Confined Spaces Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999

Disapplication in respect of pipelines

6.—(1) Paragraph 2 shall not apply to—

(a) any pipeline;

(b) any pipeline works; or

(c) the following activities in connection with pipeline works—

(i) the loading, unloading, fuelling or provisioning of a vessel;

(ii) the loading, unloading, fuelling, repair and maintenance of an aircraft on a vessel,

being in either case a vessel which is engaged in pipeline works.

(2) In this paragraph—

• “pipeline” means a pipe or system of pipes for the conveyance of any thing, together with—

  (a)

  any apparatus for inducing or facilitating the flow of any thing through, or through a part of, the pipe or system;

  (b)

  any apparatus for treating or cooling any thing which is to flow through, or through a part of, the pipe or system;

  (c)

  valves, valve chambers and similar works which are annexed to, or incorporated in the course of, the pipe or system;

  (d)

  apparatus for supplying energy for the operation of any such apparatus or works as are mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (c);

  (e)

  apparatus for the transmission of information for the operation of the pipe or system;

  (f)

  apparatus for the cathodic protection of the pipe or system; and

  (g)

  a structure used or to be used solely for the support of a part of the pipe or system;

• “pipeline works” means—

  (a)

  assembling or placing a pipeline or length of pipeline including the provision of internal or external protection for it;

  (b)

  inspecting, testing, maintaining, adjusting, repairing, altering or renewing a pipeline or length of pipeline;

  (c)

  changing the position of or dismantling or removing a pipeline or length of pipeline;

  (d)

  opening the bed of the sea for the purposes of the works mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (c), and tunnelling or boring for those purposes;

  (e)

  any activities incidental to the activities described in paragraphs (a) to (d);

  (f)

  diving operations in connection with any of the works mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (e) or for the purpose of determining whether a place is suitable as part of the site of a proposed pipeline and the carrying out of surveying operations for settling the route of a proposed pipeline.