O₂ in 'O2

This paper presents a summary of HSE's long term programme of research into both safety and health aspects of work in the tunnelling hyperbaric environment, which the author instigated around seven years ago and which is likely to continue for at least a further three years.

An important part of the programme, which is described in some detail in the paper, related to decompression illness (DCI) including the determination of the incidence of DCI and the means to achieve a significant reduction in that incidence. The latter resulted in the introduction of oxygen decompression in the UK. Causative factors in repetitive DCI are also being studied.

The remainder of the programme is also reviewed. This includes research into the effects of the hyperbaric atmos phere on fire growth and fire extinguishing techniques; atmospheric monitoring equipment, respiratory protective equipment and occupational exposure limits;heat strain and self rescuers.

Ongoing and future research is also outlined.

• Introduction

• The research behind the change to oxygen decompression

• Historical background

• The Incidence of DCI

• Gathering the evidence

• Health and Safety Research

• Research into health-related issues

• Safety Research Programme

• Risk Assessment

• Guidance

• Other hyperbaric research undertaken by HSE but not specifically linked to oxygen decompression

• Other hyperbaric research

• Future Work

• Conclusions

• Acknowledgments

• References