foregoing provisions of this Regulation shall be of substantial construction and constantly maintained.

(8) Efficient devices or appliances shall be provided and maintained in every room or place where work is carried on, by which the power can promptly be cut off from the machinery in that room or place.

19 Chains, ropes and lifting tackle.

19. (1) No chain, rope or lifting tackle shall be used unless it is of good construction, sound material, adequate strength and free from patent defect.

(2) In this Regulation " lifting tackle " means chain slings, rope slings, rings, hooks, shackles and swivels.

20 Lifting machines.

20. (1) All parts and working gear whether fixed or movable, including the anchoring and fixing appliances, of every lifting machine and transporter shall be of good construction, sound material, adequate strength and free from patent defect, and shall be properly maintained. For the purpose of this paragraph " lifting machine " means a crane, crab or winch.

(2) All such parts and gear as aforesaid of every lifting machine shall, at least once in every period of fourteen months, be thoroughly examined by a competent person who shall make a written report in such form as may be determined by the Minister as to their condition and safety ; and the like examination and report shall be made in respect of any lifting machine which has previously been used and has since been dismantled or has been out of regular use for a period exceeding two months, before it is taken into use at any quarry for the first time at that quarry. For the purpose of this paragraph and the succeeding paragraphs of this Regulation " lifting machine " means a power operated crane, crab or winch.

(3) All rails on which a travelling crane moves shall be of proper size and adequate strength and have an even running surface ; and any such rails shall be properly laid, adequately supported and properly maintained. Where necessary to prevent danger, an adequate stop block shall be provided to limit the travel of the crane.

(4) There shall be plainly marked on every lifting machine the safe working load or loads thereof, except that, in the case of a jib crane so constructed that the safe working load may be varied by the raising or lowering of the jib, there shall be attached thereto either an automatic indicater of safe working loads or a table indicating the safe working loads at corresponding inclinations of the jib or corresponding radii of the load.

(5) No lifting machine shall, except for the purpose of a test, be loaded beyond the safe working load as marked or indicated under paragraph (4) of this Regulation.

(6) Every lifting machine shall be provided with an efficient catch or an efficient brake.

21 Steam boilers

21. (1) Every steam boiler used for generating steam, whether separate or one of a range, shall be fitted with—

(a) a proper safety valve ;

(b) a suitable fusible plug or an efficient low water alarm device, unless the steam boiler is externally fired ;

(c) a steam-guage and water-gauge to show, respectively, the pressure of steam and the height of water in each boiler.

Provided that subparagraphs (b) and (c) of this paragraph shall not apply to either economisers or superheaters.

(2) Every steam boiler and all its fittings and attachments shall be maintained in proper working condition, and all water-gauges shall be adequately protected by a covering or guard, unless so constructed as to be equally safe to the persons employed whether so protected or not.

(3) The person appointed to attend to any steam boiler shall not, except with the authority of the official under whose direction he works, alter or permit anyone to alter the setting of any safety valve, and only suitable and proper weights or springs shall be used.

(4) Every steam boiler and all its fittings and attachments shall—

(a) be cleaned out by a competent person once at least in every seven months ; and

(b) be examined thoroughly by a competent person once at least in every 14 months and also after any extensive repairs.

(5) A report of the result of every such examination in such form and containing such particulars (including the maximum permissible working pressure) as may be determined by the Minister shall, within twenty-eight days of the completion of the examination be kept at the quarry or elsewhere as provided for in paragraph (5) of Regulation 8 of these Regulations, and the report shall be signed by the person making the examination and, if that person is an inspector of a boiler-inspecting company or association, countersigned by the chief engineer or other duly authorised officer of the company or association.

(6) No steam boiler which has previously been used and has since been dismantled or has been out of regular use for a period exceedingone month, shall be taken into use at a quarry for the first time at that quarry until it has been examined and reported on in accordance with subparagraph (b) of paragraph (4) and paragraph (5) of this Regulation ; and no new steam boiler shall be taken into use unless there has been obtained from the manufacturer of the boiler, or from a boiler-inspecting company or association, a certificate specifying the maximum permissible working pressure thereof, and stating the nature of the tests to which the boiler and fittings have been submitted, and the certificate is kept available for inspection, and the boiler is so marked as to enable it to be identified as the boiler to which the certificate relates.

(7) In this Regulation " steam boiler " means any closed vessel in which, for any purpose, steam is generated under pressure greater than atmospheric pressure, and includes any economiser used to heat water being fed to any such vessel and any super-heater used for heating steam.

22 Air receivers.

22. Every receiver for compressed air shall—

(1) have marked upon it so as to be plainly visible the maximum safe working pressure and be fitted with a correct pressure gauge ;

(2) be fitted with a suitable safety valve so adjusted as to permit the air to escape as soon as the safe working pressure is exceeded ;

(3) be fitted with a blow-off cock through which any fluid which may have accumulated in the receiver may be blown off, and such blow-off cock shall be opened at least once in every working day while the plant is running ;

(4) be thoroughly cleaned and examined by a competent person once at least in every twenty-six months, and a report of the result of such examination in such form and containing such particulars as may be determined by the Minister shall be kept at the quarry or at the place approved under paragraph (5) of Regulation 8 of these Regulations

Provided that, in the case of a receiver of solid drawn construction—

(a) the person making any such examination may specify in writing a period exceeding twenty-six months but not exceeding four years within which the next examination is to be made ; and

(b) if it is so constructed that the internal surface cannot be thoroughly examined, a suitable hydraulic test of the receiver shall be carried out in lieu of internal examination.

(5) for the purpose of paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Regulation, any set of air receivers supplied with air through a single pipe to which a pressure gauge and safety valve are fitted may be treated as one receiver ;

(6) in this Regulation " air receiver " means—

(a) any vessel (other than a pipe or coil, or an accessory, fitting or part of a compressor) for containing compressed air and connected with an air compressing plant ;

(b) any fixed vessel for containing compressed air or compressed exhaust gases and used for the purpose of starting an internal combustion engine.

PART V. ELECTRICITY.

23 Duties.

23. (1) It shall be the duty of the consumer to comply with and to enforce these Regulations.

(2) It shall be the duty of all contractors, workmen and persons employed to conduct their work in accordance with these Regulations.

24 Definitions.

24. In this Part of these Regulations—

" pressure " means the difference of electrical potential between any two conductors or between a conductor and earth as measured by a suitable electrostatic volt-meter ;

" low pressure " means a pressure in a system—

(a) normally not exceeding 250 volts to earth, or

(b) normally not exceeding 500 volts between conductors in a system that is not earthed ;

" high pressure " means a pressure in a system—

(a) normally exceeding 250 volts to earth, or

(b) normally exceeding 500 volts between conductors in a system that is not earthed ;

" system " means an electrical system in which all the conductors and apparatus are electrically connected to a common source of electro-motive force ;

"conductor" means an electrical conductor arranged to be electrically connected to a system ;

" apparatus " means electrical apparatus, and includes all apparatus, machines, and fittings in which conductors are used or of which they form a part ;

" circuit " means an electrical circuit forming a system or branch of a system ;

" insulating stand " means a floor, platform, stand or mat of such size, quality and construction, according to the circumstances, of the use thereof, that a person is thereby adequately protected from danger ;

" insulating screen ", " insulating boots " and " insulating gloves " mean, respectively, a screen, boots and gloves of such size, quality and construction according, to the circumstances of the use thereof, that a person is thereby adequately protected from danger ;

" covered with insulating material " means adequately covered with insulating material of such quality and thickness that there is no danger ;

" bare " means not covered with insulating material ;

" live " means electrically charged ;

" dead " means at or about zero potential, and disconnected from any live system ;

" earthed " means connected to the general mass of earth in such manner as will ensure at all times an immediate discharge of electrical energy without danger ;

" substation " means any premises or that part of any premises in which electrical energy at high pressure is distributed, or in which electrical energy is transformed or converted to or from high pressure except for the purpose of working instruments, relays or similar auxiliary apparatus ;

" switchboard " means the collection of switches or fuses, conductors and other apparatus in connection therewith, used for the purpose of controlling the current of pressure in any system or part of a system ;

" switchboard passage-way " means any passage-way or compartment large enough for a person to enter, and used in connection with a switchboard when live ;

" authorised person " means (a) the consumer, or (b) a contractor for the time being under contract with the consumer, or (c) a person employed, appointed or selected by the consumer or by such contractor to carry out certain duties incidental to the generation, transformation, distribution or use of electrical energy, such consumer, contractor, or person being a person who is competent for the purposes of the regulation in which the expression is used ;

" danger " means danger to health or danger to life or limb from shock, burn or other injury to persons employed, or from fire attendant upon the generation, transformation, distribution or use of electrical energy ;

" public supply " means the supply of electrical energy (a) by any local authority, company or person authorised by Act of the Oireachtas or Provisional Order confirmed by the Oireachtas or by licence or order of the Electricity Supply Board to give a supply of electrical energy ; or (b) otherwise under Electricity Supply Board regulations ;

" consumer " means the owner or agent of the quarry.

25 Exemptions.

25. (1) Nothing in this Part of these Regulations shall apply to any service lines or apparatus on the supply side of the consumer's terminals, or to any chamber containing such service lines or apparatus, where the supply is given from outside under Electricity Supply Board Regulations ; provided always that no live metal is exposed so that it may be touched.

(2) If the consumer can show, with regard to any requirement of this Part of these Regulations, that the special conditions in his premises are such as adequately to prevent danger, that requirement shall be deemed to be satisfied ; and the Minister may by notice in writing direct that any class of special conditions defined in the notice shall be deemed for the purposes of all or any of the requirements of this Part of these Regulations adequately to prevent danger, and may revoke such notice by a further notice in writing.

(3) Nothing in this Part of these Regulations shall apply to any process or apparatus used exclusively for electro-chemical or electro-thermal or testing or research purposes ; provided such process be so worked and such apparatus so constructed and protected and such special precautions taken as may be necessary to prevent danger.

(4) Nothing in this Part of these Regulations shall apply to any system used exclusively for signalling or telephones and supplied with energy from a battery of primary or secondary cells at a voltage not exceeding fifty volts, nor to any system used exclusively for telephones and supplied with energy from magneto generators operated by hand.

(5) The Minister may by notice in writing exempt from the operation of all or any of this Part of these Regulations any premises to which any special rules or regulations under any other Act as to the generation, transformation, distribution or use of electrical energy apply, and may revoke such notice by a further notice in writing.

(6) The Minister may, if satisfied that safety is otherwise practically secured or that exemption is necessary on the ground of emergency or special circumstances, grant such exemption by notice in writing, subject to any conditions that he may determine, and may revoke such notice by a further notice in writing.

26 Use of electricity.

26. (1) All apparatus and conductors shall be sufficient in size and power for the work they are called upon to do, and so constructed, installed, protected, worked and maintained as to prevent danger so far as is reasonably practicable.

(2) All conductors shall either be covered with insulating material and further efficiently protected where necessary to, prevent danger, or they shall be so placed and safeguarded as to. prevent danger so far as is reasonably practicable.

(3) Every switch, switch-fuse, circuit-breaker and isolating link shall be—

(a) so constructed, placed or protected as to prevent danger ;

(b) so constructed and adjusted as accurately to make and to maintain good contact ;

(c) provided with an efficient handle or other means of working, insulated from the system and so arranged that the hand cannot inadvertently touch live metal ;

(d) so constructed or arranged that it cannot accidentally fall or move into contact when left out of contact.

(4) (a) Every switch intended to be used for breaking a circuit and every circuit breaker shall be so constructed that it cannot with proper care be left in partial contact. This sub-paragraph applies to each pole of double-pole or multipole switches or circuit-breakers.

(b) Every switch intended to be used for breaking a circuit and every circuit-breaker shall be so constructed that an are cannot accidentally be maintained.

(5) Every fuse and every automatic circuit-breaker used instead of a fuse shall be so constructed and arranged as effectively to interrupt the current before it so exceeds the working rate as to involve danger. It shall be of such construction or be so guarded or placed as to prevent danger from over-heating or from arcing or the scattering of hot metal or other substance when it comes into operation. Every fuse shall be either of such construction or so protected by a switch that the fusible metal may be readily renewed without danger.

(6) Every electrical joint and connection shall be of proper construction as regards conductivity, insulation, mechanical strength and protection.

(7) Efficient means, suitably located, shall be provided for cutting off all pressure from every part of a system, as may be necessary to prevent danger.

(8) Efficient means suitably located shall be provided for protecting from excess of current every part of a system, as may be necessary to prevent danger.

(9) Where one of the conductors of a system is connected to earth, no single-pole switch, other than a link for testing purposes or a switch for use in controlling a generator or transformer, shall be placed in such conductor or any branch thereof.

A switch or automatic or other cut-out may, however, be placed in the connection between the conductor and earth at the generating station or transformer station, for use in testing and emergencies only.

(10) Where one of the main conductors of a system is bare and uninsulated, no switch, fuse or circuit-breaker shall be placed in that conductor or in any conductor connected thereto, and the said conductor shall be earthed.

Nevertheless, switches, fuses or circuit-breakers may be used to break the connection with the generators or transformers supplying the power ; provided that in no case of bare conductor the connection of the conductor with earth is thereby broken.

(11) Every motor, converter and transformer shall be protected by efficient means suitably placed and so connected that all pressure may thereby be cut off from the motor, converter or transformer, as the case may be, and from all apparatus in connection therewith ; provided however that, where one point of the system is connected to earth, there shall be no obligation to disconnect on that side of the system which is connected to earth.

(12) Every electrical motor shall be controlled by an efficient switch or switches for starting and stopping, so placed as to be easily worked by the person in charge of the motor. In every place in which machines are being driven by any electric motor, there shall be means at hand for either switching off the motor or stopping the machines if necessary to prevent danger.

(13) (a) Every flexible wire for portable apparatus shall be connected to the system either by efficient permanent joints or connections, or by a properly constructed connector. In all cases where the person handling portable apparatus or pendant lamps with switches would be liable to get a shock through a conducting floor or conducting work or otherwise, if the metal work of the portable apparatus became charged, the metal work must be efficiently earthed ; and any flexible metallic covering of the conductors shall be itself efficiently earthed and shall not itself be the only earth connection for the metal of the apparatus ; and a lampholder shall not be in metallic connection with the guard or other metal work of a portable lamp.

(b) Portable apparatus and its flexible wire shall be controlled by efficient means, suitably located and capable of cutting off the pressure, and the metal work shall be efficiently earthed independently of any flexible metallic cover of the conductors, and any such flexible covering shall itself be independently earthed.

(14) The general arrangement of switchboards shall, so far as reasonably practicable, be such that—

(a) all parts which may have to be adjusted or handled are readily accessible ;

(b) the course of every conductor may where necessary be readily traced ;

(c) conductors, not arranged for connection to the same system, are kept well apart, and where necessary be readily distinguished ;

(d) all bare conductors are so placed or protected as to prevent danger from accidental short circuit.

(15) Every switchboard having bare conductors normally so exposed that they may be touched shall, if not located in an area or areas set apart for the purposes thereof, where necessary be suitably fenced or enclosed.

No person except an authorised person, or a person acting under his immediate supervision, shall for the purpose of carrying out his duties have access to any part of an area so set apart.

(16) All apparatus appertaining to a switchboard and requiring handling, shall so far as practicable be so placed or arranged as to be operated from the working platform of the switchboard, and all measuring instruments and indicators connected therewith shall, so far as practicable, be so placed as to be observed from the working platform. If such apparatus be worked or observed from any other place, adequate precautions shall be taken to prevent danger.

(17) At the working platform of every switchboard and in every switchboard passage-way, if there be bare conductors exposed or arranged to be exposed when live so that they may be touched, there shall be a clear and unobstructed passage of ample width and height, with a firm and even floor.

Adequate means of access, free from danger shall be provided for every switchboard passage-way.

The following provisions shall apply to all such switchboard working platforms and passage-ways, unless the bare conductors, whether overhead or at the sides of the passage-ways, are otherwise adequately protected against danger by divisions or screens or other suitable means :

(a) those constructed for low-pressure switchboards shall have, a clear height of not less than seven feet and a clear width measured from bare conductor of not less than three feet ;

(b) those constructed for high-pressure switchboards, other than operating desks or panels working solely at low-pressure, shall have a clear height of not less than eight feet and a clear width measured from bare conductor of not less than three feet six inches ;

(c) bare conductors shall not be exposed on both sides of the switchboard passage-way unless either (i) clear width of the passage is in the case of low-pressure not less than four feet six inches and, in the case of high-pressure, not less than eight feet, in each case measuredbetween bare conductors, or (ii) the conductors on one side are so guarded that they cannot be accidentally touched.

(18) In every switchboard for high-pressure—

(a) every high-pressure conductor within reach from the working platforms or in any switchboard passage-way shall be so placed or protected as adequately to prevent danger ;

(b) the metal cases of all instruments working at high-pressure shall be either earthed or completely enclosed with insulating covers ;

(c) all metal handles of high-pressure switches and, where necessary to prevent danger, all metal gear for working the switches, shall be earthed ;

(d) when work has to be done on any switchboard, then, unless the switchboard be otherwise so arranged as to secure that the work may be carried out without danger, either (i) the switchboard shall be made dead, or (ii) if the said switchboard be so arranged that the conductors thereof can be made dead in sections, and so separated by permanent or removable divisions or screens from all adjoining sections of which the conductors are alive, that work on any section may be carried out without danger, that section on which work has to be done shall be made dead.

(19) All parts of generators, motors, transformers or other similar apparatus, at high-pressure and within reach from any position in which any person employed may require to be, shall be, so far as reasonably practicable, so protected as to prevent danger.

(20) Where a high-pressure supply is transformed for use at a lower pressure, or energy is transformed up to above low-pressure, suitable provision shall be made to guard against danger by reason of the lower-pressure system becoming accidentally charged above its normal pressure by leakage or contact from the high-pressure system.

(21) Where necessary to prevent danger, adequate precautions shall be taken, either by earthing or by other suitable means, to prevent any metal other than the conductor from becoming electrically charged.

(22) Adequate precautions shall be taken to prevent any conductor or apparatus from being accidentally or inadvertently electrically charged when persons are working thereon.

(23) Where necessary, adequately to prevent danger, insulating stands or screens shall be provided and kept permanently in position, and shall be maintained in sound condition.

(24) Portable insulating stands, screens, boots, gloves or other suitable means shall be provided and used when necessary adequately to prevent danger, and shall be periodically examined by an authorised person.

(25) Adequate working space and means of access, free from danger, shall be provided for all apparatus that has to be worked or attended to by any person.

(26) All those parts of premises in which apparatus is placed shall be adequately lighted to prevent danger.

(27) All conductors and apparatus exposed to the weather, wet, corrosion, inflammable surroundings or explosive atmosphere, or used in any process or for any special purpose other than for lighting or power, shall be so constructed or protected, and such special precautions shall be taken, as may be necessary adequately to prevent danger in view of such exposure or use.

(28) No person except an authorised person, or a competent person acting under his immediate supervision, shall undertake any work where technical knowledge or experience is required in order adequately to avoid danger; and no person shall work alone in any case in which the Minister directs that he shall not. No person except an authorised person, or a competent person acting under his immediate supervision, shall undertake any repair, alteration, extension, cleaning or such work where technical knowledge or experience is required in order to avoid danger, and no one shall do such work unaccompanied. Where a contractor is employed and the danger to be avoided is under his control, the contractor shall appoint the authorised person, but if the danger to be avoided is under the control of the consumer, the consumer shall appoint the authorised person.

(29) Instructions in such form as may be determined by the Minister as to the treatment of persons suffering from electric shock shall be affixed in all premises where electrical energy is generated, transformed or used.

(30) Every sub-station shall be substantially constructed and shall be so arranged that no person other than an authorised person can obtain access thereto otherwise than by the proper entrance or can interfere with the apparatus or conductors therein from outside ; and every sub-station shall be provided with efficient means of ventilation and be kept dry.

(31) Every sub-station shall be under the control of an authorised person, and none but an authorised person or a person acting under his immediate supervision, shall enter any part thereof where there may be danger.

(32) Every underground sub-station not otherwise easily and safely accessible shall be provided with adequate means of access by a door or trap-door, with a staircase or ladder securely fixed and so placed that no live part of any switchboard or any bare conductor shall be within reach of a person thereon ; provided, however, that the means of access to such sub-station shall be a doorway and staircase (a) if any person is regularly employed therein, otherwise than for inspection or cleaning, or (b) if the sub-station is not of ample dimensions and there is therein moving machinery other than ventilating fans.

GIVEN under my Official Seal this 27th day of October, 1956.

(Sgd.) WILLIAM NORTON,

Minister for Industry and Commerce.

EXPLANATORY NOTE.

The purpose of this instrument is to make provision for the safety, health and welfare of persons employed in quarries who, since the coming into operation of the Factories Act, 1955 , have lost the protection of Factory laws.