DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS  
DIRECTOR'S OFFICE  
CONSTRUCTION SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARD  
Filed with the secretary of state on January 3, 2020  
These rules take effect immediately upon filing with the secretary of state unless adopted  
under section 33, 44, or 45a(6) of the administrative procedures act of 1969, 1969 PA 306,  
MCL 24.233, 24.244, or 24.245a. Rules adopted under these sections become effective 7  
days after filing with the secretary of state.  
(By authority conferred on the director of the department of licensing and regulatory affairs  
by sections 19 and 21 of 1974 PA 154, MCL 408.1019 and 408.1021, and Executive  
Reorganization Order Nos. 1996-2, 2003-1, 2008-4, and 2011-4, MCL 445.2001, 445.2011,  
445.2025, and 445.2030)  
R 408.41405, R 408.41455, R 408.41461, and R 408.41471 of the Michigan Administrative  
Code are amended as follows:  
CONSTRUCTION SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARD  
PART 14. TUNNELS, SHAFTS, CAISSONS, AND COFFERDAMS  
R 408.41405 Applicability.  
Rule 1405. These rules apply to auger boring and jacking operations when occupied by an  
employee with the exception of R 408.41463.  
R 408.41455 Definitions; A to H.  
Rule 1455. (1) "Atmospheric pressure" means the pressure of air at sea level, usually 14.7  
p.s.i.a. (1 atmosphere) or zero p.s.i.g.  
(2) “Auger boring and jacking” means the mechanical removal of soil by use of a rotating  
auger and cutting head and simultaneously installing pipe or other lining where the section of  
lining is installed at the opening of the excavation and is jacked or otherwise forced toward  
the advancing face.  
(3) "Auger tunnel" means a tunnel that is excavated by use of a continuous flight auger  
system, with or without a sleeve or other type of liner.  
(4) "Bulkhead" means an airtight structure separating the working chamber from free air or  
from another chamber under a lesser pressure than the working pressure.  
(5) "Caisson" means either a generally vertical foundation unit below grade or a chamber  
placed in the ground or water for excavating earth and in which it is possible for a person to  
work under air pressure greater than atmospheric pressure to excavate material below water  
level.  
(6) "Cofferdam" means a temporary structure used to control the flow of water and other  
material during construction operations.  
May 1, 2019  
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(7) "Competent person" means a person who is experienced and capable of identifying  
existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or under working conditions that are  
hazardous or dangerous to an employee, and who has the authority and knowledge to take  
prompt corrective measures to eliminate hazards.  
(8) "Compressed air" means an environment that has a pressure greater than atmospheric  
pressure.  
(9) "Decanting" means a method used for decompressing under emergency circumstances.  
In this procedure, the employees are brought to atmospheric pressure with a very high gas  
tension in the tissues and then immediately recompressed in a second and separate chamber  
or lock.  
(10) "Emergency lock" means a lock designed to hold and permit the quick passage of an  
entire shift of employees.  
(11) "Escape-only respirator" means a respirator intended to be used only for emergency  
exit.  
(12) "High air" means air pressure used to supply power to pneumatic tools and devices.  
R 408.41461 Advance notice of tunnel excavation.  
Rule 1461. (1) Before the start of a pressurized tunnel being constructed, modified or  
repaired, that is 24 inches or more in diameter, height or width, and that will be occupied by  
an employee, a report prepared by the employer performing the tunnel excavation shall be  
sent to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Construction Safety  
and Health Division, 530 West Allegan Street, P.O. Box 30645, Lansing, Michigan  
48909-8145, in addition to the following civil authorities in the area: hospital, police  
department, fire department, and sheriff department. The report shall contain all of the  
following information:  
(a) Name of contractor or contractors.  
(b) Starting date.  
(c) Length of tunnel.  
(d) Diameter of cut.  
(e) Finished diameter.  
(f) Number of shafts.  
(g) Depth of shafts.  
(h) Location of shafts.  
(i) Method of tunneling.  
(j) Maximum working pressure in tunnel or shaft.  
(k) Type of primary liner.  
(l) Number of shifts.  
(m) Projected completion date.  
(n) Projected maximum work force within tunnel.  
(2) An employer shall notify parties notified pursuant to subrule (1) of this rule when the  
work has been completed.  
(3) If, after the start of any tunnel project, a tunnel or shaft that the employer has shown to  
be constructed, modified, or repaired under atmospheric conditions requires the tunnel to be  
pressurized, then the employer shall notify the Construction Safety and Health Division at the  
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, 530 West Allegan Street, P.O.  
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Box 30645, Lansing, Michigan 48909-8145, 24 hours before allowing employees to enter the  
tunnel.  
(4) If the work operations of any occupied and pressurized tunnel projects are discontinued  
for 30 consecutive days or longer, then the employer shall notify the Construction Safety and  
Health Division at the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, 24 hours  
before resuming work operations on the tunnel project.  
R 408.41471 Ground support; inspections; repairs.  
Rule 1471. (1) A qualified employee shall inspect the roof, face, and walls of portals, work  
areas, and haulage ways, or travel-ways at the start of each shift and frequently thereafter as  
needed. If loose soil or rock or fractured material is encountered, then it shall be scaled or  
protected and supported. The employee conducting the inspections shall be protected from  
loose ground by location, ground support, or equivalent means. Suitable protection shall be  
provided for employees exposed to the hazard of loose ground while installing ground  
support systems. Support sets shall be installed so that the bottoms have sufficient anchorage  
to prevent ground pressures from dislodging the support base of the sets. Lateral bracing  
(collar bracing, tie rods, or spreaders) shall be provided between immediately adjacent sets to  
ensure added stability. Damaged or dislodged ground supports that create a hazardous  
condition shall be promptly repaired or replaced. When replacing supports, the new supports  
shall be installed before the damaged supports are removed. A shield or other type of support  
shall be used to maintain a safe travel way for employees working in dead-end areas ahead of  
any support replacement operation.  
(2) A scaling bar shall be in good condition. A blunted or severely worn bar shall not be  
used.  
(3) A torque meter and a torque wrench shall be available where rock bolts are used for  
ground support. Frequent tests shall be made to determine if the bolts are tight. The test  
frequency shall be determined by rock conditions and distance from vibration sources.  
(4) A damaged or dislodged tunnel support shall be repaired or replaced when structural  
integrity is impaired. A new support shall be installed if possible before removing damaged  
supports.  
(5) Tunnel supports shall be designed and installed to prevent pressure from pushing them  
inward into the excavation.  
(6) Roof supports shall be used where ground conditions are such that there could be a  
ground failure ahead of tunnel sets.  
(7) A tunnel that is to be occupied by employees shall be provided with a steel casing,  
concrete pipe, timber, or other material of required strength to support the surrounding earth.  
(8) If an employee is required to enter a tunnel or an auger boring and jacking operation less  
than 3 feet in diameter, then a lifeline for instant rescue shall be securely fastened to his or  
her ankles. Another employee shall be stationed at the tunnel entrance to operate the lifeline.  
In addition, ventilation shall be provided with an air line.  
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