Rule 27. Ventilation, temperature and humidity

The employer of every belowground mine shall ensure that: -

(i) suitable atmospheric conditions are maintained in workplaces, by natural or artificial means, to avoid insufficient air supply, stagnant or vitiated air, harmful draughts, excessive heat or cold, sudden variations in temperature and where practicable, having regard to the nature of the processes carried on, to avoid excessive humidity or dryness, and objectionable odours;

(ii) steps are taken as are necessary to provide at all workplaces of the belowground mine, adequate ventilation to clear away smoke, fume, steam and dust, to dilute gases that are inflammable or noxious so as to render them harmless;

(iii) adequate and sufficient measures are taken to protect the employees from exposing to extreme weather conditions by suitably changing the working hours, providing protective clothes or other suitable provisions, as necessary;

(iv) where an adequate supply of fresh air cannot be obtained by natural ventilation or where it is difficult to get the desired amount of air to the workrooms without creating uncomfortable draughts near the inlets, mechanical ventilation is provided;

(v) at every workplace at the surface of the mines, the temperature suitable for the type of work performed is maintained in workplaces and the degree of humidity varied in accordance with the kind of work and the outside temperature and humidity;

(vi) measurements of air quantity, temperature and humidity are regularly taken and brought up- to-date the entries at each air measurement station.