Victorian Consolidated Regulations

8 Reg. 9.2.1: S.R. No. 127/2000 as amended by S.R. No. 96/2005. - SECT 3.4.9.

Atmosphere

3.4.9. Atmosphere



(1) An employer must ensure, in relation to work in a confined space, that-

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

Note Act compliance-sections 21 and 23 (see regulation 1.1.7).

(2) An employer 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.

Note Act compliance-sections 21 and 23 (see regulation 1.1.7).

(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.

Note Act compliance-sections 21 and 23 (see regulation 1.1.7).

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

Note Act compliance-sections 21 and 23 (see regulation 1.1.7).

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