Compressed air

General requirements

An employer must do the following before allowing a worker to enter a compressed air environment:

• At least 30 days before work is to begin, ensure that the Workplace Safety and Health Branch is notified of the nature and location of work in writing.
• Establish a comprehensive work plan for work in a compressed air environment that has been developed and approved by a professional engineer and complies with the applicable requirements of the CAN/CSA Standard-Z275.3-09 (R2019), Occupational Safety Code for Work in Compressed Air Environments.
• Ensure that the work done in a compressed air environment is done in accordance with the work plan established by the professional engineer and complies with the applicable requirements of the CAN/CSA Standard-Z275.3-09 (R2019).
• Perform test procedures for controlling the rate and duration of compression and decompression and create appropriate procedures as outlined in the CAN/CSA Standard-Z275.3-09 (R2019).
• Designate a supervisor who has had practical experience with work in a compressed air environment.
• Workers must be medically examined prior to being allowed to work in a compressed air environment as outlined in CAN/CSA Standard-Z275.3-09 (R2019).
• Ensure that the maximum working period does not exceed the timeframe outlined in CAN/CSA Standard-Z275.3-09 (R2019).
• Ensure that a rescue plan is in place in case of an emergency and that the rescue plan is posted throughout the project. As per CAN/CSA Standard-Z275.3-09 (R2019) at least four workers need to be trained in rescue and need to be available, on short notice, with the suitable equipment to perform rescue work.
• Provide a copy of the CAN/CSA Standard-Z275.3-09 (R2019) at the worksite.

Prior to being permitted to work in a compressed air environment, the following must occur:

• The worker must complete two copies of CSA Standard-Z275.3-09 form showing pre-employment history and provide this to the project physician.
• The project physician must examine the worker within two months before the worker commences work in compressed air, and at intervals of not more than two months afterwards.
• The project physician must certify that the worker is physically fit to work in compressed air and must inform the worker of the precautionary measures that they should take in order to prevent injury or illness from working in compressed air.