Health Surveillance for Compressed Air

Work Place Activity or Hazard:

This section is included for completeness and will not be relevant to University activities

The Work in Compressed Air Regulations 1996 applies to those undertaking tunnelling and other construction work in compressed air.  

Work in compressed air means work within any working chamber, airlock or decompression chamber which (in each case) is used for the compression or decompression of persons, including a medical lock used solely for treatment purposes, the pressure of which exceeds 0.15 bar;

Those undertaking diving activities should refer separately  to the Diving at Work Regulations 1997 Diving; Offshore oil and gas

Health Surveillance requirements:

In accordance with Compressed Air Regulations 1996.

Department Action:

(Guidance on how to establish if Health Surveillance requirements are met (as part of your risk assessment))

This section is included for completeness and will not be relevant to University activities.

Those undertaking diving activities should refer separately  to the Diving at Work Regulations 1997 Diving; Offshore oil and gas.

Occupational Health Action:

(Following receipt of an appropriate registration form)

UOHS do not routinely undertake work as an Appointed Doctor for work in compressed air nor undertake medical fitness to dive assessments. However, if required to do so they would procure the required services.

Further Information:

Please refer to your supervisor, departmental or divisional / area safety officer if you need further assistance in interpreting this information and how it relates to the work, and the risk assessment that is being undertaken.