Canada – Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Marine Installations and Structures Occupational Health and Safety Transitional Regulations

173 (1) Subject to subsection (4), if there is a hazard of an airborne hazardous substance or an oxygen-deficient atmosphere in a workplace, the employer must provide to every person granted access a respiratory protective device that is listed in the United States National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s NIOSH Certified Equipment List.

(2) A respiratory protective device referred to in subsection (1) must be selected, fitted, cared for, used and maintained in accordance with the standards set out in CSA Standard CAN/CSA Z94.4, Selection, Use and Care of Respirators.

(3) If air is provided for the purpose of a respiratory protective device, the air must meet the standards set out in CSA Standard Z180.1, Compressed Breathing Air and Systems and the system that supplies air must be constructed, tested, operated and maintained in accordance with that standard.

(4) If there is a likelihood of exposure to hydrogen sulphide or combustible gases at a drilling rig, drilling unit or production facility, the employer must provide, at a readily accessible location

• (a) on the drill floor, at least one self-contained positive pressure breathing device for each employee normally employed on the drill floor or an air manifold equipped with a face mask for each such employee;

• (b) at least two portable hydrogen sulphide detectors; and

• (c) at least two portable combustible gas detectors.

(5) If employee sleeping quarters are located adjacent to a drilling rig or on a drilling unit or production facility, at least four self-contained positive pressure breathing devices must be located in a readily accessible location.

(6) A person who may be required to use a respiratory protective device must not have hair that interferes with the functioning of the breathing device.