Safe Quarry - Health and Safety Authority

PART 7
AIR RECEIVERS
The requirements for air receivers include;
A safe working pressure is clearly marked,
A safety valve is installed,
The receiver is fitted with a suitable safety
valve,
The receiver is fitted with an accurate pressure
gauge indicating the pressure in the receiver,
The receiver is fitted with a suitable appliance
for draining the receiver,
The receiver is fitted with a blow-off cock,
through which any fluid that may have
accumulated in the receiver may be blown-off,
The receiver is provided with a suitable
manhole, handhole, or other means which will
allow the interior of the receiver to be
thoroughly cleaned,
In a case where more than one receiver is in
use at the quarry, each must bear a
distinguishing mark that is easily visible,
56. MAINTENANCE AND EXAMINATION
(Regulation 58)
58.
(1) The operator shall take all practicable steps to
ensure that every air receiver at a quarry and its
fittings are of sound construction and properly
maintained and that the blow-off cock fitted
thereto is opened, while the plant is running, at
least once in every working day.
(2) The operator shall ensure that every air receiver
at a quarry is thoroughly cleaned and examined
by a competent person at least once in every
period of 2 years, but in the case of an air receiver
so constructed that the internal surface cannot
be thoroughly examined -
(a) the person making any such examination
may specify in writing a period exceeding 2
years but not exceeding 4 years within
which the next examination is to be made,and
(b) a suitable hydraulic test of the air receiver is
carried out in lieu of the internal examination.
(3) A person carrying out an examination and test
under paragraph (2) shall -
(a) promptly prepare a report containing the
particulars as set out in Schedule 4, and
(b) within 24 hours of completing the
examination, provide the report, or a copy
thereof, to the person on whose behalf the
inspection was carried out.
(4) Where a report under this Regulation specifies
that the safe working pressure f the air receiver to
which it relates is to be reduced, or that such air
receiver cannot continue to be safely used unless
specified repairs are carried out, the operator
shall ensure that the air receiver is not used until it
is rendered safe, and within 7 days of receiving
the report, cause a copy of the report to be sent to
the Authority.
(5) If an inspector is not satisfied as to -
(i) the competence of the person who carried
out an examination under this Regulation, or
(ii) the thoroughness of the examination
carried out, he or she may require the air
receiver to be re-examined by a competent
person nominated by him or her, and the
operator shall make the necessary facilities
available for such re-examination.
(6) If, as a result of any re-examination under
paragraph (5) it appears that the report of the
examination under paragraph (2) was
inadequate or inaccurate in any respect, the cost
of the re-examination shall be recoverable by the
Authority from the operator as a simple contract
debt in any court of competent jurisdiction and in
any legal proceedings the report of the reexamination
purporting to be signed by the
person making it shall be received in evidence of
the facts stated therein without further proof
unless the contrary is shown.
These provisions are generally self explanatory and
set out the maintenance,inspection and examination
regime required for air receivers used at a quarry or
on vehicles and machinery at the quarry. It specifies
that the operator must ensure that every air receiver
and its fittings are of good construction and properly
maintained. That the blow-off cock is opened once
every day while the plant is running.
It specifies that every air receiver at a quarry must be
thoroughly cleaned and examined by a competent
person at least once in every period of two years.
Where the internal surface of an air receiver can not
be examined this period of test may be extended by
SAFE QUARRY GUIDELINES TO THE SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE AT WORK (QUARRIES) REGULATIONS 2008 83