Chapter 40. Safety and Health Regulations for Mineral Mining

When persons are working in a shaft, "Persons Working in Shaft" signs shall be posted at all devices controlling hoisting operations that may endanger such persons. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

Shaft inspection and repair work in vertical shafts shall be performed from substantial platforms equipped with bonnets or equivalent overhead protection. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

A substantial bulkhead or equivalent protection shall be provided above persons at work deepening a shaft. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

Substantial fixed ladders shall be maintained as near the shaft bottom as practical during shaft sinking operations. Chain, wire rope, or other extension ladders shall be used from the fixed ladder to the shaft bottom, unless other suitable means are approved. Statutory Authority…

A systematic procedure of inspection, testing, and maintenance of shaft and hoisting equipment shall be developed and followed. If it is found or suspected that any part is not functioning properly, the hoist shall not be used until the malfunction has been located and repaired o…

Complete records shall be kept of installation, lubrication, inspection, tests, and maintenance of shafts and hoisting equipment. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

No person shall smoke or use an open flame within 25 feet of locations used to store or handle flammable or combustible liquids. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Parts used to repair hoists shall have properties equal to or better than the original parts; replacement parts shall be designed to fit the original installation. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

Ropes shall be kept well-lubricated from end to end as recommended by the manufacturer. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

On other than friction hoists, ropes shall be cut off and reconnected to the conveyance as often as necessary to ensure adequate inspection of rope condition and to distribute wear of the rope. At least six feet shall be cut from the rope above the highest connection; this portio…

Hoisting ropes wound in multiple layers shall be cut off and repositioned on the drum at regular intervals as necessary to distribute wear of the rope. The length of cutoff at the drum end should not be an even multiple of the circumference of the drum. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1…

Ropes shall be calipered at regular interval as necessary to effectively determine the rate of wear and damage. Caliper measurements shall be taken immediately above the socket or clips and above the safety connection. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code…

Electromagnetic or other nondestructive rope testing systems shall be used only as supplements to, and not as substitutes for, recommended inspection and tests. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

Ropes shall not be used for hoisting when they have: 1. More than six broken wires in any lay; and 2. Crown wires worn to less than 65% of the original diameter. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

Hoist persons shall examine their hoists and shall test overtravel, dead man controls, position indicators, and braking mechanisms at the beginning of each shift. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Empty conveyances shall be operated up and down shafts at least one round trip before hoisting persons after any shaft or equipment repairs and before regular mantrips are hoisted or lowered. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Rope and conveyance connections to conveyances shall be inspected daily. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

A. Operators shall report any accident involving serious personal injury or death to any person on the mine property to the division by the quickest available means, and the scene of the accident shall not be disturbed until an investigation is conducted by the division. For acci…

Operators shall establish acceptable procedures for fire warning, emergency evacuation, and firefighting. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Safety catches shall be inspected daily; drop tests shall be made at the time of installation. Every two months the cage shall be rested on chairs or proper blocking to check the operation or activation of the safety catches by allowing the rope to slacken suddenly. Statutory Aut…

Shafts shall be inspected at least weekly. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

Sheaves shall be inspected daily and kept properly lubricated. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

Rollers used in inclined shafts shall be lubricated properly and kept in good repair. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

(Repealed.)

A mine shall be deemed gassy and thereafter operated as a gassy mine if: 1. Flammable gas emanating from the ore body or the strata surrounding the ore body has been ignited in the mine; 2. A concentration of 0.25% or more, by air analysis, of flammable gas emanating only from th…

Flammable gases detected only while draining mines or flooded sections of mines, or during other mine reclamation operations, shall not be used to permanently classify a mine gassy. During such periods that any flammable gas is present in the mine, the gassy area of the mine shal…

Persons shall not smoke or carry smoking materials, matches, or lighters underground. The operator shall institute a reasonable program to ensure that persons entering the mine do not carry smoking materials, matches, or lighters. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294…

Except when necessary for welding or cutting, open flames shall not be used in other than fresh air or in places where flammable gases are present or may enter the air current. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

Areas surrounding flammable and combustible liquid storage tanks shall be kept free of combustible materials for at least 25 feet in all directions and posted with readily visible fire hazard warning signs. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Co…

Welding or cutting with arc or flame underground in other than fresh air, or in places where flammable gases are present or may enter the air current, shall be under the direct supervision of a qualified person who shall test for flammable gases before and frequently during such …

Welding or cutting shall not be performed in atmospheres containing more than 1.0% of flammable gases. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

Main fans shall be: 1. Installed on the surface; 2. Powered electrically from a circuit independent of the mine power circuit. Internal combustion engines shall be used only for standby power or where electrical power is not available; 3. Installed in fireproof housing provided w…

Main fans shall be: 1. Operated continuously except when the mine is shut down for an extended period; 2. Provided with pressure-recording gauges; and 3. Inspected daily and records kept of such inspections and of fan maintenance. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294…

The main intake and return air currents in mines shall be in separate shafts, slopes, or drifts. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

When single shafts are used for intake and return, the curtain wall or partition shall be constructed of reinforced concrete or equivalent and provided with pressure relief devices. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

When a main fan fails or stops and ventilation is not restored in a reasonable time, action shall be taken to cut off the power to the areas affected and to withdraw all persons from such areas. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

When there has been a failure of mine ventilation other than a failure of a main fan as described in 4VAC25-40-5160, the operator shall: 1. Withdraw all persons from the unventilated active areas; and 2. De-energize the power in unvented active areas. The power shall not be resto…

When ventilation is not restored in a reasonable time, all persons shall be removed from the affected areas; after ventilation has been restored, the areas affected shall be examined by a certified foreman for gas and other hazards and made safe before power is restored and befor…

When the main fan or fans have been shut down with all persons out of the mine, no person, other than the certified foreman, shall go underground until the fans have been started and the mine examined for gas and other hazards and declared safe. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 a…

Flammable and combustible materials shall be stored in acceptable containers approved by the National Fire Protection Association or other approved rating agency. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Booster fans shall be: 1. Operated by permissible drive units maintained in permissible condition; 2. Operated only in air containing less than 1.0% flammable gas; and 3. Kept in continuous operation when persons are in active areas of the mine affected by such fans. Statutory Au…

Booster fans shall be: 1. Provided with an automatic signal device to give warning or alarm should the fan system malfunction. The signal device shall be so located that it can be seen or heard by a responsible person at all times when persons are underground; 2. Equipped with a …

Auxiliary fans shall be: 1. Installed and operated in permissible condition; and 2. Operated only in air containing not more than 1.0% flammable gas. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

Auxiliary fans shall be inspected by persons approved by the director at least twice each shift. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Persons shall be withdrawn from areas affected by auxiliary or booster fans when such fans slow down or stop. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

The volume and velocity of the current of air coursed through all active areas shall be sufficient to dilute and carry away flammable gases, smoke and fumes. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.

The quantity of air coursed through the last open crosscut in pairs or sets of entries, or through other ventilation openings nearest the face, shall be at least 6,000 cubic feet a minute. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-161.294 of the Code of Virginia.