Chapter 40. Safety and Health Regulations for Mineral Mining

When a signalman is used during slushing operations, he shall positioned in a safe place. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

Collars of open dry holes shall be kept free of muck and material. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

Warning devices, barricades or conspicuous markings shall be installed when chute lips create a hazard to personnel. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Empty chutes shall be properly guarded prior to filling or sufficient material shall be left in the chute bottom to prevent rock from flying out when broken material is dumped into the chute. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

Ample warning shall be given to persons who may be affected by the draw or otherwise exposed to danger from chute-pulling operations. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

Structures shall be of substantial construction and maintained in safe condition.Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Persons shall not stand on broken rock or ore over draw points if there is danger that the chute will be pulled. Suitable platforms or safety lines shall be provided when work must be done in such areas. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

Persons attempting to loosen hang-ups shall wear and use safety belts with tag lines or ropes to prevent their falling into the chute; if working near the chute opening, a bar sufficient in length to protect the person from dislodged material shall be used. Statutory Authority§§ …

Shelter holes shall be provided to ensure the safety of persons along haulageways where continuous clearance of at least 30 inches from the farthest projection of moving equipment on at least one side of the haulageway cannot be maintained. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45…

Shelter holes shall be at least four feet wide; marked conspicuously with lights, reflective signs, reflective tape, reflectors or luminous paint; provide a minimum of 40 inches clearance from the farthest projection of moving equipment; and shall not be used for storage of timbe…

Trip lights or approved reflectors shall be used on the rear of pulled trips and on the front of pushed trips. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Grinding wheels shall be operated within the specifications of the manufacturer of the wheel. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Mantrip cars shall be operated at speeds consistent with the condition of tracks and equipment used. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Where mantrip cars are used, discharge and boarding points shall be designated. Persons shall not board or leave moving mantrip cars. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Mantrip passengers shall ride on the side of the car opposite the trolley wire when the trolley wire is not centrally located unless covered mantrip cars are provided. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

During shift changes, the movement of rock or material trains shall be limited to areas where such trains could not present a hazard to persons coming on or going off shift. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

Flexible ladders shall be used only where rigid ladders may be impractical. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

Trap doors or adequate guarding shall be provided in ladderways at each level. Doors shall be kept operable. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

The minimum, unobstructed cross-sectional opening in ladderways shall be 24 inches by 24 inches. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

Warning shall be given and acknowledged before entering a manway above or below where persons are working. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

Working floors in square-set stopes shall be lagged closely and securely, and open sets shall be equipped with guardrails. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

Travelways steeper than 30° from the horizontal shall provided with ladders or stairways. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

Stationary grinding machines other than special bit grinders shall be equipped with: 1. Peripheral hoods (less than 90° throat openings) capable of withstanding the force of a bursting wheel; 2. Adjustable tool rests set no further than 1/8 inch from the wheel; and 3. Safety wash…

(Repealed.)

Every mine shall have two separate properly maintained escapeways to the surface which are so positioned that damage to one shall not lessen the effectiveness of the other, or a method of refuge shall be provided when only one opening to the surface is possible. Statutory Authori…

Escape routes shall be: 1. Inspected at regular intervals and maintained in safe, travelable condition; and 2. Marked with conspicuous and easily read direction signs that clearly indicate the ways of escape. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virgin…

Refuge areas shall be: 1. Of fire-resistant construction, preferably in untimbered areas of the mine; 2. Large enough to accommodate readily the normal number of persons in the particular area of the mine; 3. Constructed so they can be made gas-tight; and 4. Provided with telepho…

A specific escape and evacuation plan, and revisions thereof, suitable to the conditions and mining system of the mine and showing assigned responsibilities of all key personnel in the event of an emergency shall be developed by the operator and set out in written form. A copy of…

A. The rated capacity of the crane at the radius at which the lift will be made shall be divided by four and this limit shall not be exceeded. B. A full-cycle operational test lift shall be made prior to lifting of employees. The platform shall carry twice the intended load durin…

Telephone or other voice communication shall be provided between the surface and refuge chambers and such systems shall be independent of the mine power supply. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

Telephone service or equivalent two-way communication facilities shall be provided from underground working areas to the surface. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Designated escapeways inclined more than 30° from the horizontal shall be equipped with stairways, ladders, cleated walkways, or emergency hoisting facilities. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

Emergency hoisting facilities shall conform to the extent possible to safety requirements for other man hoists, shall be adequate to remove the persons from the mine with a minimum of delay, be maintained in ready condition, and be tested at least every 30 days; records shall be …

A. Unless damage or deterioration is removed by cut-off, wire ropes shall be removed from service when any of the following conditions exist: 1. The number of broken wires exceeds either: a. Five percent of the total number of wires; or b. Fifteen percent of the total number of w…

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…

No miner or other person shall use cyanide or a cyanide compound in any mineral mining or processing operation.Statutory Authority§§ 45.2-103 and 45.2-1202 of the Code of Virginia.

Wires and cables not encased in armor shall be supported by well-installed insulators and shall not touch combustible materials, roof, or ribs; however, this requirement shall not apply to ground wires, grounded power conductors, and trailing cables. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-16…

The operator shall use a mining method which will ensure ground, wall, bench and bank stability, including benching and sloping at the angle of repose as necessary. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Metal pipelines 1,000 feet or more in length along haulage roads where grounded return circuits are used shall be bonded to the return at the ends and at intervals not exceeding 500 feet. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

Power lines shall be well separated or insulated from waterlines, telephone lines, and air lines. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

Power cables in shafts and boreholes shall be fastened securely in such manner as to prevent undue strain on the sheath, insulation, or conductors. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

Disconnecting switches that can be opened safely under load shall be provided underground at all primary power circuits near shafts, levels, and boreholes. Disconnecting switches shall be installed underground in all main power circuits within approximately 500 feet of the bottom…

Transformer stations shall be enclosed to prevent persons from unintentionally or inadvertently contacting energized parts. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

Trolley and trolley feeder wires shall be installed opposite the clearance side of haulageways. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

A. Prior to moving or transporting any unit of off-track mining equipment in areas of the active workings where energized trolley wires or trolley feeder wires are present: 1. The unit of equipment shall be examined by a certified person to ensure that accumulation of oil, grease…

The following standards shall apply where track is used as a power conductor: 1. Both rails of main line tracks shall be welded or bonded at every joint, and cross bonds shall be installed at intervals of not more than 200 feet. If the rails are paralleled with a feeder circuit o…

Not more than five splices shall be made in any trailing cable unless they are vulcanized. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.