(1)No welding or cutting operations shall be done in AMM or CMM district in case main mechanical ventilator or auxiliary fan is not working.(2)A written work permit shall be obtained by a competent person from the ventilation officer to carry out any cutting or welding operation in the AMM, CMM or CBM district or area which shall be placed under the direct supervision of an assistant manager in-charge of the district.(3)The apparatus or machine to be used for welding or cutting shall only be used in fresh intake airway and at least 270 metres out-bye of any working place or any goaf unless it is sealed off by means of explosion proof stopping.(4)The quantity of air passing at the place where it is intended to use the apparatus or machine for welding or cutting shall not be less than 284 cubic metre per minute.(5)The manager shall exercise overall control on the use of such apparatus or machine to be used for welding or cutting.(6)Assistant manager duly authorised in writing by the manager shall be placed in-charge of the entire work, including the operation of carrying the apparatus or machine to be used for welding or cutting from surface to belowground and bringing the same back to surface when no longer required belowground.(7)A person holding at least an overman's certificate and duly authorised in writing by the manager shall be present throughout the entire work and be responsible for general safety including checking and recording the percentage of inflammable gas.(8)During every welding or cutting operation, water hose with running water shall be kept ready at the site and at the insets below.(9)The presence of inflammable gas shall be constantly monitored by an automatic on line gas detection, display system provided with audio visual alarm before commencement and during the welding or cutting operations and at all places within 30 metres distance of the site of cutting or welding.(10)A flame safety lamp shall be kept burning at the site of welding of cutting.(11)The apparatus or machine to be used for welding or cutting shall not be used if 0.2 percent or more inflammable gas is detected at any time and intimation of such occurrence shall be given to the Chief Inspector and Regional Inspector in writing.(12)Sparks or particles from welding or cutting shall be quenched immediately with water.(13)The place where the apparatus or machine for welding or cutting is used and its vicinity Shall be kept clear of grease, oil etc. and no inflammable material shall be kept at or within metres of such place.(14)The place where welding or cutting and the area lying within 90 meters thereof shall be adequately cleaned of loose coal and coal dust and treated with water or incombustible dust before commencement of use of apparatus or machine for welding or cutting and after completion of work.(15)All combustible material at and in the vicinity of the place shall be thoroughly kept wett with water or completely covered with sand or stone dust.(16)Where cutting or welding takes place in close proximity to any electrical apparatus, the later shall be kept securely screened.(17)Adequate number of suitable fire extinguishers in good condition Shall be provided and kept in readiness for immediate use therein.(18)As soon as cutting or welding operations are completed, the official authorised by the manager for supervision, shall examine the place and satisfy himself that it is safe and further inspection shall be made from time to time during the next four hours and if necessary thereafter until the assigned officials have satisfied themselves that place is safe and has so reported to the manager.(19)During the inspections, all fire precautions including those mentioned in the foregoing provisions shall be kept in commission.(20)A written record of every occasion when the apparatus or machine for welding or cutting was used belowground, the circumstances under which it was used, the duration for which it was used, the time the apparatus was taken belowground and removed to the surface, the result of tests for gas with methanometer and signs of heating or fire detected if any, together with the name and designation of persons who supervised the operation shall be maintained in a bound paged book kept for the purpose and the record shall be signed and dated by the officials referred to above and countersigned by the manager.(21)Only the minimum number of persons shall work belowground when the apparatus or machine for welding or cutting is in use.(22)Air sample shall also be collected and analysed by chromatograph where practicable, at frequent intervals at the place where the apparatus or machine for welding or cutting is in operation.(23)A copy of the entries made in the book referred under this regulation shall be sent to the Regional Inspector within 24 hours of making the entry.
