The Shipbuilding and Ship-repairing Regulations 1960

Construction of plant for cutting, welding or heating metal

57.—(1) Pipes or hoses for the supply of oxygen or any inflammable gas or vapour to any apparatus for cutting, welding or heating metal shall be of good construction and sound material and be properly maintained.

(2) Such pipes or hoses shall be securely attached to the apparatus and other connections by means of suitable clips or other equally effective appliances.

(3) Efficient reducing and regulating valves for reducing the pressure of the gases shall be provided and maintained in connection with all cylinders containing oxygen or any inflammable gas or vapour under pressure while the gases or vapours from such cylinders are being used in any process of cutting, welding or heating metal.

(4) Where acetylene gas is used for cutting, welding or heating metal—

(a) a properly constructed and efficient back-pressure valve and flame arrester shall be provided and maintained in the acetylene supply pipe between each burner or blow-pipe and the acetylene generator, cylinder or container from which it is supplied, and shall be placed as near as practicable to the burner or blow-pipe, except that these requirements shall not apply where an acetylene cylinder serves only one burner or blow-pipe; and

(b) any hydraulic valve provided in pursuance of the preceding sub-paragraph shall be inspected on each day by every person who uses the burner or blow-pipe on that day and it shall be the duty of every person employed who uses the burner or blow-pipe to inspect the hydraulic valve accordingly.

(5) The operating valves of burners or blow-pipes to which oxygen or any inflammable gas or vapour is supplied for the purpose of cutting, welding or heating metal shall be so constructed, or the operating mechanism shall be so protected, that the valves cannot be opened accidentally.