Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations

17.11 (1) Subject to subsection (2), no person shall, in a fire hazard area,

• (a) use any equipment, machinery or tool of a type that may provide a source of ignition; or

• (b) smoke or use an open flame or other source of ignition.

(2) Where it is not reasonably practicable to avoid performing work involving the use of any equipment, machinery or tool that may provide a source of ignition in an area that has an atmosphere that contains or is likely to contain explosive concentrations of combustible dust or in an area where combustible dust has accumulated in a sufficient quantity to be a fire hazard, the following shall apply:

• (a) the atmosphere and surfaces in the area where the work is to be performed and within that portion of the surrounding area that is accessible to sparks or pieces of hot metal produced by the work shall be substantially free of combustible dust;

• (b) where any equipment, machinery or tool produces combustible dust that may reach the areas referred to in paragraph (a), the equipment, machinery or tool shall be made inoperative prior to and during the time the work is being performed;

• (c) in so far as is practicable, the area where the work is to be performed shall be enclosed to prevent the escape of sparks or pieces of hot metal produced by the work;

• (d) all openings in floors and walls through which sparks or pieces of hot metal produced by the work may pass shall be sealed or covered to prevent such passage;

• (e) any combustible materials within the areas referred to in paragraph (a) shall be removed or, if this is not reasonably practicable, shall be covered with a non-combustible protective covering;

• (f) floors and walls of combustible material within the areas referred to in paragraph (a) shall be protected from the fire hazard by

  • (i) drenching the surfaces of the floors and walls with water, or

  • (ii) covering the floors and walls with a non-combustible protective covering;

• (g) the work shall be performed under the supervision of a qualified person, who shall remain in the work area while the work is performed and for 30 minutes thereafter; and

• (h) there shall be readily available in the work area at least one hand-held portable fire extinguisher and

  • (i) a water hose at least 25 mm in diameter that is connected to a water supply line, or

  • (ii) a supply of not less than 200 L of water and a bucket.