Section 3: Specific pollution rooms

In premises with specific pollution, the average concentrations of total and respirable dust in the atmosphere inhaled by a worker, assessed over an eight-hour period, must not exceed 4 and 0.9 milligrams per cubic metre of air respectively.

For each room with specific pollution, ventilation is provided and its flow rate determined according to the nature and quantity of the pollutants and, where applicable, the quantity of heat to be removed, without the minimum fresh air flow rate being less than the values set in article R. 4222-6. When the air comes from premises with non-specific pollution, the total number of occupants in the premises served is taken…

Emissions in the form of gases, vapours, aerosols of solid or liquid particles, or substances that are unhealthy, annoying or dangerous to workers’ health are eliminated, including by the use of humidification processes where there is a risk of particles being suspended, when production techniques allow. Failing this, they are captured as they are produced, as close as possible to their source of emission and as efficiently as possible, taking…

The capture and ventilation installations are designed in such a way that concentrations in the atmosphere are not dangerous at any point for the health and safety of workers and remain below the exposure limit values set in Article R. 4412-149. When the concentration limits mentioned in Article R. 4222-10 cannot be complied with at any point in a specific pollution room, the employer shall implement the organisational measures necessary…

Air from a room with specific pollution can only be recycled if it is effectively purified. After recycling, it may only be sent to other rooms if the pollution of all the rooms concerned is of the same nature. In the event of recycling, the concentrations of dust and substances in the atmosphere of the premises must remain below the occupational exposure limit values defined in articles R. 4222-10, R….

Specific requirements, adopted pursuant to 3° of Article L. 4111-6, prohibit or restrict, where applicable, the use of recycling for certain categories of substances or categories of premises.

Recycling installations include a monitoring system to detect faults in the purification devices. In the event of a fault, the necessary measures are taken by the employer to maintain compliance with the occupational exposure limit values defined in articles R. 4222-10 and R. 4412-149, if necessary by stopping recycling.

If the air is recycled, the conditions of recycling are brought to the attention of the works doctor and the members of the social and economic committee. These people are also consulted about any new installation or any change in recycling conditions.