A ____________ for every 100 meters shall be provided along narrow haulage-way where clearance between the side of equipment and wall is less than 0.5 meter on each side.

• A. Safety Niche
• B. Escape Shelter
• C. Ventilation Shaft
• D. Observation Post

Answer: (A)

The basic idea is to provide protected refuge spaces at regular intervals along a narrow haulage-way to protect workers when space is tight. When the clearance between the side of equipment and the wall is less than 0.5 meter on each side, a safety niche is required every 100 meters. A safety niche is a recessed area in the wall that gives a worker a safe place to step aside and stay clear of moving equipment as it passes, reducing the risk of being struck or trapped in a tight passage. Other terms like an escape shelter refer to general emergency refuges and do not specifically address the routine refuge needs at fixed intervals along a narrow roadway. Ventilation shafts and observation posts serve air movement and supervisory purposes, not the immediate sheltering need described here.