South Australian Current Regulations

WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATIONS 2012 - REG 648

648—Air quality—minimum standards for ventilated air

        (1)         The mine operator of an underground mine must ensure that the ventilation system for the mine provides air that is of sufficient volume, velocity and quality to ensure that the general body of air in the areas in which persons work or travel—

            (a)         has a concentration of oxygen that is at least 19.5% under normal atmospheric pressure; and

            (b)         has dust levels that—

                  (i)         are as low as is reasonably practicable; and

                  (ii)         do not exceed the relevant levels specified in regulation 636; and

            (c)         if diesel engines are used underground—has a concentration of diesel particulates that is as low as is reasonably practicable.

Maximum penalty:

            (a)         in the case of an individual—$6 000;

            (b)         in the case of a body corporate—$30 000.

        (2)         In addition to subregulation (1), the mine operator of an underground mine must ensure that the ventilation system for the mine provides air that is of sufficient quality to ensure that the general body of air in the areas in which persons work or travel has a level of contaminants that—

            (a)         is as low as is reasonably practicable; and

            (b)         does not exceed the exposure level for that contaminant specified in the relevant exposure standard referred to in regulation 49.

Maximum penalty:

            (a)         in the case of an individual—$6 000;

            (b)         in the case of a body corporate—$30 000.

        (3)         This regulation does not apply in relation to an area of the mine—

            (a)         that is required to be entered in an emergency or for a mines rescue purpose; and

            (b)         in which all persons are wearing self-contained breathing apparatus.