Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 8, § 6095 - Special Decompression Chamber
(a) General. A special decompression chamber
of sufficient size to accommodate the entire force of employees being
decompressed at the end of a shift shall be provided whenever the regularly
established working period requires a total time of decompression exceeding 75
minutes.
(b) Size, Capacity, and
Construction. The headroom in the special decompression chamber shall be not
less than 7 feet and the cubical content shall provide at least 50 cubic feet
of air space for each person. For each occupant there shall be provided 4
square feet of free walking area and 3 square feet of seating space exclusive
of area required for lavatory and toilet facilities. The rated capacity shall
be based on the stated minimum space per person and shall be posted at the
chamber entrance. The posted capacity shall not be exceeded, except in case of
emergency. The chamber shall be constructed in accordance with the Unfired
Pressure Vessel Safety Orders.
(c)
Equipment. Each special decompression chamber shall be equipped with the
following:
(1) A clock or clocks suitably
placed so that the attendant and the chamber occupants can readily ascertain
the time;
(2) Pressure gauges which
will indicate to the attendants and to the chamber occupants the pressure in
the chamber;
(3) Valves to enable
the attendant to control the supply and discharge of compressed air into and
from the chamber;
(4) Valves and
pipes in connection with the air supply and exhaust arranged so that the
chamber pressure can be controlled from within and without;
(5) Effective means of oral communication
between the attendant, occupants of the chamber, and the air compressor
plant;
(6) An observation port at
the entrance to permit observation of the chamber occupants
(7) Suitable mufflers at large air pressure
drops.
(d) Seating
Facilities. Seating facilities in special decompression chambers shall so
arranged as to permit a normal sitting posture. Seating space not less than 18
inches by 24 inches wide shall be provided per occupant.
(e) Automatic Controls. Special decompression
chambers shall be equipped with automatic controls complying with Section
6090(d) and
(e).
(f) Sanitation. Adequate toilet and washing
facilities in a screened or enclosed recess shall be provided. Toilet bowls
shall have a built-in protector on the rim so that an air space is created when
the seat lid is closed. Potable drinking water shall be provided. This may be
accomplished by either piping water into the special decompression chamber and
providing drinking fountains, or by providing individual canteens or by some
other sanitary means. Common drinking vessels shall be prohibited. The chamber
shall be kept clean.
(g) Location.
Unless the special decompression chamber is serving as the air lock to
atmospheric pressure, the special decompression chamber shall be situated where
practicable, adjacent to the air lock on the atmospheric pressure side of the
bulkhead. A passageway shall be provided connecting the special chamber with
the air lock to permit employees in the process of decompression to move from
the air lock to the special chamber without a reduction in the ambient pressure
from that designated for the next stage of decompression. The passageway shall
be so arranged as to not interfere with the normal operation of the air lock
nor with the release of the occupants of the special chamber to atmospheric
pressure upon the completion of the decompression procedure.
Notes
Note: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code.
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