Chapter 40. Safety and Health Regulations for Mineral Mining

When mining within 200 feet of a gas or oil well, the mine operator shall submit a plan showing projected pillars of minerals to be left unmined around each well. The pillars shall be situated so that each well is centered within a pillar. The excavated areas adjacent to any pill…

A. Applications may be made at any time to the director on forms furnished by the director and containing such information as the director may require by the operator for a permit to mine through a plugged gas or oil well. The application shall be accompanied by a map or maps as …

Flammable liquids shall not be used for cleaning. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Battery charging areas shall be well-ventilated and posted with warning signs prohibiting smoking or open flames within 25 feet. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

(Repealed.)

Internal combustion engines, except diesels, shall be shut off prior to refueling. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Equipment and devices used for detection, warning, and extinguishing of fires shall be: 1. Suitable for the type of fire hazard that may be encountered; 2. Maintained in fire-ready condition as specified by manufacturer; 3. Strategically located, readily accessible, and plainly i…

When welding or cutting, precautions shall be taken to ensure that sparks or other hot materials do not result in a fire. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

All employees assigned to firefighting responsibilities by the operator shall be trained in firefighting, and practice drills shall be conducted at least every six months. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Prior arrangements shall be made for obtaining assistance in firefighting. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Conveyor belts in locations where belt slippage may result in a fire shall be equipped with automatic detection and stoppage devices when the conveyor belt is unattended. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Prior to applying heat, cutting, or welding on any pipe or container that has contained a flammable or combustible material: 1. The pipe or container shall be drained, thoroughly cleaned and ventilated; and 2. The pipe or container shall be filled with an inert gas or material. S…

A. Whenever a fire or its effects could impede escape from self-propelled equipment, a fire extinguisher shall be on the equipment. B. Whenever a fire or its effects would not impede escape from the equipment but could affect the escape of other persons in the area, a fire exting…

At least two exits or escapeways shall be provided in surface buildings and structures where personnel work or congregate. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Buildings and other structures within 100 feet of underground mine openings shall be fire resistant. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

A. When approval by the Director of the Division of Mineral Mining is required, the mine operator shall submit written proposed standards for the person, equipment, material, or practice required by the regulation to the Division of Mineral Mining office. B. The director will rev…

Areas surrounding main fan installations and other mine openings shall be kept free from grass, weeds, underbrush and other combustible materials for a safe distance in all directions. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Dust or gases which may be explosive or combustible shall be tested and controlled in an acceptable manner. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

With respect to airborne contaminants, the following shall apply: 1. Employees shall be withdrawn from areas where airborne contaminants given a "C" designation in Threshold Limit Values and Biological Exposure Indices are present in concentrations that exceed specified TLVs. 2. …

(Repealed.)

Sources of dust shall be wetted down unless controlled by dry collection measures. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

(Repealed.)

Silica sand or other materials containing more than 1.0% free silica shall not be used in abrasive cleaning equipment unless exposed persons are provided with self-contained respiratory equipment. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virg…

Except for surface mines which are inspected by MSHA, employee exposure to noise shall not exceed the federal limit adopted for mineral mines. If exposure exceeds the federal limit, the director may require the mine operator to employ feasible engineering and administrative contr…

A. Detonators and explosives, other than blasting agents, shall be stored in magazines accepted by the Institute of Makers of Explosives or other approved agency. B. Detonators shall not be stored in the same magazine with explosives. C. Explosives magazines shall be: 1. Located …

A. Vehicles used to transport explosives shall be: 1. In good mechanical condition; 2. Posted with warning signs; 3. Provided with suitable fire extinguishers; 4. Provided with a nonsparking cargo area equipped with sides and tailgate; 5. Kept free of extraneous materials in the …

(Repealed.)

A. A certified blaster shall be in direct charge of blasting activities. B. Persons who assist in blasting activities shall be under the direct supervision of the certified blaster in charge and shall be alerted to the hazards involved. C. Black powder or safety fuse shall not be…

A detailed record of each surface blast shall be prepared immediately by the certified blaster. Records shall be maintained at the mine site for three years and subject to inspection by the division mine inspectors. Records shall contain the following information: 1. Name of comp…

A. No person shall enter the blasting area for at least 15 minutes except in the case of safety fuse where special approvals apply. B. Misfires shall be disposed of in a safe manner by the certified blaster. C. The blast area shall be guarded or barricaded and posted with warning…

Prior to blasting near a mine haul road or public highway, traffic shall be stopped at a safe distance. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

Mudcapping in blasting operations shall be permitted only where the driller would be in a hazardous position in attempting to drill the rock or material to be blasted. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

When conducting surface blasting activities near an underground mine, advance notice of blasting shall be given to the underground mine operator by the certified blaster. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

When conducting surface blasting activities within 300 feet of private pipelines or electrical transmission lines, advance notice of blasting shall be given to the owners of the pipeline or transmission lines by the certified blaster. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.29…

Surface blasting shall be prohibited if effects are liable to change the course or channel of any stream without a variance issued by the director. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

A. Ground vibration, measured as peak particle velocity resulting from blasting, shall not exceed the limits set forth in Figure 1 at any inhabited building not owned or leased by the operator, without approval of the director. A seismographic record shall be provided for each bl…

Air overpressure resulting from surface blasting shall not exceed 133 decibels, as measured with a 2Hz or lower flat response microphone, at any inhabited building not owned or leased by the operator. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of …

Each operator shall maintain a plan to control the effects of blasting on areas adjacent to the operation. In the event of a blasting complaint, accident, or flyrock incident, the plan will be subject to review and approval of the division.Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-1…

If necessary to prevent damage, the director may specify lower allowable ground vibration and airblast levels than those provided by 4VAC25-40-880 and 4VAC25-40-890. Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

(Repealed.)

(Repealed.)

Seismic testing and evaluation to determine compliance with blasting regulations shall: 1. Utilize acceptable instrumentation that measures ground vibration, air overpressure, and vibration frequency; 2. Be conducted and analyzed by a qualified person; and 3. Be conducted wheneve…

A. When electric detonators are used, an acceptable blaster's galvanometer or blaster's multi-meter shall be used to test detonators, firing lines, series circuits, and total circuit resistance prior to firing. B. Electric detonators of different brands shall not be used in the s…

Electronic detonation systems shall be approved by the director as providing performance equivalent to that required in 4VAC25-40-920, and shall be used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code …

A. When detonating cord manufactured with more than three grains per foot is used within 800 feet of inhabited buildings, not owned or leased by the operator, trunk lines shall be covered with at least six inches of loose earth or other acceptable material. B. All detonating cord…

In the event of a blasting complaint, accident, or flyrock investigation, all available data on the blast, including videos, shall be made available to the division.Statutory Authority§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294, and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.

(Repealed.)