S.I. No. 282/1975:

THE CONSTRUCTION (SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE) REGULATIONS, 1975.

THE CONSTRUCTION (SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE) REGULATIONS, 1975.

ARRANGEMENT OF REGULATIONS

Regulation

INDEX

Regulation

PART I

Preliminary and General

1. Citation.

2. Commencement and revocation.

3. Interpretation.

4. Application.

5. Obligations.

6. Exemption.

7. Lifting machinery in factory premises and in docks etc.

8. Delivery of loads with lifting gear attached.

9. Hoists forming part of permanent equipment.

10. Hoists manufactured before the commencement of the Regulations.

PART II

Supervision of Safe Conduct of Work

11. Appointment of safety officers.

12. Other duties and joint appointment of safety officers.

PART III

Excavations, Shafts and Tunnels

13. Supply and use of timber.

14. Inspection and examination of excavations etc.

15. Supervision and execution of timbering and other work.

16. Means of egress in case of flooding.

17. Excavations etc. likely to reduce security of a structure.

18. Fencing of excavations.

19. Safeguarding edges of excavations.

PART IV

Cofferdams and Caissons

20. Construction and maintenance.

21. Means of egress in case of flooding.

22. Supervision of work and inspection of material.

23. Inspections and examinations.

PART V

Explosives

24. Explosives.

PART VI

Dangerous and unhealthy atmospheres

25. Inhalation of dust and fumes to be prevented.

26. Ventilation of excavations, etc.

27. Internal combustion engines or Dangerous Gas.

PART VII

Work on or adjacent to water

28. Transport by water.

29. Prevention of drowning.

PART VIII

Transport

30. Rails and rail tracks.

31. Maintenance of locomotives, etc.

32. Clearance.

33. Gantries.

34. Brakes, sprags and scotches.

35. Replacement of derailed locomotives, etc.

36. Warning of movement of locomotives, trucks or wagons.

37. Competent persons to drive locomotives etc.

38. Precautions in connection with the use of capstans and haulage winches.

39. Mechanically propelled vehicles and trailers.

40. Riding in insecure positions on vehicles, etc.

41. Remaining on vehicles during loading.

42. Vehicles near edge of excavations, etc.

PART IX

Demolition

43. Application of Part IX.

44. Supervision.

45. Fire and flooding.

46. Precautions in connection with demolition.

PART X

Safety of Working Places and Access and Egress

47. General.

48. Provision of scaffolds etc.

49. Supervision of work and inspection of material.

50. Construction and material.

51. Defective material.

52. Maintenance of scaffolds.

53. Partly erected or dismantled scaffolds.

54. Standards or uprights, ledgers and putlogs.

55. Ladders used in scaffolds.

56. Stability of scaffolds.

57. Slung scaffolds.

58. Cantilever, jib, figure and bracket scaffolds.

59. Support for scaffolds, etc.

60. Suspended scaffolds (not power operated).

61. Boatswain's chairs, cages, skips, etc. (not power operated).

62. Trestle scaffolds.

63. Inspection of scaffolds, boatswain's chairs etc.

64. Scaffolds used by workmen of different employers.

65. Construction of working platforms, gangways and runs.

66. Boards and planks in working platforms, gangways and runs.

67. Widths of working platforms.

68. Widths of gangways and runs.

69. Guard-rails and toe-boards at working platforms and places.

70. Guard-rails, etc. for gangways, runs and stairs.

71. Platforms, gangways, runs and stairs, etc. to afford safe foothold.

72. Construction and maintenance of ladders and folding step-ladders.

73. Use of ladders and folding step-ladders.

74. Openings, corners, breaks, edges and open joisting.

75. Exceptions from Regulation 74.

76. Sloping roofs.

77. Work on or near fragile materials.

78. Loads on scaffolds.

79. Prevention of falls and provision of safety nets and belts.

PART XI

Lifting Appliances

80. Construction, maintenance and inspection.

81. Support, anchoring, fixing and erecting.

82. Precautions where lifting appliance has travelling or slewing motion.

83. Platforms for crane drivers and signallers.

84. Cabins for drivers.

85. Drums and pulleys.

86. Brakes, controls, safety devices, etc.

87. Safe means of access.

88. Poles or beams supporting pulley blocks or gin wheels.

89. Stability of lifting appliances.

90. Rail mounted cranes.

91. Mounting of cranes.

92. Cranes with derricking jibs.

93. Restriction on use of cranes.

94. Use of cranes with timber structural member prohibited.

95. Erection of cranes.

96. Competent persons to operate lifting appliances and give signals.

97. Signals.

98. Testing and examination of cranes, etc.

99. Marking of safe working loads.

100. Indication of safe working load of jib cranes.

101. Load not to exceed safe working load.

102. Precautions on raising or lowering loads.

103. Scotch and guy derrick cranes.

PART XII

Chains, Ropes and Lifting Gear

104. Construction, testing, examination and safe working load.

105. Testing of chains, rings, etc. altered or repaired by welding.

106. Hooks.

107. Slings.

108. Edges of load not to come into contact with sling, etc.

109. Knotted chains, etc.

110. Examination of chains, ropes and lifting gear.

111. Annealing of chains and lifting gear.

PART XIII

Special Provisions as to Hoists

112. Safety of hoistways, platforms and cages.

113. Operation of hoist.

114. Winches.

115. Safe working load and marking of hoists.

116. Test and examination of hoists.

PART XIV

Carriage of Persons and Secureness of loads

117. Carrying persons by means of lifting appliances.

118. Hoists carrying persons.

119. Secureness of loads.

PART XV

Health and Welfare

120. Provision of first-aid boxes or cases.

121. Contents of first-aid boxes or cases.

122. Standard of training in first-aid treatment.

123. Ambulances.

124. First-aid rooms.

125. Shelters and accommodation for clothing and for taking meals.

126. Washing facilities.

127. Number of sanitary conveniences.

128. Other requirements as to sanitary conveniences.

129. Protective clothing.

130. Safe access to places where facilities are provided.

PART XVI

Miscellaneous

131. Fencing of machinery.

132. Electricity.

133. Generation of steam, smoke and vapour.

134. Protection from falling material.

135. Lighting of working places etc.

136. Projecting nails and loose materials.

137. Construction of temporary structures.

138. Avoidance of danger from collapse of structure.

139. Wet paint or cement wash on ironwork or steelwork.

140. Protection of the eyes.

141. Helmets or crowns for pile driving.

142. Keeping of records.

143. Keeping of approved register.

First Schedule Extent of exclusions under Regulation 7 (1).

Second Schedule Chains and lifting gear excepted under Regulation 111 (as to heat treatment).

Third Schedule Contents of first-aid boxes or cases under Regulation 121 (2).

Fourth Schedule Processes to which Regulation 140 applies.

S.I. No. 282 of 1975..

THE CONSTRUCTION (SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE) REGULATIONS, 1975.

I, MICHAEL O'LEARY, Minister for Labour, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by sections 6 , 8 , 17 , 57 and 71 of the Factories Act, 1955 (No. 10 of 1955) and the Labour (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order, 1966 ( S.I. No. 164 of 1966 ), after consultation with the Minister for Health, and after due compliance with the provisions of the Third Schedule to that Act, hereby make the following Regulations:

PART I. PRELIMINARY AND GENERAL.

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Construction (Safety, Health and Welfare) Regulations, 1975.

2. (1) These Regulations shall come into operation on the 1st day of January, 1976.

(2) The Building (Safety, Health and Welfare) Regulations, 1959 ( S.I. No. 227 of 1959 ) are hereby revoked.

3. In these Regulations "the Act" means the Factories Act, 1955 (No. 10 of 1955);

"approved" means approved for the time being by the Minister;

"certificate in first-aid" does not include a certificate in first-aid issued to a person who is then under the age of 15 years;

"contractor" means a contractor or an employer of workmen undertaking any of the operations or works to which these Regulations apply, or any person who carries out work for a fixed or other sum and who supplied the materials and labour (whether his own labour or that of another) to carry out such operations or works or supplies the labour only;

"employed" means employed in works or operations to which these Regulations apply;

"hoist" means a lifting machine, whether worked by mechanical power or not, with a carriage, platform or cage, the movement of which is restricted by a guide or guides, but does not include a lifting appliance used for the movement of trucks or wagons on a line of rails;

"ladder" does not include a folding step-ladder;

"ladder scaffold" means a scaffold with a working platform which is supported directly on a ladder or by means of a crutch or bracket on a rung or rungs of a ladder;

"lifting appliance" means a crab, winch, pulley block or gin wheel used for raising or lowering, and a hoist, crane, sheer legs, excavator, dragline, piling frame, aerial cableway, aerial ropeway or overhead runway;

"lifting gear" means a chain sling, rope sling, or similar gear, and a ring, link, hook, plate clamp, shackle, swivel, or eye-bolt;

"locomotive" means any self-propelled wheeled vehicle used on a line of rails for the movement of trucks or wagons;

"the Minister" means the Minister for Labour;

"mobile crane" means a crane capable of travelling under its own power, but does not include such a crane which travels on a line of rails;

"plant or equipment" includes any gear, machinery, apparatus or appliance, or any part of any plant or equipment;

"raising or lowering or as a means of suspension", where occurring in Regulations 104, 105, 106, 110 or 111 of these Regulations means raising or lowering or as a means of suspension either of a load on a lifting appliance or lifting gear or a scaffold but does not include the use of a rope or chain solely as a means of lashing or securing together two or more rigid members of a scaffold to form a frame or as a means of making a lapped joint or the use of a rope or chain solely for the movement of a load in a horizontal direction;

"safe working load" means either the relevant safe working load required to be specified in the latest certificate of test obtained for the purposes of Regulations 98, 104, 105 or 116 of these Regulations or where no such certificate is required, the relevant safe working load required to be marked or exhibited on the lifting appliance, lifting gear, chain, rope or other article of plant or equipment by Regulations 99 or 104 of these Regulations;

"scaffold" means any temporarily provided structure on or from which persons perform work in connection with operations or works to which these Regulations apply and any temporarily provided structure which enables persons to obtain access to or which enables materials to be taken to any place at which such works are executed, and includes any working platform, working stage, gangway, run, ladder or step-ladder ( other than an independent ladder or stepladder which does not form part of such a structure) together with any guard-rail, toe-board or other safeguards and all fixings, but does not include a lifting appliance or a structure only used to support such an appliance or to support other plant or equipment;

"site" means any place where building operations or works of engineering construction or both such operations and such works are being carried on;

"sloping roof" has the meaning assigned to it by Regulation 76 of these Regulations;

"slung scaffold" means a scaffold suspended by means of lifting gear, ropes or chains or rigid members and not provided with means of raising or lowering by a lifting appliance or similar device;

"suspended scaffold" means a scaffold (not being a slung scaffold) suspended by means of ropes or chains and capable of being raised or lowered but does not include a boatswain's chair or similar appliance;

"training organisation" means the St. John Ambulance Brigade of Ireland, the Order of Malta Ambulance Corps, the Irish Red Cross Society, or any other body or society approved for the purposes of these Regulations;

"trestle scaffold" includes a scaffold in which the supports for the platforms are any of the following which are self-supporting, namely split heads, folding step-ladders, tripods or movable contrivances similar to any of the foregoing;

"truck" or "wagon" in Part VIII of these Regulations means, respectively, a truck or wagon used on a line of rails;

"working platform" includes a working stage.

4. These Regulations shall apply to any building operations which are building operations mentioned in section 88 of the Act and to any works of engineering construction which are works of engineering construction mentioned in section 89 of the Act.

5. (1) It shall be the duty of every contractor to comply with such of the requirements of the following Regulations as affect him or any workman employed by him, namely,

( a ) Regulations 13 to 16, 18, 20 to 22, 25, 26, 28, 30, 40, 41, 47 to 64, 66, 71 to 73, 77, 79, 117, 133, 134 (1), 135 to 137, 140 and 142.

( b ) Regulations 65, 67 to 70, 74 to 76 in so far as they relate to falling or slipping and

( c ) Regulation 112 (1) in so far as it relates to the protection of a hoistway.

(2) Where the presence of a workman in a particular place is not in the course of performing any work on behalf of his employer then, unless the presence is expressly or implicitly authorised or permitted by his employer, for so long as the workman is so present in the place the requirements mentioned in paragraphs (1) (a) of this regulation shall be regarded as not affecting the workman.

(3) It shall be the duty of every contractor to comply with the requirements of Regulations 17, 19, 23, 24, 35, 43 to 46, 78, paragraphs (1) to (6) of Regulation 119, 132, 134 (3), 138, 139, 142 and with the requirements of Regulations 65, 67 to 70, 74 to 76 in so far as they relate to the falling of materials and articles.

(4) It shall be the duty of every contractor, who erects, instals, works or uses any plant or equipment to which any of the provisions of these Regulations applies to erect, instal, work or use any such plant or equipment in a manner which complies with those provisions, and of every contractor who erects or alters any scaffold to comply with the requirements of these Regulations having regard to the purpose or purposes for which the scaffold is designed at the time of erection or alteration.

(5) It shall be the duty of every person employed to comply with the requirements of such of these Regulations as relate to him and to co-operate in carrying out these Regulations and if he discovers any defect in the plant or equipment to which these Regulations apply, to report such defect without unreasonable delay to his employer or foreman or to a person appointed by such employer under Part II of these Regulations.

(6) The requirements of any of the following Regulations, that is to say, Regulations 120 and 123 to 127 of these Regulations shall be deemed to be complied with by a contractor for so long as there are in operation: --

( a ) effective arrangements made by him with another contractor on the site, being arrangements in respect of which the requirements of paragraph (7) of this Regulation are fulfilled, or

( b ) effective arrangements made by him with any other person, for enabling persons employed by him to have adequate access to and use of facilities which are respectively of the same kind, and as adequate and suitable as those required by any of the said provisions to be provided, and which are reasonably accessible to every working position on the relevant site.

(7) A contractor who provides facilities under any arrangement made in pursuance of paragraph (6) (a) of this Regulation shall as soon as the said arrangement comes into operation:--

( a ) enter in the approved form in a register kept for the purposes of this Regulation the particulars of the said arrangement and

( b ) give to the other contractor with whom he has made the arrangement a certificate in an approved form of such particulars.

(8) All registers kept for the purposes of this regulation and certificates given in pursuance of paragraph (7) of this regulation shall be kept on the site of the relevant operations or works, or at an office of the contractor by whom the register is kept, or at an office of the contractor to whom the certificate was given.

(9) All registers kept for the purposes of this regulation and certificates given in pursuance of paragraph (7) of this regulation shall be open to inspection at all reasonable times by any person employed and who is affected by an arrangement of which there are particulars in the register or certificate. The person keeping any such register or having any such certificate shall send to an inspector such extracts from or copies of the register kept for the purposes of this regulation as the inspector may from time to time require for the purpose of the execution of his duties under the Act.

(10) Where by virtue of an arrangement made in accordance with paragraph (6) (a) of this regulation a contractor is deemed to have complied with a requirement of these Regulations, the other contractor who has undertaken to provide facilities pursuant to the arrangement shall for the purposes of Regulations 120 and 123 to 127 of these Regulations be responsible and the person employed in relation to the facilities by the first-mentioned contractor shall, for the purposes of that requirement, be deemed to be employed by the other contractor.

(11) Nothing in these Regulations shall be construed as preventing two or more contractors jointly appointing the same person or persons to have charge of first-aid boxes or cases, or of a first-aid room, or to be responsible for summoning an ambulance or other means of transport in pursuance of Regulation 123 of these Regulations.

(12) Subject to paragraphs (13) and (14) of this regulation, any person undertaking any of the operations or works to which these Regulations apply shall, not later than seven days after the beginning of the operations or works serve on the Minister a notice, in the approved form, stating the name and postal address of the person, the place and nature of the operations or works and whether or not any mechanical power is being, or is intended to be, used and, if so, the nature of the mechanical power.

(13) Paragraph (12) of this regulation shall not apply to any operations or works which the person undertaking them has reasonable grounds for believing will be completed in a period of less than six weeks.

(14) Where a person undertakes any operations or works to which these Regulations apply in a place where other such operations or works are in progress, if pursuant to this regulation a notice was served in respect of the operations or works so in progress, the requirements of paragraph (12) of this regulation shall not apply as regards the first-mentioned operations or works.

(15) A person who is required by virtue of the foregoing provisions of this regulation to serve a notice shall, as soon as may be after the completion of the operations or works to which the notice relates, serve on the Minister a notice, in the approved form, stating that the operations or works have been completed.

6. The Minister may (subject to such conditions, if any, as may be specified therein) by certificate in writing (which he may in his discretion revoke at any time) exempt from all or any of the requirements of these Regulations any building operation or work of engineering construction, if he is satisfied that the requirement in respect of which the exemption is granted is not necessary for the protection of persons employed or is not reasonably practicable.

7. (1) Lifting appliances, chains, ropes and lifting gear to which this regulation applies shall, as respects the incidental or occasional use thereof in or for the purposes of operations or works to which these Regulations apply, be excluded from the operation each of a Regulation specified in column (1) of the First Schedule to these Regulations to the extent specified in column (2) thereof opposite the mention of the Regulation and subject to the exceptions and conditions specified in column (3) thereof opposite the mention of the Regulation.

(2) This Regulation applies to any lifting appliance, chain, rope or lifting gear--

( a ) which forms part of the permanent equipment of a factory or other premises to which the safety provisions in sections 33 (7) and 33 (12) of the Act apply and which is used at that factory or those premises both in raising or lowering for purposes other than operations or works to which these Regulations apply, and in raising or lowering for the purposes of operations or works to which these Regulations apply.

( b ) which is regularly and ordinarily used in the processes of loading, unloading, moving or handling goods in, or at any dock, wharf or quay or of loading, unloading or coaling any ship in any dock, harbour or canal, but is being used for operations or works to which these Regulations apply in, or at a dock, wharf, quay, harbour or canal.

8. Where any article, material or other load intended for use in operations or works to which these Regulations apply is delivered at, or adjacent to, the site of such operations or works with a chain, rope or lifting gear attached thereto and designed for use as a means of raising and lowering that class of load when removing the same from the point of delivery to a position on the site, and the chain, rope or gear is free from patent defect whether of construction or quality and is not owned or hired by any contractor who is undertaking any such operation or work as aforesaid on the site, then the requirements of Regulations 104, 105, 110 and 111 of these Regulations shall not apply in respect of the use of such chain, rope or lifting gear for raising or lowering the load so long as the chain, rope or gear remains attached to the article, material or load.

9. Regulations 80, 85, 112 to 116 and 118 shall not apply to a hoist forming part of the permanent equipment of any structure or underground shaft and which is regularly and ordinarily used for the carriage of persons or goods, but no such hoist shall be used for the purposes of any operations or works to which these Regulations apply unless the following conditions are complied with, that is to say--

( a ) the hoist shall not be so used for carrying persons unless a maximum number of persons to be carried at any one time has been specified by the maker or by an insurer of the hoist or by a competent firm of lift engineers carrying out periodic examinations of the hoist, and a greater number than that maximum is not being carried;

( b ) the hoist shall not be so used for carrying materials, tools or other articles other than light articles readily carried by a person who is riding in the hoist, unless a safe working load for the hoist has been specified by the maker or an insurer or firm as aforesaid and the safe working load so specified is not being exceeded; and

( c ) on an occasion when the hoist has been used for raising or lowering for the purposes of such operations or works, the hoistway gate at a landing place shall not be left open except where it is immediately necessary for it to be open.

10. In the case of a hoist manufactured before the date of commencement of these Regulations, if it is not reasonably practicable to comply fully with any requirement of Regulations 112 (2), 112 (3), 114 or 118 of these Regulations it shall be sufficient if the hoist is brought as near as is reasonably practicable to conformity with that requirement and a certificate that this has been done is obtained from a competent person:

Provided that in the case of a hoist which at the commencement of these Regulations is used, and for so long thereafter as it is continued to be used, in works of engineering construction, it shall be sufficient if the requirements of this paragraph are complied with within the period of three years beginning on such commencement.

PART II. SUPERVISION OF SAFE CONDUCT OF WORK.

11. (1) Every contractor who normally employs more than twenty persons on any operations or works to which these Regulations apply at any one time (whether or not all those persons are employed on the same site or are all at work at a particular time) shall appoint in writing one or more persons as a safety officer and the person so appointed shall be qualified by experience and training to carry out the following duties:

( a ) to advise the contractor as to the observance of the requirements for the safety or protection of persons employed imposed by or under the Act, and as to other safety matters; and

( b ) to exercise a general supervision of the observance of the aforesaid requirements and of promoting the safe conduct of work generally.

(2) The name of every person so appointed under this regulation shall be entered by the contractor appointing him on the copy or abstract either of the Act or these Regulations kept posted in accordance with section 120 or 121 of the Act, or in accordance with the said section 120 or 121 as applied by section 88 of the Act.

12. (1) The duties assigned to any person appointed under Regulation 11 of these Regulations by the contractor appointing him, including any duties other than those mentioned in the said Regulation 11 shall not be such as to prevent that person from discharging with reasonable efficiency the duties assigned to him under the said Regulation 11.

(2) Nothing in these Regulations shall be construed as preventing the same person or persons being appointed under these Regulations for a group of sites or as preventing two or more contractors from jointly so appointing the same person or persons.

PART III. EXCAVATIONS, SHAFTS AND TUNNELS.

13. (1) An adequate supply of timber of suitable quality or other suitable support shall be provided and used to prevent, so far as practicable and as early as is practicable in the course of the work, danger to any person employed from a fall or dislodgement of earth, rock or other material forming a side or the roof of, or which is adjacent to, any excavation shaft, earthwork or tunnel: Provided that this regulation shall not apply to any excavation, shaft or earthwork where, having regard to the nature and slope of the sides of the excavation, shaft or earthwork and other circumstances, a fall or dislodgement of earth or other material which would bury or trap a person employed from a height of more than 1.25 metres is not liable to occur.

(2) Where a person is engaged in timbering or other work which is being carried out for .the purpose of compliance with this regulation, appropriate precautions shall as far as circumstances permit, be taken to ensure his safety.

(3) In the case of tunnelling operations on works of engineering construction, a person shall not be held to have failed to comply with a requirement of the foregoing paragraph of this regulation by reason only of a matter proved to have been due to physical conditions over which he had no control and against which it was not reasonably practicable for him to make provision.

14. (1) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (4) of this regulation, every part of any excavation, shaft, earthwork or tunnel where persons are employed shall be inspected by a competent person at least once on every day during which persons are employed therein; and the face of every tunnel and the working end of every trench more than 2.00 metres deep and the base and crown of every shaft shall be inspected by a competent person at the commencement of every shift.

(2) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (4) of this regulation, a person shall not be employed in any excavation, shaft, earthwork or tunnel unless a thorough examination has been carried out by a competent person--

( a ) of those parts thereof, and in particular any timbering or other support, in the region of the blast since explosives have been used in or near the excavation, shaft, earthwork or tunnel in a manner likely to have affected the strength or stability of that timbering or other support or any part thereof; and

( b ) of those parts thereof in the region of any timbering or other support or any part thereof that has been substantially damaged and in the region of any unexpected fall of rock or earth or other material; and

( c ) of every part thereof within the immediately preceding seven days.

(3) A report of the results of every examination required by paragraph (2) of this regulation, signed by the person carrying out the examination, shall be made on the day of the examination in the approved form. Provided that in the case of a site where the contractor for whom a thorough examination as aforesaid was carried out has reasonable grounds for believing that the operations or works will be completed in a period of less than six weeks, the provisions of this paragraph requiring that a report shall be made and signed shall be deemed to have been satisfied if the person in charge of the operations or works carried on by that contractor at such a site has himself carried out the examination and is a competent person and if within one week of the date of the examination he reports to the contractor in writing the results of such examination and the date of such examination and the results thereof together with the name of the person making the examination are entered by the contractor on the approved form.

(4) This regulation shall not apply--

( a ) to any excavation, shaft or earthwork where, having regard to the nature and slope of the sides of the excavation, shaft or earthwork and other circumstances, a fall or dislodgement of earth or other material which would bury or trap a person employed or which would strike a person employed from a height of more than 1.25 metres is not likely to occur; or

( b ) in relation to persons carrying out inspections or examinations required by this regulation or engaged in timbering or other work for the purpose of making a place safe, if appropriate precautions are taken to ensure their safety as far as circumstances permit.

15. (1) No timbering or other support for any part of an excavation, shaft, earthwork or tunnel shall be erected or be substantially added to, altered or dismantled except under the direction of a competent person and so far as practicable by competent workmen possessing adequate experience of such work. All material for any such work shall be inspected by a competent person on each occasion before being taken into use and material found defective in any respect shall not be used.

(2) Timbering or other support for any part of an excavation, shaft, earthwork or tunnel shall be of good construction, sound material, free from patent defect and of adequate strength for the purpose for which it is used and shall be properly maintained.

(3) All struts and braces in any excavation, shaft, earthwork or tunnel shall be properly and adequately secured so as to prevent their accidental displacement or fall.

16. (1) In any excavation, shaft or tunnel where there is reason to apprehend danger to persons employed therein from rising water or from an irruption of water or material there shall be provided, so far as practicable, means to enable such persons to reach positions of safety.

(2) In the case of tunnelling operations on works of engineering construction, a person shall not be held to have failed to comply with a requirement of the foregoing paragraph of this Regulation by reason only of a matter proved to have been due to physical conditions over which he had no control and against which it was not reasonably practicable for him to make provision.

17. (1) No excavation, shaft, earthwork or tunnel which is likely to reduce, so as to endanger any person employed, the security or stability of any part of any structure, whether temporary or permanent, shall be commenced or continued unless adequate steps are taken both before and during the progress of the work, to prevent danger to any person employed from collapse of the structure or the fall of any part thereof.

(2) In the case of tunnelling operations on works of engineering construction, a person shall not be held to have failed to comply with a requirement of the foregoing paragraph of this regulation by reason only of a matter proved to have been due to physical conditions over which he had no control and against which it was not reasonably practicable for him to make provision.

18. Every accessible part of an excavation, shaft, pit or opening in the ground near to which employed persons are working and into or down a side of which a person is liable to fall a distance of more than 2.00 metres shall be either provided with a suitable barrier placed as close as is reasonably practicable to the edge or securely covered:

Provided that the foregoing requirement shall not apply to any part of an excavation, shaft, pit or opening while (and to the extent to which) the absence of such barrier and covering is necessary for the access of persons or for the movement of plant or equipment or materials or while (and to the extent to which) it has not up to then been practicable to erect such barrier or covering since the formation of that part of the excavation, shaft, pit or opening.

19. (1) Material shall not be placed or stacked near the edge of any excavation, shaft, pit or opening in the ground so as to endanger persons employed below.

(2) No load or plant or equipment shall be placed or moved near the edge of any excavation, shaft, pit or opening in the ground where it is likely to cause a collapse of the side of the excavation, shaft, pit or opening and thereby endanger any person.

PART IV. COFFERDAMS AND CAISSONS.

20. Every cofferdam or caisson and every part thereof shall be of good construction, of suitable and sound material, free from patent defect and of adequate strength and shall be properly maintained.

21. (1) In any cofferdam or caisson there shall, so far as is practicable, be adequate means for persons to reach places of safety in the event of an inrush of water.

(2) A person shall not be held to have failed to comply with a requirement of the foregoing paragraph of this regulation by reason only of a matter proved to have been due to physical conditions over which he had no control and against which it was not reasonably practicable for him to make provision.

22. (1) No cofferdam or caisson or part thereof shall be constructed or be placed in position or be substantially added to or altered or be dismantled except under the immediate supervision of a competent person and so far as practicable by competent workmen possessing adequate experience of such work.

(2) All material used for the construction or fixing of a cofferdam or caisson shall be inspected by a competent person on each occasion before being taken into such use and material which is unsuitable or defective in any respect shall not be so used.

23. (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this regulation, no person shall be employed in a cofferdam or caisson unless it has been inspected by a competent person at least once on the particular day or on the day preceding that day and unless it has been thoroughly examined by a competent person--

( a ) in case explosives have been used in or near the cofferdam or caisson in a manner likely to have affected the strength or stability of the cofferdam or caisson or of any part thereof, since the use of the explosives, and

( b ) in case the cofferdam or caisson has been substantially damaged, since it was so damaged, and

( c ) in any other case, within the immediately preceding seven days:

Provided that sub-paragraph (c) of this paragraph shall not apply until seven days have elapsed since the cofferdam or caisson was erected or placed in its position on the site.

A report of the results of every examination made pursuant to this regulation signed by the person carrying out the examination, shall be made on the day of the examination in the approved form.

(2) This regulation shall not apply in relation to persons engaged in the construction, placing, repairing or alteration of the cofferdam or caisson or carrying out inspections or examinations required by this regulation if appropriate precautions are taken to ensure their safety as far as circumstances permit.

PART V. EXPLOSIVES.

24. (1) Explosives shall not be handled or used except by or under the immediate control of a competent person with an adequate knowledge of the dangers connected with their use and steps be taken to see that when a charge is fired persons employed are in places where, so far as can reasonably be anticipated, they will not be exposed to risk of injury from the explosion or from flying materials.

(2) Paragraph (1) of this regulation shall not be construed as being in substitution for, or otherwise affecting any provision of the Explosive Substances Act, 1883, or any provision of any other enactment which amends the law relating to explosive substances.

PART VI. DANGEROUS OR UNHEALTHY ATMOSPHERES.

25. Where in connection with any grinding, cleaning, spraying or manipulation of any material, there is given off any dust or fume of such a character and to such extent as to be likely to be injurious to the health of persons employed all practicable measures shall be taken, by securing adequate ventilation or by the provision and use of suitable respirators or otherwise, to prevent inhalation of such dust or fume.

26. (1) Effective steps shall be taken to secure and maintain the adequate ventilation of every working place in any excavation, pit, hole, adit, tunnel, shaft, caisson, tank or similar container or other enclosed or confined space and of every approach to any such working place so as--

( a ) to maintain an atmosphere which is fit for respiration, and

( b ) to render harmless, so far as is reasonably practicable, all fumes, dust or other impurities which may be dangerous or injurious to health and which are generated, produced or released by explosive or by any other means in such working place or an approach thereto.

(2) Where there is reason to apprehend that the atmosphere in any of the working places or approaches mentioned in paragraph (1) of this regulation is poisonous or asphyxiating, then, without prejudice to the requirements of the said paragraph, no person shall be employed in or allowed to enter such working place or approach until the atmosphere has been suitably tested by or under the immediate supervision of a competent person and he is satisfied that the working place or approach is, for the time being, free from the danger of a person being overcome by poisoning or asphyxiation.

(3) A person shall not be held to have failed to comply with a requirement of the foregoing paragraphs of this regulation by reason only of any matter proved to have been due to physical conditions over which he had no control and against which it was not reasonably practicable for him to make provision.

(4) Suitable breathing apparatus and a suitable reviving apparatus and suitable belts and ropes shall be provided and maintained by the occupier so as to be readily accessible, and shall be thoroughly examined by a competent person at least once a month, or at such other intervals as may be approved.

(5) A sufficient number of the persons employed shall be trained and practised in the use of such apparatus, and in the method of restoring respiration.

(6) A report on every examination under paragraph (4) of this Regulation, signed by the person making the examination, shall be kept available for inspection.

27. (a) No stationary internal combustion engine shall be used in any enclosed or confined place unless specific provision is made for conducting the exhaust gases from the engine into the open air or the place is adequately ventilated so as to prevent danger to health from such exhaust gases.

( b ) In any operations or works to which these Regulations apply where poisonous or inflammable vapours or gases exist or may be given off, all practicable measures shall be taken to provide such ventilation as will prevent the formation of dangerous concentrations of such vapours or gases.

PART VII. WORK ON OR ADJACENT TO WATER.

28. When any person employed is conveyed to or from any working place by water, proper measures shall be taken to provide for his safe transport. Vessels used for this purpose shall be of suitable construction, shall be properly maintained and shall be in charge of a competent person and shall not be over-crowded or overloaded.

29. Where, on or adjacent to a site there is water into which a person employed is, in the course of his employment, liable to fall with risk of drowning, suitable rescue equipment shall be provided and kept in an efficient state and ready for use and measures shall be taken to arrange for the prompt rescue of any such person who is in danger of drowning. Where there is special risk of such fall from the edge of adjacent land or from a structure adjacent to or above the water, or from a floating stage, secure fencing shall be provided near the edge to prevent such fall, so, however, that such fencing may be removed or remain unerected for the time and to the extent necessary for the access of persons or the movement of materials.

PART VIII. TRANSPORT.

30. All rails on which any locomotive, truck or wagon moves shall--

( a ) have an even running surface, be sufficiently and adequately supported and be of adequate section;

( b ) be jointed by fish plates or double chairs;

( c ) be securely fastened to sleepers or bearers;

( d ) be supported on a surface sufficiently firm to prevent undue movement of the rails;

( e ) be laid in straight lines or in curves of such radii that the locomotive, truck or wagon can be moved freely and without danger of derailment;

( f ) be provided with an adequate stop or buffer on each rail at each end of the track.

All rails and equipment referred to in this regulation shall be properly maintained:

Provided that requirements of paragraphs (b) and (c) of this regulation shall not apply if other adequate steps are taken to ensure the proper junction of the rails, and to prevent any material variation in their gauge.

31. Every locomotive, truck and wagon in use for transport purposes and every power-driven capstan or winch used for the movement of trucks or wagons shall be of good construction, sound material, adequate strength, free from patent defect and properly maintained.

32. (1) In connection with the erection, installation, working or use of any line of rails on which any locomotive, truck or wagon moves, there shall, except where such clearance is not practicable, be adequate clearance so that persons are not likely to be crushed or trapped by any passing locomotive, truck or wagon or any part of a load thereon. Where it is not practicable to provide the clearance aforesaid, such suitable recesses or other safety arrangements shall be provided as are necessary to ensure that the length of line in relation to which such a recess or other safety arrangement is provided does not extend for more than twenty metres.

(2) In any case where there is not adequate clearance as aforesaid there shall be effective arrangements for warning any person liable to be crushed or trapped of the danger and of the approach of a locomotive, truck or wagon.

(3) Where a locomotive is or is to be driven, all reasonable steps shall be taken to avoid or obviate low clearances and overhead obstructions which will not afford a clearance of at least 1.20 metres above the seat of the driver when driving the locomotive in a normal sitting position and 2.00 metres above the footplate if he is driving it in a standing position; and appropriate steps shall be taken by means of suitable warning devices, warning notices or otherwise, to make the driver aware of the danger when the locomotive is approaching any point at which there is such a low clearance or obstruction and to warn any persons riding on the train of approaching danger to them due to lack of overhead or side clearance.

33. Every gantry or elevated structure carrying rails on which a locomotive, truck or wagon moves shall, at every part along which persons employed have to pass on foot, be provided with a suitable and adequate footway. If such footway is on the outside of the rail track and any person is liable to fall more than 2.00 metres therefrom, the footway shall be provided with suitable guard-rails not less than 1 metre in height.

34. (1) Every locomotive shall be fitted with effective brakes.

(2) Every truck and wagon shall be fitted with an effective brake unless the circumstances in which it is used render a brake unnecessary for safety.

(3) A sufficient number of suitable sprags or scotches shall be provided for the use of persons employed on the movement of trucks or wagons. Sprags or scotches shall be used whenever necessary and shall be in good condition.

35. Suitable equipment shall be provided and used for replacing on the track any locomotive, truck or wagon which may become derailed.

36. (1) Every locomotive shall be fitted with an efficient whistle or other warning device which shall be properly maintained.

(2) Where any person may be endangered by the movement of any locomotive, truck or wagon the person in charge of the movement of the locomotive, truck or wagon shall see that adequate warning is given.

37. A locomotive, power-driven capstan or haulage winch or a vehicle to which Regulation 39 of these Regulations applies shall be driven or operated only by a trained and competent person who has attained the age of eighteen, except that for the purpose of training it shall be permissible for a locomotive or any such capstan or haulage winch or any such vehicle to be driven or operated by a person under eighteen years of age who is under the direct supervision of a person qualified for that purpose.

38. (1) Where any power-driven capstan or haulage winch is used for the movement of trucks or wagons the space in the immediate vicinity thereof shall be kept clear of all obstructions and shall be sufficient for safe working.

(2) A power-driven capstan or haulage winch shall not be set in motion for the movement of trucks or wagons until a warning by means of efficient sound or visual signals, adequate to warn any person who may be endangered thereby, has been given by the person in charge of such movement.

39. (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this regulation, a mechanically propelled vehicle or a mechanically drawn trailer-vehicle if owned or used by, or hired by and operated under the control of, a contractor undertaking operations or works to which these Regulations apply and used for conveying workmen, goods or materials for the purpose of such operations or works shall, when being moved at a site where such operations or works are carried on (whether or not workmen, goods or materials are actually being conveyed on the vehicle at the time)--

( a ) be in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair;

( b ) not be used in an improper manner;

( c ) not be loaded in such a manner or to such extent as to interfere with the safe driving or operation of the vehicle:

Provided that, where all practicable precautions are taken to avoid danger to the persons affected, sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph shall not apply to a vehicle which has broken down or been damaged on the site and--

(i) on which no workmen, goods or materials are being conveyed and which is being moved only for the purpose of its repair or disposal or so as not to cause an obstruction; or

(ii) on which no workmen are being conveyed and which is being moved only so far as is necessary to render unloading of goods or materials practicable.

(2) This regulation shall not apply to locomotives, trucks or wagons.

40. No person shall ride or be required or permitted to ride on the buffer, running board or other insecure position--

( a ) on any vehicle to which Regulation 39 of these Regulations applies, or

( b ) on any locomotive, truck or wagon,

and shall only ride on the part thereof provided for that purpose.

41. No person shall remain or be required or permitted to remain on any vehicle to which Regulation 39 of these Regulations applies or on any truck or wagon during the loading of loose materials by means of a grab, excavator or similar appliance, if he is endangered by so remaining.

42. Where any vehicle is used for tipping material into any excavation or pit or over the edge of any embankment or earthwork adequate measures shall be taken where necessary so as to prevent such vehicle from overturning and from overrunning the edge of such excavation, pit, enbankment or earthwork.

PART IX. DEMOLITION.

43. In this Part of these Regulations "demolition operations" means the demolition of the whole or any substantial part of a building or other structure and kindred words shall be construed accordingly.

44. (1) Every contractor (other than an individual contractor) undertaking demolition operations shall appoint a competent person experienced in such operations to supervise the work, and where more than one such contractor takes part in such demolition operations, each such contractor shall appoint a competent person as aforesaid and either the same person shall be jointly appointed by every such contractor taking part or each such contractor shall make arrangements to ensure that no demolition operation is undertaken by his workmen except after consultation between all the persons so appointed as to the method by which and the time at which the operation is to be carried out.

(2) Where part of any demolition operations is undertaken by an individual contractor the following provisions shall apply:--

( a ) the operations shall not be carried out by that individual contractor except after consultation with the person or persons appointed under the foregoing paragraph of this regulation by another contractor so undertaking, and any individual contractor undertaking any other part of the operations, and

( b ) the operations shall not be carried out by any other contractor except after consultation between the person or persons appointed under the said paragraph by another contractor so undertaking and any individual contractor undertaking any other part of the operations as to the method by which and the time at which the operation is to be carried out.

(3) In this regulation "individual contractor" means a contractor who personally performs the demolition operations without employing any workmen thereon.

45. Before demolition is commenced and also during the progress of the work, all practicable steps shall be taken to prevent danger to persons employed--

( a ) from risk of fire or explosion through leakage or accumulation of gas or vapour; and

( b ) from risk of flooding.

46. (1) No part of a building or other structure as regards which demolition is carried out shall be so overloaded with debris or materials as to render it unsafe to any person employed.

(2) The following operations shall be carried out only (i) under the immediate supervision of a competent foreman or chargehand with adequate experience of the particular kind of work, or (ii) by workmen experienced in the kind of work and under the direction of a competent foreman or chargehand as aforesaid, that is to say--

( a ) the actual demolition of a building or other structure or part thereof, except where there is no risk of a collapse of any part of the building or the structure in the course or as a result of the demolition which would endanger any person employed, other than a risk which could not reasonably have been foreseen;

( b ) the actual demolition of any part of a building or other structure where there is such risk of collapse, whether of that or of any other part of the building or structure, in the course or as a result of the said demolition;

( c ) the cutting of reinforced concrete, steelwork or ironwork forming part of the building or other structure which is being demolished;

and before any steelwork or ironwork is cut or released, precautions shall be taken to avoid danger from any sudden twist, spring, or collapse.

(3) Where demolition is being carried out all practicable precautions shall be taken to avoid danger from collapse of a building or other structure when any part of the framing is removed from a framed or partly framed building or other structure.

(4) Before demolition is commenced and also during the progress of the work, precautions shall, where necessary, be taken by adequate shoring or otherwise to prevent, as far as practicable, the accidental collapse of any part of the relevant building or structure or of any adjoining building or structure, the collapse of which may endanger any persons employed:

Provided that this requirement shall not apply in relation to any person actually engaged in erecting or placing shoring or other safeguards for the purpose of compliance with the requirement, if appropriate precautions are taken to ensure his safety as far as circumstances permit.

(5) Before demolition is commenced and also during the progress of the work, all practicable steps shall be taken to ensure that there is no danger to the workers employed, from electric cables, gas pipes, water mains, sewers or other underground watercourses.

(6) Effective steps shall be taken to suppress, so far as practicable, either by water sprays or other means, any dust generated during the process of demolition.

PART X. SAFETY OF WORKING PLACES AND ACCESS AND EGRESS.

47. Without prejudice to any other provision of these Regulations, there shall, so far as is practicable, be provided suitable and sufficient safe access to and egress from every place at which any person employed at any time works, which access and egress shall be properly maintained, and in addition to the foregoing every such place shall, so far as is practicable, be made and kept safe for any person working there.

48. Where work cannot safely be done on or from the ground or from part of a building or other permanent structure, there shall be provided, placed and kept in position for use and properly maintained either scaffolds or, where appropriate, ladders or other means of support, all of which shall be sufficient and suitable for the purpose for which it is used.

49. No scaffold shall be erected or be substantially added to or altered or be dismantled except under the immediate supervision of a competent person and so far as practicable by competent workmen possessing adequate experience of such work. All material for any scaffold shall be inspected by a competent person on each occasion before being taken into use.

50. (1) Every scaffold and every part thereof shall be of good construction of suitable and sound material and of adequate strength for the purpose for which it is used.

(2) Sufficient material shall be provided for and shall be used in the construction of scaffolds.

(3) Timber used for scaffolds shall be of suitable quality, be in good condition, and have the bark completely stripped off.

(4) Timber used for scaffolds, trestles, ladders, and folding stepladders shall not be so painted or treated that defects cannot easily be seen.

(5) Metal parts used for scaffolds shall be of suitable quality and be in good condition and free from corrosion or other patent defect likely to affect their strength.

51. (1) No defective material or defective part shall be used for a scaffold.

(2) No rope or bond which is defective whether through contact with an acid or other corrosive substance or otherwise shall be used.

(3) All material and parts for scaffolds shall when not in use be kept under good conditions and apart from any materials or parts unsuitable for scaffolds.

52. Every scaffold shall be properly maintained, and every part shall be kept so fixed, secured or placed in position as to prevent, so far as is practicable, accidental displacement.

53. (1) No scaffold or part of a scaffold which is partly erected or partly dismantled shall be used unless the scaffold complies with these Regulations.

(2) In case a scaffold or part of a scaffold which is partly erected or partly dismantled does not comply with these Regulations either

( a ) a prominent warning notice indicating that the scaffold or part, as the case may be, is not to be used is affixed near any point at which the scaffold or part, as the case may be, is liable to be approached for the purpose of use; or

( b ) access to the scaffold or part, as the case may be, shall, as far as is reasonably practicable be prevented by suitable barriers or other equally effective means.

54. (1) Standards or uprights of scaffolds shall,

( a ) where practicable, be either vertical or slightly inclined towards the building or other structures and

( b ) be fixed sufficiently close together to secure the stability of the scaffold having regard to all the circumstances.

(2) The foot or base of any such standard or upright shall be placed on an adequate base plate in a manner to prevent slipping or sinking, or its displacement shall be prevented in some other sufficient way.

(3) Ledgers of scaffolds shall be as nearly as possible horizontal and shall be securely fastened to the standards or uprights by efficient means.

(4) Putlogs or other supports on which a platform rests shall be securely fastened to the ledgers or to the standards or uprights or their movement shall be prevented by other efficient means. Where one end of a putlog is supported by a wall, that end shall extend into or on to the wall sufficiently to provide a supporting surface of sufficient area.

(5) The distance between two consecutive putlogs or other supports on which a platform rests shall be fixed with due regard to the anticipated load and the nature of the platform flooring. The distance with single planking shall not exceed 1 metre with planks of 32 mm. thickness, 1.5 metres with planks 38 mm. in thickness, or 2.40 metres with planks 50 mm. in thickness.

55. (1) Ladders serving as uprights of scaffolds shall--

( a ) be of adequate strength,

( b ) be placed so that the two stiles or sides of each ladder are evenly supported or suspended, and

( c ) be secured to prevent slipping.

(2) Ladder scaffolds shall be used only if the work is of such a light nature and the material required for the work is such that this type of scaffold can be used safely.

56. (1) Every scaffold shall be securely supported or suspended and shall where necessary be sufficiently and properly strutted or braced to prevent collapse, and shall be rigidly connected with the building or other structure unless the scaffold is so designed and constructed as to ensure stability without such connection.

(2) Every structure and appliance used as a support for a scaffold shall be of sound construction, have a firm footing or be firmly supported, and shall, where necessary, be sufficiently and properly strutted or braced to prevent collapse and to ensure stability.

(3) Every scaffold which can be moved on wheels or skids (not being a suspended scaffold or slung scaffold) shall--

( a ) be constructed with due regard to stability and, if necessary for stability, be adequately weighted at the base;

( b ) be used only on a firm and even surface not so sloping as to involve risk of instability of the scaffold or any load thereon;

( c ) be adequately secured to prevent movement when any person is working upon it or upon any ladder or other plant or equipment, being a ladder or plant or equipment which is supported by the scaffold; and

( d ) be moved only by the application of force at or near the base.

(4) Loose bricks, drain pipes, chimney pots or other unsuitable material shall not be used for the construction or support of scaffolds.

57. (1) No chain, wire rope, lifting gear, metal tube or other means of suspension for slung scaffolds shall be used unless the following requirements (in so far as they are applicable) are observed, that is to say--

( a ) it is suitable and of adequate strength for the purpose for which it is used;

( b ) it is properly and securely fastened to safe anchorage points and to the scaffold ledgers or other main supporting members;

( c ) it is so placed as to ensure stability of the scaffold;

( d ) it is as nearly vertical as is reasonably practicable; and

( e ) it is kept taut.

(2) No rope other than a wire rope shall be used for the suspension of a slung scaffold.

(3) Where chains or wire ropes are used for the suspension of a slung scaffold, steps shall be taken to prevent such chains or wire ropes coming into contact at points of suspension with edges where this would cause danger.

(4) Every slung scaffold shall be secured to prevent undue horizontal movement while it is used as a working platform.

58. (1) No cantilever scaffold or jib scaffold shall be used unless it is adequately supported, fixed and anchored, has outriggers of adequate length and strength and is where necessary sufficiently and properly strutted or braced to ensure rigidity and stability.

(2) No figure scaffold or bracket scaffold supported or held by dogs, spikes, or similar fixings liable to pull out of the stone-work, brickwork or other surface in which they are gripped or fixed shall be used.

59. No part of a building or other structure shall be used as support for a scaffold, ladder, folding step-ladder or crawling ladder or for part of a scaffold, ladder, folding step-ladder or crawling ladder, unless the part of the building or other structure is of sound material and sufficiently stable and of sufficient strength to afford safe support.

60. (1) This regulation applies to--

( a ) every suspended scaffold, and

( b ) plant or equipment which is permanent plant or equipment of a building and which, but for the fact that it is permanently provided, would be a suspended scaffold,

which is not raised or lowered by a power-driven lifting appliance or power-driven lifting appliances and no such suspended scaffold, plant or equipment shall be used unless it complies with the requirements of this regulation.

(2) In this regulation, references to suspended scaffolds shall be construed as including references to plant or equipment referred to in sub-paragraph (b) of paragraph (1) of this regulation.

(3) Every suspended scaffold shall be provided with adequate and suitable chains or ropes and winches or other lifting appliances or similar devices and shall be suspended from suitable outriggers, joists, runways, rail tracks or other equally safe anchorage.

(4) The winches or other lifting appliances or similar devices of a suspended scaffold shall be--

( a ) provided with a brake or similar device which comes into operation when the operating handle or lever is released, and

( b ) adequately protected against the effects of weather, dust or material likely to cause damage.

(5) The outriggers for a suspended scaffold shall be of adequate length and strength and be properly installed and supported and, subject to paragraph (15) of this regulation, shall be installed horizontally and provided with adequate stops at their outer ends. Such outriggers shall be properly spaced having regard to the construction of the scaffold and of the runway, joist or rail track on which the scaffold is carried.

(6) Where counterweights are used with outriggers the counterweights shall be securely attached to the outriggers and shall be not less in weight than three times the weight which would counterbalance the weight suspended from the outrigger including the weight of the runway, joist or rail track, the suspended scaffold and any load (including any person) thereon.

(7) The points of suspension of every suspended scaffold shall be an adequate horizontal distance from the face of the building or other structure.

(8) Every runway, joist or rail track supporting a suspended scaffold shall be of suitable and sound material, adequate strength for the purpose for which it is used and free from patent defect, shall be provided with adequate stops at each end and shall be properly secured to the building, or other structure or, where outriggers are used, to the outriggers.

(9) The suspension ropes or chains of a suspended scaffold:--

( a ) shall be securely attached to the outriggers or other supports and to the platform framework or to any lifting appliance or other device attached thereto, as the case may be, and

( b ) shall be kept in tension.

(10) Where winches are used with suspended scaffolds the suspension ropes shall be of such a length that at the lowest position at which the scaffold is intended to be used there are not less than two turns of rope remaining on each winch drum and the length of each rope shall be clearly marked on its winch.

(11) Every part of a suspended scaffold and all plant and equipment used for the purposes thereof shall be of good construction, suitable and sound material, of adequate strength for the purpose for which it is used and shall be properly maintained, and, where constructed of metal, shall be free from corrosion and other patent defects, being corrosion and defects likely materially to affect its strength. Adequate arrangements shall be made to prevent undue tipping, tilting or swinging of a suspended scaffold and to secure it to prevent undue horizontal movement while it is being used as a working platform.

(12) No rope other than a wire rope shall be used for the raising, lowering and suspension of a suspended scaffold, except that the raising, lowering and suspension may be carried out by means of fibre ropes and pulley blocks in the case of work to which paragraph (15) of this regulation applies.

(13) The platform of every suspended scaffold shall--

( a ) except to the extent necessary for drainage, be closely boarded, planked or plated; and

( b ) subject to paragraph (15) of this regulation, be of adequate width to afford adequate working space at every working point and shall, in any event,

(i) be at least 600 mm. wide if used as a footing only and not for the deposit of any material;

(ii) be at least 800 mm. wide if used for the deposit of material; and

(iii) not be used for the support of any higher scaffold;

and shall be so arranged or secured that at each working position the space between the face of the building or other structure and the platform is as small as practicable so, however, that where workmen sit at the edge of the platform to work there may be a space not exceeding 300 mm. Where necessary, devices shall be provided and used to keep the platform a sufficient distance from the wall when persons have to work in a sitting position.

(14) If a suspended scaffold is carried on fibre ropes and pulley blocks, the ropes shall be spaced not more than 3.00 metres apart.

(15) Where the work to be carried out from a suspended scaffold is of such a light nature and the material required for the work is such that a cradle or similar lightweight suspended scaffold can be used with safety and where such suspended scaffold is used, the following requirements of this regulation shall not apply, that is to say,

( a ) the requirement of paragraph (5) that the outriggers shall be installed horizontally and that stops shall be provided, and

( b ) the requirements of paragraph (13) (b) as to the width of the platform.

The platform of a suspended scaffold to which this paragraph applies shall be not less than 400 mm. wide.

61. (1) A boatswain's chair, cage, skip or similar plant or equipment (other than a boatswain's chair, cage, skip or similar plant or equipment which is raised or lowered by a power-driven lifting appliance) shall not be used unless--

( a ) it is of good construction, suitable and sound material, adequate strength, free from patent defect and properly maintained,

( b ) the outriggers or other supports are of adequate strength and properly installed and supported,

( c ) the chains, ropes, lifting gear or other means of suspension used therewith are securely attached to the outriggers or other supports and to the chair, cage, skip or similar plant or equipment or to any lifting appliance or other device attached thereto, as the case may be,

( d ) suitable means are provided to prevent any occupant falling out,

( e ) it is free of materials or articles liable to interfere with such person's handhold or foothold or otherwise endanger him,

( f ) suitable measures are taken to prevent spinning or tipping in a manner dangerous to any such person,

( g ) in the case of any skip or other receptacle it is at least 0.950 m. deep,

( h ) its installation has been, and its use is, supervised by a competent person.

(2) No boatswain's chair, cage, skip or similar plant or equipment (other than a boatswain's chair, cage, skip or similar plant or equipment which is raised or lowered by a power-driven lifting appliance) shall be used as a working place in circumstances in which a suspended scaffold could be used unless the work is of such short duration as to make the use of a suspended scaffold unreasonable or the use of a suspended scaffold is not reasonably practicable.

62. (1) All trestles and supports used for the construction of any trestle scaffold shall be of good construction, suitable and sound material, adequate strength for the purpose for which they are used and free from patent defect and shall be properly maintained.

(2) A trestle scaffold shall not be used--

( a ) if the scaffold is so situated that a person would be liable to fall from its working platform a distance of more than 4.50 metres; or

( b ) if constructed with more than one tier where folding supports are used.

(3) No trestle scaffold shall be erected on a scaffold platform unless--

( a ) the width of the said platform is such as to leave sufficient clear space for the transport of materials along the platform, and

( b ) the trestles or supports are firmly attached to the said platform and adequately braced to prevent displacement.

63. (1) Subject to the provisions of this regulation, no scaffold (including any boatswain's chair, cage, skip or similar plant or equipment) and no plant or equipment used for the purposes of any of the foregoing shall be used unless--

( a ) it has been inspected by a competent person before being taken into use;

( b ) it has been inspected by a competent person since exposure to weather conditions likely to have affected its strength or stability or to have displaced any part of it; and

( c ) a report has been made of the results of every such inspection in the approved form and signed by the person making the inspection and has been entered into or attached to the register:

Provided that sub-paragraph (c) shall not apply to a ladder scaffold, a trestle scaffold or a scaffold from no part of which a person is liable to fall a distance of more than 2.00 metres.

(2) Paragraph (1) of this regulation shall not be construed as requiring a scaffold to be inspected by reason only of the fact that it has been added to, altered or partly dismantled.

(3) In the case of a site where the relevant contractor has reasonable grounds for believing that the operations or works at the site to be carried out by him will be completed in a period of less than six weeks, the provisions of this regulation requiring that a report shall have been made and signed shall be deemed to be satisfied if the person in charge of such operations or works has personally carried out the inspection and is a competent person, and if, within one week of the date of the inspection, he reports to the contractor in writing that the scaffold, boatswain's chair, cage, skip or similar equipment (as the case may be) and any plant and equipment used for the purpose of any such operations or works was inspected by him and that he found it in good order or observed specified defects, as the case may be, and the date of such inspection and the results thereof together with the name of the person making the inspection are recorded by the contractor in the approved form.

64. Where a scaffold or part of a scaffold is to be used by or on behalf of an employer other than the employer for whose workmen it was first erected, the first-mentioned employer shall, before such use, and without prejudice to any other obligations imposed upon him by these Regulations, take express steps, either personally or through a suitable agent, to satisfy himself that the scaffold or part thereof is stable, that the materials used in its construction are sound and that the safeguards required by these Regulations are in position.

65. (1) Every working platform, gangway and run from any part of which a person employed is liable to fall a distance of more than 2.00 metres shall be closely boarded, planked or plated:

Provided that this requirement shall not apply to--

( a ) a platform, gangway, or run consisting of open metal work having interstices none of which exceeds 3,870 square millimetres in area, if there is no risk of persons below any such platform, gangway or run being struck by materials or articles falling through the platform, gangway or run,

( b ) a platform, gangway or run, the boards, planks or plates of which are sufficiently secured to prevent their moving and so placed that the space between adjacent boards, planks or plates does not exceed 25 mm. if there is no risk of persons below any such platform, gangway or run being struck by materials or articles falling through the platform, gangway or run.

(2) No such gangway or run shall be used the slope of which exceeds 1 vertical to 1½ horizontal.

(3) Where the slope of such a gangway or run renders additional foothold necessary, and in every case where the slope is more than 1 vertical to 4 horizontal, there shall be provided proper stepping laths which shall--

( a ) be placed at suitable intervals, and

( b ) be the full width of the gangway or run, except that where necessary they may be interrupted over widths of not more than 100 mm. to facilitate the movement of barrows.

66. (1) Every board or plank forming part of a working platform, gangway or run shall be--

( a ) of a thickness which is such as to afford adequate strength and security having regard to the distance between the putlogs or other supports, and

( b ) not less than 200 mm. wide, or, in the case of boards or planks exceeding 50 mm. in thickness, not less than 150 mm. wide.

(2) No board or plank which forms part of a working platform, gangway or run shall project beyond its end support to a distance exceeding four times the thickness of the board or plank unless it is effectively secured to prevent tipping, or to a distance which, having regard to the thickness and strength of the plank, renders the projecting part of the plank an unsafe support for any weight liable to be upon it.

(3) Suitable measures shall be taken by the provision of adequate bevelled pieces or otherwise to reduce to a minimum the risk of tripping and to facilitate the movement of barrows where boards or planks which form part of a working platform, gangway or run overlap each other, or are not of reasonably uniform thickness where they meet each other, or, owing to warping or for some other reason, do not provide an even surface:

Provided that this paragraph shall not apply to a working platform, gangway or run one side of which is contiguous to a curved surface of any cylindrical or spherical structure forming part of a work of engineering construction.

(4) Every board or plank which forms part of a working platform, gangway or run shall--

( a ) rest securely and evenly on its supports; and

( b ) rest on at least three supports unless, taking into account the distance between the supports and the thickness of the board or plank, the conditions are such as to prevent undue or unequal sagging.

(5) Where work has to be done at the end of a wall or working face, the working platform at such wall or face shall, wherever practicable, extend at least 600 mm. beyond the end of the wall or face.

67. (1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (4) of this Regulation, every working platform (other than working platforms of suspended scaffolds and working platforms referred to in Regulations 69 (5) (c) and 76 of these Regulations) from which a person is liable to fall a distance of more than 2.00 metres shall--

( a ) if used as a footing only and not for the deposit of any material, be at least 600 mm. wide,

( b ) if used for the deposit of material, be at least 800 mm. wide and have at all times a clear passageway beside the deposited material which is at least 400 mm. wide and is also adequate in width for the passage of persons,

( c ) if used for the passage of materials, afford a clear passageway which is in any case at least 600 mm. wide and is also adequate in width for the passage of the materials without removal of the guard-rails and toe-boards,

( d ) if used for the support of any higher platform, be at least 1.00 metre wide,

( e ) if used to dress or roughly shape stone be at least 1.20 metres wide,

( f ) if used for the support of any higher platform and is one upon which stone is dressed or roughly shaped, be at least 1.40 metres wide,

and in addition to the foregoing every such working platform shall be of sufficient width to afford adequate working space at every part.

(2) Subject to paragraph (4) of this regulation, the following working platforms being working platforms to which paragraph (1) of this regulation applies shall be at least 400 mm. wide;

( a ) where the work thereon is of a light nature and of short duration in any one position and a platform less than 600 mm. or 800 mm. wide (as the case may be) can be used with safety, and a platform of a ladder scaffold, a platform supported directly by folding trestles or folding stepladders, a platform under a roof used for work on or in the vicinity of the roof being a platform which is supported by or suspended from roof members or the roof,

( b ) a platform which is used for work in connection with cylindrical or spherical metal structures.

(3) Where work at the face of a building or other structure is done from a working platform to which paragraph (1) of this regulation applies, the space between such face and the working platform shall be as small as practicable; provided that where workmen sit at the edge of the platform to work, there may be a space not exceeding 300 mm.

(4) The provisions of paragraphs (1) and (2) of this regulation shall not apply to a working platform where it is impracticable by reason of limitations of space to provide a platform of the width required by the said paragraphs, but in any such case the platform shall be as wide as is practicable.

68. (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this regulation, every gangway and run from any part of which a person is liable to fall a distance of more than 2.00 metres shall--

( a ) if used for the passage of persons only, be at least 400 mm. wide;

( b ) if used for the passage of materials be at least 600 mm. wide, and also adequate in width for passage of the materials.

(2) The foregoing provisions of this regulation shall not apply to a gangway or run where it is impracticable by reason of limitations of space to provide a gangway or run of the width required by the provisions but in any such case the gangway or run shall be as wide as is practicable.

69. (1) Every side of a working platform or working place, being a side from which a person is liable to fall a distance of more than 2.00 metres, shall, subject to the following paragraphs of this regulation, be provided with a suitable guard-rail or guard-rails of adequate strength to a height neither greater than 1.20 metres nor less than 0.950 metres above the platform, and with toe-boards or other barriers up to a sufficient height which shall in no case be less than 0.150 metres. Such guard rails and toe-boards or other barriers shall be so placed as to prevent, so far as practicable, the fall of persons, materials and articles from such platform or place.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of Regulation 52 of these Regulations the outward movement of guard-rails and toe-boards or barriers shall (unless they are so designed and used as to prevent such movement) be prevented by placing them on the inside of the uprights or by other equally effective means.

(3) Where guard-rails are required to be provided, the distance between any toe-board or other barrier and the lowest guard-rail above it shall not exceed 0.800 metres.

(4) On the side of a suspended scaffold next to the wall or working face--

( a ) guard-rails required by this regulation need not extend to a height of more than 700 mm. above the platform if the work is impracticable with a guard-rail at a greater height; and

( b ) guard-rails and toe-boards or other barriers shall not be required if the workers sit at the edge of the platform to work and ropes or chains affording all the workers a safe and secure handhold are provided.

(5) None of the requirements of paragraph (1) and (2) of this regulation shall apply to--

( a ) the platform of a ladder scaffold if a secure handhold is provided along the full length of the platform;

( b ) the platform of a trestle scaffold when the platform is supported on folding trestles, split heads or similar devices or folding step-ladders,

( c ) a platform which is used only in the course of erecting any framework or prefabricated unit forming part of a building or other permanent structure for the purposes of joining, bolting up, riveting or welding work and which is used for such a short period as to make the provision of guard-rails and toe-boards or barriers unreasonable if the following requirements are complied with, namely

(i) the platform is at least 800 mm. wide, and

(ii) except where a person cannot fall from the platform a distance exceeding 2.00 metres, there is adequate handhold, and steps are taken to prevent persons working thereon from falling, and

(iii) the platform is not used for the deposit of materials or articles otherwise than in boxes or receptacles suitable to prevent the fall of the materials or articles from the platform, or

( d ) a temporary platform passing between two adjacent glazing bars of a roof with a sloping surface if those bars or the roof framework afford secure handhold along the full length of the platform:

Provided that notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this paragraph, toe-boards or barriers shall be provided in accordance with paragraphs (1) and (2) of this regulation except where the provision of toe-boards or barriers is impracticable on account of the nature or circumstances of the work;

( e ) a platform under a roof being a platform which is supported by or suspended from roof members or the roof and which is used only for work on or in the vicinity of the roof, being work which is of a light nature and of such short duration as to make the provision of guard-rails and toe-boards or barriers unreasonable if the following requirements are complied with, namely,

(i) there is adequate handhold at every working position and steps are taken to prevent persons working thereon from falling a distance of more than 2.00 metres, and

(ii) the material required for the work is such that the platform can be used with safety,

( f ) a working platform or working place one side of which is contiguous to the concave surface of a cylindrical or spherical structure for so long as practicable steps are being taken to prevent persons working thereon from falling a distance of more than 2.00 metres.

70. (1) Every side of any gangway, run or stairs from which a person is liable to fall a distance of more than 2.00 metres shall comply with the following requirements:

( a ) it shall be provided with a suitable guard-rail or guard-rails of adequate strength to a height of not more than 1.20 metres nor less than 0.950 m. above the gangway, run or stairs,

( b ) except in the case of stairs, it shall be provided with toe-boards or other barriers, up to a sufficient height which shall in no case be less than 150 mm. and placed so as to prevent, as far as possible, the fall of persons, materials or articles and

( c ) the space between any toe-boards or barrier and the lowest guard-rail above it shall not exceed 0.800 m.

71. (1) If a platform, gangway, run or stair becomes slippery, appropriate steps shall, as soon as practicable, be taken by way of sanding, cleaning or otherwise to remedy the condition.

(2) Every platform, gangway, run or stair shall be kept free from any unnecessary obstruction and material and free from rubbish and any projecting nails.

72. (1) Every ladder and folding step-ladder shall be of good construction, of suitable and sound material and of adequate strength for the purpose for which it is used and shall be properly maintained.

(2) No ladder shall be used in which a rung is missing or is defective.

(3) Every rung of a ladder shall be properly fixed to the stiles or sides. No ladders shall be used in which any rung depends for its support solely on nails, spikes or other similar fixing. Where in the case of a wooden ladder the tenon joints are not secured by wedges, reinforcing ties shall be used. Wooden stiles or sides and wooden rungs of ladders shall have the grain running lengthwise.

(4) The requirements of this paragraph do not apply to ladders to which Regulation 76 of these Regulations applies.

73. (1) This regulation applies to ladders and folding step-ladders other than a ladder lying upon a roof or a crawling board or crawling ladder being ladders and folding step-ladders which afford a means of access, egress, communication or support to a person or persons employed.

(2) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (3) and (4) of this regulation, no ladder standing on a base shall be used unless--

( a ) it is securely fixed near to its upper resting place, or in the case of a vertical ladder near to its upper end, provided that where such fixing is impracticable the ladder shall be securely fixed at or near to its lower end;

( b ) it has a level and firm footing and is not standing on loose bricks or other loose packing;

( c ) it is secured where necessary to prevent undue swaying or sagging; and

( d ) it is equally and properly supported on each stile or side.

(3) Subject to paragraph (4) of this regulation, where it is impracticable as regards a ladder standing on a base to comply with either of the requirements of sub-paragraphs (a) of paragraph (2) of this regulation, a person shall 2be stationed at the foot of the ladder when in use to prevent it slipping.

(4) Paragraphs (2) and (3) of this regulation shall not apply to a ladder which is not more than 3.00 metres in length and which is not used as a means of communication, if the ladder is securely placed as to prevent it from slipping or falling.

(5) No ladder shall be used unless--

( a ) (i) it extends to a height of at least 1.00 metres above the place of landing or the highest rung to be reached by the feet of any person using the ladder, as the case may be, or, if this is impracticable, it extends to the greatest practicable height, or

(ii) there is other adequate handhold, apart from the ladder; and

( b ) there is sufficient space at each rung to provide adequate foothold.

(6) Every ladder, other than ladders standing on bases shall before being used be--

( a ) securely suspended,

( b ) secured where necessary to prevent undue swinging or swaying, and

( c ) equally and properly suspended by each stile or side.

(7) No folding step-ladder shall be used unless it has a level and firm footing or while it is standing on loose bricks or other loose packing.

(8) No ladder or run of ladders rising a vertical distance of over 9.00 metres shall be used unless it is, if practicable, provided with an intermediate landing place or intermediate landing places so that the vertical distance between any two successive landing places shall not exceed 9.00 metres. Every landing place shall be of adequate dimensions and, if a person is liable to fall therefrom a distance of more than 2.00 metres, shall, except in so far as it is not practicable to do so, be provided with sufficient and suitable guard-rails to a height neither greater than 1.20 metres nor less than 0.950m. above the landing place and with toe-boards or other barriers up to a sufficient height which shall in no case be less than 150mm. and the guard-rails shall be so placed as to prevent as far as possible the fall of persons, materials and articles and so that the space between any toe-boards or other barrier and the lowest guard-rail above it shall not exceed 0.800m. Where a ladder passes through an opening in the floor of a landing place, the opening shall be as small as is reasonably practicable.

74. (1) This regulation applies to every opening, comer, break or edge which any person employed is liable to approach or near or across which any such person is liable to pass, being an opening, corner, break or edge,

( a ) in or of a roof ( other than a roof to which Regulation 76 of these Regulations applies), floor, wall or other similar part either of a building or of any other structure whether the roof, floor, wall or other similar part of the building or of the other structure is complete or only partly complete or is in course of construction, maintenance, repair or demolition; or

( b ) in or of a working platform, gangway, or run.

(2) Subject to Regulation 75 of these Regulations where a person is liable to fall from or through an opening, corner, break or edge to which this regulation applies either a distance of more than 2 metres or into any liquid or material so as to involve risk of drowning or serious injury either of the following requirements shall be complied with, namely,

( a ) a suitable guard-rail or guard-rails of adequate strength shall be provided to a height of at least 1.200m. and not less than 0.950m. above the surface across which persons are likely to pass together with toe-boards or other barriers up to a sufficient height which shall in no case be less than 150mm, so placed as to prevent, as far as possible the fall of persons, materials and articles and so that the space between any toe-board or other barrier and the lowest guard-rail above it shall not exceed 0.800m. or

( b ) a covering shall be provided which is so constructed as to prevent the fall of persons, materials and articles; any such covering shall be clearly and boldly marked to show its purpose or be securely fixed in position.

(3) Subject to Regulation 75 of these Regulations where materials or articles are liable to fall through or from an opening, corner, break or edge to which this regulation applies, other than an opening, corner, break or edge to which paragraph (2) of this regulation applies, so as to endanger persons employed, suitable precautions by way of the erection of toe-boards, secure covering or otherwise shall be taken to prevent such falls.

(4) Subject to Regulation 75 of these Regulations when work is done on or immediately above any open joisting through which there is a risk of a person falling a distance of more than 2.00 metres the following requirements shall be complied with, namely such joisting shall be securely covered by boards or other temporary covering to the extent necessary to afford safe access to or foothold for the work, or other effective measures shall be taken to prevent persons from falling.

75. (1) Guard-rails, toe-boards, barriers and coverings required by Regulation 74 of these Regulations may be removed or remain unerected--

( a ) where and when this is necessary in order to proceed with any permanent filling in, covering or enclosure; or

( b ) for the time and to the extent necessary for the access of persons or the movement of materials or other purposes of the work;

but guard-rails, toe-boards, barriers and coverings removed or remaining unerected for any of those purposes shall be replaced or re-erected as soon as practicable.

(2) Without prejudice to Regulation 69 of these Regulations, Regulation 74 shall not apply to any opening, corner, break or edge created in the course of demolition operations to which Part IX of these Regulations applies, or to any opening, corner, break or edge created in the course of any other demolition operation, if in the course of such last mentioned demolition operation the opening, corner, break or edge is not left unattended.

76. (1) (a) In this regulation "sloping roof" means a roof or part of a roof being a roof or part having a pitch of more than 10 degrees which is covered either wholly or partly.

( b ) This regulation applies to a sloping roof which is--

(i) in the course of construction, maintenance, repair or demolition, or

(ii) used as a means of access to or egress from operations or works on a roof or part of a roof being operations or works to which these Regulations apply.

(2) Except as provided in paragraphs (6) and (7) of this regulation, where any sloping roof to which this regulation applies has--

( a ) a pitch of more than 30 degrees; or

( b ) a pitch of 30 degrees or less and a surface on or from which a person is by reason of the nature or condition of the surface or of the weather liable to slip or fall to such an extent that he is liable to fall from the edge of the roof;

work thereon or therefrom shall only be carried out by workmen who are suitable for such work and in addition to the foregoing the requirements of paragraphs (3) and (4) of this regulation shall be complied with.

(3) Where a sloping roof to which this regulation applies and which has a pitch of more than 30 degrees, or any other sloping roof to which this regulation applies with a surface described in paragraph (2) (b) of this regulation is used as a means of access to or egress from operations or works on a roof or a part of a roof being operations or works to which these Regulations apply, sufficient and suitable crawling ladders or crawling boards shall be provided on that sloping roof.

(4) Subject to paragraph (7) of this regulation where any work is done on or from any sloping roof described in paragraph (2) of this regulation sufficient and suitable crawling ladders or crawling boards shall be provided on that sloping roof and either--

( a ) a barrier shall be provided at the lower edge of the sloping roof, other than the upper surface of a tank or similar structure of metal construction, of such a design and so constructed as to prevent any person falling from that edge; or

( b ) the work shall be done from a securely supported working platform not less than 400mm. wide which complies with the requirements of paragraph (1) to (4) of Regulation 69 of these Regulations.

(5) Crawling ladders and crawling boards required to be provided by paragraph (3) or (4) of this regulation shall be--

( a ) of good construction, suitable and sound material, adequate strength for the purposes for which they are used, free from patent defect and properly maintained;

( b ) properly supported, and

( c ) securely fixed or anchored to the sloping surface or over the roof ridge or securely fixed in some other way.

(6) The provision of crawling ladders or crawling boards shall not be required in the case of any sloping roof where the handhold and foothold afforded by the battens or other similar members of the structure are such that the said sloping roof is as safe for every person thereon as it would be if the said provision had been made.

(7) The requirements of sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) of paragraph (4) of this regulation shall apply only in the case of a sloping roof from the eaves of which a person could fall a distance of more than 2.00 metres.

(8) Suitable and sufficient means shall be provided to prevent the fall of materials or articles from a sloping roof.

77. (1) A person shall not pass across, or work on or from, material which is liable to fracture if his weight were to be applied to it and so situated that if it were so fractured he could fall a distance of more than 2.00 metres unless such one or more of all or any of the following are provided, that is to say, suitable and sufficient ladders, crawling ladders, crawling boards and duck-boards (which shall in any case be securely supported and, if necessary, secured so as to prevent their slipping) as are necessary to ensure that the weight of any person so passing or working is wholly or mainly supported by such ladders or boards unless his weight is supported by other equally safe and sufficient means.

(2) A person shall not pass or work near material of the kind and situated as specified in paragraph (1) of this regulation unless provision is made by means of such one or more of all or any of the following, that is to say, suitable guard-rails, suitable coverings and other suitable means as are necessary for preventing, so far as practicable, any person so passing or working from falling through the said material.

(3) Where any person passes across or near or works on or near material of the kind and situated as specified in paragraph (1) of this regulation, prominent warning notices shall, except where the material consists wholly of glass, be affixed at the approaches to the place where the material is situated and an oral individual warning of the dangerous nature of the materials covering the roof shall be given to each person going thereon.

(4) References in this regulation to a person's weight shall be construed as references to the aggregate of his weight and that of anything he may, for the time being, be supporting by his person.

(5) All plant and equipment provided in pursuance of this regulation shall be of good construction, suitable and sound material, adequate strength for the purpose for which it is used, free from patent defect and properly maintained.

78. (1) A scaffold shall not be overloaded and so far as practicable the load thereon shall be evenly distributed.

(2) When any material is transferred on or to a scaffold it shall be moved or deposited without imposing any sudden shock. Materials shall not be kept upon a scaffold unless needed for work within a reasonable time.

79. (1) Where, by reason of the special nature of circumstances of any part of the work to which these Regulations apply or of the access thereto or any egress therefrom, it is impracticable to comply with all or any of the requirements of the provisions of Regulations 47 and 48 and 65 to 71 of these Regulations, those requirements shall be complied with so far as practicable and in any such case, subject to paragraphs (2) and (3) of this regulation, there shall in addition where practicable be provided and so erected and kept in such positions as to be effective to protect persons carrying on that part of the work or using the said access or egress suitable safety nets or safety sheets of such a design and so constructed and installed as to prevent so far as practicable injury to persons falling on to them,

(2) Where by virtue of paragraph (1) of this regulation safety nets or safety sheets would be required to be provided for the protection of persons but all such persons are able safely to carry on the relevant work or use the relevant access or egress by making use of safety belts attached continuously to a suitable and securely fixed anchorage, such safety nets or safety sheets shall not be required to be provided if there are provided instead and properly used suitable and sufficient safety belts or other suitable and sufficient safety equipment.

(3) In any of the following cases, that is to say--

( a ) where it is impracticable to provide all such safety nets or safety sheets as would be required to comply with the requirements of paragraph (1) of this regulation;

( b ) where it is not practicable so to provide all such nets or sheets by reason of the frequent movement of materials or other purposes of the work, and

( c ) where the work is of such short duration as to make the provision of all such nets or sheets unreasonable,

safety nets or safety sheets in accordance with .the requirements of that paragraph shall be provided to the extent to which it is practicable to provide them and in any such case as aforesaid there shall also be provided suitable and sufficient safety belts (together with suitable and sufficient anchorages) or other suitable and sufficient safety equipment having suitable fittings and being of such a design and so constructed as to prevent serious injury in the event of a fall to persons using them.

(4) All safety nets, safety sheets, safety belts and other equipment provided in pursuance of this regulation shall be properly maintained.

PART XI. LIFTING APPLIANCES.

80. (1) Every lifting appliance and every part thereof, including all working gear and all other plant or equipment used for anchoring or fixing such appliances, shall--

( a ) be of good mechanical construction, sound material, adequate strength and free from patent defect,

( b ) be properly maintained,

( c ) as far as the construction permits, be inspected at least once in every week by the driver, if competent for the purpose, or if the driver is not competent by some other person who is competent. A report of the results of every such inspection, signed by the person carrying out the inspection, shall be made forthwith in the approved form.

(2) Where the contractor for whom an inspection pursuant to paragraph (1) of this regulation was carried out has reasonable grounds for believing that the operations or works on the site concerned will be completed in a period of less than six weeks, the requirement of this regulation that a report shall be made and signed, in so far as it relates to lifting appliances not worked by mechanical power and all plant or equipment used for anchoring or fixing such appliances, shall be deemed to have been satisfied if the person in charge of the operations or works carried on by the contractor at that site has himself carried out the inspection and is a competent person and if, within one week of the date of the inspection, he reports to the contractor in writing that the lifting appliance and plant or equipment were inspected by him and that he found them in good order, or observed certain defects as the case may be, and the date of such inspection and the results thereof together with the name of the person making the inspection are entered by the contractor on the form referred to in paragraph (1) of this regulation.

81. (1) Every lifting appliance shall be adequately and securely supported.

(2) Every part of a stage, scaffold, framework or other structure and every mast, beam, pole or other article of plant or equipment, supporting a lifting appliance or any part thereof shall (having regard to the nature of the lifting appliance, its lifting and reaching capacity and the circumstances of its use) be of good construction, adequate strength, sound material and free from patent defect.

(3) Every part of the framework of every crab or winch (other than a jack roll) including its bearers, shall be of metal.

(4) Any anchoring or fixing arrangements provided in connection with a lifting appliance shall be adequate and secure.

(5) Every temporary attachment or connection of a rope, chain or other plant or equipment, used in the erection or dismantling of any lifting appliance shall be adequate and secure.

(6) In the case of a crane which is on occasion dismantled or partially dismantled, any jib or boom which is separated from the crane in dismantling shall be clearly marked so as to indicate the crane of which it was a part.

82. On every stage, gantry or other place where a lifting appliance having a travelling or slewing motion is in use, an unobstructed passageway not less than 600 millimetres wide shall be maintained between any part of the appliance liable so to move and any guard-rails, fencing or other nearby fixture: Provided that if at any time it is impracticable to maintain such a passageway at any place or point all reasonable steps shall be taken to prevent the access of any person to such place or point at such time.

83. (1) Where a platform is provided for the person or persons driving or operating a crane, or for any signaller, it shall be--

( a ) of sufficient area for the persons employed thereon;

( b ) close planked or plated; and

(c) provided with safe means of access;

and every side of every such platform being a side thereof from which there is a risk of a person falling a distance of more than 2.00 metres shall be provided with a suitable guard-rail or guard-rails of adequate strength, to a height of at least 1.00 metre above the platform and above any raised standing place on the platform and with toe-boards up to a sufficient height being in no case less than 150 millimetres and so placed as to prevent the fall of persons, materials and tools from the platform.

(2) The space between any toe-board and the lowest guard-rail above it on any platform for the person or persons driving or operating a crane, or for any signaller, shall not exceed 850 millimetres.

(3) Guard-rails and toe-boards required by this regulation may be removed or remain unerected only for the time and to the extent necessary for the access of persons or the movement of materials.

84. (1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (4) of this regulation, the driver of every power-driven lifting appliance shall be provided with a suitable cabin which shall--

( a ) afford him adequate protection from the weather,

( b ) be so constructed as to afford ready access to such parts of the lifting appliance as are within the cabin and need periodic inspection or maintenance, and

( c ) be equipped with suitable fire fighting equipment and kept in a clean state,

but no cabin shall be provided which prevents the driver from having such clear and unrestricted view as is necessary for the safe use of the appliance.

(2) Subject to paragraph (4) of this regulation, where reasonably practicable the cabin shall, before the relevant lifting appliance is put into general use, be completely erected, or other adequate provision shall be made for the protection of the driver from the weather.

(3) Subject to paragraph (4) of this regulation, where reasonably practicable the cabin shall when in use during cold weather be adequately heated by suitable means.

(4) Paragraphs (1) and (2) and (3) of this regulation shall not apply--

( a ) in cases where the driver is indoors or otherwise adequately protected from the weather,

( b ) to a hoist other than a hoist operated only from one position alongside the winch,

( c ) to lifting appliances mounted on wheels and having a maximum safe working load of one tonne or less,

( d ) to any machine incorporating a lifting appliance where the primary purpose of that machine is not that of a lifting appliance, or

( e ) to lifting appliances intended for occasional use or for use for only short periods.

85. Every drum or pulley round which the chain or wire rope of any lifting appliance is carried shall be of suitable diameter and construction for the chain or rope used. Every chain or rope which terminates at the winding drum of a lifting appliance shall be properly secured thereto and at least two turns of such chains or rope shall remain on such drum in every operating position of the appliance.

86. (1) Every crane, crab and winch ( other than a jack roll) shall be provided with an efficient brake or brakes or other safety devices which will prevent the fall of the load when suspended and by which the load can be effectively controlled whilst being lowered.

(2) On every lifting appliance every lever, handle, switch or other device provided for controlling the operation of any part of the appliance, being a lever, handle, switch or other device whose accidental movement or displacement is liable to cause danger, shall, where practicable (unless it is so placed or the appliance is so constructed as to prevent accidental movement or displacement) be provided with a suitable spring or other locking arrangement to prevent the accidental movement or displacement:

Provided that in the case of a lifting appliance which at the date of commencement of these Regulations is used, and for so long thereafter as it continues to be used, in works of engineering construction, it shall be sufficient if the requirements of this paragraph are complied with within the period of two years beginning on the said date.

(3) Every lever, handle, switch or other device provided for controlling the operation of any part of a lifting appliance shall have upon or adjacent to it clear markings to indicate its purpose and mode of operation:

Provided that this paragraph shall not apply to rotating handles for raising or lowering the load in the case of a winch or non-derricking jib crane not operated by mechanical power.

87. Where as regards any person engaged on the examination, maintenance, repair, cleaning or lubrication of any lifting appliance there is a risk of the person falling a distance of more than 2 metres there shall, so far as is reasonably practicable, be provided and maintained a safe means of access to and egress from the place at which the person has so to work, and (where necessary) the means shall be provided with adequate handholds and footholds.

88. No pulley block or gin wheel suspended from or supported by a pole or beam shall be used for raising or lowering materials unless it is effectively secured to the pole or beam and the pole or beam--

( a ) is of adequate strength for the purpose for which it is being used, and

( b ) is adequately and properly secured so as to support the pulley block or gin wheel and the load with safety and so as to prevent undue movement of the pole or beam.

89. (1) Appropriate precautions shall be taken to ensure the stability of lifting appliances used on a soft or uneven surface or on a slope.

(2) No crane shall be used for raising or lowering unless, so as to ensure stability, it is either--

( a ) securely anchored, or

( b ) adequately weighted by suitable ballast which shall be properly placed on the crane structure and sufficiently secured to prevent its being accidentally displaced.

No part of any rails on which a crane is mounted or the sleepers supporting such rails shall be used as anchorage for this purpose.

(3) The whole of the appliances for the anchorage or ballasting of a crane shall be examined by a competent person on each occasion before the crane is erected.

(4) After each erection of a crane on a site of operations or works to which these Regulations apply and after each removal of a crane about or to such a site, or any adjustment to any member of a crane, being a removal or adjustment which involves changes in the arrangements for anchoring or ballasting the crane, the security of the anchorage or the adequacy of the ballasting, as the case may be, shall, before the crane is used, be tested by a competent person, by the imposition either--

( a ) of a load of twenty-five per cent. above the maximum load to be lifted by the crane as erected at the position where there is the maximum pull on each anchorage, or

( b ) of a less load arranged to provide an equivalent test of the anchorage or ballasting arrangements.

A report of every test and the results thereof, signed by the person carrying out the test, shall be made forthwith in the approved form.

(5) If the person making tests under paragraph (4) of this regulation considers that the maximum load which may safely be lifted by a crane as erected is less than the safe working load (within the meaning of these Regulations) of the crane he shall specify that maximum in his report pursuant to this regulation and a loading diagram appropriate to the stability of the crane at the time of the test, taking into account, in the case of a crane mounted on wheels, the conditions of the track, and indicating a modified safe working load or loads shall be affixed in a position where it can readily be seen by the crane driver. Notwithstanding Regulation 3 of these Regulations the modified safe working load or loads specified under this regulation shall be deemed for the purpose of these Regulations to be the safe working load or loads of the crane as erected.

(6) Where the stability of a crane is secured by means of removable weights, a diagram or notice indicating the position and amount of such weights shall be affixed on the crane so that it can be readily seen and each such removable weight shall be clearly stamped with its correct weight.

(7) A crane shall not be used or erected under weather conditions likely to endanger its stability. After exposure to weather conditions likely to have affected the stability of a crane, the anchorage arrangements and ballast shall be examined by a competent person as soon as practicable and before the crane is used, and any necessary steps taken to ensure the stability of the crane.

90. (1) All rails on which a crane moves shall--

( a ) be supported on a surface sufficiently firm to prevent undue movement of the rails,

( b ) have an even running surface, be sufficiently and adequately supported, and be of adequate section,

( c ) be jointed by fish plates or double chairs,

( d ) be securely fastened to sleepers or bearers,

( e ) be laid in straight lines or in curves of such radii that the crane can be moved freely and without danger of derailment, and

( f ) be provided with adequate stops or buffers on each rail at each end of the track.

All rails and equipment referred to in this paragraph shall be properly maintained: Provided that the requirements of subparagraph (c) and (d) of this paragraph shall not apply in the case of cranes on bridge rails or in the case of any crane if other adequate steps are taken to ensure the proper alignment of the rails and to prevent any material variation in their gauge.

(2) In the case of every crane mounted on rails either of the following requirements shall be complied with, namely,

( a ) the crane shall be provided with effective brakes for the travelling motion, or

( b ) sprags, scotches or chocks shall be available and used when necessary.

(3) Where a Scotch derrick crane is mounted on more than one bogie, trolley or wheeled carriage, the crane sleepers or land ties, and if necessary the bogies, trolleys or wheeled carriages shall be rigidly braced and properly connected together, and the rails on which each bogie, trolley or wheeled carriage moves shall be level. The crane shall be moved on the track only in a manner not liable to cause instability, racking or distortion either of the crane structure or of the supporting framework or track.

(4) Every travelling crane on rails shall be provided with guards to remove from the rails any loose material likely to cause danger.

91. Every bogie, trolley or wheeled carriage on which a crane is mounted shall, having regard to the purposes for which the crane is being used, be of good construction, adequate strength and suitable to support the crane and shall be of sound material, free from patent defect and properly maintained.

92. On every crane having a derricking jib operated through a clutch there shall be provided and properly maintained an effective interlocking arrangement between the derricking clutch and the pawl sustaining the derricking drum which shall ensure that the clutch cannot be disengaged unless the pawl is in effective engagement with the derricking drum and the pawl cannot be disengaged unless the clutch is in effective engagement with the derricking drum: Provided that this regulation shall not apply to any crane in which--

( a ) the hoisting drum and the derricking drum are independently driven, or

( b ) the mechanism driving the derricking drum is self-locking.

93. (1) The hoisting mechanism of a crane shall not be used for any purpose other than raising or lowering a load vertically unless no undue stress is imposed on any part of the crane structure or mechanism, and the stability of the crane is not thereby endangered and unless such use is supervised by a competent person.

(2) In addition to the requirements of paragraph (1) of this regulation, a crane with a derricking jib shall not be used with the jib at a radius exceeding the maximum radius required to be specified for the jib in the certificate of test and examination required by Regulation 98 of these Regulations.

94. No crane which has any timber structural member shall be used.

95. A crane shall not be erected or dismantled except under the supervision of a competent person.

96. (1) A lifting appliance shall not be operated otherwise than by a person trained and competent to operate that appliance but notwithstanding the foregoing it shall be permissible for the appliance to be operated by a person who is under the direct supervision of a qualified person for the purpose of training.

(2) No person under eighteen years of age shall be employed either to give signals to the operator of a lifting appliance driven by mechanical power or to operate any such appliance.

(3) Subject to paragraph (4) of this regulation, if the person operating a lifting appliance has not a clear and unrestricted view of the load, or where there is no load, of the point of attachment for a load, and of its vicinity, throughout the operation except at any place where such view is not necessary for safe working, there shall be appointed and suitably stationed one or more competent persons as may be necessary to give necessary signals to the operator: Provided that where and in so far as it is impracticable to comply with the foregoing requirements of this paragraph effective measures shall be taken to enable the driver or operator of the lifting appliance--

( a ) to ascertain the position of the load, or point of attachment for a load when it is in the vicinity of a loading or unloading point or of any other place at which danger is reasonably to be anticipated; or

( b ) by other means to ensure the safe movement of the load.

(4) The provisions of paragraph (3) of this regulation shall not apply--

( a ) in the case of a hoist, of an aerial cableway or of an aerial ropeway; or

( b ) (in a case other than that of a hoist) as respects places where the appliance can raise or lower the load (or point of attachment for a load) vertically only, without any horizontal or slewing motion, if for safe working the driver or operator of the appliance needs information related to the movement, stopping or position of the load, or point of attachment for a load, when it is at or in the immediate vicinity of certain points only, and effective arrangements are made by means of a signalling system, position indicators or otherwise, for providing the driver or operator with any such information necessary for safe working.

(5) There shall be efficient signalling arrangements between the driver or operator and persons employed at a loading or unloading point of an aerial cableway or aerial ropeway.

97. (1) Every signal given for the moving or stopping of a lifting appliance shall be distinctive in character and such that the person to whom it is given is able to hear or see it easily.

(2) Devices or apparatus used for giving sound, colour or light signals for the purpose aforesaid shall be properly maintained and the means of communication shall be adequately protected from accidental interference.

98. (1) Subject to paragraph (4) of this regulation, no crane, mobile crane, crab or winch shall be used unless it has been tested and thoroughly examined by a competent person within the previous four years and no pulley block, gin wheel or sheer legs shall be used in the raising or lowering of any load weighing 1,000 kilogrammes or more unless it has been tested and thoroughly examined by a competent person.

(2) Subject to paragraph (4) of this regulation, no crane, mobile crane, crab or winch shall be used after any substantial alteration or repair affecting its strength or stability until it has been tested and thoroughly examined by a competent person and no pulley block, gin wheel or sheer legs shall, after any substantial alteration or repair, be used in the raising or lowering of any load weighing 1,000 kilogrammes or more until it has been tested and thoroughly examined by a competent person.

(3) Subject to paragraph (4) of this regulation, no lifting appliance or mobile crane shall be used unless it has been thoroughly examined by a competent person within the previous fourteen months, and in case it undergoes any substantial alteration or repair, since the alteration or repair.

(4) Paragraphs (1), (2) and (3) of this regulation shall not apply to a hoist.

(5) No crane, mobile crane, crab, winch, pulley block or gin wheel shall be used unless there has been obtained, in such form as may be approved as respects the kind of lifting appliance or mobile crane tested and examined, a certificate of any test and examination required by paragraphs (1) or (2) of this regulation signed by the person making or responsible for the carrying out of the test and examination and specifying each of the following;

( a ) the safe working load or loads;

( b ) in the case of a crane or mobile crane with a variable operating radius (including a crane with a derricking jib), the radii of the jib, trolley or crab appropriate to the specified safe working loads, and

( c ) in the case of a crane or mobile crane with a derricking jib, the maximum radius at which the jib may be worked.

(6) A report in the approved form of the results of every test or examination required by paragraphs (1), (2) or (3) of this regulation, signed by the person carrying out the test or examination, shall be made within twenty-eight days: Provided that this paragraph shall not apply to a test or examination of which a certificate has been obtained in accordance with paragraph (5) of this regulation.

(7) The person making the report of any test or examination required by paragraphs (1), (2) or (3) of this regulation shall within twenty-eight days of the completion of the test or examination, send to the Minister a copy of the report in every case where the test or examination shows that the plant or equipment cannot continue to be used with safety unless certain repairs are carried out immediately or within a specified time.

99. (1) The safe working load or safe working loads and a means of identification shall be plainly marked--

( a ) upon every crane, crab or winch,

( b ) upon every pulley block, gin wheel, sheer legs, derrick pole, derrick mast or aerial cableway used in the raising or lowering of any load weighing 1,000 kilogrammes or more.

(2) Every crane of variable operating radius (including a crane with a derricking jib) shall before the crane is taken into use--

( a ) have plainly marked upon it the safe working load at various radii of the jib, trolley or crab, and, in the case of a crane with a derricking jib, the maximum radius at which the jib may be worked, and

( b ) be fitted with an accurate indicator, clearly visible to the driver, showing at any time the radius of the jib, trolley or crab, and the safe working load corresponding to that radius.

100. (1) Subject to paragraph (4) of this regulation no jib crane having either a fixed or derricking jib (other than a mobile crane) shall be used unless it is fitted with an approved type of automatic safe load indicator which shall be tested by a competent person (not being the crane driver) after erection or installation of the crane for the purpose of any operations or works to which these Regulations apply and before the crane is taken into use. When the crane is in use, the indicator shall be inspected in any case at intervals not exceeding one week, by the person carrying out the inspection required under subparagraph (c) of paragraph (1) of Regulation 80 of these Regulations and the results of every such inspection shall be reported in the manner specified in that sub-paragraph.

(2) Subject to paragraph (4) of this regulation, no mobile crane having either a fixed or a derricking jib shall be used unless it is fitted with a suitable type of automatic safe load indicator which shall be properly maintained. Before the crane is taken into use every such indicator shall be tested by a competent person --

( a ) on each occasion after it has been wholly or partially dismantled,

( b ) after each erection, alteration or removal of the crane for the purpose of any operations or works to which these Regulations apply, being an erection, alteration or removal likely to have affected the proper operation of the indicator. When the crane is in use, the indicator shall be inspected in any case at intervals not exceeding one week, by the person carrying out the inspection required under subparagraph (c) of paragraph (1) of Regulation 80 of these Regulations and the results of every such inspection shall be reported in the manner specified in that sub-paragraph.

(3) A report of the results of every test required by this regulation, signed by the person carrying out the test, shall be made forthwith in the approved form.

(4) This regulation does not apply--

( a ) to any guy derrick crane, being a crane of which the mast is held upright solely by means of ropes with the necessary fittings and tightening screws, or

( b ) to any hand crane which is being used solely for erecting or dismantling another crane, or

( c ) to any crane having a maximum safe working load of 1,000 Kilogrammes or less, or

( d ) until the expiration of the period of two years beginning on the commencement of these Regulations, to any excavator adapted for use as a crane.

101. None of the following appliances, nor any part of any such appliance, shall be loaded beyond the safe working load, that is to say, cranes, crabs, winches, pulley blocks, gin wheels, sheer legs, derrick poles and derrick masts; but for the purpose of making tests of any such appliance the safe working load may be exceeded by such an amount as a competent person appointed to carry out the tests may authorise.

102. (1) Where there is lifted on a crane, crab, winch (other than a piling winch), sheer legs or aerial cableway a load which is equal to or slightly less than the relevant safe working load and which is not already sustained wholly by the crane or other appliance, the lifting shall be halted after the load has been raised a short distance and before the operation is proceeded with.

(2) Where more than one lifting appliance is required to raise or lower the same load--

( a ) the plant or equipment used shall be so arranged and fixed that no lifting appliance to be used will at any time be loaded beyond its safe working load or rendered unstable in the raising or lowering of the load; and

( b ) a competent person shall be specially appointed to supervise the operation.

103. (1) The jib of a Scotch derrick crane shall not be erected between the back stays of the crane.

(2) No load which lies in the angle between the back stays of a Scotch derrick crane shall be moved by that crane.

(3) Appropriate measures shall be taken to prevent the foot of the king post of any Scotch derrick crane from being lifted out of its socket or support whilst in use.

(4) Where the guys of a guy derrick crane cannot be fixed at approximately equal inclinations to the mast and so that the angles between adjacent pairs of guys are approximately equal, such other measures shall be taken as will ensure the stability of the crane.

PART XII. CHAINS, ROPES AND LIFTING GEAR.

104. (1) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (2) of this regulation, no chain, rope or lifting gear shall be used in raising or lowering or as a means of suspension unless--

( a ) it is of good construction, sound material, adequate strength, suitable quality, and free from patent defect, and

( b ) (except in the case of a wire rope which is in use before the commencement of these Regulations or of a fibre rope or fibre rope sling) it has been tested and examined by a competent person and there has been obtained in the approved form a certificate of such test and examination specifying the safe working load and signed by the person making or responsible for the carrying out of the test and examination; and

( c ) it is marked in plain legible figures and letters with the safe working load and a means of identification.

(2) A rope or rope sling need not be marked with the safe working load if its safe working load is contained in the report made pursuant to Regulation 110 of these Regulations and the rope or sling is so marked as to enable its safe working load as specified in the said report to be ascertained from the said report or if, in the case of a rope or rope sling to which sub-paragraph (b) of paragraph (1) of this regulation does not apply, its safe working load can be ascertained from a table of safe working loads posted in a prominent position on the site of the operations or works; and in the case of a rope or rope sling which is not required to have been tested and which is not marked with the safe working load, the safe working load required to be entered in the said report or required to be shown by the table, as the case may be, shall be deemed for the purpose of these Regulations to be the safe working load of the rope or rope sling.

(3) No wire rope shall be used in raising or lowering or as a means of suspension if in any length of ten diameters the total number of visible broken wires exceeds five per cent of the total number of wires in the rope.

(4) No chain, rope or lifting gear shall be loaded beyond its safe working load except for the purpose of making tests and then only to such extent as a competent person appointed to carry out the tests may authorise.

(5) The original safe working load of a wire rope shall be determined by a competent person by testing to destruction a sample of the rope to ascertain the breaking load and to ascertain the original safe working load,

( a ) in case the wire rope is used as a wire rope sling, one eighth of the breaking load shall be taken as the original safe working load, and

( b ) in any other case, one sixth of the breaking load shall be so taken.

105. A chain, ring, link, hook, plate clamp, shackle, swivel or eye-bolt which has been lengthened, altered or repaired by welding shall not be used in raising or lowering or as a means or suspension unless since such lengthening, alteration or repair it has been tested and thoroughly examined by a competent person and there has been obtained in the approved form a certificate of such test and examination and specifying the safe working load and the certificate shall be signed by the person carrying out the test and examination or, in case that person is not responsible for the carrying out of the test and examination, by the person so responsible: Provided that the requirements of this regulation as to testing and certification shall not apply to a chain attached to the bucket of either a dragline or an excavator.

106. Every hook used for raising or lowering or as a means of suspension shall either--

( a ) be provided with an efficient device to prevent the displacement of the sling or load from the hook, or

( b ) be of such shape as to reduce as far as possible the risk of such displacement.

107. (1) Every sling used for raising or lowering on a lifting appliance shall be securely attached to the appliance, and the method of attachment shall not be a method likely to result in damage to any part of the sling or to any lifting gear supporting it.

(2) No double or multiple sling shall be used for raising or lower-if-- (a) the upper ends of the sling legs are not connected by means of a shackle, ring or link of adequate strength: or (b) the safe working load of any sling leg is exceeded because of the angle between the sling legs.

108. Where a load is being lifted or otherwise moved, adequate steps shall be taken by the use of suitable packing or otherwise to prevent the edges of the load from coming into contact with a sling, rope or chain, where this would cause danger.

109. (1) A load shall not be raised, lowered or suspended on a chain or wire rope which has a knot tied in any part of the chain or rope under direct tension.

(2) A chain which is shortened or joined to another chain by means of bolts and nuts inserted through the links shall not be used for raising, lowering or suspending any load.

110. A chain, rope or lifting gear shall not be used for raising or lowering or as a means of suspension unless it has been thoroughly examined by a competent person at least once within the previous six months, but chains, ropes and lifting gear which are not in regular use need only be so examined when necessary.

A report in the approved form of the results of every such examination pursuant to this regulation, signed by the person carrying out the examination, shall be made forthwith.

111. A chain or lifting gear (other than a rope sling or lifting gear of a class or description specified in the Second Schedule to these Regulations or a rope, sling or lifting gear exempted upon the ground that it is made of such material or so constructed that it cannot be subjected to heat treatment without risk of damage) shall not be used in raising or lowering or as a means of suspension unless:--

( a ) it has been effectively annealed or subjected to an appropriate form of heat treatment under the supervision of a competent person within--

(i) in the case of chains or slings of 12 millimetre bar or smaller material, the previous six months,

(ii) in the case of any other chain or lifting gear, the previous fourteen months;

but chains or lifting gear not in regular use or used solely on lifting appliances worked by hand need be annealed or subjected to appropriate heat treatment only when necessary; and

( b ) a report in the approved form has been made in writing of every annealing or appropriate heat treatment signed by the competent person under whose supervision the annealing or heat treatment was carried out.

PART XIII. SPECIAL PROVISIONS AS TO HOISTS.

112. (1) The hoistway of every hoist shall at all points at which access to the hoistway is provided or at which there is a risk that persons will be struck by any moving part of the hoist, be efficiently protected by a substantial enclosure and the enclosure shall be fitted with gates where access to the hoist is needed. Such enclosure and gates shall where practicable extend to a height of at least 2.00 metres except where a lesser height is sufficient to prevent any person falling down the hoistway and there is no risk of any person coming into contact with any moving part of the hoist, but in no case shall the enclosure be less than 1.00 metres in height. Gates so fitted shall be kept closed except at a landing place where the platform or cage is at rest and it is for the time being necessary for the gate to be open for the purpose of loading or unloading goods, plant or material, or to allow persons to enter or leave the cage; and it shall be the duty of every person, immediately after using any gateway, to see that the gate is closed unless it is for the time being necessary for the gate to be open for any of the purposes aforesaid. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as affecting any obligation of a contractor under any other provision of these Regulations.

(2) In connection with every hoist there shall where practicable be provided and maintained efficient devices which will support the platform or cage together with its safe working load in the event of failure of the hoist rope or ropes or any part of the hoisting gear.

(3) In connection with every hoist there shall be provided and maintained efficient automatic devices which will ensure that the platform or cage does not over-run the highest point to which it is for the time being constructed to travel.

113. (1) The construction and the installation arrangements of every hoist shall where practicable be such that it can be operated at any one time only from one position and a hoist shall not be operated from the cage unless the requirements of Regulation 118 of these Regulations are complied with.

(2) If a person operating a hoist has not a clear and unrestricted view of the platform or cage throughout its travel, except at points where such a view is not necessary for safe working, then effective arrangements shall be made for operating signals to be given to the person operating the hoist from each landing place at which the hoist is used and to enable that person to stop the platform or cage at the appropriate level.

114. Where a hoist is operated by means of a winch, the winch shall be so constructed that the brake is applied when the control lever, handle or switch is not held in the operating position, and a winch which is fitted with a pawl and ratchet gear on which the pawl has to be disengaged before the platform or cage can be lowered shall not be used to operate a hoist.

115. The safe working load shall be plainly marked on every hoist, platform or cage and no load greater than the load so marked shall be carried, but for the purpose of carrying out a test the safe working load may be exceeded by such amount as a competent person appointed to carry out the test may authorise. In the case of a hoist used for carrying persons the maximum number of persons to be carried at any one time shall also be so marked, and a number of persons greater than the number so marked shall not be so carried. In the case of any other hoist there shall be a readily legible notice on the platform or cage stating that the carriage of persons is prohibited.

116. (1) No hoists shall be used unless--

( a ) in the case of a hoist manufactured or substantially altered or substantially repaired after the date of commencement of these Regulations, it has, since such manufacture, alteration or repair, as the case may be, been tested and thoroughly examined by a competent person, and there has been obtained, in such form as may be approved, a certificate of such test and examination, signed by the person making or responsible for the carrying out of the test and examination and specifying the safe working load of the hoist and in the case of a hoist used for carrying persons the maximum number of persons permitted to be carried at one time,

( b ) in the case of a hoist to be used for carrying persons, it has since it was last erected or the height of travel of the cage was last altered, as may be appropriate, been tested and thoroughly examined by a competent person and a report of the results of such test and examination, signed by a person making or responsible for the carrying out of the test and examination, has been made in the approved form, and

( c ) it has been thoroughly examined by a competent person at least once within the previous six months.

(2) A report in the approved form of the results of every examination required by sub-paragraph (c) of the foregoing paragraph, signed by the person making or responsible for the carrying out of the examination, shall be made within twenty-eight days.

(3) The person making the report of any test or examination required by paragraph (1) of this regulation shall within twenty-eight days of the completion of the test or examination send to the Minister a copy of the report in every case where the test or examination shows that the hoist cannot continue to be used with safety unless certain repairs are carried out immediately or within a specified time.

PART XIV. CARRIAGE OF PERSONS AND SECURENESS OF LOADS.

117. (1) No person shall be raised, lowered or carried by a power driven lifting appliance except--

( a ) on the driver's platform in the case of a crane; or

( b ) on a hoist, or

( c ) on an approved suspended scaffold; or

(d) as permitted by paragraph (2) of this regulation.

(2) A person may be raised, lowered or carried by a power driven lifting appliance in a manner other than those mentioned in sub-paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of paragraph (1) of this regulation only--

( a ) in circumstances where the use of a hoist or of an approved suspended scaffold is not reasonably practicable and the requirements of paragraph (3) of this regulation are complied with, or

( b ) on an aerial cableway or aerial ropeway provided that the requirements of sub-paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) of paragraph (3) of this regulation are complied with.

(3) The requirements referred to in paragraph (2) of this regulation are--

( a ) that the power driven appliance can be operated from one position only,

( b ) that any winch used in connection with the appliance shall comply with the requirements of Regulation 114 of these Regulations,

( c ) that no person shall be carried except--

(i) in a suitable chair or cage, or

(ii) in a suitable skip or other receptacle at least 0.950 metres deep,

and any such chair, cage, skip or other receptacle shall be of good construction, sound material, adequate strength and properly maintained, and shall be provided with suitable means to prevent any occupant falling out and shall not contain material or tools liable to interfere with his handhold or foothold or otherwise endanger him, and

( d ) that suitable measures shall be taken to prevent the chair, cage, skip or other receptacle from spinning or tipping in a manner dangerous to any occupant.

118. (1) No person shall be carried by a hoist unless it is provided with a cage which--

( a ) is so constructed as to prevent, when the cage gate or gates are shut, any person carried from falling out or from being trapped between any part of the cage and any fixed structure or other moving part of the hoist or from being struck by articles or materials falling down the hoistway,

( b ) is fitted on each side from which access is provided to a landing place with a gate which, so far as is reasonably practicable, shall have efficient interlocking or other devices to secure that the gate cannot be opened except when the cage is at a landing place and that the cage cannot be moved away from any such place until the gate is closed.

(2) Every gate in the hoistway enclosure of a hoist used for carrying persons shall be fitted with efficient interlocking or other devices to secure that the gate cannot be opened except when the cage is at the landing place, and that the cage cannot be moved away from the landing place until the gate is closed.

(3) In connection with every hoist used for carrying persons there shall be provided suitable efficient automatic devices which will ensure that the cage comes to rest at a point above the lowest point to which the cage can travel.

119. (1) Every part of a load shall be securely suspended or supported whilst being raised or lowered and shall be adequately secured to prevent danger from slipping or displacement.

(2) Where by reason of the nature or position of the operation a load is liable, whilst being moved on a lifting appliance or lifting gear, to come into contact with any object so that the object may become displaced, special measures shall be adopted to prevent the danger so far as reasonably practicable.

(3) Every container or receptacle used for raising or lowering stone, bricks, tiles, slates or other objects shall be so enclosed, constructed or designed as to prevent the accidental fall of such objects: Provided that this requirement shall not apply to a grab, shovel or other similar excavating receptacle if effective steps are taken to prevent any person being endangered by a fall of objects therefrom.

(4) Goods or loose material shall not be placed directly on a platform of a hoist unless such platform is enclosed or other effective precautions are taken where necessary to prevent the fall of any such goods or materials.

(5) No truck or wheelbarrow shall be carried on a hoist platform unless it is efficiently scotched or secured on the platform.

(6) No loaded truck or wheelbarrow shall be carried on the open platform of a hoist unless the truck or wheelbarrow is so loaded that no part of the load is liable to fall off.

(7) No load shall be left suspended from a lifting appliance unless a competent person in charge of the appliance is present at the appliance.

PART XV. HEALTH AND WELFARE.

120. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this regulation, where a contractor has any person in his employment on a site, he shall provide and keep clean and in good repair a sufficient number of suitable first-aid boxes or cases, which shall, while work is going on, be reasonably accessible to all persons working on the site who are in his employment.

(2) A first-aid box or case provided in pursuance of this regulation shall be distinctively marked "FIRST-AID" and placed under the charge of a responsible person who--

( a ) while in charge of the box or case shall be readily available while any persons for whom it is provided are working on the site and whose name shall be plainly indicated in a prominent place on or near the box or case; and

( b ) where the box or case is provided by a contractor who has more than 50 persons in his employment on the relevant site, shall be a person trained in first-aid treatment to the standard required by Regulation 122 of these Regulations.

(3) In a case where operations or works to which these Regulations apply are carried out within the precincts of a factory which has been exempted under subsection (6) of section 56 of the Act, by the Minister from the requirements of the said section 56 because of the provision of an ambulance room, the foregoing provisions of this regulation shall not apply, if but only if, in the case of such operations or works carried out by persons employed by a contractor who is not the occupier of the factory, effective arrangements are made by the contractor with such occupier for enabling persons so employed to have adequate access to and use of the ambulance room.

(4) During the period of twelve months beginning on the commencement of these Regulations, subparagraph (b) of paragraph (2) of this regulation shall have effect as if "to the standard required by Regulation 122 of these Regulations" were omitted.

121. (1) Things other than appliances or requisites for first-aid shall not be kept in a first-aid box or case.

(2) Each first-aid box or case provided in pursuance of these Regulations shall contain

(i) in case the number of persons employed by the relevant contractor on works or operations to which these Regulations apply exceeds five but does not exceed twenty-five, the equipment and materials specified in Part I of the Third Schedule to these Regulations,

(ii) in case the number of persons so employed is twenty-five or more, the equipment and materials specified in Part II of the said Schedule.

122. (1) For the purposes of Regulations 120 and 124 of these Regulations a person shall not at any time after the expiration of a period of twelve months beginning on the commencement of these Regulations be deemed to be trained in first-aid treatment unless--

( a ) he or she is a registered general nurse within the meaning of the Nurses Acts 1950 and 1961,

( b ) he or she is the holder of a certificate in first-aid issued within the immediately preceding period of three years, by, or is otherwise recognised as being qualified in first-aid treatment by, a training organisation.

(2) No contractor shall be held not to have complied with the requirement in Regulation 120 (2) of these Regulations, that the persons in charge of certain first-aid boxes or cases shall be persons trained in first-aid treatment, in any case where he proves that he used all due diligence to secure compliance with that provision.

(3) In case the person in charge of a first-aid box or case is required by Regulation 120 (2) (b) of these Regulations to be a person trained in first-aid treatment to the standard required by this regulation, the following particulars shall be recorded in writing as respect that person, namely--

( a ) his or her name;

( b ) the nature and date of his or her qualification as a person trained in first-aid treatment, and

( c ) the date on which evidence of being so trained was inspected by the person undertaking the relevant operations or works to which these Regulations apply.

(4) The record, or a copy thereof, required by paragraph (3) of this regulation shall be securely fixed inside the first-aid box or case and shall at all reasonable times be open to inspection by an inspector. The person keeping any such record shall send to any inspector such extracts therefrom or copies thereof as the inspector may from time to time require for the purpose of the execution of his duties under the Act.

123. (1) A contractor who has in his employment on a site more than 25 persons shall--

( a ) notify in writing the local health authority in whose area the site is situated within 24 hours of employing for the first time more than 25 persons on the site of--

(i) the location and address (if any) of the site, and

(ii) the nature of the operations or works and the probable date of their completion,

( b ) provide and maintain on the site a suitable stretcher or such number of suitable stretchers as may be necessary,

( c ) appoint a responsible person or responsible persons who shall always be readily available during working hours and whose duty it shall be to summon an ambulance or other means of transport, if needed, in cases of accident or illness, and the contractor shall ensure that legible copies of a notice indicating that person or, as the case may be, those persons, and containing instructions on the making of emergency telephone or radio calls is affixed in one or more prominent positions on the site.

(2) Where a means of telephonic or radio communication with an ambulance station are not readily accessible in relation to a site, if the contractor concerned has in his employment on the site more than 25 persons, he shall provide at or in the immediate vicinity of the site, so as to be readily available during working hours, a motor vehicle constructed or adapted so as to be able to carry a person or persons on the stretcher or stretchers provided by him pursuant to this regulation. The contractor by whom such vehicle is provided shall obtain from the local health authority a card on which they shall show the address of the nearest hospital named by the authority as one designated by them to provide accident and emergency services and the contractor shall ensure that the card is kept in a prominent position in the vehicle.

124. (1) In the case of a site where the number of persons employed on operations or works to which these Regulations apply exceeds 250, a contractor who has more than 40 persons in his employment on that site shall provide and maintain in good order and in a clean condition at or near to the relevant site and conveniently accessible a properly constructed suitable first-aid room the interior surfaces of which shall be capable of being easily kept clean. The first-aid room shall be used only for purposes of treatment and rest and shall be in the charge of a person trained in first-aid treatment to the standard required by Regulation 122 of these Regulations who shall always be readily available during working hours.

(2) A first-aid room provided in pursuance of this regulation shall contain at least the following equipment, namely--

( a ) a sink having smooth impervious internal surfaces with a supply of hot and cold water always available,

( b ) a table with a smooth impervious top,

( c ) means of sterilising instruments,

( d ) a supply of suitable dressings, bandages and splints,

( e ) a couch,

( f ) suitable and sufficient stretchers including a sling stretcher,

( g ) sufficient blankets and hot water bottles, and

( h ) a foot bath or basin or bowl suitable for use as a foot bath.

(3) During the period of twelve months beginning on the commencement of these Regulations paragraph (1) of this regulation shall have effect as if "the standard required by Regulation 122 of these Regulations" were omitted.

125. (1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3) of this regulation, there shall be provided at or in the immediate vicinity of every site for the use of the persons employed and conveniently accessible to them--

( a ) adequate and suitable accommodation for taking shelter during interruptions of work owing to bad weather and for depositing clothing not worn during working hours, being accommodation containing--

(i) where more than 5 persons are employed by a contractor on a site, adequate and suitable means of enabling the persons employed to warm themselves and to dry wet clothing, or

(ii) where 5 persons or less are employed by a contractor on a site, such arrangements as are practicable for enabling persons to warm themselves and for drying wet clothing,

( b ) adequate and suitable accommodation, for the deposit of protective clothing used for work and kept, when not in use, at or in the immediate vicinity of the site, with such arrangements as are practicable for drying such clothing if it becomes wet.

( c ) adequate and suitable accommodation, affording protection from the weather and including sufficient tables and seats or benches, for taking meals, with facilities for boiling water, and where a contractor has more than 10 persons in his employment on a site and heated food is not otherwise available on the site, adequate facilities for heating food, and

( d ) an adequate supply of wholesome drinking water at a convenient point or convenient points and clearly marked "Drinking Water" or patently intended to be used as such.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1) (c) of this regulation, in determining whether accommodation of any kind provided in pursuance of that subparagraph at any time and place is adequate, regard shall be had to the number of the persons who appear to be likely to use such accommodation at that time and place.

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (1) of this regulation, in determining whether accommodation is conveniently accessible account shall be taken of any transport provided by the relevant contractor for the persons employed.

(4) All accommodation provided in pursuance of paragraph (1) of this regulation shall be properly ventilated, adequately lighted, kept in a clean and orderly condition and shall not be used for the deposit or storage of materials or plant.

126. (1) The requirements of section 53 (1) of the Act shall not apply to a site and in lieu of those requirements the following requirements of this regulation shall apply.

(2) Except in the cases provided for by paragraphs (3), (4), and (5) of this regulation, every contractor who has in his employment on a site any person who is present on the site on any occasion for more than four consecutive hours shall provide adequate and suitable facilities for washing.

(3) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (5) of this Regulation, where a contractor has more than 20 persons in his employment on a site and there are reasonable grounds for believing that the operations or works to be undertaken, by him on the site will not be completed within 6 weeks from their commencement, he shall provide for the persons employed suitable facilities for washing which shall include--

( a ) adequate troughs or basins having in every case a smooth impervious internal surface;

( b ) adequate and suitable means of cleaning and drying (being either soap and towels or other means), as the case may require, and

( c ) a sufficient supply of hot and cold or warm water.

(4) Subject to paragraph (5) of this regulation, where a contractor has more than 100 persons in his employment on a site and there are reasonable grounds for believing, that the operations or works to be undertaken by him on the site will not be completed within 12 months from their commencement, in lieu of providing troughs or basins men in subparagraph (a) of paragraph (3) of this regulation he shall provide washbasins on the following scale, that is to say, 4 with the addition of one for every unit of 35 persons by which the number of persons exceeds 100 (any fraction of a unit of 35 persons being treated as one).

(5) In any case where persons are employed on a site in a process in which a lead compound or other poisonous substance is used the relevant contractor shall provide nail brushes and subparagraph (a) of paragraph (3) of this regulation or paragraph (4) of this regulation, as may be appropriate, shall as regards the particular case be construed as requiring the provision of one trough or basin, or washbasin, as may be appropriate, for every five persons employed.

(6) Washing facilities provided in pursuance of this regulation shall be conveniently accessible from the accommodation for taking meals provided in pursuance of Regulation 125 of these Regulations and shall be adequately lighted, properly ventilated and kept in a clean and orderly condition.

127. (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this regulation a contractor shall provide at least one suitable sanitary convenience (not being a convenience suitable only as a urinal) for every 25 persons in his employment on a site.

(2) Where a contractor has more than 100 persons in his employment on a site, and sufficient urinal accommodation is also provided, for the purposes of this regulation it shall be sufficient if there is one such convenience as aforesaid for every 25 persons in his employment on the site up to the first 100 and one for every 35 persons thereafter.

(3) In calculating the number of conveniences required by this regulation any number of persons less than 25 or 35, as may be appropriate, shall be reckoned as 25 or 35, and any number which is not a multiple of 25 or 35, as may be appropriate, shall be regarded as being the nearest lower number which is a multiple of 25 or 35.

128. (1) Every sanitary convenience required to be provided by these Regulations shall be sufficiently ventilated, and shall not communicate with any workroom or messroom except through the open air or through an intervening ventilated space.

(2) Every sanitary convenience (other than a convenience suitable only as a urinal) shall be under cover and so partitioned off as to secure privacy, and shall have a proper door and fastening. Urinals shall be so placed or so screened as not to be visible from other places, whether on or off the relevant site.

(3) The sanitary conveniences shall be so arranged as to be conveniently accessible to the persons employed at all times while they are at the site.

(4) Sanitary conveniences which comply with the requirements both of subsection (1) of section 17 of the Act and of this regulation shall for operations or works to which these Regulations apply be sufficient and suitable for the purposes of the said section 17.

129. Every contractor shall provide adequate and suitable protective clothing for any person so employed who by reason of the nature of his work is required to continue working in the open air during rain, snow, sleet or hail.

130. Safe means of access and egress shall so far as practicable be provided and maintained to and from every place at which any of the facilities provided in pursuance of these Regulations is situated and every such place shall, so far as practicable, be made and kept safe for persons using the said facilities.

PART XVI. MISCELLANEOUS.

131. (1) Every flywheel and every moving part of any prime mover, every part of transmission machinery and every potentially dangerous part of other machinery (whether or not driven by mechanical power) shall be securely fenced unless it is in such a position or of such construction as to be as safe to every person employed or working on the site of the operations or works as it would be if it were securely fenced.

(2) All fencing or safeguards provided in pursuance of Regulation 131 of these Regulations shall be of substantial construction, and constantly maintained and kept in position while the parts required to be fenced or safeguarded are in motion or in use, but this regulation shall not be construed as prohibiting the removal of such fencing or safeguard for the purpose of making an examination or a necessary adjustment or for the purpose of lubrication.

132. Before any operations or works to which these Regulations apply are commenced, and also during the progress thereof, all practicable steps shall be taken to prevent danger to persons employed from any live electric cable or electric apparatus which is liable to be a source of danger, either by rendering such cable or apparatus electrically dead or otherwise.

133. Measures shall be taken to prevent, so far as practicable, steam, smoke or other vapour generated on a site from obscuring any part of the work, scaffolding, machinery or other plant or equipment where any person is employed.

134. (1) Where any person is habitually employed at a particular place on a site, adequate measures shall be taken to prevent the person so employed from being struck by any falling material or article, by the provision of either safety helmets or other suitable protective means and it shall be the duty of the person to wear the helmet provided for him pursuant to this regulation.

(2) Every protective helmet provided pursuant to this regulation shall be marked with a distinguishing mark which shall be used to identify it in relation to the person to whom it has been issued and the helmet shall not be issued to any other person unless and until it has been cleaned and disinfected.

(3) Scaffold materials, tools, other objects or material (including waste material) shall not be thrown, or shot down from a height where they are liable to cause injury, but where practicable shall be properly lowered. Where proper lowering is not practicable or where any part of a building or other structure is being demolished or removed adequate steps shall be taken to protect persons employed from falling or flying debris.

135. Every place at which persons are employed and the approach thereto, and in particular, every such place where raising or lowering operations with the use of a lifting appliance are in progress and all openings dangerous to persons employed, shall be adequately and suitably lighted.

136. (1) No timber or material with projecting nails shall be used in any works or operations to which these Regulations apply if such timber or material is a source of danger to persons employed nor shall such timber or materials be allowed to remain in any place where they are a source of danger to such persons.

(2) Loose materials where not required for use shall not be placed or left so as to restrict unduly the passage of persons employed over platforms, gangways, floors or other places on the site used for such passage, but shall be removed, stacked or stored so as to leave a reasonably unobstructed passage. Materials shall not be insecurely stacked in a place where they may be dangerous to persons employed, or so stacked as to overload and render unsafe any floor, roof or other part of a building or other structure.

137. Any temporary structure erected for the purpose of operations or works to which these Regulations apply, not being a scaffold or other structure to which Regulation 81 of these Regulations applies, shall (having regard to the purpose for which it is used) be of good construction and adequate strength and stability and shall be of sound material, free from patent defect and properly maintained.

138. (1) All practicable precautions shall be taken by the use of temporary guys, stays, supports and fixings or otherwise where necessary to prevent danger to any person employed through the collapse of any part of a building or other structure during any temporary state of weakness or instability of the building or structure or part thereof before the whole building or structure is completed.

(2) Where any work is carried on which is likely to reduce, so as to endanger any person employed, the security or stability of any part of an existing building or structure or of a building or structure in course of construction, all practicable precautions shall be taken by shoring or otherwise to prevent danger to any person employed from the collapse of the building or structure or the fall of any part thereof.

139. No ironwork or steelwork which has been painted or cement washed shall be moved or manipulated on a site unless all the paint or wash on it (other than paint for the purpose of jointing) is dry and no person shall walk or work or be required or permitted to walk or work on erected iron or steel work on which the paint (other than paint for the purpose of jointing) or cement wash is wet:

Provided that the requirement of this regulation as to moving or manipulating shall not apply to moving or manipulating in connection with the painting or cement washing of ironwork or steelwork on a site.

140. Where there is carried on any process specified in the Fourth Schedule to these Regulations suitable goggles or effective screens shall be provided to protect the eyes of persons employed in the process, and no person so employed shall carry on, or be required or permitted to carry on, any such process, without utilising such goggles or screens.

141. Every helmet or crown used in connection with pile driving shall be of good construction, of sound and suitable material, of adequate strength and free from patent defect.

142. (1) The reports required by Regulations 14 (3), 23 (1), 63, 80 (1), 89 (4), 89 (5), 100 (3) and 116 (1) (b) of these Regulations shall be kept on the site but when no relevant operations or works are being carried out on such site the reports shall be kept at an office of the contractor for whom the inspection, test or examinations, as the case may be, was carried out: Provided that in the case of a site where the contractor has reasonable grounds for believing that operations or works will be completed in a period of less than six weeks, the contractor may, in lieu of keeping the reports at the relevant site keep the reports at his office.

(2) All other reports and every certificate or other document required by these Regulations shall be kept either on the relevant site or at an office of the contractor for whom the report was made or the certificate or document was obtained or of the owner of the plant or equipment to which the certificate relates.

(3) All reports, certificates and other documents required by these Regulations shall at all reasonable times be open to inspection by an inspector and the person having custody of any such report, certificate or other document shall send to any such inspector such extracts therefrom or copies thereof as the inspector may from time to time require for the purpose of the execution of his duties under the Act.

143. A register for the purposes of these Regulations shall be kept and maintained by a contractor and shall be in the approved form and available for inspection at any reasonable time by an inspector.

FIRST SCHEDULE.

Extent of exclusion under Regulation 7 (1).

SECOND SCHEDULE.

Chains and Lifting Gear Excepted under Regulation 111 (as to Heat Treatment).

(1) Chains made of malleable cast-iron.

(2) Plate link chains.

(3) The following when made of steel or of any non-metal namely, chains, rings, links, hooks, plate clamps, shackles, swivels and eye-bolts.

(4) Pitched chains working on sprockets or pocketed wheels.

(5) The following when permanently attached to pitched chains, pulley blocks or weighing machines, namely, rings, links, hooks, shackles and swivels.

(6) The following when, having screw-threaded parts or ball-bearings or other case-hardened parts, namely, hooks, eye-bolts and swivels.

(7) Socket shackles secured to wire ropes by white metal cappings.

(8) Bordeaux connections.

THIRD SCHEDULE.

Contents of First-aid Boxes or Cases-- Regulation 121 (2).

PART I.

Where the number of persons employed by a contractor exceeds 5 but does not exceed 25:

(i) A copy of the leaflet (Form 1033) giving advice on first-aid treatment.

(ii) A sufficient number (not less than 6) of small sterilised unmedicated dressings for injured fingers.

(iii) A sufficient number (not less than 3) of medium-sized sterilised unmedicated dressings for injured hands or feet.

(iv) A sufficient number (not less than 3) of large sterilised unmedicated dressings for other injured parts.

(v) A sufficient number (not less than 12) of adhesive wound dressings of a suitable type and of assorted sizes.

(vi) A sufficient number (not less than 2) of triangular bandages of unbleached calico, the longest side of which measures not less than 51 inches and each of the other sides not less than 36 inches.

(vii) A sufficient supply of adhesive plaster.

(viii) A sufficient supply of absorbent sterilised cotton wool in half-ounce packets.

(ix) A sufficient supply of approved eye ointment in a container of an approved type or size.

(x) A sufficient number (not less than 2) of sterilised eye pads in separate sealed packets.

(xi) A rubber bandage or pressure bandage.

(xii) Safety pins.

PART II.

Where the number of persons employed by a contractor exceeds 25:

(i) A copy of the leaflet (Form 1033) giving advice on first-aid treatment.

(ii) A sufficient number (not less than 24) of small sterilised unmedicated dressings for injured fingers.

(iii) A sufficient number (not less than 12) of large sterilised unmedicated dressings for injured hands or feet.

(iv) A sufficient number (not less than 12) of large sterilised unmedicated dressings for other injured parts.

(v) A sufficient number (not less than 36) of adhesive wound dressings of an approved type and of assorted sizes.

(vi) A sufficient number (not less than 8) of triangular bandages of unbleached calico, the longest side of which measures not less than 51 inches and each of the other sides not less than 36 inches.

(vii) A sufficient supply of adhesive plaster.

(viii) A sufficient supply of absorbent sterilised cotton wool in half-ounce packets.

(ix) A sufficient supply of approved eye ointment in a container of an approved type and size.

(x) A sufficient number (not less than 8) of sterilised eye-pads in separate sealed packets.

(xi) A rubber bandage or pressure bandage.

(xii) Safety pins.

FOURTH SCHEDULE.

Processes to which Regulation 140 applies.

(1) Dry grinding of surfaces of metal, stone, concrete or similar materials by means of a wheel or disc driven by mechanical power.

(2) Breaking, cutting, dressing or carving of stone, concrete, slag or similar materials by means of hand tool (other than a trowel) or a portable tool driven by mechanical power.

(3) Chipping or scaling of painted or corroded metal surfaces or wire-brushing of such surfaces by mechanical power.

(4) Cutting out or cutting off of cold rivets or bolts from any structure or part thereof.

(5) Welding or cutting of metals by means of an electrical oxy-acetylene or similar process.

GIVEN under my Official Seal this 1st day of December, 1975.

MICHAEL O'LEARY,

Minister for Labour.

EXPLANATORY NOTE.

These Regulations prescribe measures to be taken for the protection of the safety, health and welfare of persons employed in building operations and works of engineering construction.