Chapter 40. Safety and Health Regulations for Mineral Mining

Portable extension lights and other lights that may present a shock or burn hazard shall be guarded. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Lamp sockets exposed to the weather shall be of weatherproof type. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Fuses shall not be removed or replaced by hand in an energized circuit, and they shall not otherwise be removed or replaced in an energized circuit unless equipment and techniques especially designed to prevent electrical shock are provided and used for such purpose. Statutory Au…

Fuse tongs or hot line tools shall be used when fuses are removed or replaced in electrical circuits. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Trailing cables shall be clamped to machines in a manner to protect the cables from damage and to prevent strain on the electrical connections. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Surplus trailing cables to shovels, cranes, and similar equipment shall be stored in cable boots or on reels mounted on the equipment or otherwise protected from mechanical damage. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Operating controls shall be installed so that they can be operated without danger of contact with energized conductors. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Switches and starting boxes shall be of safe design and capacity. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Lightning-arrester grounds on trolley tracks shall be connected to earth at least 25 feet from the underground mine opening. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Receptacles with covers shall be provided at locations where waste food is disposed. Receptacles shall be emptied frequently and kept in a clean sanitary condition. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Surface overhead power lines shall be installed and maintained as specified by nationally recognized standards.Statutory Authority§§ 45.2-103, 45.2-1401, and 45.2-1501 of the Code of Virginia.

Telegraph, telephone, or signal wires shall not be installed on the same crossarm with power conductors. When carried on poles supporting power lines, telegraph, telephone, and signal wires shall be installed as specified by nationally recognized standards.Statutory Authority§§ 4…

(Repealed.)

(Repealed.)

Power lines, including trolley wires, and telephone circuits, shall be protected against short circuits and lightning. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Where metallic tools or equipment can come in contact with bare power lines, the lines shall be guarded or de-energized. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Transformers shall either be totally enclosed, placed at least eight feet above the ground, installed in a transformer house, or surrounded by the substantial fence at least six feet high and at least three feet from any energized parts, casings, or wiring. Statutory Authority§§ …

Transformer enclosures shall be kept locked against unauthorized entry. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

A lightning arrester shall be provided where telephone circuits enter a mine; mine telephone extensions in surface buildings shall be provided with a lightning arrester for each circuit entering the building. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the …

Each exposed power circuit that leads underground shall be equipped with a lightning arrester of an acceptable type at or near the point where the circuit enters the mine. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

The purpose of this chapter is to provide for the protection of persons and property on and around mineral mines. The chapter works with the Virginia Mineral Mine Safety Act ( § 45.2-939 et seq.) of the Code of Virginia (as shown in Mineral Mine Safety Laws of Virginia, 2005 edit…

Employees shall not use intoxicating beverages, narcotics or other substances that will impair their ability to perform their assigned task. Employees using substances, whether prescription or over-the-counter, that may impair their ability to perform their assigned task shall no…

Electric wiring shall be installed in a manner to prevent fire and contact hazards. When equipment must be moved or operated near energized power lines and the clearance is less than 10 feet, the lines shall be de-energized or a warning sign posted or other precautionary measures…

(Repealed.)

Water or neutralizing agents shall be available where corrosive chemicals or other harmful substances are stored, handled or used. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Acceptable protective clothing, respiratory protection, gloves, and goggles or face shields, accepted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) or other approved agency, shall be worn by persons exposed to chemical substances that are corrosive, flammab…

Materials shall be stored and stacked in a manner which minimizes stumbling or fall of material hazards. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

A safety harness attached to an attended life line shall be worn by persons before they enter confined spaces. No person shall enter any confined space until the supply and discharge of materials has ceased and the supply and discharge equipment has been locked out and tagged out…

Material that can create hazards if accidentally liberated from their containers shall be stored in a manner that minimizes the dangers. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Corrosive, flammable, reactive, and toxic materials shall be stored in acceptable containers and shall be labeled appropriately. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Hitches and slings used to hoist materials shall be of safe design, maintained in a safe condition so as to avoid safety hazards, and used in a safe manner. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294, and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Tag lines shall be attached to suspended loads that require steadying or guidance. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Areas containing safety or health hazards that are not immediately obvious to personnel shall be barricaded or posted with warning signs specifying the hazard and proper safety procedures. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Persons shall stay clear of suspended loads. Suspended loads shall be handled or secured in a manner to prevent their unintentional release.Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294, and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Materials shall not be dropped from an excessive height unless the drop area is guarded or sufficient warning is given. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Personnel shall not ride on loads being moved by cranes or derricks, nor shall they ride the hoisting hooks unless such method eliminates a greater hazard. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Substances that react violently or liberate dangerous fumes when mixed shall be stored in such a manner that they cannot come in contact with each other. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Only personnel wearing protective equipment shall stand near pots or ladles when molten material is being handled; warning shall be given before a pour is made or the pot is moved. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Overhead cranes with operator cabs shall be provided with: 1. Bumpers at each end of each rail; 2. Automatic switches to halt uptravel of the blocks before they strike the hoist; 3. Effective audible warning signals within easy reach of the operator; and 4. A means to lock out th…

No person shall work from or travel on the bridge of an overhead crane unless the bridge is provided with substantial foot-walks with toe-boards and railing the length of the bridge. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Fork and other similar types of lift trucks shall be moved with the load in a low position and shall descend grades with the load behind. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Gears, sprockets, chain drives, flywheels, couplings, shafts, saw and fan blades, and other similar exposed moving machine parts which are within seven feet reach by persons shall be guarded to prevent accidental contact. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-16…

Overhead belts shall be guarded if the whipping action from a broken belt would be hazardous to persons below. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

A. Refuse piles, water and silt retaining dams that meet the size criteria of § 45.2-1302 of the Code of Virginia shall be designed, constructed, maintained, inspected and abandoned in accordance with Chapter 13 (§ 45.2-1300 et seq.) of Title 45.2 of the Code of Virginia. B. Wate…

A. Equipment guarding on conveyor drives, head pulleys, tail pulleys, and take-up pulleys that are within seven feet reach shall extend a sufficient distance to prevent a person from reaching behind, over, or under the guard and becoming caught in the moving parts. Other accessib…

Openings where conveyors pass through wall or floors shall be guarded. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

When emergency stop cords are used on conveyors with walkways, the cord shall extend along the full length of the conveyor. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.