Council Directive 92/91/EEC of 3 November 1992 concerning the minimum requirements for improving the safety and health protection of workers in the mineral-extracting industries through drilling (eleventh individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16 (1) of Directive 89/391/EEC) (c. 91)

ANNEX U.K. MINIMUM SAFETY AND HEALTH REQUIREMENTS AS REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 10 OF THE DIRECTIVE

PART A U.K. Common minimum requirements applicable to the on-shore and off-shore sectors

6. Protection from harmful atmospheres and explosion risks U.K.

6.1. Measures must be taken for assessing the presence of harmful and/or potentially explosive substances in the atmosphere and for measuring the concentration of such substances. U.K.

Where required by the safety and health document, monitoring devices measuring gas concentrations at specified places automatically and continuously, automatic alarms and devices to cut off power automatically from electrical installations and internal combustion engines must be provided.

Where automatic measurements are provided for, the values measured must be recorded and kept as stipulated in the safety and health document.

6.2. Protection from harmful atmospheres U.K.

6.2.1. Where harmful substances accumulate or may accumulate in the atmosphere, appropriate measures must be taken to ensure their collection at source and removal. U.K.

The system must be capable of dispersing such harmful atmosphere in such a way that workers are not at risk.

6.2.2. Without prejudice to Directive 89/656/EEC(1), appropriate and sufficient breathing and resuscitation equipment must be available in areas where workers must be exposed to atmospheres which are harmful to health. U.K.

In such cases, a sufficient number of workers trained to use such equipment must be present at the workplace.

The equipment must be suitably stored and maintained.

6.2.3. Where hydrogen sulphide or other toxic gases are or may be present in the atmosphere, a protection plan detailing the protective equipment available and the preventive measures taken must be held at the disposal of the competent authorities. U.K.

6.3. Prevention of risks of explosion U.K.

6.3.1. All necessary measures must be taken to prevent the occurrence and accumulation of explosive atmospheres. U.K.

6.3.2. In areas where there are risks of explosion, all necessary measures must be taken to prevent the ignition of explosive atmospheres. U.K.

6.3.3. An explosion prevention plan detailing the equipment and measures required must be prepared. U.K.

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OJ No L 393, 30.12.1989, p. 18.