§874 Hoisting and Mantrips

Summary

Require hoists that carry people in coal mines to have strong safety systems and regular checks. The hoist must have controls that stop it if it goes too fast, runs past its limit, or needs to stop automatically. Brakes must be able to stop a fully loaded cage or platform. Cables must be strong and have a safe margin. Cages and platforms must have safety catches or approved substitutes that work fast and are tested at least once every two months. Hoisting equipment, including automatic elevators, must be checked every day. A qualified hoisting engineer must be on duty whenever anyone is underground, unless the cage, platform, or elevator is fully automatic. Hoists must match rope safety ratings and have a reliable position indicator. There must be at least two ways to signal between shaft stations and the hoist room, one of which must be a telephone or speaking tube. The Secretary’s representative can require other safeguards they think are needed. Locomotives and underground haulage cars must have automatic brakes where there is room; if not, they must use approved speed-reduction or similar stopping devices. Any haulage equipment bought one year after the operative date of this subchapter must have automatic impact couplers that let cars couple and uncouple without people going between the ends. Existing equipment without such couplers must be fitted within four years after the operative date of this subchapter.