Application
14.34.1.1

This Division applies to railways undertaking the repairs or maintenance to tunnels or similar excavations.

Note: This Division does not apply to underground construction projects, refer to WCB's Occupational Health and Safety Regulations for Underground workings for requirements.

Work Methods
14.34.1.2

In any underground work area, work methods and operations must be in accordance with: (a) standard engineering practices;

(b) the requirements of this Division, and all other applicable requirements of this Part; and (c) any additional requirements by the safety officer.

New or Unusual Situations
14.34.1.3

(1) If a railway proposes to use methods or equipment which are new or not in accordance with standard practice for underground work areas, the railway must, before starting work inform the chief inspecting engineer of the proposed methods and equipment that they propose to use.

(2) A description of the means to ensure safety and health of employees by engineering or other methods must also be part of the information.

Hours of Work
14.34.1.4

(1) The railway must not permit an employee to work underground for periods accumulating in 8 hours in any 24 hours .

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply where life or property is in danger .

Additional First Aid
14.34.1.5

In addition to the requirements of Division 5 subdivision, if an underground work area has to take place at more than 300 m (1 ,000 ft) from a portal, a basket and a spine board, a set of hard cervical collars, 6 blankets and a first aid attendant must be available in proximity to the main work area.

Retro-Reflective Devices
14.34.1.6

Employees required to work underground must wear retro-reflective devices on their clothing and hard hats.

Underground Supervisors
14.34.2.1

Employees involved in the repairs or maintenance to tunnels or similar works, must be under the direct supervision of a supervisor who has experience in underground works and who has knowledge of this Division.

Safety and Health Representative
14.34.2.2

(1) In every underground work area there must be a qualified employee safety and health representative on site during working hours, and is:

(a) chosen by employees, and

(b) experienced in the work being performed and is familiar with the applicable safety and health requirements.

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(2) The employee representative has the right, if there is reasonable cause to believe that a hazardous condition exists, to ask for and attend the investigation of the condition, and verify that any necessary corrective actions have been taken.

(3) The employee representatives must have their names known to all employees required to work underground.

Impaired Employees
14.34.2.3

(1) If in the opinion of the supervisor a person's ability is so impaired as to endanger the person's own health and safety or the health and safety of any worker, this person may not enter, remain, or be permitted to enter or remain in any underground working.

(2) No intoxicating liquor or illegal drugs are permitted in or about underground work areas

Responsibility for Ventilation
14.34.3.1

The railway must ensure that the air in all parts of the work area, where employees may work or travel, is free from injurious or dangerous concentrations of contaminants and contains sufficient oxygen to prevent danger to health of anyone in the underground work areas.

Qualified Person
14.34.3.2

At every underground work area, the railway must appoint a qualified person on site to be responsible for all aspects of ventilation in the underground work area.

Mechanical Ventilation
14.34.3.3

(1) Where in the underground work area cannot be maintained in accordance with section
14.34.3.1, the railway must install a ventilation system which is:

(a) designed, installed and operated in accordance with good engineering practice; (b) maintained in good working order; and

(c) capable of supplying sufficient fresh air to the underground work areas.

(2) The exhaust from compressed air machines must not be considered as ventilation.

Air Flow
14.34.3.4

The ventilation system must be capable of blowing or exhaust duty and be equipped with a reversing switch.

Malfunction
14.34.3.5

If the ventilation system fails to function all contaminant producing work must stop immediately, and all engines must be shut down until ventilation is restored.

Unventilated Areas
14.34.3.6

Any underground work area that is not ventilated and air quality standards can not be maintained, must be effectively secured to prevent the entry of employees and posted with signs to warn of the hazard.

Welding Fumes
14.34.3.7

Fumes from welding activities underground must be controlled at the source by local exhaust ventilation or other method acceptable to a safety officer.

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Atmospheric Testing
14.23.3.8

(1) The railway must ensure that tests of the underground atmosphere are conducted to ensure that an oxygen deficient atmosphere does not exist, and that an employees exposure to air contaminants does not exceed the exposure limits in Division 15 subdivision, and that an employees exposure to respirable combustible dust (RCD) does not exceed its exposure limit, which is 1.5 mg/m3, based on an 8 hour time weighted average.

(2) Tests must be conducted by a qualified person using equipment, devices and methods acceptable to the safety officer .

(3) Testing equipment must be maintained in good working order, calibrated in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications, and calibrations recorded in the "Underground Record".

Testing During Repairs or Maintenance
14.34.3.9

During repairs or maintenance to tunnels and similar excavations the railway must ensure that atmospheric tests are made for carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, combustible gases and oxygen content:

(a) if the ventilation has been interrupted for more than 1 hour;

(b) at every 4 hours while an internal combustion engine is operating;

(c) after blasting has taken place;

(d) after a fire or other unusual occurrences causing atmospheric contamination; or

(e) as directed by a safety officer .

Additional Tests
14.34.3.10

(1) If the presence of a flammable or toxic gas is suspected or encountered, the railway must ensure that additional tests are made as required.

(2) When an employee has reasonable cause to believe that a hazardous atmosphere may exist, the employee may request that test be made to determine the level of contaminants.

(3) The supervisor or the railway receiving such a request must forthwith investigate, ensure that appropriate testing is conducted and recorded, and that any unsafe atmospheric condition was rectified.

(4) The railway must ensure that only employees qualified to conduct testing and employees necessary to assist them enter an underground work area, until it is declared safe .

Electrical installations
14.34.3.11

Electrical equipment and wiring in an underground working must meet the requirements of CSA Standard CAN/CSA-M421-93, Use of Electricity in Mines, or other standard acceptable to the safety officer

Communications
14.34.3.12

(1) An effective radio or telephone communication system must be maintained between the surface and underground work areas including refuge and first aid stations and at least every 600 m (2 000 ft).

(2) The communication system must have an independent power supply.

(3) Removal or failure of one communication device must not render the remainder of the communication system inoperative. Illumination

Illumination
14.34.3.13

(1) The railway must ensure that the minimum illumination measured 1 m (39 in) above the floor or ground level in an underground work area is:

(a) 22 lux (2 foot candles) in a tunnel or similar work area, and

(b) 54 lux (5 foot candles) in other high activity work areas or as directed by a safety officer.

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(2) The railway must ensure that an emergency lighting system or apparatus is available for every employee in an underground work area so that they may exit safely.

(3) Broken or defective lights must be replaced without delay.

(4) A lower level of illumination, such as provided by an electric cap lamp or hand lantern, may be accepted for underground repair or inspection of short duration.

Cap Lamps
14.34.3.14

(1) Cap lamps must be kept in the employee's possession at all times while underground.

(2) All newly purchased cap lamps, and after January 01, 1999 all cap lamps must be capable of providing a Peak illumination of at least 1,500 lux (150 foot candles) 1.2m (48 in.0 from the light source, throughout the work shift

Maintenance
14.34.3.15

The railway must establish a procedure for assessing and maintaining cap lamps or equivalent portable lighting system.

Auxiliary Lighting
14.34.3.16

If any employee is required to assess tunnel ground conditions at a greater distance than the effective range of a cap or hand lantern, auxiliary lighting must be provided to safely carry out the assessment.

Battery Charging Stations
14.34.3.17

The railway must ensure that battery charging stations are:

(a) effectively ventilated;

(b) Posted with a "NO SMOKING" and "FIRE HAZARD" signs, and

(c) in compliance with the Electrical Safety Act. and regulations made under it.

Pipelines
14.34.3.18

The railway must ensure that air , water or discharge pipelines are;

(a) hung or secured from suitable hangers, and

(b) located so that they are protected from moving equipment.

Water Control
14.34.3.19

(1) If the accumulation of water might affect the stability of the work or otherwise endanger employees, the railway must ensure that a suitable system is installed to remove the water

(2) Adequate drainage, if required, must be installed in all areas wflere mobile equipment is operated.

Transportation of Employees
14.34.3.20

The railway must ensure that:

(a) employees are transported only in equipment designed for that purpose, and

(b) employees do not board or leave any transport equipment while in motion.

Procedures
14.34.4.1

The railway must ensure that in underground work areas requiring mechanical ventilation, or where there is a possibility of employee entrapment that:

(a) appropriate written emergency procedures are established and are readily available at the worksite that address:

(i) communication and emergency warning procedures;

(ii) evacuation and personnel count procedures;

(iii) fire fighting and rescue procedures;

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(iv) ventilation procedures;

(v) location of emergency equipment and procedures for use; and

(vi) other relevant information;

(b) notices giving direction for immediate action in an emergency are posted in conspicuous places;

(c) each person is instructed in the emergency procedures before commencing work in an underground work area; and

(d) a designated employee on each shift is responsible for implementing the emergency procedures.

Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus
14.34.4.2

In underground work areas where there is a possibility of employee entrapment me railway must ensure that:

(a) self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) for use in emergencies is available and located on the surface as near to the portal as is practicable, capable of at least 2 hours operation;

(b) provision is made of at least 4 units of SCBA for when 10 or fewer employees are underground on a shift; and

(c) provision is made of at least 6 units for when more than 10 employees are underground on a shift.

Fire Prevention and Control.
14.34.4.3

The railway must ensure:

(a) sufficient extinguishers or other systems of fire control are available at any underground work area;

(b) oil, grease and flammable liquids with a flash point below 52° C (12~ F) used in an underground work area are transported and stored only in metal containers or receptacles or in portable plastic containers approved for petroleum fuels, and when stored underground, unless in an approved enclosure, are restricted to a quantity sufficient for the day's work;

(c) underground refuelling of equipment is not to be undertaken;

(d) employees do not build, start, or maintain a fire in an underground work area; and

(e) all welding and burning is done in compliance with this Part.

Flammable Gas Restrictions
14.34.4.4

(1) Except when needed for burning or cutting, acetylene, propane other volatile fuel must not be pemlitted underground.

(2) If volatile fuels are used for burning or cutting, the containers fur fuel must meet the requirements of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act; 1992 (Canada), and may not have a capacity greater than 10 kg (22 lbs).

Equipment Fire Extinguishers
14.34.4.5 The railway must ensure that mobile diesel equipment used in underground work areas is equipped with a fire extinguisher acceptable to the safety officer °

General Requirement
14.34.5.1

The railway must ensure that any part of the underground work area accessible to employees is effectively scaled and stabilized, or so secured to prevent entry by unauthorized persons, and is periodically inspected by a qualified person to prevent the development of unsafe conditions.

Scaling
14.34.5.2

(1) The railway must ensure that underground work areas are examined and, if necessary scaled before work commences.

(2) The employee making the examination must, before work begins, report to the supervisor any unusual conditions found and that require stabilization.

(3) Any ground stabilization must be done by, or under the visual direction of, a qualified person.

(4) An adequate supply of properly sized and dressed scaling bars and other equipment necessary for scaling must be provided and maintained by the railway.

(5) If shoring is required:

(a) any loose rock or material must be scaled or adequately supported before other work is performed;

(b) the set must be designed and installed so that the bottom section is securely anchored to prevent movement,

(c) effectively lateral bracing must be installed between sets to stabilize the support,

(d) the set must be completely in place and secured before other work is performed, and

(e) a damaged set that is hazardous must be repaired or replaced without delay.

Shotcrete
14.34.5.3

(1) The railway must ensure that shotcrete equipment is maintained in good operating condition, and that all practicable measures are taken to control dust at the source during shotcrete operations.

(2) Only those employees involved in the shotcrete operation may work downwind of the operation unless sampling shows that contaminants are within exposure limits.

(3) When shotcrete is being applied:

(a) the railway must ensure that any employee who may be affected by shotcrete dust is supplied with and uses appropriate protective equipment, and

(b) there must be an employee at the shotcrete machine capable of immediately stopping the flow of material, in communication with the nozzle worker .

Operator Protection
14.34.5.4

Operators of cranes and other mobile equipment engaged in ground control activities must be protected against falling, flying, or intruding objects or material, by means of suitable cabs,

screens, grills, shields, deflectors, guards or structures.

Dust Control
14.34.6.1

(1) Mechanical equipment, which generates dust, must be equipped with an effective dust control system which maintains employee's exposure below applicable exposure limits in Division 15 subdivision.

(2) Such systems must be maintained in good working order and mUst be operational whenever the equipment is working.

Elevated Work
14.34.6.2

Elevated work with mechanical equipment must be carried out using suitable work platforms.

Equipment Inspection
14.34.7.1

The operator of any equipment must:

(a) examine the equipment before using it; (b) note any deficiencies; and

(c) not operate the equipment until repairs have been made by a qualified person, or has the assurance that it is safe to operate the equipment.

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Internal Combustion Engines
14.34.7.2

(1) Only diesel fuelled internal combustion engines may be used in underground work areas.

(2) Diesel fuel used underground must meet the requirements of CGBS Standard CAN/CGBS-3.16- M88 "Mining Diesel Fuel" .or other standard acceptable to the safety officer. but flash point restrictions may be relaxed in accordance with the suppliers recommendations for cold weather conditions.

(3) All diesel equipment used underground must be equipped with adequate devices to control exhaust

emissions.

(4) If diesel fuelled equipment used underground is fitted with an exhaust scrubber it must be of the type acceptable to the safety officer .

14.34.7.3

Any diesel engine being operated in an underground working must

(a) not expose workers to respirable combustible dust (RCD) from the exhaust in excess of 1.5 mg/m³ based on an 8-hour time weighted exposure,

(b) not idle unnecessarily, and

(c) be maintained in strict accordance with manufacturer's specifications.

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