FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (WORK IN COMPRESSED AIR) REGULATIONS

FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (WORK IN COMPRESSED AIR) REGULATIONS

FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS
(WORK IN COMPRESSED AIR) REGULATIONS

ARRANGEMENT OF REGULATIONS

Regulation Page

PART I

PRELIMINARY

1. Citation ................................. ... ... ... ... ... ... M 3
2. Application .............................. ... ... ... ... ... ... M 3
3. Interpretation............................ ... ... ... ... ... ... ... M 3

PART 111

COMPRESSED AIR
OPERATIONS

4. Construction and maintenance of bulkheads, etc. ... ... ... ... M 4

5.........................Supervision of compressed air operations ... ... ... ... ... ... M4

6..............Air supply plant ......... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... M 5

7.........Air supply ....................... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... M 5

PART III

MAN-LOCKS AND WORKING
CHAMBERS

8. Man-locks ............................. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... M 5

9. Use of man-locks ......................... ... ... ... ... ... ... M 7
10. Man-lock attendants ................... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... M 8
11. Duties of lock attendants ............. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... M 8

12. Employment in compressed air at a pressure exceeding 14 pounds per

square inch ............................ ... ... ... ... ... ... M 9

13. Entrance to and exit from a working chamber ... ... ... ... ... M 9

14. Temperature in a working chamber ...... ... ... ... ... ... ... M 9

15. Health facilities ........................ ... ... ... ... ... ... ... M10

PART IV

DECANT LOCKS

16...........Decant locks ................... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... M 10
17...........Use of decant locks ............ ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... M10

18.......................Medical practitioner to be informed ... ... ... ... ... ... ... M11
19.......................Transfer from man-lock to decant lock ... ... ... ... ... ... ... M11

20. Time limit for transfer......... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... M11

C

PART V







MEDICAL LOCKS

21............Medical locks .............. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... M11
22............Use of medical locks ....... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... M 12

23................Medical lock attendants ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... M 13





Regulation .......................Page
PART VI
MEDICAL SUPERVISION

24. Appointment of medical practitioners by contractors ... ... ... ... M 13

25. Appointment of medical practitioner by employers other than contractors M 14

26. Medical supervision and certification ....... ... ... ... ... ... M 14
27. Compressed air health registers, etc . ... ... ... ... ... ... ... M15

28. Radiographic examinations ................... ... ... ... ... ... M 16

29. Duty to submit to medical examination .... ... ... ... ... ... M 16

PART VII

MISCELLANEOUS

30. Notification of work in compressed air ... ... ... ... ... ... ... M 16

31. Employment of persons without previous experience ... ... ... ... M 16

32. Advisory leaflets ........................... .... ... ... ... ... M 17

33. Personal labels .......................... ... ... ... ... ... ... M 17

34. Consumption of alcohol and smoking .......... ... ... ... ... ... M 17

35. Duty to follow instructions of lock attendants ... ... ... ... ... M 17

36. Supply of food and hot drinks ............ ... ... ... ... ... M 17
37. Fire fighting procedure and fire drills ... ... ... ... ... ... ... M 17

38. Offences and penalties ................... ... ... ... ... ... ... M 18

First Schedule. Purity of Compressed Air ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... M 19
Second Schedule. Compression Procedure ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... M 19
Third Schedule. Decompression Procedure ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... M 20

Fourth Schedule...Forms........................... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... M 30





FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS
(WORK IN COMPRESSED AIR) REGULATIONS

(Cap. 59, section 7)

[1st April, 1976.]

PART 1
PRELIMINARY

1. These regulations may be cited as the Factories and In

dustrial Undertakings (Work in Compressed Air) Regulations.

2. These regulations shall apply to

(a) construction work carried out in compressed air;

(b) contractors engaged in such construction work; and

(c) persons employed in compressed air and their employers.

3. (1) In these regulations, unless the context otherwise

requires

'appointed medical practitioner' means a medical practitioner appointed
under regulation 24;

'compressed air' means air mechanically raised to a pressure higher
than atmospheric pressure;

'construction site' means a place where construction work in
compressed air is carried out and also any area in the immediate
vicinity of any such place which is used for the storage of materials
or plant used or intended to be used for the purpose of the
construction work;

'decant lock' means a double compartment lock, other than a medical
lock, used for the recompression and decompression of persons;

'decanting' means the rapid decompression of persons in a manlock to
atmospheric pressure followed promptly by their recompression in
a decant lock, where they are then decompressed according to the
appropriate Decompression Table in the Third Schedule;

&,employer' means any person who has entered into a contract of
employment to employ any other person as an employee and the
duly authorized agent, manager or factor of such first mentioned
person;

'lock attendant' means the person in charge of a man-lock or decant
lock and who is immediately responsible for controlling the
compression, recompression or decompression of persons
employed in compressed air;





'man-lock' means any lock, other than a medical lock or decant lock,
used for the compression or decompression of persons entering or
leaving a working chamber;

'medical lock means a double compartment lock, other than a decant
lock, used for the therapeutic recompression and decompression of
persons suffering from the ill-effects of decompression;

'new starter' means a person

(a)who has not at any time been employed in compressed air; or

(b)who, having been previously employed in compressed air, has
not been re-employed in compressed air for a period exceeding
14 consecutive days;

'pressure' means air pressure in pounds per square inch above
atmospheric pressure;

'working chamber- means the part of the construction site where
construction work in compressed air is carried out, but does not
include a man-lock, medical lock or decant lock;

'working pressure' means pressure to which persons in a working
chamber are exposed.

(2) For the purposes of these regulations, a person shall be deemed
to be employed in compressed air if he is exposed to pressure for the
purposes of or in connexion with any construction work.

PART II

COMPRESSED AIR OPERATIONS

4. Every bulkhead, air lock or other structure used in connexion
with construction work in compressed air shall be of good construction,
sound material and adequate strength and shall be properly maintained.

5. (1) Where a contractor carries out any construction work in
compressed air, the contractor shall appoint a person who has
substantial training and practical experience in such construction work
to be in charge of the construction work.

(2) A person appointed under paragraph (1) shall, at all times when
any person is employed in compressed air at a construction site, be

(a) in charge of the construction work; and

(b) in attendance on the construction site.





6. (1) The air supply plant for the production and supply of
compressed air to any man-lock, working chamber, medical lock or
decant lock shall be of suitable design.

(2) The contractor shall appoint a suitably qualified or experienced
person to be in charge of the air supply plant at a construction site.

(3) A person appointed under paragraph (2) shall, at all times when
any person is employed in compressed air at a construction site, be

(a) in charge of the air supply plant; and

(b) in attendance on the construction site.

7. (1) The compressed air supplied to any man-lock, working
chamber, medical lock or decant lock shall conform to the specifications
in the First Schedule or such other specifications as may be approved
by the Commissioner in writing.

(2) The supply of compressed air to a working chamber shall be
sufficient to provide, at the pressure in the working chamber, not less
than 10 cubic feet per minute per person in the working chamber.

(3) A reserve compressed air supply shall be available for the
medical lock.

PART 111

MAN-LOCKS AND WORKING CHAMBERS

8. (1) Every man-lock shall be of adequate internal dimensions and
capacity for the purposes for which it is used.

(2) Every man-lock shall-

(a)have efficient means of verbal communication between the
lock attendant and any person in the man-lock or working
chamber, and between persons in the man-lock and the
working chamber;

(b)have means enabling any person in the man-lock to convey
visible signals to the lock attendant outside;

(c)have an independent supply of fresh air which can be used for
ventilation and for compression in case of a fire in the working
chamber;

(d) be protected from the weather and the sun;

(e) have adequate lighting.





(3) Every man-lock shall be provided with suitable equipment
including--

(a) pressure gauges which will readily indicate-

(i) to the lock attendant the pressure in the man-lock and in
each working chamber to which the man-lock affords direct or
indirect access; and

(ii) to persons in the man-lock the pressure in the man-lock;

(b)valves or taps controlling the flow of air into and from the man-
lock such as will enable careful compression and accurate
decompression to be carried out according to the procedures
prescribed in the Second and Third Schedules respectively;
and

(c)a clock or clocks so positioned that the lock attendant and any
person in the man-lock can readily ascertain the time.

(4) All furniture and equipment in a man-lock shall be of
incombustible or fire proofed material.

(5) Every man-lock and its equipment shall be maintained in a
reasonably clean state.

(6) Where heating is provided for the purposes of paragraph (9)(d),
the heating system shall be controlled thermostatically or manually.

(7) The wirings of the lighting and heating systems of a manlock
shall be of mineral insulated copper cable, complying with the British
Standard 6207 or equivalent standard, and the systems shall be such
that there is no fire hazard.

(8) A notice which can be easily read, indicating---

(a)the precautions to be taken by persons during their
compression or decompression and after decompression; and

(b)the maximum number of persons who may normally be
accommodated in the man-lock,

approved by the Commissioner; and

(ii) be in English and Chinese.

(9) When the pressure in a man-lock exceeds 14 pounds per square
inch

(a)the man-lock shall have not less than 45 cubic feet of space
per person and a sitting space of not less than 2 feet in width
(with back support) per person;

(b)the man-lock shall be ventilated to ensure that the carbon
dioxide partial pressure does not exceed 1 per cent of 1
atmosphere when a sample is measured at atmospheric
pressure;





(c)if the man-lock is used for timed decompression exceeding 30
minutes, a chemical closet shall be provided and shall be
regularly serviced;

(d)when the man-lock is used for decompression, the temperature
in the man-lock shall not be allowed to fall below MC, nor to
rise above 27 C for more than 5 consecutive minutes;

(e)there shall be a pressure recording gauge, which shall be
accurate to within half a pound per square inch, and the
recording on the man-lock decompression chart shall be as
approved by the Commissioner; and

(f) if a circular recording chart is used it shall rotate at a speed of
not less than once in 4 hours.

(10) When the pressure in a man-lock exceeds 14 pounds per square
inch, the arrangements controlling the flow of air shall be such that any
person inside the man-lock is able to control the inflow of air but unable
to reduce the pressure except under the control of the lock attendant or
through a special valve to be operated only in an emergency.

(11) The special valve provided under paragraph (10) shall normally
be kept so sealed or protected as to discourage its operation in
circumstances other than emergencies and a notice explaining the use of
the special valve in English and Chinese shall be affixed near the special
valve.

9. When the pressure in a working chamber exceeds 14 pounds per
square inch

(a)the man-lock shall, subject to paragraph (b), be used solely for
the compression or decompression of persons;

(b)where it is not reasonably practicable to provide a separate
man-lock for persons only, the single man-lock giving access
to the working chamber shall not be used simultaneously for
the compression or decompression of persons and the
passage of plant or material other than tools or instruments
carried by hand by persons for the purposes of the
construction work:

Provided that in the case of an emergency a single man-
lock may be used simultaneously for the compression or
decompression of persons and the passage of plant or
material, and where the man-lock is so used the contractor
shall keep a record signed by him of such use and particulars
of the emergency;

(c)a 'blister' type man-lock shall be used for timed decompression
only when the total decompression time does not exceed 20
minutes.





10. (1) Every man-lock shall, whilst any person is employed in
compressed air in the man-lock or in a working chamber to which the
man-lock affords direct or indirect access, be under the charge of a lock
attendant and the lock attendant shall be in attendance at the man-lock
at all such times.

(2) Where persons are employed in compressed air at a pressure
exceeding 14 pounds per square inch

(a)the lock attendant in charge shall be a person who has
completed a suitable training course designed to familiarize him
with the problems associated with compression, decompression
and decompression sickness and with the keeping of records
under these regulations; and

(b)there shall be not less than 3 lock attendants available for duty
in respect of each man-lock.

(3) No lock attendant shall be on duty for more than 12 hours in
any 1 shift.

11. (1) The lock attendant in charge of a man-lock shall-

(a) control the compression of all persons in the man-lock;

(b)carry out the compression of all such persons according to the
compression procedure prescribed in the Second Schedule;

(c)control the decompression of all persons who have been
employed in compressed air; and

(d)where a person has been employed in compressed air at a
pressure exceeding 14 pounds per square inch, carry out the
decompression of that person according to the decompression
procedure prescribed in the Third Schedule.

(2) Where any person is employed in compressed air in a working
chamber, the lock attendant in charge shall

(a)record in the lock attendant's register in Form 1 of the Fourth
Schedule all the particulars specified therein in respect of that
person; and

(b)keep in his custody the lock attendant's register and any man-
lock decompression chart and give them to the person
appointed under regulation 5(1).

(3) Where a person is employed in compressed air at a pressure
exceeding 14 pounds per square inch on more than 1 occasion in any 12-
hour period, the lock attendant in charge shall ensure that such person
carries a properly completed compressed air worker's transfer record in
Form 2 of the Fourth Schedule.

(4) The contractor and the person appointed under regulation 5(1)
shall ensure that the lock attendant in charge of a man-lock complies
with paragraphs (1), (2) and (3).





12. (1) Subject to paragraph (2), no employer shall employ a person
in compressed air at a pressure exceeding 14 pounds per square inch on
more than 3 occasions in any 24-hour period.

(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply-

(a)in the case of an emergency where the employer authorizes
that any person may be so employed on more than 3 occasions
in any 24-hour period, in which case the employer shall keep a
record signed by him of such employment and particulars of
the emergency;

(b)to a person who is a supervisor or is engaged on maintenance
work provided that

(i) such person shall not be so employed on more than 5
occasions in any 24-hour period;

(ii) such employment is not for more than half an hour on
any 1 occasion;

(iii) there is an interval of not less than 11 hours between
each such employment; and

(iv) the maximum pressure at which such person is so
employed does not exceed 30 pounds per square inch.

(3) A person who is employed in compressed air at a pressure
exceeding 14 pounds per square inch shall spend not less than 12
consecutive hours at atmospheric pressure in any 24-hour period.

(4) Except in the case of an emergency, no person shall be
employed in compressed air at a pressure exceeding 50 pounds per
square inch without permission from the Commissioner.

13. When no lock attendant is inside a man-lock or working
chamber, the arrangements shall be such as to enable any person
employed in compressed air inside the man-lock or working chamber to
control the doors of the man-lock or working chamber in order to leave
or enter the working chamber in the case of an emergency.

14. (1) No person shall be employed in compressed air in any part
of a working chamber where the wet bulb temperature exceeds 27C,
except where

(a) it is essential to carry out emergency work; or

(b)the Commissioner has given permission in writing, upon
application made by the contractor.

(2) Permission granted under paragraph (1)(b) may be subject to
such conditions and limitation on working hours as the Commissioner
may specify.

(3) A wet bulb thermometer, in good working order, shall be
provided in every working chamber and the lock attendant in charge
shall record the readings of the thermometer at the end of each shift in
the lock attendant's register in Form 1 of the Fourth Schedule.





15. (1) There shall be provided and maintained for the use of
persons employed in compressed air

(a)clothes lockers and adequate and suitable facilities for the
changing and drying of clothes;

(b)adequate and suitable facilities for washing, including
showers, soap and clean towels; and

(c)adequate and suitable facilities for remaining on the
construction site for one hour after decompression from
pressure exceeding 14 pounds per square inch.

(2) Where meals are taken in the working chamber, cupboard space
shall be provided for food. All drinks shall be kept in covered
containers.

(3) A chemical closet shall be provided in every working chamber
and shall be regularly serviced.

PARTIV

DECANT LOCKS

16. (1) A decant lock shall-

(a)be a double compartment lock similar to a medical lock so that
any person taken ill during decompression may be individually
recompressed

(b)be capable of withstanding a pressure of not less than 10
pounds per square inch above the maximum pressure used or
likely to be used in the working chamber at any time;

(c) be situated as near as possible to the man-lock;

(d) be protected from the weather and the sun; and

(e)be maintained, heated and ventilated in the same manner as a
man-lock.

(2) Each compartment of a decant lock shall be provided with

(a)exhaust valves that will enable accurate decompression to be
carried out according to the Decompression Tables in the
Third Schedule;

(b)a pressure recording gauge, which shall be accurate to within
half a pound per square inch and the recording on the chart
shall be as approved by the Commissioner;

(c)if a circular recording chart is used it shall rotate at a speed of
not less than once in 4 hours.

17. Decanting may be carried out only-

(a)where, because of lack of space, it is not practicable to provide
a separate man-lock (in addition to the lock used for the
passage of plant or material) as a means of egress from a
working chamber to the open air;





(b)where persons require a decompression procedure lasting
more than 20 minutes and their only means of egress
from a working chamber is through a 'blister' type of lock;
(e)under any conditions where, because of the numbers of
persons involved and the inadequate size of the man-lock,
the normal decompression procedure in Part 11 of the
Third Schedule could be associated with delay that might
be detrimental to the safety and health of those persons.

18. Where decanting is to be carried out, the appointed
medical practitioner shall be informed.

19. The transfer of persons from the man-lock to the decant
lock shall be so arranged that it does not involve the climbing of
ladders or other strenuous exercise.

20. The total time spent on-

(a) the primary decompression of a person in the man-lock;
(b) his transfer from that man-lock to the decant lock; and

(c) his recompression in the decant lock,
shall, except when this is not reasonably practicable, not exceed
5 minutes.

PART V

MEDICAL LOCKS

21. (1) Subject to paragraph (2), where persons are employed
in compressed air in a working chamber at a pressure exceeding
14 pounds per square inch, a suitably constructed medical lock
shall be provided and maintained.

(2) Where more than 100 persons are so employed at a con-
struction site, a medical lock shall be provided for every 100 persons
or part thereof.

(3) Every medical lock shall be situated as near as possible
to the man-lock.

(4) Every medical lock shall-
(a)have not less than 6 feet clear headroom at its highest
point;
(b)have 2 compartments so that it can be entered while under
pressure;

(c)have efficient means of verbal communication and means
of giving non-verbal signals, between persons inside and
outside the medical lock and between persons in compart-
ments of the medical lock;





(d)have one or more windows through which any person in either
compartment of the medical lock can be observed from the
outside;

(e) be adequately ventilated;
be protected from the weather and the sun;

(g)have adequate lighting and heating and the heating system
shall be controlled thermostatically or manually.

(5) The wirings of the lighting and heating systems of a medical
lock shall be of mineral insulated copper cable, complying with the
British Standard 6207 or equivalent standard, and the systems shall be
such that there is no fire hazard.

(6) Every medical lock shall be provided with suitable equipment
including

(a)a pressure recording gauge, which shall be accurate to within
half a pound per square inch and the recording on the chart
shall be as approved by the Commissioner;

(b)if a circular recording chart is used it shall rotate at a speed of
not less than once in 4 hours;

(c) a couch not less than 6 feet in length;

(d) blankets and dry garments;

(e)a water type (gas expelled) fire extinguisher and 2 buckets of
dry sand for fire fighting; and

a food and hot drinks cupboard space.

(7) Every medical lock and its equipment shall be maintained in a
clean state.

(8) A chemical closet shall be provided in every medical lock and
shall be regularly serviced.

(9) All furniture and equipment in a medical lock shall be of
incombustible or fire proofed material and all bedding and other
furnishings shall be treated so as to be fire retardant.

(10) A medical lock shall be capable of withstanding a pressure of
not less than 10 pounds per square inch above the maximum pressure
used or likely to be used in the working chamber at any time.

(11) The temperature in a medical lock, when in use, shall not fall
below WC, nor rise above 27C for more than 5 consecutive minutes.

22. (1) A medical lock shall not be used for any purpose other than
a therapeutic purpose:

Provided that this paragraph shall not apply where a medical lock is
used

(a)for the training and testing of persons without previous
experience of compressed air work; or





(b) in case of an emergency.

(2) A medical lock shall, at all times, be kept ready for
immediate use.

23. (1) Every medical lock shall be under the charge of a
medical lock attendant and the medical lock attendant shall be in
attendance at the medical lock-
(a)whilst any person is employed in compressed air at a
pressure exceeding 14 pounds per square inch;
(b) whilst any person is being treated in the medical lock;
(c)for 24 hours after the last man-lock decompression from a
pressure exceeding 14 pounds per square inch has taken
place.

(2) A medical lock attendant shall, when on duty, have im-
mediate access to all records of pressures and other relevant in-
formation regarding conditions in the man-lock and working
chamber.

(3) A medical lock attendant shall-
(a)be a person trained in first aid as defined in regulation
55 of the Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations;
(b)have completed a suitable training course designed to
familiarize him with the problems associated with com-
pression, decompression and decompression sickness and
with the keeping of records under these regulations;

(c) be medically fit; and
(d)be willing to go into compressed air at any working
pressure.

(4) There shall be not less than 3 medical lock attendants
available for duty in respect of each medical lock.

(5) No medical lock attendant shall be on duty for more than
12 hours in any 1 shift.

PART VI

MEDICAL SUPERVISION

24. (1) Subject to regulation 25, where any construction work
in compressed air is carried out, the contractor shall appoint a
medical practitioner to supervise all medical matters which may
arise in connexion with the construction work.

(2) The contractor shall notify the Commissioner in writing
of the name and address of any medical practitioner appointed
under paragraph (1).





(3) An appointed medical practitioner shall be-

(a)conversant with the problems associated with work in
compressed air and the medical aspects of such work;
(b) conversant with the provisions of these regulations;

(c) medically fit;

(d)willing to go into compressed air at any working pressure;
and

(e)on call at all times when construction work in compressed
air is in progress.

(4) The duties of an appointed medical practitioner shall be-

(a)to examine medically persons for fitness for employment
in compressed air;

(b) to supervise medical lock attendants;

(c) to treat decompression sickness and other conditions; and

(d) to supervise the keeping of-
(i) the compressed air workers' medical cards in Form
3 of the Fourth Schedule;
(ii) the compressed air workers' decompression sickness
case sheets in Form 4 of the Fourth Schedule; and
(iii) the compressed air workers' individual records in
Form 5 of the Fourth Schedule.

25. (1) Where a contractor is not the employer of a person
employed or proposed to be employed in compressed air the
employer shall appoint a medical practitioner to examine medically
such person for fitness for such employment.

(2) The employer shall notify the Commissioner in writing of
the name and address of any medical practitioner appointed under
paragraph (1).

(3) The medical practitioner appointed under paragraph (1)
shall be deemed to be the appointed medical practitioner for the
purposes of regulations 26, 27(1) and (2) and 28.

26. (1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), no person shall be
employed in compressed air unless he has been examined by an
appointed medical practitioner and certified by him, by a signed
entry in the person's compressed air health register in Form 6 of
the Fourth Schedule to be fit for such employment.

(2) In the case of a person who-

(a)is a new starter, the certificate of fitness under paragraph
(1) shall be obtained not more than 3 days prior to the
employment;





(b)is not a new starter and who continues to be employed in
compressed air at a working pressure not exceeding 14
pounds per square inch, the certificate of fitness under
paragraph (1) shall be obtained not less than once in
every 3 months;
(e)is not a new starter and who continues to be employed in
compressed air at a working pressure exceeding 14 pounds
per square inch, the certificate of fitness under paragraph
(1) shall be obtained not less than once in every 4 weeks.

(3) Notwithstanding that a person has been certified fit for
employment in compressed air under this regulation, he shall not
be so employed if he is suffering from a cold in the head, chest
infection, sore throat or earache.

(4) A person who is required to be employed in compressed
air and who is suffering from a cold in the head, chest infection,
sore throat or earache shall report the matter to the person appointed
under regulation 5(1).

(5) Any person suffering from a cold in the head, chest infec-
tion, sore throat, earache or any other illness or injury necessitating
absence from work for more than 3 consecutive days shall be
re-examined by an appointed medical practitioner and certified
by him to be fit for employment in compressed air before he resumes
such employment.

27. (1) For every person employed in compressed air the
employer shall maintain a compressed air health register in Form
6 of the Fourth Schedule of which-
(a) Part I shall be filled in by the employer; and
(b)Part 11 shall be filled in by the appointed medical
practitioner.

(2) The compressed air health register for every person
employed in compressed air shall be kept by the employer whilst
such person is in his employment, except at times when it is required
by such person or the appointed medical practitioner for the
purposes of these regulations, and shall be given to such person
on the termination of the employment.

(3) The compressed air worker's decompression sickness
case sheet in Form 4 of the Fourth Schedule shall be filed by the
medical lock attendant together with the relevant medical lock
recording gauge charts.

(4) The employer shall keep in his possession for 5 years, or
such shorter period as the Commissioner may agree in writing in
any particular case. copies of Forms 3, 4 and 5 of the Fourth
Schedule in respect of any person employed by him in compressed
air.





28. (1) Every person employed in compressed air at a pressure
exceeding 14 pounds per square inch shall undergo a radiographic
examination of his major joints within 4 weeks after such employment,
unless the person has had such an examination during the 6 months
immediately preceding such employment.


(2) Every person who continues to be employed in compressed air
at a pressure exceeding 14 pounds per square inch shall undergo the
examination referred to in paragraph (1) at intervals of about, but not
less than, 6 months.


(3) Any radiographic examination required under this regulation
shall be arranged by the appointed medical practitioner with the
approval of the employer and the cost of the examination shall be borne
by the employer.

(4) The appointed medical practitioner shall enter the particulars of
a radiographic examination under this regulation in the compressed air
worker's medical card in Form 3 of the Fourth Schedule.

29. Every person employed or proposed to be employed in
compressed air shall submit himself for medical examination in
accordance with these regulations.

PART VII

MISCELLANEOUS

30. A contractor shall, before he commences for the first time any
construction work in compressed air at a pressure exceeding 14 pounds
per square inch, notify in Form 7 of the Fourth Schedule

(a) a factory inspector;

(b) the Senior Industrial Health Officer;
(c) the police station nearest to the construction site; and

(d) the fire services station nearest to the construction site.

31. (1) No person shall be employed in compressed air unless

(a) he has had previous experience of such work; or

(b)if he has not had such experience, he is accompanied by a
person experienced in such work.

(2) In the case of a person not previously employed in compressed
air, compression shall not be carried out unless he is accompanied in the
man-lock by a person competent to advise him as to the appropriate
conduct of persons during compression.





(3) A person who has not previously been employed in
compressed air at a pressure exceeding 14 pounds per square inch shall
work his first shift for not exceeding 4 hours, and such shift shall
coincide with the latter part of a normal shift period so that the person is
decompressed together with the other members of the shift who have
previously been so employed.

32. Before any person is employed in compressed air for the first
time, the employer shall give such person a leaflet in Form 8 of the
Fourth Schedule and shall cause the contents of the leaflet to be
explained to such person.

33. (1) Where a person is employed in compressed air at a pressure
exceeding 14 pounds per square inch, the employer shall give such
person a suitable and durable label, to be worn next to the body, for the
guidance of others should the person be taken ill after leaving work,
indicating that the person has been employed in compressed air and
giving the address of the medical lock to which he should be conveyed
if taken ill.

(2) A person who has been employed in compressed air at a
pressure exceeding 14 pounds per square inch shall wear the label
referred to in paragraph (1) next to his body at all times during the 24
hours immediately following such employment.

34. (1) No person shall consume alcohol whilst he is employed in
compressed air.

(2) No person under the influence of alcohol shall undergo
compression in any lock other than in a medical lock.

(3) No person shall smoke whilst he is employed in compressed air.

35. No person shall wilfully-

(a) obstruct; or

(b) delay or refuse to follow any instruction given by,

a lock attendant or medical lock attendant in the course of his duties.

36. Food and hot drinks shall be available to persons undergoing
treatment in a medical lock.

37. The contractor shall-

(a)display in a prominent position on the construction site the
procedure to be followed in the event of an outbreak of fire
and such procedure shall be approved by the Director of Fire
Services;





(b)ensure that every person employed in compressed air is familiar
with the procedure referred to in sub-paragraph (a); and

(c)hold a fire drill on the construction site not less than once in
every month during the duration of the construction work.

38 (1) If re regulation 4, 6(1) or 21(1) or (2) is contravened, the
contractor tor shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on
conviction to a fine of $10,000.

(2) An contractor who fails to comply with regulation 11(4) shall be
guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine of $10,000.

(3) Any contractor who fails to comply with regulation 5(1), 6(2), 24(1)
or (2), 30 or 37 shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction
to a fine of $5,000.

(4) If regulation 7, 8, 9, 10, 12(4), 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21(3) to (11)
inclusive, 22 or 23 is contravened, the contractor shall he guilty of an
offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine of $5,000.

(5) If regulation 18, 19, 27(3) or 36 is contravened, the contractor shall
be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine of
$2,000.

(6) Any employer who fails to comply with regulation 12 or
25(1) or (2) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on
conviction to a fine of $5,000.

(7) If regulation 26(1), (2), (3) or (5), 28(1), (2) or (3) or 3] is
contravened, the employer shall be guilty of an offence and shall be
liable on conviction to a fine of $5,000.

(8) Any employer who fails to comply with regulation 27(1), (2) or
(4), 32 or 33(1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on
conviction to a fine of $2,000.

(9) A person appointed under regulation 5(1) who fails to comply
with regulation 5(2) or 11(4) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be
liable on conviction to a fine of $2,000.

(10) If regulation 18, 19, 20, 22, 26(3) or 27(3) is contravened, the
person appointed under regulation 5(1) shall be guilty of an offence and
shall b be liable on conviction to a fine of $2,000

(11) A person appointed under regulation 6(2) who fails to

comply with regulation 6(3) shall be guilty of an offence and shall
be liable on conviction to a fine of $2,000.

(12) Any lock attendant who fails to comply with regulation 11(1), (2)
or (3) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on
conviction to a fine of $2,000.




(13) Any person who

(a)without reasonable excuse fails to comply with regulation
26(4), 29 or 33(2); or

(b) contravenes regulation 34 or 35,

shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a
fine of 'p c, v` c

FIRST SCHEDULE [reg. 7(1).]

PURITY OF COMPRESSED AIR

A sample of air taken from a working chamber, man-lock, medical lock or
decant lock ~1 not contain impurities in excess of the limits given in the Table.

Table (See Note below)

Carbon monoxide 10 parts per million
Carbon dioxide 500 parts per million
Oil 1 MalMa

Water The air shall be as dry as possible and shall not
give rise to condensation of moisture at the maximum
filling pressure and a minimal service temperature
Of SIC.
At ambient temperature below SIC there is
a risk of freezing inside the chamber or lock, and
particular attention shall be given to the air
under thew circumstances. The air shall be dried
chemically under extremely cold conditions.

Odour and cleanliness The air shall be free from all odour and con-
tamination by dust, dirt and metallic particles,
and shall not contain any other toxic ingredient.
(See Note below)
Note:Odour and cleanliness of compressed air are difficult to check accurately
without special equipment. A rough check may be made by opening

the cylinder valve and smelling the ~ping air, and by noting any

he

discolouration or wetness when the air is passed through tissue or filter
paper

SECOND SCHEDULE [regs. 8 11 (1).]

COMPRESSION
PROCEDURE
(Regulation 11 (1)

The procedure for the compression of persons shall be as follows-

(1)The pressure shall not, in the first minute after st~ compression, be
increased to more than 5 pounds per square inch.





(2)When the pressure referred to in sub-paragraph (1) is reached, the
pressure shall not be further increased until after the lapse of a period
sufficiently long to enable the lock attendant to discover whether or not
any person in the man-lock complains of discomfort.

(3)After the lapse of the period referred to in sub-paragraph (2), the pressure
shall be increased at a rate not faster than 10 pounds per square inch per
minute.

(4)Subject to sub-paragraphs (1), (2) and (3), the pressure shall be increased
gradually so as to ensure as far as possible that no person in the manlock
suffers discomfort.

(5)If any person in the man-lock complains of discomfort during
compression, that compression shall be stopped immediately. If the
discomfort does not cease quickly the pressure shall be gradually
decreased. If the discomfort does not cease during decompression, the
person concemed shall be released from the man-lock when atmospheric
pressure is reached and required to report to the medical lock attendant.

THIRD SCHEDULE [regs. 3, 8, 11 (1),

16 17.1

DECOMPRESSION PROCEDURE
(Regulation 11(1)

PART I

General

1. The decompression of persons who have been employed in compressed air
at a pressure exceeding 14 pounds per square inch shall be according to the
Decompression Tables in this Schedule.

2. For the purposes of this Schedule--

'basic pressure' means the highest pressure at which a person has been employed
in compressed air during a working period;

working period' means the period, or the sum of the periods, during which, since
last subject to ordinary atmospheric pressure for not less than 12 hours, a
person is exposed to pressure.

PART II

Normal Decompression

3. Except where decanting under Part III is carried out, the procedure for the
decompression of a single person, or 2 or more persons whose working periods and
basic pressures fall within the same range, shall be as follows

(1)Before the decompression is commenced, the lock attendant shall ascertain
that the recording pressure gauge is in good working order and correctly
zeroed.

(2)The working period and basic pressure of such person or persons, as the
case may be, shall be ascertained in order to determine which
Decompression Table shall apply.

(3)The pressure shall be reduced at the rate of approximately 5 pounds per
square inch per minute to, but not lower than, the first stage according to
the appropriate Decompression Table.

(4)The pressure under sub-paragraph (3) shall be maintained for the number






of minutes prescribed in the Decompression Table.





(5)The pressure maintained under sub-paragraph (4) shall then be reduced at
the rate of approximately 5 pounds per square inch per minute to the
next stage of the Decompression Table.

(6)The procedure in sub-paragraphs (4) and (5) shall be followed until
decompression is completed.

(7)If an automatic apparatus is used to control the decompression, the lock
attendant shall ensure that the decompression procedure is accurate. If
the automatic apparatus fails in any way, the lock attendant shall control
the decompression manually according to the procedure in this paragraph
and shall inform the person appointed under regulation 5(1).

4. When 2 or more persons, whose working periods or basic pressures do not
fall within the same range, are being decompressed in the man= the procedure for
decompression shall be that prescribed in paragraph 3 except that for the purposes
of sub-paragraph (2) of that paragraph the longest working period and the highest
basic pressure of any one of such persons shall be taken for the application of the
appropriate Decompression Table.

5. Where a person in a man-lock collapses or is taken all during
decompression, the lock attendant in charge shall raise the pressure in the man-
lock to the pressure in the working chamber and shall report the matter
immediately to the medical lock attendant on duty. The lock attendant shall then
follow the instructions of the medical lock attendant or the appointed medical
practitioner on duty.

PART III

Decanting

6. The procedure for the decanting of persons be as follows-

(1)The persons shall be decompressed in the man-lock rapidly but at a speed
that does not cause them discomfort.

(2) The persons shall then be transferred to the decant lock.

(3)The persons shall be recompressed to a pressure of 1 pound per square
inch above the basic pressure.

(4)The pressure under sub-paragraph (3) shall be maintained for 5 minutes.

(5)Decompression shall then be carried out according to the appropriate
Decompression Table based on the pressure under sub-paragraph (3).

7. The rate of recompression in the decant lock may be at a speed faster than
that recommended for normal compression but at a speed that does not cause
discomfort to the persons in the lock.

8. If during recompression in the decant lock a person develops 'car block',
compression shall be stopped. If the affected person cannot clear his ears within 3
minutes, the decant lock shall be reduced to atmospheric pressure and that person
shall be removed from the decant lock. The remaining persons in the decant lock
shall be recompressed immediately. The affected person shall be transferred rapidly
back to the man-lock where he shall be given a careful recompression followed by
the requisite decompression. If the manlock is not available, the procedure shall be
carried out in the medical lock. In any event, the medical lock attendant shall be
informed at the first possible opportunity.





DECOMPRESSION TABLES

TABLE 1

WHERE THE WORKING PERIOD is NOT OVER 1 HOUR

Stage pressure (Pounds per square inch)

Basic pressure (see Note 2) Total time-
(Pounds per (minutes)
square inch) 28 24 20 16 12 8 4 (see Note 3)

14 to 16
16 to 18
18 to 20
20 to 22
22 to 24
24 to 26
26 to 28
28 to 30
30 to 32 5 5
32 to 34 5 5
34 to 36 5 5
36 to 38 5 5
38 to 40 5 5
40 to 42 10 10
42 to 44 10 10
44 to 46 is is
46 to 48 5 10 is
48 to 50 5 is 20

Notes:

1.Decompress at a rate not faster than 5 pounds per square inch per minute.

2.Decompress between stages at a rate of 5 pounds per square inch per
minute.

3. Not including time between stages.

4.Where alternative decompression procedures are given (e.g. 46 pounds per
square inch) the longer decompression procedure should always be chosen.





TABLE 2

WHERE THE WORKING PERIOD is OVER 1 HOUR BUT up To
AND INCLUDING 1 HOUR

Stage pressure (Pounds per square inch)

Basic pressure (see Note 2) Total time-
(Pounds per (minutes)
square inch) (see Note 3)
28 24 20 16 12 8 4

14 to 16

16 to 18

18 to 20

20 to 22

22 to 24 5 5
24 to 26 5 5
26 to 28 10 10
28 to 30 15 15
30 to 32 20 20
32 to 34 5 20 25
34 to 36 5 30 35
36 to 38 5 35 40
38 to 40 10 40 so
40 to 42 10 45 55
42 to 44 5 10 50 65
44 to 46 5 is so 70
46 to 48 5 20 50 75
48 to 50 5 25 55 85

Notes:

1.Decompress at a rate not faster than 5 pounds per square inch per minute.

2.Decompress between stages at a rate of 5 pounds per square inch per
minute.

3. Not including time between stages.

4.Where alternative decompression procedures are given (e.g. 46 pounds per
square inch) the longer decompression procedure should always be chosen.





TABLE 3

WHERE THE WORKING PERIOD is OVER 1 HOUR BUT up To
AND
INCLUDING 11 HOURS

Maximum Stage pressure (Pounds per square inch)
working (see Note 2)Total time-
pressure (minutes)
(Pounds per (see Note 3)

square inch) 28 24 20 16 12 8 4

14 to 16 2 2
16 to 18 2 2
18 to 20 5 5
20 to 22 10 10
22 to 24 15 is
24 to 26 25 25
26 to 28 5 30 35
28 to 30 5 40 45
30 to 32 10 45 55
32 to 34 is so 65
34 to 36 20 55 75
36 to 38 5 20 60 85
38 to 40 5 30 60 95
40 to 42 10 35 60 105
42 to 44 Is 40 60 115
44 to 46 5 20 40 60 125
46 to 48 5 25 45 60 135
48 to 50 5 30 so 60 145

Notes.

1.Decompress at a rate not faster than 5 pounds per square inch per minute.

2.Decompress between stages at a rate of 5 pounds per square inch per
minute.

3. Not including time between stages.

4.Where alternative decompression procedures are given (e.g. 46 pounds -per
square inch) the longer decompression procedure should always be chosen.





TABLE 4

WHERE THE WORKING PERIOD 15 OVER 11 HOURS BUT
UP TO
AND INCLUDING 2 HOURS

maximum Stage pressure (Pounds per square inch)
working (see Note 2)Total time-
pressure (minutes)
(Pounds per (see Note 3)

square inch) 28 24 20 16 12 1 4

14 to 16 2 2
16 to 18 5 5
18 to 20 10 10
20 to 22 20 20
22 to 24 30 30
24 to 26 5 40 45
26 to 28 5 50 55
28 to 30 15 so 65
30 to 32 25 50 75
32 to 34 5 25 60 90
34 to 36 5 35 60 100
36 to 38 10 40 60 110
38 to 40 15 45 60 120
40 to 42 5 20 45 60 130
42 to 44 5 25 50 60 140
44 to 46 10 30 50 60 150
46 to 48 5 10 35 50 60 160
48 to 50 5 is 40 50 60 170

Notes:

I.Decompress at a rate not faster than 5 pounds per square inch per minute.

2.Decompress between stages at a rate of 5 pounds per square inch per
minute.

3. Not including time between stages.

4.Where alternative decompression procedures given (e.g. 46 pounds per
square inch) the longer decompression procedure should always be chosen.





TABLE 5

WHERE THE WORKING PERIOD is OVER 2 HOURS BUT up To

AND INCLUDING 21 HOURS

Maximum Stage pressure (Pounds per square inch)
working (see Note 2)Total time-
pressure (minutes)
(Pounds per (see Note 3)

square inch) 28 24 20 16 12 8 4

14 to 16 5 5
16 to 18 10 10
18 to 20 20 20
20 to 22 30 30
22 to 24 5 40 45
24 to 26 10 45 55
26 to 28 is 55 70
28 to 30 20 60 80
30 to 32 5 30 60 95
32 to 34 10 35 60 105
34 to 36 15 40 60 115
36 to 38 5 15 45 60 125
38 to 40 5 25 45 60 135
40 to 42 10 30 45 60 145
42 to 44 is 35 45 60 155
44 to 46 5 15 35 50 60 165
46 to 48 5 25 35 50 60 175
48 to 50 10 25 40 50 60 185

Notes:

1.Decompress at a rate not faster than 5 pounds per square inch per minute.

2.Decompress between stages at a rate of 5 pounds per square inch per
minute.

3. Not including time between stages.

4.Where alternative decompression procedures are given (e.g. 46 pounds per
square inch) the longer decompression procedure should always be chosen.





TABLE 6

WHERE THE WORKING PERIOD is OVER 21 HOURS BUT
UP TO
AND INCLUDING 3 HOURS

Maximum Stage pressure (Pounds per square inch)
working (see Note 2)Total time-
pressure (minutes)
(Pounds per (see Note 3)

square inch) 28 24 20 16 12 8 4

14 to 16 5
16 to 18 is is
18 to 20 25 25
20 to 22 40 40
22 to 24 5 so 55
24 to 26 is so 65
26 to 28 20 60 80
28 to 30 5 30 60 95
30 to 32 10 35 60 105
32 to 34 15 40 60 115
34 to 36 5 20 40 60 125
36 to 38 5 25 45 60 135
38 to 40 10 30 45 60 145
40 to 42 is 35 45 60 155
42 to 44 5 20 35 50 60 170
44 to 46 10 20 40 so 60 180
46 to 48 is 25 40 so 60 190
48 to 50 5 is 30 40 50 60 200

Notes:

1.Decompress at a rate not faster than 5 pounds per square inch Per minute

2.Decompress between stages at a rate of 5 pounds per square inch per
minute.

3. Not including time between stages.

4.Where alternative decompression procedures are given (e.g. 46 pounds per
square inch) the longer decompression procedure should always be chosen.





TABLE 7

WHERE THE WORKING PERIOD is OVER 3 HOURS BUT UP TO

AND INCLUDING 4 HOURS

Maximum Stage pressure (Pounds per square inch)
working (see Note 2)Total time-
pressure (minutes)
(Pounds per (see Note 3)

square inch) 28 24 20 16 12 8 4

14 to 16 10 10
16 to 18 20 20
18 to 20 35 35
20 to 22 5 45 so
22 to 24 10 55 65
24 to 26 20 55 75
26 to 28 5 30 55 90
28 to 30 5 40 60 105
30 to 32 is 40 60 115
32 to 34 20 45 60 125
34 to 36 5 30 45 60 140
36 to 38 10 35 45 60 150
38 to 40 5 15 35 45 60 160
40 to 42 5 20 40 45 60 170
42 to 44 10 25 40 45 60 180
44 to 46 5 10 30 40 45 60 190
46 to 48 5 20 30 40 45 60 200
48 to 50 10 20 35 40 50 60 215

Notes:

1.Decompress at a rate not faster than 5 pounds per square inch per minute.

2.Decompress between stages at a rate of 5 pounds per square inch per
minute.

3. Not including time between stages.

4.Where alternative decompression procedures are given (e.g. 46 pounds per
square inch) the longer decompression procedure should always be chosen.





TABLE 8

WHERE THE WORKING PERIOD is OVER 4 HOURS BUT UP TO
AND INCLUDING 8 HOURS

Maximum Stage pressure (Pounds per square inch)

working (see Note 2) Total time-

pressure (minutes)

(Pounds per (see Note 3)

square inch) 28 24 20 16 12 8 4

14 to 16 is Is
16 to 18 30 30
18 to 20 45 45
20 to 22 5 55 60
22 to 24 15 60 75
24 to 26 30 60 90
26 to 28 5 35 60 100
28 to 30 10 45 60 115
30 to 32 20 45 60 125
32 to 34 5 30 45 65 145
34 to 36 10 35 45 70 160
36 to 38 20 35 45 80 180
38 to 40 5 25 40 so 85 205
40 to 42 10 30 40 50 90 220
42 to 44 5 15 30 40 55 100 245
44 to 46 5 20 35 40 60 110 270
46 to 48 10 25 35 45 65 120 300
48 to 50 5 10 30 40 45 70 130 330

Notes:

1.Decompress at a rate not faster than 5 pounds per square inch per minute,.

2.Decompress between stages at a rate of 5 pounds per square inch per
minute.

3. Not including time between stages.

4.Where alternative decompression procedures are given (e.g. 46 pounds per
square inch) the longer decompression procedure should always be chosen.





FOURTH SCHEDULE

FORM 1 [regs. 11 & 14.]

FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (WORK IN COMPRESSED AIR) REGULATIONS

LOCK ATTENDANT'S REGISTER


Constractor .............................. Date .............................

Construction Site................................. Wet bulk temperature .................. 9, 3*

Name of lock attendant ...............................................

Record all times as a.m. or p.m.






FORM 2 [reg. 11(3).]

FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (WORK IN COMPRESSED AIR)
REGULATIONS

COMPRESSED AIR WORKER'S TRANSFER RECORD

This record is to be retained by the person to whom it is issued. Entries are to be made by the lock attendant who will also make
the necessary entries in the
lock attendant's register (Form 1).
Name of Worker: ...........................................................................





FORM 3 [regs. 24, 27 & 28.]

FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (WORK IN
COMPRESSED AIR) REGULATIONS

COMPRESSED AIR WORKER'S MEDICAL CARD

CONFIDENTIAL



Contract: ......... Date: ....................


Full name of worker: ................... Date of birth: .................


Permanent address: ..........................................
Employment (this contract): ................. Recent occupation: active/sedentary





Medical history



Ever declared unfit for employment in compressed air? Yes/No


Operations .......................................................................................



Injuries .............................................................................................


Bronchitis Yes/No Asthma Yes/No Hay fever Yes/No

Sinusitis Yes/No Diabetes Yes/No Fits Yes/No

Ear trouble Yes/No Hernia Yes/No

Signature ..........................................................................................



Medical examination

Height: ...Weight: ..........


Lungs: ........... Heart: ... Blood pressure:......... Ears: ............

Joints: ..............Urine:............... Eustachian tubes patent: Yes/No

Test in lock: Yes/No Fit for employment in compressed air: Yes/No

Any reservations? ..............................................................................



Doctor's signature: ..............................................................................



Add any further notes:........................................................................





FORM 4 [regs. 24 & 27.]


FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS
(WORK IN
COMPRESSED AIR) REGULATIONS



COMPRESSED AIR WORKER'S DECOMPRESSION SICKNESS
CASE SHEET


Contract: .......... Date: ....................

Full name of worker: ................... Identification: ......................


Occupation: ....... Activity: Manual/Supervisory/Sedentary


Maximum working pressure: ....Decanted: Yes/No


If multiple exposures-how many? ..............................

Total exposure time: ..............................

Was decompressed according to tables? Yes/No

Man-lock temp.: ....max............. min. Man-lock CO ...........

Shift: Day.........Back ......Night .............



Shift if new starter: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th

Shift if after absence of 7 days: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th

'Cold' infection: head or chest Yes/No






Type 1 (bends)

Site of pain: .......... Localized: Yes/No Spreading: Yes/No

How soon after decompression: .................. Time decompression finished: ..........

Any injury to affected part: Yes/No Excessive use of limbs: Yes/No

Any symptom other than pain: ...............................................................

Type 2

Signs and symptoms . ...........................................................................

Circulatory: Yes/No Respiratory: Yes/No Visual: Yes/No


Neurological: Yes/No Skin mottling: Yes/No Skin irritation: Yes/No

Vomiting: Yes/No

Treatment


Time commenced: ...Time completed: ...........................


Pressure of relief: ................ Highest pressure used: ................

Method of decompression: ............... Number of recompressions: ....................

Residual symptoms: ...........................................................................

Fit for employment in compressed air again: Yes/No (if in doubt, refer to the
appointed medical practitioner)


Evidence of recurrence after leaving medical centre: Yes/No





FORM 5 [regs. 24 27.]

FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (WORK IN COMPRESSED
AIR) REGULATIONS

COMPRESSED AIR WORKER'S INDIVIDUAL AIR RECORD


Contract: ..........................................................................................

Name of worker: ........Date of birth: ..................

Identification: ................

Occupation: ............Shift worker: Yes/No ..................



Total days employed in compressed air: ...................................................






FORM 6 [regs. 26 & 27.]

FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (WORK IN
COMPRESSED AIR) REGULATIONS


COMPRESSED AIR HEALTH REGISTER

PART I

Person to whom this register relates


(To be filled in by the employer)

Name: ..........................................

Address: .......................................

Date of birth: .................................

Name, address and telephone number of the appointed medical practitioners:

1. .............................................................................................
2..............................................................................
............................................
...........................................
3.....................................


PART II



Certificate of examination of the person named in Part I of this register as
to his fitness for employment in compressed air

(To be filled in by the appointed medical practitioners)





FORM 7 [reg. 30.]



FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS
(WORK IN
COMPRESSED AIR) REGULATIONS

NOTIFICATION OF COMMENCEMENT
OF WORK IN COMPRESSED AIR

(To be completed and sent before commencement of construction work
in compressed air)

To: * Factory Inspector, Labour Department, Hong Kong

* The Senior Industrial Health Officer, Labour Department, Hong Kong

! The ............Police Station
! The ............Fire Station


(Chop of company or firm)

Signature .................................

Position ....................................

Date .......................................

* delete where necessary
! name of police or fire services station nearest to the construction site





FORM 8 [reg. 32.]

FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS
(WORK IN

COMPRESSED Ant)
REGISTRATIONS

(Regulation 32)

ADVISORY LEAFLET FOR ISSUE TO PERSONS WHO WORK

IN OR ENTER COMPRESSED AIR

Read these rules carefully make sure you understand them

for your own sake-follow them

Persons who work in or enter compressed air sometimes get pains in their
joints soon after leaving the working chamber. These pains are called---the bends',
'caisson sickness', or just 'pains'. They may occur in muscles and other parts of
the body. They can almost always be avoided. Pain is sometimes felt in the cars or
head during compression. This too can be avoided.

Very rarely a more serious kind of 'bends' may occur and a person may even
'pass out' suddenly. Immediate recompression is necessary. This is why it is so
important that you always wear the label you have been given in case you get the
'bends' when you are away from the construction site.

A certain number of persons who work in or enter compressed air develop,
after a time, small areas of damage in some of their bones. If these affect the hip or
shoulder joints arthritis may follow. Failure to obey these rules will increase the risk
of bone damage.

YOU MUST NOT WORK IN OR ENTER COMPRESSED AIR UNTIL

YOU HAVE BEEN PASSED AS FIT BY THE DOCTOR

DO not go to work in or enter compressed air if you have a cold in the head,
chest infection, sore throat or earache. If you have any of these complaints, you
must report to the supervisor in charge of the compressed air operations at the
construction site. If you have been off sick through any illness or injury for more
than 3 days, you must be re-examined by the appointed medical practitioner before
you go back into compressed air.

You must be passed medically fit before you start work in or enter compressed
air. If the working pressure is over 14 pounds per square inch, you must be
examined by the appointed medical practitioner at least once every 4 weeks. If the
working pressure is below 14 pounds per square inch, you must be so examined at
least once every 3 months.

The lock attendant has to keep a record of all persons who enter and leave
the lock, and also has to control all decompression. Always obey his instructions.

YOU MUST ALWAYS WEAR THE LABEL ISSUED TO YOU

If you get an attack of 'bends' get back to the construction site as quickly as
you can and report to the medical lock attendant who will arrange for treatment in
the medical lock.

You must never drink alcohol in compressed air, and smoking is also
forbidden.

If you have not worked in or entered compressed air before you must not
enter the lock unless an experienced compressed air worker is with you.











if the rate of compression is not controlled by the lock attendant, the
contractor employing you may tell the leading man to take charge of the valves
which let in the compressed air. If you feel pain or discomfort, warn the leading
man or lock attendant at once, and compression will be stopped. If the pain does
not go, pressure will be reduced slowly and you will be let out of the lock.

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF 'BENDS' DECOMPRESSION MUST

BE CARRIED OUT STRICTLY ACCORDING TO THE RULES

Decompression is usually in 2 stages, the first quick and the second very slow,
though other methods can be allowed under the Regulations.

The lock attendant must control all decompressions. Do not try to interfere
with his control. You can get in touch with him by means of the speaking tube, the
telephone or the observation window.

Attacks of 'bendS' usually start within 11 hours after decompression. If the
working pressure is over 40 pounds per square inch you should stay near the medical
lock for at least 11 hours. If it is less than this you should stay near the medical
lock for at least an hour.

IN THE INTERESTS OF YOUR HEALTH OBEY THESE RULES

IF YOU DO NOT-YOU MAY BECOME SERIOUSLY ILL

LABOUR DEPARTMENT

HONG KONG

1978 L.N. 273/75. L.N. 161/78. L.N. 73/76. Citation. Application. Interpretation. Third Schedule. Construction and maintenance of bulkheads, etc. L.N. 161/78. Supervision of compressed air operations. Air supply plant. L.N. 161/78. Air supply. L.N. 161/78. First Schedule. Man-locks. L.N. 161/78. Second Schedule. Third Schedule. Use of man-locks. Man-lock attendants. Duties of lock attendants. Second Schedule. Third Schedule. Fourth Schedule. Fourth Schedule. Employment in compressed air at a pressure exceeding 14 pounds per square inch. Entrance to and exit from a working chamber. Temperature in a working chamber. Fourth Schedule. Health facilities. L.N. 161/78. Decant locks. L.N. 161/78. Third Schedule. Use of decant locks. L.N. 161/78. Third Schedule. Medical practitioner to be informed. Transfer from man-lock to decant lock. Time limit for transfer. Medical locks. L.N. 161/78. Use of medical locks. Medical lock attendants. (Cap. 59, sub. leg.) Appointment of medical practitioners by contractors. Fourth Schedule. Fourth Schedule. Fourth Schedule. Appointment of medical practitioner by employers other than contractors. Medical supervision and certification. Fourth Schedule. Compressed air health registers, etc. Fourth Schedule. Fourth Schedule. Fourth Schedule. Radiographic examinations. Fourth Schedule. Duty to submit to medical examination. Notification of work in compressed air. Fourth Schedule. Employment of persons without previous experience. Advisory leaflets. Fourth Schedule. Personal labels. Consumption of alcohol and smoking. Duty to follow instructions of lock attendants. Supply of food and hot drinks. Fire fighting procedure and fire drills. Offences and penalties.

L.N. 273/75. L.N. 161/78. L.N. 73/76. Citation. Application. Interpretation. Third Schedule. Construction and maintenance of bulkheads, etc. L.N. 161/78. Supervision of compressed air operations. Air supply plant. L.N. 161/78. Air supply. L.N. 161/78. First Schedule. Man-locks. L.N. 161/78. Second Schedule. Third Schedule. Use of man-locks. Man-lock attendants. Duties of lock attendants. Second Schedule. Third Schedule. Fourth Schedule. Fourth Schedule. Employment in compressed air at a pressure exceeding 14 pounds per square inch. Entrance to and exit from a working chamber. Temperature in a working chamber. Fourth Schedule. Health facilities. L.N. 161/78. Decant locks. L.N. 161/78. Third Schedule. Use of decant locks. L.N. 161/78. Third Schedule. Medical practitioner to be informed. Transfer from man-lock to decant lock. Time limit for transfer. Medical locks. L.N. 161/78. Use of medical locks. Medical lock attendants. (Cap. 59, sub. leg.) Appointment of medical practitioners by contractors. Fourth Schedule. Fourth Schedule. Fourth Schedule. Appointment of medical practitioner by employers other than contractors. Medical supervision and certification. Fourth Schedule. Compressed air health registers, etc. Fourth Schedule. Fourth Schedule. Fourth Schedule. Radiographic examinations. Fourth Schedule. Duty to submit to medical examination. Notification of work in compressed air. Fourth Schedule. Employment of persons without previous experience. Advisory leaflets. Fourth Schedule. Personal labels. Consumption of alcohol and smoking. Duty to follow instructions of lock attendants. Supply of food and hot drinks. Fire fighting procedure and fire drills. Offences and penalties.

https://oelawhk.lib.hku.hk/items/show/2341

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