Nevada Administrative Code
Chapter 512 - Inspection and Safety of Mines
HEALTH AND SAFETY STANDARDS
Section 512.178 - Exposure to mercury
Current through December 12, 2024
1. An operator shall provide training to each worker who will or may come into contact with mercury before the worker is assigned production work, including, without limitation, training related to:
2. In mercury extraction areas or other areas within the mine where the health and safety of a worker may be at risk from exposure to mercury:
3. At each mill for refining mercury and each mercury extraction area:
4. "No Smoking" signs must be posted in mercury extraction areas and other areas where mercury vapors may be present, and workers are prohibited from smoking or eating except in designated areas.
5. A shower and change room must be provided for workers who work in mercury extraction areas, along with adequate locker space for storage of off-duty clothing.
6. The operator shall collect urine samples monthly from workers who work in mercury extraction areas and where mercury-bearing ore is processed. The operator shall submit the urine samples monthly to a medical laboratory for determination of levels of mercury. Workers with a confirmed Biological Exposure Index value of 35 ug/gCRT or more or a single sample confirming mercury levels above 45 ug/gCRT must be removed from further exposure until their levels of mercury return to a normal level of 25 ug/gCRT or less. The operator shall notify the Enforcement Section and take appropriate action if a worker's creatinine-corrected level of mercury is found to be more than 25 ug/gCRT.
7. The operator shall provide annual physical examinations to any worker for whom a urine sample collected pursuant to subsection 6 demonstrates that the worker's level of mercury exceeds 25 ug/gCRT to determine any effects of exposure to mercury vapor.
8. As used in this section:
[Inspector of Mines, Part 1 No. 5 subsec. g, eff. 8-13-75]-(NAC A by Div. of Mine Inspection, 8-26-83; A by Div. of Industrial Relations by R125-08, 5-30-2012)
NRS 512.131