Chapter 1. STATE MINE INSPECTOR

No employee shall be assigned or allowed or be required to perform work alone in any area where hazardous conditions exist that would endanger his safety unless he can communicate with others, can be heard, or can be seen. Historical Note Former Rule 1:43.

Each operator of an underground mine shall establish a check-in and check-out system which shall provide an accurate record of persons in the mine. These records shall be kept on the surface in a place chosen to minimize the danger of destruction by fire or other hazards. Every p…

Arrangements shall be made in advance for obtaining emergency medical assistance and transportation for injured persons. Historical Note Former Rule 1:45.

All employees shall be instructed at least once each calendar year on fire alarm signals and applicable procedures to be followed in case of fire or other emergency. Records of instruction shall be kept for two years. Historical Note Former Rule 1:46.

All supervisors shall be trained in first aid. First-aid training shall be made available to all interested employees. Historical Note Former Rule 1:47.

Facilities used to transport persons to and from work areas shall not be overcrowded. Historical Note Former Section R11-1-1151 renumbered and amended as Section R11-1-148 effective August 18, 1980 (Supp. 80-4).

Safe means of access shall be provided and maintained to all working places. Historical Note Former Section R11-1-1220 renumbered and amended as Section R11-1-149 effective August 18, 1980 (Supp. 80-4).

A. Toilet facilities shall be provided at locations that are compatible with the mine operations and that are readily accessible to mine personnel. B. The facilities shall be kept clean and sanitary. Separate toilet facilities shall be provided for each sex except where toilet ro…

All employees who work with sulfuric acid or other strong chemicals shall be taught the correct use of personal protective equipment available and be required to wear this equipment when handling sulfuric acid or other strong chemicals. Historical Note Former Rule 15:01.

Acid shall be stored in properly vented steel tanks, drums or other approved containers. All distribution lines shall be of recommended size and approved material. (See REFERENCES at end of Article.) Historical Note Former Rule 15:02.

Approved eye protection, such as chemical safety goggles (dust tight), shall be worn by employees working on or with acid storage or distribution and shall be required for normal repair work. For a very hazardous job, additional approved type protection shall be provided such as …

Open lights, flames and spark-producing tools and equipment are forbidden in the vicinity of acid storage vessels and distribution lines where their use might cause an explosion. Historical Note Former Rule 15:04.

All acid storage tanks, drying towers, absorption towers, and lines shall be vented, cleaned, purged and tested for explosive mixture before welding, burning or cutting on them is permitted. Historical Note Former Rule 15:05.

Acid spillage shall be removed immediately by flushing the contaminated area with water or by neutralizing the chemical with soda ash, limestone, quicklime or some other absorbent material. Historical Note Former Rule 15:06.

Only authorized personnel will be permitted to operate any equipment in an acid plant. Historical Note Former Rule 15:07.

Personal protective clothing (except disposable clothing which must be discarded), tools and equipment must be thoroughly cleaned up and cared for after each use. Historical Note Former Rule 15:08.

The hazardous nature of inspection, cleaning or repair of large acid storage tanks requires that specific procedures be formulated in advance and approved by the responsible supervisor before work is started. Historical Note Former Rule 15:09.

A. Each mining operation shall submit a Mine Employment Quarterly Report to the State Mine Inspector’s office within 15 days after the end of each calendar quarter. B. Report will include the following information: 1. Operation name and county. 2. Operating company name and addre…

Potable water shall be immediately available at the site where acid handling or work on the acid system is being carried on. This will require hauling water where showers and hoses are not conveniently located. Historical Note Former Rule 15:10.

A. Readily accessible, well marked, rapid action safety showers and eye wash fountains must be available in the areas where acid is being handled. Showers shall have deluge type heads, easily accessible, plainly marked and controlled by quick opening valves of the type that stay …

First aid must be started immediately in all cases of contact with sulfuric acid. First-aid procedures must be posted at each unloading or loading site. Historical Note Former Rule 15:12.

Flush acid from eyes by irrigating for at least 15 minutes with a slow stream of water. This is mandatory. There is no alternative. Historical Note Former Rule 15:13.

Medical attention shall be obtained as soon as possible after first-aid measures have been carried out. Ambulances should contain first-aid kits for the treatment of acid burns. Historical Note Former Rule 15:14.

The maintenance of plant equipment used in any acid service shall be the responsibility of designated supervisors who shall make periodic inspections of acid facilities. Historical Note Former Rule 15:15.

Each employee is responsible for reporting to his immediate supervisor all suspected leaks or equipment failure. Historical Note Former Rule 15:16.

DOT Regulations (Section 177.834) require that tank motor vehicles be attended during loading and unloading. If it becomes necessary for the attendants to leave the operation, transfer of the acid must be stopped. There must be a signaling device which is easily activated in case…

A. The packing and lubricant for pumps, glands, etc., must be of a material recommended for acid handling. B. The pump glands, flanged fittings, and valve stems will be provided with splash shields or collared in cases where personnel would be exposed to acid leaks or sprays if a…

A. Tank trucks will be visually inspected for leaks before they are allowed to enter the plant. B. Unloading should be performed only during daylight hours. When it is necessary to unload at night, proper and adequate lighting should be provided around the tank truck and the work…

A. Except as provided in subsection (G), any party in a contested case before the Office of State Mine Inspector who is aggrieved by a decision rendered in such case may file with the Office of State Mine Inspector, not later than ten days after service of the decision, a written…

The applying of air to a tank truck and then moving the truck to another location for unloading will not be permitted. Historical Note Former Rule 15:20.

Where practical, storage tanks shall be lower than the unloading site. Historical Note Former Rule 15:21. REFERENCES ON H2SO4: “Handling and Storage of Hazardous Materials -- Sulfuric Acid,” Accident Prevention Manual for Industrial Operations (4th Edition), Chapter 18, Section 1…

No one shall walk or stand directly on the reverb arch or any part of the flue system, while in operation, except in an emergency situation. In such event, adequate safeguards and supervision will be provided to assure safety. Historical Note Former Rule 16:01; Amended effective …

Avoid anything that will cause molten material to splash or explode; keep water away from molten material except where water is required by the process. Historical Note Former Rule 16:02.

Employees engaged in tapping, charging or skimming operations or any similar procedure shall be adequately protected from the hazards of the work by proper shielding if practical or, in its absence, by adequate individual protective covering. It is the duty of all such persons to…

Employees shall stand clear of furnace operations such as skimming, tapping, charging, refining, and casting, unless actually engaged in the work or suitably protected. Historical Note Former Rule 16:04.

Employees shall not enter any flue, dust chamber, furnace, tank or tunnel unless authorized and properly equipped. Historical Note Former Rule 16:05.

Separate and distinctive signals shall be sounded when rolling converters and when transporting hot metal. Historical Note Former Rule 16:06; Amended effective April 7, 1976 (Supp. 76-2).

Before dumping slag in a new place, care shall be taken to see that no employee, person or persons will be endangered by the hot slag and that no explosion hazard exists at the dumping place. Historical Note Former Rule 16:07.

Wet bars shall not be put in molten matte. Historical Note Former Rule 16:08.

Extreme caution should be used around newly cleaned and mudded matte launders when matte first starts to flow. Verbal notice shall be given person or persons when tapping newly cleaned launders. Historical Note Former Rule 16:09; Amended effective April 7, 1976 (Supp. 76-2).

Employees working at the burner end of the reverb furnace should be on the alert for returning converter slag. Historical Note Former Rule 16:10.

Employees should be on the alert and observe direction of crane movement at all times. Historical Note Former Rule 16:11.

Employees should stay out of the converter aisle while loads are being hauled by the crane, unless their work requires that they be there. Supervisors shall take proper measures to assure the safety of persons required to stay working in converter aisle. Historical Note Former Ru…

When in converter aisles, employees should not stand under or near slag spouts, or in any location where there is danger of dripping metal or falling objects. Historical Note Former Rule 16:13.

Employees shall not overfill slag, matte or molten copper ladles. Supervision shall take precautions for the safety of employees in the area for all overfills caused by runways beyond the control of employees. Historical Note Former Rule 16:14; Amended effective April 7, 1976 (Su…

Only authorized persons shall be allowed in the crane cab. Historical Note Former Rule 16:15.

Ladles should be carefully poured to minimize spills. Every ladle or slag pot shall be examined before molten material is placed therein. Historical Note Former Rule 16:16; Amended effective April 7, 1976 (Supp. 76-2).

Appropriate goggles or face shields shall be provided and used when breaking material on the skull breaker and when trimming bullion bars. Historical Note Former Rule 16:17.

Cars should be coupled and uncoupled carefully. Feet shall not be used to align couplings. Historical Note Former Rule 16:18.

Trains should be stopped before they are uncoupled. The wheels of slag pot cars left behind should be blocked to prevent runaways. Historical Note Former Rule 16:19.