California Code of Regulations
Title 8 - Industrial Relations
Division 1 - Department of Industrial Relations
Chapter 4 - Division of Industrial Safety
Subchapter 20 - Tunnel Safety Orders
Article 8 - Tunnel Classifications
Section 8422 - Tunnel Classifications
Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024
(a) When the preliminary investigation of a tunnel project is conducted, the owner or agency proposing the construction of the tunnel shall submit the geological information to the Division for review and classification relative to flammable gas or vapors. The preliminary classification shall be obtained from the Division prior to bidding and in all cases prior to actual underground construction. In order to make the evaluation, the following will be required:
(b) The Division shall classify all tunnels or portions of tunnels into one of the following classifications:
Flammable gas or petroleum vapor emanating from the strata has been ignited in the tunnel; or
(c) A notice of the classification and any special orders, rules, special conditions, or regulations to be used shall be prominently posted at the tunnel job site, and all personnel shall be informed of the classification.
(d) The Division shall classify or reclassify any tunnel as gassy or extrahazardous if the preliminary investigation or past experience indicates that any gas or petroleum vapors in hazardous concentrations is likely to be encountered in such tunnel or if the tunnel is connected to a gassy or extrahazardous excavation and may expose employees to a reasonable likelihood of danger.
(e) For the purpose of reclassification and to ensure a proper application of classification, the Division shall be notified immediately if a gas or petroleum vapor exceeds any one of the individual classification limits described in subsection (b) above. No underground works shall advance until reclassification has been made.
NOTE: The Division shall respond within 10 working days for any such request. Also, the Division may request additional information and/or require specific conditions in order to work under a lower level of classification.
1. Amendment of section and new NOTE filed 3-5-96; operative 4-4-96 (Register 96, No. 10).
Note: Authority cited: Sections 142.3 and 7997, Labor Code. Reference: Sections 142.3 and 7997, Labor Code.