Chapter 40. Safety and Health Regulations for Mineral Mining

Guards or shields shall be provided in areas where flying or falling materials present a hazard. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

A. Upon encountering suspected hazardous geological conditions, the operator shall suspend mining activities in the area until a ground control plan has been approved by the director. B. Ground support shall be used if the operating experience of the mine, or any particular area …

Persons shall be trained in the proper methods of testing for, taking down, and supporting loose ground. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

Miners shall examine and test, where possible, the back, face, and ribs of their working areas, visually and by sounding, at the beginning of each shift and frequently thereafter. Competent persons shall examine the ground conditions during daily visits to ensure that proper test…

No person shall engage in horseplay at mines. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

A scaling bar of proper length and design shall be provided where manual scaling may be required. Picks or other short tools shall not be used for scaling when this use places the user in danger from falling material. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.30…

Timbers used for support of ground in active working areas shall be blocked or wedged tightly. Loosened or dislodged timbers shall be promptly repaired or replaced. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

When necessary, permanent or temporary ground support shall be installed near enough to the bottom of the shaft during shaft sinking to prevent falls of rocks from the sides of the shaft. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Shaft pillars shall have sufficient strength to protect operating shafts. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

Rock-bolt installations, where needed, shall be installed in a manner to provide safe and effective ground support as soon as possible after an area is exposed. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

Only rock-bolting materials acceptable to the MSHA or other approved agency shall be used. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Rock-bolt hole drill bits shall be easily identifiable by sight or feel and diameters shall be within a tolerance of 0.030 inches of the manufacturer's recommended hole diameter for the anchor used. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

Rock bolts used as a means of ground support and which require torquing shall be torqued to a value within the range determined from information obtained by tests in the strata in which the rock-bolt assembly is used. In no case shall the applied torque cause a bolt tension that …

When rock bolts are used as a means of ground support, anchorage test procedures shall be established and tests shall be conducted to determine the anchorage capacity of rock-bolt installations. The results shall be in writing and made available to the director or his duly author…

When installing point-anchor rock bolts: 1. A torque test shall be conducted on at least every fourth installed bolt; 2. Torque testing shall be conducted immediately after bolt installation; 3. If the recommended torque has not been achieved, the equipment used to install the bo…

Access to unattended mine roads or mine openings shall be restricted by use of gates, doors, or fences and warning signs shall be posted. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294, and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

All flammable and combustible waste materials, grease, lubricants or flammable liquids shall not be allowed to accumulate where they can create a fire hazard. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

Fire alarm systems adequate to warn all employees shall be provided and maintained in operating condition. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Signs shall be posted which prohibit smoking or an open flame within 25 feet of places where flammable materials are stored. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

No gasoline, benzene, kerosene, or other flammable petroleum products shall be used in powering machinery underground without prior approval of the director. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

The use of liquefied petroleum gases shall be limited to maintenance work. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Oil, grease, or diesel fuel stored underground shall be kept in suitable tightly sealed containers in fire-resistant areas, at safe distances from explosives, magazines, electrical installations, and shaft stations. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of…

Transformer stations, pump rooms, compressor rooms, and similar installations shall be in fire-resistant areas. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

Oil or fuel storage areas shall not be located in main ventilation airways. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

Trailing cables shall be fire-resistant. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

Fires shall not be built underground; open flame torches shall be attended at all times while lit. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Power circuits shall be de-energized in all areas on idle shifts or idle days, except where power is required. Circuits which remain energized shall be protected by fuses or circuit breakers of the correct type and capacity consistent with the power load on such idle shifts or id…

(Repealed.)

Upon abandonment of a mine, the operator shall effectively close or fence all roads, mine openings, and surface excavations where hazardous conditions exist and warning signs shall be posted. Upon temporary cessation of mining activities as provided for in § 45.2-1205 of the Code…

A. Fire doors shall be provided at shaft stations or other appropriate locations where necessary to prevent the spread of smoke or gas; the doors shall be equipped with latches operable from both sides. To confine or prevent the spread of toxic gases from a fire originating in an…

Timbered mine entrances shall be fire resistant for at least 200 feet inside the mine portal or collar or provided with fire protection adequate to control a fire for at least 200 feet inside the mine portal or collar. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code…

Waterline outlets, if required, shall be located so as to be accessible if a fire is at stations or storage areas. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

When welding or cutting near combustible material, the surrounding area shall, if practical, be wet down thoroughly before and after work is done. A fire patrol of the area shall be maintained afterward for so long as necessary to ensure that no danger of fire exists as determine…

Adequate fire extinguishers or equivalent fire protection shall be provided at the head, tail, and drive pulleys of belt conveyors and at suitable intervals along the belt line. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

(Repealed.)

(Repealed.)

(Repealed.)

(Repealed.)

(Repealed.)

Machinery or equipment shall not be started prior to ensuring that affected persons are in the clear. If the machinery or equipment is not visible from the starting switch, an audible warning signal shall be given. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 o…

Only trained mine rescue persons shall participate in firefighting operations in advance of the fresh air base. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

(Repealed.)

(Repealed.)

Belt conveyors shall be equipped with slippage and sequence switches. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

Stationary diesel equipment shall not be supported on a combustible base. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

Stationary diesel equipment shall be provided with a thermal sensor which automatically stops the diesel engine should overheating occur. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

Air in all active areas shall contain at least 19.5% volume oxygen as measured by an acceptable oxygen analyzer. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.