W. Va. Code R. § 36-14-4 - Electric Equipment in Mines

4.1. All examinations, as required in the Sections below, shall be made at a point at least twelve (12) inches from the roof, face, ribs and floor in accordance with W. Va. Code § 22A-2-43(b).

4.2. In all mines, electric haulage locomotives operated from trolley wire and all other non-permissible electrical equipment or devices which may ignite gas shall not be used in return air, unless permission is granted by Director of the Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training for a specified area. Permissible electrical equipment may be used in return airways: Provided, that:

4.2.1. The mine operator gives notice to the inspector-at-large or the district mine inspector in the division in which the mine is located, when such work is performed in return airways at any point exceeding four hundred (400) feet outby the last open crosscut;

4.2.2. The work area is preshift examined in accordance with W. Va. Code § 22A-2-20;

4.2.3. The mine foreman or assistant mine foreman examines the workingarea in the return airway in which miners will be working at the beginning of each shift before any equipment is energized;

4.2.4. The working area is examined at least every two (2) hours during a working shift for hazards, by a certified mine foreman or assistant mine foreman;

4.2.5. Methane gas examinations are made at frequent intervals as work progresses, but not to exceed twenty (20) minutes;

4.2.6. The electrical equipment is examined at least once each shift for permissible deficiencies,

4.2.7. No temporary splices are in the trailing cables of the equipment being used; and

4.2.8. The work area is provided with two portable fire extinguishers.

4.3. For the purpose of this Section, return air shall mean a volume of air that has passed through and ventilated all the working places in a mine section.

4.4. No person shall be placed in charge of a coal-cutting machine in any mine who is not a qualified person, capable of determining the safety of the roof and sides of the working places and of detecting the presence of explosive gas, unless they are accompanied by a certified or qualified person who has passed such examination.

4.5. In any mine, no machine shall be brought inby the last breakthrough next to the working face until the machine operator shall have made an inspection for gas in the place where the machine is to work. If explosive gas in excess of one (1%) percent is found in the place, the machine shall not be taken in until the danger is removed.

4.6. In working places, a suitable approved apparatus for the detection of explosive gas, shall be provided for use with each mining machine when working, and should any indication of explosive gas in excess of one percent (1%) appear on the apparatus used for the detection of explosive gas, the person in charge shall immediately stop the machine, cut off the current at the nearest switch and report the condition to the mine foreman or supervisor. The machine shall not again be started in such place until the condition found has been corrected and been pronounced safe by a certified person.

4.7. No electric equipment shall be operated in a mine for a longer period than twenty (20) minutes without an examination as above described being made for gas; and if gas is found in excess of one (1%) percent, the current shall at once be switched off the machine, and the trailing cable shall forthwith be disconnected from the power supply until the place is pronounced safe by a certified person.

4.8. Machine runners and helpers shall use care while operating mining machines. No person except those persons necessary shall remain near the machine while it is in operation. They shall examine the roof of the working place to see that it is safe before starting to operate the machine. They shall not move the machine while the cutter chain is in motion.

Notes

W. Va. Code R. § 36-14-4