Title 45.2, Mines, Minerals, and Energy

Proper scaffolding or proper overhead protection shall be provided (i) where repairs are being made to a facility or (ii) where equipment or material is being used or transported overhead.

No welding or cutting with arc or flame shall be done in an excessively dusty atmosphere or dusty location. Firefighting apparatus shall be readily available when such welding or cutting is performed.

The provisions of Article 5 (§ 45.2-912 et seq.) of Chapter 9 shall apply with respect to any requirement for firefighting equipment, duties in the event of a fire, or fire precautions at any surface area of an underground coal mine.

The provisions of Article 6 (§ 45.2-915 et seq.) of Chapter 9 shall apply with respect to equipment at any surface area of an underground coal mine.

The provisions of Article 7 (§ 45.2-922 et seq.) of Chapter 9 shall apply with respect to any travel way, loading area, or haulage area at the surface of an underground coal mine.

The provisions of Article 9 (§ 45.2-926 et seq.) of Chapter 9 shall apply with respect to any power line, circuit, transformer, or other electrical equipment at any surface area of an underground coal mine.

The provisions of Article 10 (§ 45.2-931 et seq.) of Chapter 9 shall apply with respect to explosives or blasting at any surface area of an underground coal mine.

The provisions of Article 11 (§ 45.2-934) of Chapter 9 shall apply with respect to any pit, highwall, wall, bank, or bench associated with any coal mining activity conducted at any surface area of an underground coal mine.

A. The cutter chains of any mining machine shall be locked securely by mechanical means or an electrical interlock while such machine is parked or being trammed. B. Drilling in rock shall be conducted wet or other means of dust control shall be used. C. Each electric drill or oth…

A. The following items of shop and other equipment shall be guarded and maintained adequately: 1. Any gear, sprocket, pulley, fan blade or propeller, or friction device or coupling that has a protruding bolt or nut; 2. Shafting or any projecting shaft end that is within seven fee…

Every hydraulic hose used on equipment purchased after January 1, 1986, shall be clearly stamped or labeled by the hydraulic hose manufacturer to indicate the manufacturer's rated pressure in pounds per square inch (psi) Every hose purchased after January 1, 1989, shall have the …

A. Any overhead high-potential power line shall be (i) placed at least 15 feet above the ground and 20 feet above any driveway, (ii) installed on insulators, and (iii) supported and guarded to prevent contact with other circuits. B. Any surface transmission line, including a trol…

A. Any surface transformer that is not isolated by being elevated at least eight feet above the ground shall be enclosed in a transformer house or surrounded by a suitable fence at least six feet high. If the enclosure or fence is of metal, it shall be grounded effectively. The d…

Every transformer that is used underground shall be air-cooled or filled with nonflammable liquid or inert gas.

A. Suitable warning signs shall be posted conspicuously at every transformer station. B. Every transformer station, substation, battery-charging station, pump station, and compressor station shall be kept free of nonessential combustible material and refuse. C. Reverse-current pr…

A. All underground power wires and cables shall (i) have adequate current-carrying capacity, (ii) be guarded from mechanical injury, and (iii) be installed in a permanent manner. B. Wires and cables that are not encased in armor shall be supported by well-installed insulators and…

A. Trolley wires and trolley feeder wires shall be installed on the side of the entry opposite the clearance space and any shelter hole, except where the wires are guarded or are installed at least 6.5 feet above the top of the rail. B. Trolley-wire hangers shall be so spaced tha…

A. Every metallic sheath, armor, or conduit that encloses a power conductor shall be electrically continuous throughout and shall be grounded effectively. B. Every metallic frame, casing, or other enclosure of stationary electrical equipment that can become electrified through fa…

A. Automatic circuit breaking devices or fuses of the correct type and capacity shall be installed so as to protect each piece of electrical equipment and each power circuit against excessive overload; however, this requirement shall not apply to any locomotive that is operated r…

A. Telephone service or equivalent two-way communication facilities shall be provided between the top and each landing of each main shaft or slope. A telephone or equivalent two-way communication facility shall be located on the surface within 500 feet of each main portal and ins…

A. Electrical equipment that is taken into or used inby the last open crosscut or in other than an intake airway constitutes permissible equipment. B. Permissible equipment that is used in an area specified in subsection A shall be maintained in permissible condition. C. No elect…

A. Trailing cables that are used underground shall be flame-resistant. B. Trailing cables shall be provided with suitable short-circuit protection and some means of disconnecting power from the cable. Any power connection that is made in other than an intake airway shall be by me…

A. Electrical equipment and wiring shall be inspected by a certified person at least weekly if it is located underground and at least monthly if it is located on the surface. Such equipment and wiring shall be inspected more often if doing so is necessary to ensure safe operating…

A. No electrical work shall be performed on any low-voltage, medium-voltage, or high-voltage distribution circuit or equipment except by a certified person or a person who is trained to perform electrical work and to maintain electrical equipment and is working under the direct s…

A. Electric-light wires shall be supported by suitable insulators or installed in conduit, shall be fastened securely to the power conductors, and shall not contact any combustible material. B. Every electric light shall be guarded and installed so that it does not contact any co…

Every lamp, extension light, and permissible form of portable illumination, such as a cap lamp or flashlight, that is used for personal illumination underground shall be inspected by an authorized person at least once per week, and more often if necessary, to ensure safe operatin…

A. Each mine shall be provided with suitable firefighting equipment that is adequate for the size of the mine. B. The following equipment, at a minimum, shall be immediately available at each mine: 1. A water car filled with water and provided with hose and pump, or waterlines an…

A. In case of a fire, the next inby permanent stopping into the return air course shall be opened as soon as possible in order to short circuit the air and permit close access to the fire for extinguishment. B. When a fire that could endanger persons underground cannot be extingu…

A. Each operator shall develop an emergency response plan for each mine. The plan shall include (i) a mine emergency communication plan, (ii) an evacuation procedure, (iii) the identification of waterlines, (iv) the number system of brattice, (v) the location of each escapeway, a…

In case of any unplanned fire at a mine that is not extinguished within 30 minutes of discovery, the operator shall report the fire to the Chief by the quickest available means, giving all information known to the operator. The Chief, based on such information, shall promptly go …

A. Prior to moving or transporting any piece of off-track mining equipment in any area of the active workings where energized trolley wires or trolley feeder wires are present, (i) the piece of equipment shall be examined by a certified person to ensure that accumulations of coal…

A. Each underground storage place for oil, grease, or flammable hydraulic fluid shall be of fireproof construction. B. Oil, grease, and flammable hydraulic fluid that is kept underground for current use shall be kept in a closed metal container. C. Provisions shall be made to pre…

Diesel-powered equipment may be utilized underground with the written approval of the Chief. The Chief shall adopt regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this section. Such regulations shall require that the air in each travel way in which diesel equipment is used, …

A. The intentional creation of any open arc, open spark, or open flame, except as provided in subsection B, is prohibited. B. Any underground (i) welding or cutting with arc or flame or (ii) soldering, unless conducted in a fireproof enclosure that is ventilated with intake air, …

A. The operator or his agent shall establish eight-hour intervals of time, each of which shall be subject to a required pre-shift examination. Within three hours preceding the beginning of any such eight-hour interval during which any person is scheduled to work or travel undergr…

A. At least once during each shift, and more often if necessary, a certified person shall examine each underground section where coal is produced and any other area where mechanized mining equipment is being installed or removed during the shift. The certified person shall (i) ex…

A. At least once every seven days, a mine foreman shall examine each unsealed worked-out area where no pillars have been recovered. B. At least once every seven days, a mine foreman shall evaluate the effectiveness of each bleeder system used pursuant to § 45.2-837. C. At least o…

A. An authorized person shall conduct a daily inspection of each main fan and of the machinery connected with such fan. The person making the examination shall record such examination in a book prescribed for this purpose or by other adequate means provided to permanently record …

A. Any hazardous condition found by the mine foreman or another certified person designated by the operator for the purpose of conducting examinations under this article shall be (i) corrected immediately or (ii) posted with conspicuous danger signs until the condition is correct…

The mine foreman shall give prompt attention to the removal of each hazardous condition reported to him by any person working in the mine. If it is impracticable to remove a hazardous condition at once, the mine foreman shall notify every person whose safety is threatened by such…

The operator or agent shall display, in bold-faced type, on a sign placed at the mine office, at the bath house, and on a bulletin board at the mine site, the following notice: NOTICE: IT IS UNLAWFUL TO DISTURB, DISCONNECT, BYPASS, IMPAIR, OR OTHERWISE TAMPER WITH METHANE MONITOR…

A. The active workings of a mine shall be ventilated by means of main fans. B. Unless otherwise approved by the Chief, each fan shall be (i) provided with pressure-recording gauges, (ii) installed on the surface in a fireproof housing, and (iii) equipped with fireproof air ducts.…

A fan stoppage plan shall be prepared for each mine. Such plan shall be subject to approval by the Chief or his designated representative. Failure to comply with any requirement set forth in the approved plan is a violation of this section. Each fan stoppage plan shall require th…

A. The installation or use of an auxiliary fan in any mine is prohibited without the prior written approval of the Chief. B. A machine-mounted scrubber and spray fan system may be used for control of coal dust and enhancement of ventilation. Such an installation is not considered…

A. The quantity of air passing through the last open crosscut shall be at least 9,000 cubic feet per minute. However, the quantity of air reaching the last open crosscut in a pillar-recovery section may be less than 9,000 cubic feet per minute if at least 9,000 cubic feet of air …

A. Every mine shall have a system, approved by the Chief, of bleeder openings of air courses designed to provide positive movement of air through or around worked-out areas. Such system shall be sufficient to prevent a hazardous accumulation of gas in any such area and to minimiz…