Lesson 3.1: Requirements for First Aid, emergency equipment and procedures – MHSA

16.6(21The employer must take reasonably practicable measures to ensure, that having regard to the number of persons likely to be present in the area served by the refuge bay, every refuge bay complies with at least the following –
(a) is of sufficient size;
(b) is equipped with means for the sufficient supply of respirable air;
(c) is equipped with a sufficient supply of potable water;
(d) is equipped with sufficient ablution facilities;
(e) is equipped with sufficient illumination;
(f) is equipped with sufficient first aid equipment;
(g) is equipped with efficient means to communicate verbally to surface;
(h) is situated, where practicable, in an area not being used for storage of combustible material or close to such an area;
(i) is constructed in such a way that air containing noxious smoke, fumes or gases will not enter the refuge bay;
(j) a plan of the escape route is displayed in the refuge bay,
indicating the position of the refuge bay in relation to the shaft or any other egress or access way to the surface;
(k) a sign is displayed in the refuge bay, setting out the emergency procedures to be followed in the refuge bay and relevant emergency phone numbers; and (I) has a means to facilitate clear identification of the location of the refuge bay from the outside in poor visibility.