Chapter IV.  Leakage Prevention

(Corrosion Prevention Measures) 

Article 13.   With reference to the portions in contact with specified group-2 substances or group-3 substances (hereinafter referred to as group-3 substances, etc., in this chapter), of specified chemical facilities (corresponding to those described in item 9 of Article 15 of the Enforcement Order, hereinafter the same) (exclusive of valves or cocks used in specified chemical facilities), the employer shall take measures such as making the facilities of material resistant to corrosion and  attaching linings according to types, temperature and concentrations of the said substances.

(Measures for Prevention of Leakage of Substances from Joints)

Article 14.   In terms of joints in which cover plates, flanges, valves, cocks, etc., are used in specified chemical facilities, the employer shall take measures such as using gaskets and closely connecting  the jointing faces in order to prevent group-3 substances, etc., from leaking from the said joints.

(Indication of Direction in which to Open or Close Valves etc.)

Article 15.   In respect of valves or cocks used in specified chemical facilities or switches, push buttons, etc., thereby to operate them, the employer shall take the following measures in order to prevent the leakage of group-3 substances, etc., from the facilities resulting from mis-operation of the valves, cocks, switches, push buttons, etc.

(1)    Indicate the direction in which to open or close the valves, cocks, etc.

(2)    Classify these devices or equipment using colour or shape, etc.

(Material of Valves, etc.)

Article 16.   In terms of valves or cocks used in specified chemical facilities, the employer shall comply with the provisions given below.

(1)    Durable material is to be used for the valves or cocks, according to opening or closing frequencies, and kinds, temperature, concentrations, etc., of group-3 substances, etc., involved in their manufacturing or handling.

(2)   The valves or cocks are to be installed in duplicate between strainers, etc., which are frequently opened or removed and the specified chemical facilities nearest to the said strainers, etc. (exclusive of pipings, hereinafter the same in this chapter excepting Article 20), provided that this does not apply in respect to a case in which a device is installed by which it can be confirmed that the valves or cocks which are installed between the said strainers, etc., and the said chemical facilities are surely closed.

(Indication of Supplied Raw Materials, etc., Supplied)

Article 17.   In order to prevent the leakage of group-3 substances, etc., resulting from mis-supply of the substances by workers who are engaged in supply of raw materials or other substances to specified chemical facilities, the employer shall indicate the kinds of said raw materials or other substances, facilities to which the materials or substances are supplied, and the other necessary items at locations easily visible to workers.

(Entrances and Exits) 

Article 18.   The employer shall provide indoor workshops where specified chemical facilities are installed and an evacuation floor (corresponding to a floor having entrances and exits directly leading to the ground, hereinafter the same) of buildings which have the said workshops with two or more entrances and exits thereby to enable workers to evacuate easily to safe ground places if group-3 substances, etc. leak from said specified chemical facilities.

2.  In terms of floors other than the evacuation floor of the building having the workshops as described in the preceding paragraph, the employer shall provide two or more direct stairways or ramps leading to the evacuation floor or the ground from the floors. In this case, any one of the stairways or ramps is allowed to be evacuation apparatuses such as a slide, evacuation ladder, accommodation ladder, etc.

3.   One of the direct stairways or ramps as specified in the preceding paragraph shall be installed outdoors, provided that this does not apply in respect to a case in which evacuation apparatuses such as a slide, evacuation ladder, accommodation ladder are installed.

(Installation of Measurement Instruments)

Article 18-2.   Of specified chemical facilities in terms of reaction baths for heat reactions from which a large amount of group-3 substances, etc., may leak resulting from abnormal chemical reactions, etc., (hereinafter referred to as "specified chemical facilities under supervision"),  the employer shall provide the said facilities with measurement instruments, like thermometers, flow meters, pressure gauges, etc., in order to grasp the occurrence of abnormal chemical reactions, etc., as early as possible.

(Warning Apparatuses, etc.)

Article 19.   With reference to the workshops where specified chemical facilities are installed or the workshops other than those where group-3 chemical substances, etc. of 100 liters or more (in the case of substances in gaseousform, a cubic quantity of 1 m³ is regarded as a volume of 2 liters, the same in the following paragraph and also in item (2) of Article 24) are handled, the employer shall provide these workshops with warning apparatuses or other apparatuses in order to inform persons concerned of leakage of group-3 substances, etc. if occurring.

2.  In respect of specified chemical facilities under supervision (thereby restricted to 100 liters or more in total in quantity of group-3 substances, etc., to be manufactured or disposed), the employer shall provide the said facilities with automatic warning apparatuses for early grasp of the occurrence of abnormal chemical reactions, etc.

3.   When it is extremely difficult for the employer to provide the said facilities with automatic warning apparatuses, etc., he/she shall place watchmen, and take measures such as having the watchmen keep watch over the facilities when operating.

4.   With reference to the workshops specified in paragraph 1, the employer shall provide the said facilities with chemicals or apparatuses, etc., thereby to remove group-3 substances, etc., if leaking.

(Installation of Emergency Blocking Apparatuses)

Article 19-2.    In order to prevent a large amount of group-3 substances, etc., from leaking resulting from abnormal chemical reactions, etc., in specified chemical facilities under supervision, the employer shall provide the said facilities with apparatuses for coping with abnormal chemical reactions, etc., such as apparatuses thereby to stop the supply of raw materials, or to release the products , or to supply non-active gases, cooling water, etc.

2.  In respect of valves or cocks provided in the facilities as described in the preceding paragraph, the employer shall comply with the provisions given below.

(1)   The valves or cocks shall have guaranteed functionality.

(2)   The valves or cocks shall be maintained in a condition in which they are always ready to operate smoothly.

(3)   The valves or cocks shall be of types which accurately and safely enable them to operate.

3.  In respect to the apparatuses thereby to release the products, etc., as described in paragraph 1, the employer shall provide the apparatuses in a structure of a tightly closed system or in a structure thereby to enable the products, etc., as released from the facilities, to be taken to safe locations or to be safely disposed, in order to protect workers from being contaminated with specified chemical substances, etc.

(Reserve Power Sources, etc.)

Article 19-3.   The employer shall provide reserve power sources in compliance with the provisions given below for use in specified chemical facilities under supervision, pipings, or additional facilities for the said facilities.

(1)   The employer shall provide reserve power sources which are always and easily ready to use, in order to prevent group-3 substances, etc., from leaking as a result of abnormalities of the said power sources.

(2)   The employer shall classify valves, cocks, switches, etc., using colour and shape, etc., or provide keys for valves, cocks, switches, etc., in order to prevent mis-operation of the said valves, cocks, switches, etc.

(Operation Rules)

Article 20.   When work is done using specified chemical facilities or their additional facilities, the employer shall provide for rules concerning items, as given below, necessary for prevention of leakage of group-3 substances, etc., in terms of the said specified chemical facilities or their additional chemical facilities in which the said work is performed.

(1)    Operation of valves, cocks, etc. (herein, valves, cocks, etc., are restricted to those for use in supplying raw materials to the said specified chemical facilities or for use in taking out products, etc., from the said specified chemical facilities).

(2)    Operation of apparatuses for cooling, heating, stirring and compressing.

(3)    Monitoring and adjustment of measuring and controlling instruments.

(4)    Adjustment of safety valves, emergency blocking apparatuses, other safety apparatuses and automatic warning devices.

(5)    Checkup on whether there occurs any leakage of group-3 substances, etc., from the joints in which coverplates, flanges, valves, cocks, etc. are used.

(6)    Collection of samples.

(7)   In the case of specified chemical facilities under supervision, work methods during the suspension of operation and at the time of resumption of operation when specified chemical facilities under supervision are temporary or partially suspended during operations.

(8)    Emergency measures in a case of abnormalities.

(9)    Measures necessary for prevention of the leakage of group-3 substances, etc., in addition to the items listed above.

(Floors)

Article 21.   The employer shall provide workshops handling group-1 substances (exclusive of the workshops handling group-1 substances in workshops manufacturing those substances), the workshops manufacturing or handling auramine, etc., or group-2 substances under supervision, and indoor workshops where specified chemical facilities are installed, with floors made of impermeable materials.

(Work for Improvement of Facilities, etc.)

Article 22.   In executing modifying, repairing or cleaning work for the equipment to manufacture, handle or store the specified chemical substances, etc., or tanks, etc., to contain the substances which generate the specified chemical substance, etc., which may remain inthem, where the workers are required to engage in the work to break up such equipment or to enter the inside of such equipment (exclusive of the class-2 oxygen-deficiency-danger work designated in item (8) of Article 2 of the Ordinance for Prevention of Anoxia (Ministry of Labour Ordinance No. 42 of 1972), (hereinafter referred to as the "Anoxia Ordinance") and the work designated in Article 25-2 of the Anoxia Ordinance), the employer shall take the following measures:

(1)    Determine the method and procedure of the work and make them known to the workers who will carry out the work in advance.

(2)    Appoint a supervisor from among those with the necessary knowledge concerning the prevention of health impairment due to specified chemical substances, etc.,  and have that person supervise the said work.

(3)    Remove the specified chemical substance, etc., completely from the equipment to be worked on and doubly close all valves, cocks, etc., of pipes leading to the equipment concerned to prevent the specified chemical substance, etc., from flowing into the said equipment, or close all valves, cocks, etc., of pipes and provide shutoff plates to the said pipes.

(4)   Lock the closed valves, cocks, etc., or the provided shutoff plates conforming to the provision of the preceding item and post signs warning not to open them, or station a guard.

(5)   Open all the openings of the facility on which work is done and which has no danger of the influx of the specified chemical substances, etc.

(6)    Adequate ventilate the interior of the facility where work is carried out, using ventilation equipment.

(7)    Examine the inside of the equipment to be worked on using measuring equipment or other appropriate means to ensure that the workers will not suffer from health impairment due to the effects of the specified chemical substance, etc.

(8)   Check if the specified chemical substances, etc., are left in the section of the pipe between the shutoff plate and the closest valve, cock, etc., before removing the shutoff plate conforming to the provision of item (3) where there is the fear of the outflow of the specified chemical substances, etc., so that appropriate measures can be taken beforehand.

(9)    Provide tools and other equipment to allow for the immediate evacuation of workers carrying out work inside a facility in an emergency. 

(10)    Have workers carrying out the work use the necessary protective equipment including impermeable protective clothing, protective gloves, protective boots andrespiratory protective equipment.

2.  In respect of facilities about which no confirmation has been made as provided in item (7) of the preceding paragraph, information in advance shall be given by the employer to the said workers, which says that the workers must not puts their heads inside of the said facilities.

3.  When the said workers are directed to wear protective equipment as set forth in the item (10) of paragraph 1, they must wear the protective equipment.

Article 22-2. When carrying out modification, repairs or cleaning, etc., of facilities, etc. (exclusive of the facilities and tanks, etc., covered by paragraph 1 of the preceding Article, same as in this Article) for manufacturing, handling or storing specified chemical substances, etc., that involves the dismantling of said facilities or entering and working inside said facilities (exclusive of the class-2 oxygen-deficiency-danger work designated in item (8) of Article 2 of the Anoxia Ordinance and work designated in Article 25-2 of the Anoxia Ordinance), the employer shall take the following measures when there is a danger of generating a specified chemical substance due to the work relating to welding and polishing of the  said equipment.

(1)  Determine the method and procedure of the work and make them known to the workers who will carry out the work in advance.

(2)  Appoint a supervisor from among those with the necessary knowledge concerning the prevention of health impairment due to specified chemical substances, etc., and have that person supervise the said work.

(3)  Open all the openings of the facility on which work is done and which has no danger of the influx of specified chemical substances, etc.

(4)  Adequately ventilate the interior of the facility where work is carried out using ventilation equipment.

(5)  Provide tools and other equipment to allow for the immediate evacuation of workers carrying out work inside a facility in an emergency.

(6)  Have workers carrying out the work use the necessary protective equipment including impermeable clothing, protective gloves, protective boots and respiratory protective equipment.

       2. Workers shall use the protective equipment provided for in item (6) of the preceding paragraph when they are directed to do so by the employer.

(Evacuation, etc.)

Article 23.   When leakage of group-3 substances, etc., occurs resulting in the fear that workers may suffer from health impairment, the employer shall make the said workers evacuate the workshop concerned.

2.  In such a case as provided for in the preceding paragraph, the employer shall prohibit outsiders other than the persons directly concerned from entering into the said facilities, etc., and indicate this prohibition in writing at easily visible locations until the confirmation has been made that there is no fear that health impairment of the said workers will occur resulting from group-3 substances, etc.

(Prohibition of Entry, etc.)

Article 24.   The employer shall prohibit outsiders other than persons directly concerned from entering into the workshops given below, and indicate this prohibition in writing at a location easily visible to outsiders..

(1)    Workshops to manufacture or handle group-1 substances or group-2 substances (exclusive of the workshops where fumigation using methyl bromide, etc. is carried out.).

(2)    Workshops installed with specified chemical facilities or workshops other than those installed with specified chemical facilities in which to handle group-3 substances, etc., of 100 liters or more in quantity.

(Containers)

Article 25.   When the specified chemical substances, etc., are carried or stored, the employer shall use hard and secure containers or provide safe packaging for prevention of the leakage or overflow of the said substances.

2.  The employer shall indicate information which shows the names and disposition cautions of the said substances at an easily visible location on the said containers or packages.

3.  In terms of the keeping of the specified chemical substances, etc., in custody, certain locations shall be designated for storage of the substances.

4.  As for the containers or packages used for carrying, storing, etc., of the specified chemical substances, etc., the employer shall take measures thereby to prevent dispersion of the said substances, and he shall accumulate the said containers or packages at certain locations as already designated by him/her when he/she intends to keep them in custody.

(Rescue Organization, etc.)

Article 26.   In respect of workshops in which specified chemical facilities are installed, the employer shall make efforts to establish rescue organizations and to perform training of the persons concerned, etc., for preparation in case that a group-3 substances, etc. may leak.