Singapore legislation
Regulation 11
of Workplace Safety and Health (Abrasive Blasting) Regulations 2008
Regulation 11
Ventilation system
Subregulation 1
It shall be the duty of the occupier of a workplace in which blasting is carried out within a blasting chamber or within a blasting cabinet to ensure that the requirements of paragraphs (2) to (7) are complied with.
Subregulation 2
Every blasting chamber and blasting cabinet shall be provided with —
an effective ventilation system to extract, by exhaust draught effected by mechanical means, all dust generated by blasting in the blasting chamber or blasting cabinet during blasting, or by the cleaning, repairing or maintenance of the blasting chamber or blasting cabinet;
a suitable air cleaning device to remove the dust extracted by the ventilation system; and
a dust collector of appropriate capacity to collect dust removed by the air cleaning device.
Subregulation 3
Every duct, pipe and conduit through which the exhaust air passes shall be of sufficient capacity and appropriate size, and be fitted with testing holes and cleanout ports at all places where dust is likely to accumulate.
Subregulation 4
Subject to paragraph (5), the ventilation system of every blasting chamber and blasting cabinet shall, so far as is reasonably practicable, be kept in continuous operation until such time the blasting chamber and blasting cabinet is free of dust.
Subregulation 5
Where it is necessary to enter and carry out any cleaning, repair or maintenance within any blasting chamber and it is not reasonably practicable to keep the ventilation system in continuous operation, the blasting chamber shall be made safe for entry and for such work to be carried out therein.
Subregulation 6
Every blasting cabinet shall be ventilated with air of a velocity of not less than 150 linear metres per minute through all operating openings.
Subregulation 7
A switch for the purpose of starting and stopping the ventilation system shall be provided at a suitable position adjacent to the blasting chamber.