Chapter 1563 | Mine Construction, Maintenance, Abandonment

Section 1563.01 | Chapter does not apply to chapter 1514 activities.

• Effective: April 6, 2007
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 443 - 126th General Assembly

Except for section 1563.11 of the Revised Code, nothing in this chapter applies to activities that are permitted and regulated under Chapter 1514. of the Revised Code.

Section 1563.02 | Gaseous mine defined.

• Effective: October 29, 1995
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly

As used in this chapter and Chapters 1561., 1565., and 1567. of the Revised Code, a gaseous mine is:

(A) A mine in which methane has been ignited;

(B) A mine in which methane has been detected in any of the open workings thereof by a permissible flame safety lamp;

(C) A mine in which one fourth of one per cent or more of methane has been found in a sample of air taken in any of the open workings thereof upon analysis thereof by the mine laboratory provided for by section 1561.27 of the Revised Code. If such sample of air contains less than one half of one per cent of methane and if no other sample of air, taken in any of the open workings of such mine within twenty-four hours of the time such first-mentioned sample was taken, is, upon analysis by said laboratory, found to contain one fourth of one per cent or more of methane, such mine is not a gaseous mine unless a sample of air thereafter taken in any of the open workings of such mine and prior to ten days after the date upon which such first-mentioned sample was analyzed is, upon analysis by said laboratory, found to contain one fourth of one per cent or more of methane.

Section 1563.03 | Map of new mine.

• Effective: October 29, 1995
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly

The operator of each underground mine shall, in opening a new mine, cause a map of such mine to be made at such time as the second opening required by section 1563.14 of the Revised Code is completed in such mine. Such map shall be made on a scale not less than two hundred feet per inch and shall show:

(A) The boundary lines and the names of the owners of the surface of each tract under which excavation is made, and for not less than five hundred feet contiguous thereto, and under which excavations are likely to be made during the ensuing year, together with all streams and bodies of standing water;

(B) The township and county lines coming within the limits of such map, with the name of each plainly marked close to and parallel with such lines;

(C) The title, the name or number of the mine or both, and the township and county in which it is located;

(D) The section lines, with the number of each, marked plainly within the sections;

(E) The location of the mine openings, railroad tracks, public highways, oil and gas wells, magazines, and buildings, plainly marked with name of each;

(F) The location of all underground semipermanent and permanent transformers and substations;

(G) The location and extent of the excavations and connection with the surface survey;

(H) The direction of the air current, or air currents, by arrows;

(I) The location and extent, so far as known or obtainable, of the excavation of any other mine within the limits of the map;

(J) The boundary lines of the tracts of coal owned or leased within the limits of the map;

(K) The elevation of the floor of the excavation, above mean tide at Sandy Hook, at or near the boundary line of the coal owned or leased where the coal is adjacent to coal owned by a person, firm, or corporation, other than the owner or lessee of such mine, and where the excavations of such mine cease or may be approached by another mine, at points not exceeding three hundred feet apart, and referenced to some permanent monument near the main opening of such mine, and shown on the map and plainly marked bench mark, with the elevation of same.

Such map requirements, insofar as they are applicable, apply to all stripping mines.

No operator of an underground mine shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.

Section 1563.04 | Survey - copies of map and survey - certification.

• Effective: June 14, 2000
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 601 - 123rd General Assembly

The operator of each underground mine shall have a survey made whenever the workings of the mine have extended four hundred feet in any direction from the point shown on the map by the last survey of such mine, but not more often than once every six months, or whenever such mine is to be abandoned or shut down for a sufficient period of time to make it impossible to survey the working faces as prescribed by this section because of the caving of the roof. Such surveys shall be accurately plotted on the original map of the mine as prescribed in section 1563.03 of the Revised Code. A copy of such map with the latest survey plotted thereon shall be kept at such mine, available for the use of the chief of the division of mineral resources management, and the deputy mine inspectors, and available for inspection by the employees at all reasonable times, and a copy of the same shall be promptly forwarded to the chief, with the certificate of the engineer making same and of the superintendent or mine foreperson in charge of the mine at the time of the survey, acknowledged before a notary public or other officer empowered to administer oaths, in the following form:

"I, the undersigned, hereby certify that this map is correct and shows all the information required by section 1563.03 of the Revised Code and covers the period ending ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Engineer

Acknowledged before me a _________________________________

_________ this ____________ day of _______________________

___________________________

I, the undersigned, hereby certify that I am mine foreperson at the mine represented by this map and to the best of my knowledge and belief the same correctly represents the excavations of the mine for the period ending___________________

Acknowledged before me a _________________________________

_________ this ____________ day of ____________________________

___________________________"

The operator of a mine shall file, at least annually, a map of the same with the chief, so certified.

No operator of a mine shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.

Section 1563.05 | Failure to make and file map or addition.

• Effective: June 14, 2000
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 601 - 123rd General Assembly

Upon the refusal or neglect of the owner, lessee, or agent of the mine to make and file a map or any addition thereto, as required by sections 1563.03, 1563.04, and 1563.42 of the Revised Code, within sixty days after being directed to do so by the chief of the division of mineral resources management, the chief may cause such map or addition thereto to be made in duplicate at the expense of such owner, lessee, or agent, the cost of which shall be recoverable against such owner, lessee, or agent in the name of the chief in any court of competent jurisdiction in the county in which such mine is located, or in Franklin county.

Section 1563.06 | Right of entry.

• Effective: September 29, 2011
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 153 - 129th General Assembly

For the purpose of making the examinations provided for in this chapter and Chapters 1561., 1565., and 1567. and applicable provisions of Chapter 1509. of the Revised Code, the chief of the division of mineral resources management, and each deputy mine inspector, may enter any mine at a reasonable time, by day or by night, but in such manner as will not necessarily impede the working of the mine, and the owner, lessee, or agent thereof shall furnish the means necessary for such entry and examination.

Section 1563.07 | Examination or survey of mine by adjoining landowner - notice.

• Effective: October 29, 1995
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly

Each person owning land adjoining a mine worked for the production of coal, and each person interested in such mine, who has reason to believe that the protection of his interests therein or in the coal on his adjoining land requires it, upon making affidavit to that effect before a judge of a county court or judge of a municipal court or other proper officer, may enter such mine and have an examination or survey of it made, after giving three days' notice, in writing, to the owner, lessee, or agent of such mine. Such examination shall be made at such time, and in such manner as will least interfere with the working of the mine.

Section 1563.08 | Surveying party - fees.

• Effective: October 29, 1995
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly

When the affidavit has been made, and notice given, as provided in section 1563.07 of the Revised Code, upon the application of the person giving notice, the person in charge of the mine shall transport, by the ordinary method for entrance and exit in use at such mine, a surveying party of not more than three persons, furnish them with a competent guide, and supply them with necessary and proper lamps. The person requesting the survey shall pay the person in charge of the mine fifty cents for such persons transported, and five dollars per day for the guide; but if the shaft, if such mine is a shaft mine, exceeds two hundred fifty feet in depth, he shall pay one dollar for each person so transported.

Section 1563.09 | Examination or survey - liability for damage.

• Effective: October 29, 1995
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly

The person owning or operating a mine shall not hinder or obstruct an examination or survey under section 1563.07 of the Revised Code, if made at a reasonable time, in a reasonable manner, and as provided by law.

If the owner or lessee of a mine sustains damage for which compensation should be made because such examination or survey was made at an unreasonable time, or in an improper or unwarranted manner, the person making such examination or survey shall be liable therefor to such owner or lessee.

Section 1563.10 | Refusal to permit survey - judgment.

• Effective: October 29, 1995
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly

If the owner, lessee, or agent of a mine refuses to comply with sections 1563.08 and 1563.09 of the Revised Code, the person who makes the application for the survey may recover judgment as upon default, in a court of competent jurisdiction, against the owner, lessee, or agent, in such sum as he declares under oath that he believes to be justly due him for coal belonging to him taken by the owner, lessee, or agent of the mine without his permission. The statute of limitations shall not run against such claim, but the demand, and refusal of permission to enter such mine, must be proven to the satisfaction of the court or jury.

Section 1563.11 | Mining near public roads.

• Effective: June 14, 2000
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 601 - 123rd General Assembly

(A) Unless a permit has been issued by the director of transportation, or the board of county commissioners, or the board of township trustees, or such other public authority that is charged by law with the maintenance of a public road, and the approval of the chief of the division of mineral resources management has been obtained, no person, firm, or corporation, engaged in mining or quarrying any mineral, coal, stone, or clay, shall:

(1) Extend any part of an open pit excavation closer than fifty feet of horizontal distance to any part of a public road;

(2) Deposit mine refuse or removed overburden:

(a) Closer to a public road than a line parallel to the boundary line of such road and fifty feet of horizontal distance away from such road and at the same elevation as the elevation of the crown of such road;

(b) Higher than a line beginning at a point fifty feet of horizontal distance away from such road and at the same elevation as the elevation of the crown of such road, and extending from such beginning point upward and away from such road at an angle of forty degrees from the horizontal plane.

Any person, firm, or corporation desiring such a permit shall apply in writing therefor to the proper public authority, and shall describe in such application the excavating or depositing of mine refuse or removed overburden that it will do and for which it requests a permit. The applicant shall also furnish such public authority with such additional data and information concerning such work as such public authority may request and that shall be relevant, in making the determination that such public authority is required to make as to the amount of bond or other security the applicant shall be required to deposit before such a permit is issued to the applicant.

Upon receipt of such an application such public authority shall promptly consider what damage, if any, may be done to such public highway by the excavating or depositing of mine refuse or removed overburden for which the permit is requested, and estimate the reasonable cost of repairing such damage, if any should occur, and fix the amount of such estimate of cost as the amount of bond or other security that the applicant shall deposit with such public authority upon issuance of the permit requested, to ensure payment of the cost of repairing any such damage that might occur. Such public authority shall promptly notify the applicant of the amount of bond or other security it has so fixed.

Upon approval of the chief and deposit with the public authority of a surety bond signed by the applicant as principal, and by a surety company authorized to transact business in this state as surety, or of cash or other security satisfactory to such public authority, in the amount fixed by such authority, and conditioned upon the payment to such public authority by applicant of the cost of repairing any damage to such public road occurring as a result of the excavating or depositing of mine refuse or removed overburden for which the permit was issued, the public authority shall issue to the applicant the permit for which the applicant applied.

If, at the end of three years after such excavation or deposit of mine refuse or removed overburden is made, the licensee shall have paid or caused to be paid all cost of repairing any damage to such public road occurring within such time as a result of such excavating or depositing for which such permit was issued, or, if within such period of time no such damage to such shall have occurred, the bond or cash or other security deposited with the public authority upon the issuance of such permit, shall be released and returned to such applicant.

(B) Any person, firm, or corporation owning any land containing mineral, coal, stone, or clay, and over any portion of which any state, county, or township road or public highway passes, may drill, excavate, mine, or quarry through or under such road. Before the work is commenced, such person, firm, or corporation shall execute and deliver to the director of transportation in case of state roads, to the board of county commissioners in case of county roads, or to the board of township trustees in case of township roads, a bond, with good and sufficient surety in such amount as shall be considered by the director, the board of county commissioners, or the board of township trustees, sufficient to cover any damages that may accrue by excavating, mining, or quarrying through or under any such road, the same to be approved by such director, board of county commissioners, or board of township trustees. Such bond shall be conditioned that while crossing over or mining or quarrying under any such road, a safe and unobstructed passageway or road shall be kept open by such person, firm, or corporation for the public use, and as soon as practicable, such road shall be fully restored to its original safe and passable condition. When such crossing is made by excavation at a depth of more than thirty feet below the surface of such road, the person, firm, or corporation making the same shall be liable to the director, board of county commissioners, or board of township trustees for any damage that may accrue by such excavation, and shall be held to fully repair any such damage and to restore such road to its original safe and passable condition. The right to mine or quarry across or under public highways as provided in this section, shall accrue to the owner, lessee, or agent of the land upon or through which such highway passes.

As used in this section, "road" or "highway" means the entire right of way as well as the improved portion thereof, and includes bridges, viaducts, grade separations, appurtenances, and approaches on or to such road or highway.

Section 1563.111 | Mining near oil or gas well.

• Effective: June 14, 2000
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 601 - 123rd General Assembly

No owner, lessee, or agent shall conduct mining operations within twenty-five feet of any known well, or locate a mine opening within three hundred feet of any well that produces oil or gas unless the owner, lessee, or agent obtains permission in writing from the chief of the division of mineral resources management.

Section 1563.12 | Construction regulations to be observed in opening mine.

• Effective: June 14, 2000
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 601 - 123rd General Assembly

Any person, firm, or corporation, beginning the opening of a mine, whether or not such person, firm, or corporation is the owner, lessee, or agent of the property upon which such mine is located, shall notify the chief of the division of mineral resources management, and observe the following in the construction of such mine:

(A) If the opening is a slope or vertical shaft, no explosive used therein shall be fired by means of a squib or fuse after the same is extended more than twenty-five feet from the surface, and thereafter and until the slope or shaft reaches the seam and the entry or landing is extended beyond a break-through or other place driven at right angles thereto, no explosive shall be fired except by means of an electric battery operated from the surface after all persons are on the surface.

(B) A substantial structure to sustain sheave wheels or pulleys, ropes, and loads, shall be provided, and if the opening is a shaft, the same shall be placed at a height of not less than twenty-five feet above the tipping place.

(C) A landing platform shall be arranged in such manner that no material can fall into the shaft while the bucket is being emptied, and the shaft shall not be sunk to a depth of more than thirty feet without such structure.

(D) If the bucket used for hoisting material is to land on a truck, the track on which such truck is operated and the platform shall be so constructed that material cannot fall into the shaft.

(E) Rock and coal shall not be hoisted from a shaft or slope except in a bucket or cage attached to a rope by a safety hook, clevis, or other safe attachment, and the bucket or cage securely locked so that same cannot tip or empty while being hoisted.

(F) Such rope shall be fastened to the side of the drum, and not less than three coils of rope shall always remain on the drum.

(G) After the shaft reaches a depth of one hundred feet, the same shall be provided with guides and guide attachments, applied in such a manner as to prevent the bucket from swing while being lowered or hoisted, and such guides and guide attachments shall be maintained at a distance of not more than seventy-five feet from the bottom of the shaft.

(H) The sides of all shafts shall be properly secured for safety and no loose rock or material shall be allowed to remain on any timber in the shaft after each blast.

(I) All loose timber, tools, and materials shall be kept away from the top of the shaft to reduce the danger of the same falling down the shaft.

(J) Where explosive gas is encountered, the person in charge shall see that the shaft or slope is examined before each shift of workers enters to work, and before the the workers descend after each blast.

(K) The slope, or shaft, shall be properly ventilated so that persons working therein will have the necessary air.

(L) An efficient brake shall be attached to each drum of an engine used in hoisting material and persons, and all machinery, ropes, and chains connected therewith shall be carefully examined once each shift.

(M) Not more than four persons shall be lowered or hoisted in or on a bucket at one time, and no person shall be permitted to ride on a loaded bucket.

(N) The bucket used in lowering or hoisting persons shall be equipped with proper safety devices, so that it cannot become detached from the rope or cable, and cannot tip or turn upside down while being so used.

The chief, and the deputy mine inspector, shall have jurisdiction over such mine when the shaft or slope reaches a depth of twenty-five feet, and such person, firm, or corporation shall comply with any order issued by either or both of them with respect to the safety of persons employed. Other than this section, this chapter and Chapters 1561., 1565., and 1567. of the Revised Code do not apply to the opening of a mine until such opening reaches the seam, and the entry or landing is extended beyond a break-through, or other place driven at right angles thereto.

No operator of a mine shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.

Section 1563.13 | Maintenance of means of egress from mine.

• Effective: September 5, 2001
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 94 - 124th General Assembly

When a deputy mine inspector considers that the ways and means of egress in any underground mine from the interior working places to the surface are inadequate as a safe and ready means of escape in case of emergency, from danger of fire at any point, or any other cause that may result in the entombment of persons working in the mine, the deputy mine inspector shall give notice in writing to the owner, lessee, or agent of the mine of the particular in which the deputy mine inspector considers the conditions dangerous, recommending any changes that the conditions require, and forthwith shall mail a copy of the deputy mine inspector's recommendations to the chief of the division of mineral resources management. Upon receipt of the recommendations, the chief forthwith shall make a finding concerning them and mail a copy to the operator of the mine and to the deputy mine inspector. A copy of the finding of the chief shall be posted upon the bulletin board at the time.

The operator of the mine, or the authorized representative of the workers of the mine, within ten days may appeal to the reclamation commission for a review and redetermination of the finding of the chief in the matter in accordance with section 1513.13 of the Revised Code, notwithstanding division (A)(1) of that section, which provides for appeals within thirty days. A copy of the decision of the commission shall be mailed as required by this section for the mailing of the finding by the chief on the deputy mine inspector's report.

No operator of a mine shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.

Section 1563.14 | Two openings required - exceptions.

• Effective: October 29, 1995
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly

Except as provided in this section, the operator of an underground coal mine shall not employ, or permit any person to work therein, unless there are at least two openings to every seam worked in such mine, separated by natural strata of not less than one hundred feet in breadth at any point, by which distinct means of ingress and egress are always available to the persons therein employed. Such openings need not belong to the same mine so long as the persons employed therein have safe, ready, and available means of ingress and egress, by not less than two openings; provided that no air shaft with a ventilating furnace at the bottom shall be designated or used as a means of ingress or egress. This section does not apply to:

(A) Opening a new mine; however, not more than twenty miners may be allowed at any one time in any mine until a connection has been made between the two mine openings. Such connections shall be made as quickly as possible.

(B) A mine in which the second opening has become unavailable for any reason, so long as not more than twenty persons are employed therein at any one time and are engaged in the process of restoring the second opening or developing a new opening;

(C) A mine in which the second opening has become unavailable by reason of the final robbing of the pillars previous to abandonment, so long as not more than twenty persons are employed therein at one time, and the distance between the mine opening and the working face does not exceed five hundred feet.

No operator of a mine shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.

Section 1563.15 | Additional opening for protection against inundation.

• Effective: October 29, 1995
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly

At any mine where there is a stream or body of water on the surface, or in the workings of the mine, at a higher level, which is likely to break through into such mine, and inundate either the traveling or escapement way of such mine, so as to prevent the egress of persons employed therein, the operator shall provide and maintain and additional opening by means of which such persons may escape without using the traveling or escapement way likely to be inundated.

No operator of a mine shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.

Section 1563.16 | Doors.

• Effective: October 29, 1995
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly

In the development of mines, doors shall be eliminated wherever practicable. All main or principal air currents shall be controlled by double doors to form an air lock, said doors to be self-closing and to be a sufficient distance apart to accommodate any trip that may be handled through them, thus having one door closed at all times. At all points where double doors are impracticable and single doors are used, there must be an attendant in charge of said door unless a self-closing door approved by the deputy mine inspector is used. A hole for shelter shall be provided at each door to protect the attendant from danger from cars while performing his duties. Persons when regularly employed for this purpose shall remain at the doors at all times during working hours. The same attendant may attend two doors if his absence from the first door does not endanger the safety of the employees. At every door on any incline plane or road whereon haulage is done by equipment other than locomotives, an attendant shall always be on duty during working hours, and an extra door shall be provided for use in case of necessity. Except where double doors are used, a spare or standby door shall be installed adjacent to all regular doors on main haulage roads for emergency use. The responsibility for closing doors shall rest upon the person who opens them. This section does not apply to clay mines.

No operator of a mine shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.

Section 1563.17 | Break-throughs and brattices.

• Effective: June 14, 2000
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 601 - 123rd General Assembly

From a point where the seam is reached in the opening of an underground mine, to a point not exceeding a distance of four hundred feet therefrom, break-throughs shall be made between mine entries, where there are no rooms worked, not more than one hundred feet apart, provided such entries are not advanced beyond the point where the break-through will be made until the break-through is complete. Break-throughs between entries, except as provided in this section, shall be made not exceeding sixty feet apart. Where there is a solid block on one side of the room, break-throughs shall be made between such room and the adjacent room not to exceed sixty feet apart; where there is a breast or group of rooms, a break-through shall be made on one side or the other of each room, except the room adjoining the block not to exceed forty feet from the outside corner of the break-through to the nearest corner of the entrance to the room, and on the opposite side of the same room a break-through shall be made not to exceed eighty feet from the outside corner of the break-through to the nearest corner of the entrance to the room, and thereafter break-throughs shall be made not to exceed eighty feet apart on each side of the room. No working place, except those provided for within a distance of four hundred feet of the principal opening of a mine, shall be driven more than eighty feet in advance of a break-through or airway. The required air current shall be distributed to the working face of such entry or room. All break-throughs between entries, and when necessary between rooms, except the one nearest the working face, shall be closed and made airtight by brattice, trap doors, or other means, so that the current of air in circulation may sweep to the interior of the mine. Brattices between permanent inlet and outlet airways shall be constructed in a substantial manner of brick, masonry, concrete, or nonperishable material, provided that in hand-loading and nongaseous mines such brattices may be of wood. In mines generating firedamp, so as to be detected by a flame safety lamp, the air current shall be conducted by brattice, or other means, near enough to the working face to expel the firedamp, and prevent the accumulation of same. With the approval of the chief of the division of mineral resources management, a greater distance than specified in this section may be allowed between break-throughs. Any operator of a mine desiring to allow a greater distance between break-throughs than specified in this section shall file a written request to do so with the chief, together with a map of the mining and ventilating system for which approval and permission are asked, attached thereto, and the map shall become a part of the records in the office of the chief.

No operator of a mine shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.

Section 1563.18 | Separate traveling ways.

• Effective: October 29, 1995
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly

The operator of a mine shall provide and maintain, in safe condition for the purpose provided, two separate and distinct traveling ways from the interior workings of the mine, each of which shall be available to at least one opening to the surface. One of such traveling ways may be designated by such operator as the principal traveling way. One of such traveling ways shall be designated as the escapement way, which shall be properly marked, clearly showing the direction to the outside. This section does not prohibit such operator from designating more than one principal traveling way or more than one escapement way, so long as this section is complied with. This section does not modify or change section 1563.17 of the Revised Code as to the making of break-throughs.

Except as provided in section 1563.14 of the Revised Code, at least two separate and distinct travelable passageways which are maintained to insure passage at all times of any person, including disabled persons, and which passageways are to be designated as escapeways. At least one escapeway ventilated with intake air shall be provided from each working section continuous to the surface escape drift openings or slope facilities to the surface. Such escapeways shall have man doors located throughout their length at distances not exceeding five hundred feet.

Except in situations where the height of the coal bed is less than five feet, escapeways shall be maintained at a height of at least five feet, excluding necessary roof support, and the travelway in each escapeway shall be maintained at a width of at least six feet. Where the height of the coal bed is less than five feet, the escapeway shall be maintained to the height of the coal bed, excluding any necessary roof support, and the travelway in such escapeways shall be maintained at a width of at least six feet.

Escapeways shall be maintained in a safe condition and the way of escape properly marked.

Updated maps of the escapeways shall be maintained on each working section.

No operator of a mine shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.

Section 1563.19 | Slopes and mechanical haulageways - refuge holes.

• Effective: October 29, 1995
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly

The operator of a mine worked by shaft shall provide, and keep free from obstruction, a traveling way or passageway from one side of the shaft bottom to the other. Slopes and mechanical haulageways used as traveling ways by persons employed in a mine shall be made of a sufficient width to give not less than three feet of space between the rib and adjacent side of car or mechanical device to permit persons to pass moving cars with safety. If found impracticable to make such slopes or mechanical haulageways of sufficient width as provided, refuge holes, properly marked and whitewashed, not less than six feet in width and clearing the adjacent rail of the tract not less than four feet, and not more than sixty feet apart, shall be made on one side of the slope or mechanical haulageway. The refuge holes shall be kept free from obstruction, and the roof and sides made secure. The deputy mine inspector may prohibit persons from walking such slope when cars are being hoisted or lowered upon it.

During each shift a certified person shall inspect all belt lines to determine if there is a violation of a mandatory health or safety standard.

No operator of a mine shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.

Section 1563.20 | Track in mines - minimum clearance.

• Effective: June 14, 2000
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 601 - 123rd General Assembly

For the protection of transportation workers, track shall be laid to provide a minimum clearance of fourteen inches on the side of the entry opposite the trolley or feed wire at all haulage turnouts and crossovers between butt entries, on gathering passageways, on room entries, and chutes between room entries, except that where brake handles are on the side of mine cars, the clearance shall be provided on the wire side of such entries as have the wire on the same side as the brake handles. The clearance specified in this section shall be measured horizontally between the topside of the widest mine car and the rib. This section does not apply to entries having been driven prior to September 2, 1941, or at any mine or section of a mine, where, in the opinion of the division of mineral resources management, the roof conditions are such as to require a width of entry not sufficient to provide the clearance set out in this section.

No operator of a mine shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.

Section 1563.21 | Location of boilers.

• Effective: October 29, 1995
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly

The permanent boilers used for generating steam, and the buildings containing the boilers, shall not be nearer than sixty feet to any mine opening, or to a building or inflammable structure connected with or surrounding such opening.

No owner, lessee, agent, or operator of a mine shall violate this section.

Section 1563.23 | Bathing facilities, clothing change rooms, and sanitary toilet facilities to be provided.

• Effective: October 29, 1995
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly

Each operator of an underground coal mine shall provide bathing facilities, clothing change rooms, and sanitary toilet facilities in a location at each mine convenient for the use of all mine employees. All such bathing facilities, change rooms, and sanitary toilet facilities shall be constructed and equipped so as to comply with applicable building codes. If no building code is applicable, such facilities shall be constructed and equipped so as to meet the minimum construction requirements of the national building code, and the minimum plumbing requirements of the U.S.A. standard plumbing code, ASA A40.8-1955.

Bathing facilities, change rooms, and sanitary toilet facilities shall meet the following minimum requirements:

(A) Showers shall be provided with both hot and cold water.

(B) At least one shower head shall be provided where five or fewer miners use such showers.

(C) Where five or more miners use such showers, sufficient additional showers shall be furnished to provide approximately one shower head for each five miners.

(D) A suitable cleansing agent shall be provided for use at each shower.

(E) At least one sanitary flush toilet shall be provided where ten or fewer miners use such facilities.

(F) Where ten or more miners use such sanitary toilet facilities, sufficient toilets shall be furnished to provide approximately one sanitary flush toilet for each ten miners.

(G) Where thirty or more miners use sanitary toilet facilities, one urinal may be substituted for one sanitary flush toilet, however, where such substitutions are made they shall not reduce the number of toilets below a ratio of two toilets to one urinal.

(H) An adequate supply of toilet paper shall be provided with each toilet.

(I) Adequate handwashing facilities or hand lavatories shall be provided in or adjacent to each toilet facility.

(J) Individual clothes storage containers or lockers shall be provided for storage of miners' clothing and other incidental personal belongings during and between shifts.

(K) Change rooms shall be provided with ample space to permit the use of such facilities by all miners changing clothes prior to and after each shift.

No operator of a mine shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.

Section 1563.24 | Mine foreperson of gaseous mine - powers and duties.

• Effective: September 29, 2011
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 153 - 129th General Assembly

In all mines generating methane in such quantities as to be considered a gaseous mine under section 1563.02 of the Revised Code, the mine foreperson of such a mine shall:

(A) Employ a sufficient number of competent persons holding foreperson of gaseous mines or fire boss certificates, except as provided in section 1565.02 of the Revised Code, to examine the working places whether they are in actual course of working or not, and the traveling ways and entrances to old workings with approved flame safety lamps, all of which shall be done not more than three hours prior to the time fixed for the employees to enter the mine;

(B) Have all old parts of the mine not in the actual course of working, but that are open and safe to travel, examined not less than once each three days by a competent person who holds a foreperson of gaseous mines or a fire boss certificate;

(C) See that all parts of the mine not sealed off as provided in section 1563.41 of the Revised Code are kept free from standing gas, and upon the discovery of any standing gas, see that the entrance to the place where the gas is so discovered is fenced off and marked with a sign upon which is written the word "danger," and the sign shall so remain until the gas has been removed;

(D) Have the mine examined on all idle days, holidays, and Sundays on which employees are required to work therein;

(E) If more than three hours elapse between shifts, have the places in which the succeeding shift works examined by a competent person who holds a foreperson of gaseous mines or fire boss certificate;

(F) See that this chapter and Chapters 1561., 1565., and 1567. and applicable provisions of Chapter 1509. of the Revised Code, with regard to examination of working places, removal of standing gas, and fencing off of dangerous places, are complied with before the employees employed by the mine foreperson for this particular work are permitted to do any other work;

(G) Have a report made on the blackboard provided for in section 1567.06 of the Revised Code, which report shall show the condition of the mine as to the presence of gas and the place where such gas is present, if there is any, before the mine foreperson permits the employees to enter the mine;

(H) Have reports of the duties and activities enumerated in this section signed by the person who makes the examination. The reports so signed shall be sent once each week to the deputy mine inspector of the district in which the mine is located on blanks furnished by the division of mineral resources management for that purpose, and a copy of the report shall be kept on file at the mine.

(I) Have the fire boss record a report after each examination, in ink, in the fire boss' record book, which book shall show the time taken in making the examination and also clearly state the nature and location of any danger that was discovered in any room, entry, or other place in the mine, and, if any danger was discovered, the fire boss shall immediately report the location thereof to the mine foreperson.

No person shall enter the mine until the fire bosses return to the mine office on the surface, or to a station located in the mine, where a record book as provided for in this section shall be kept and signed by the person making the examination, and report to the oncoming mine foreperson that the mine is in safe condition for the employees to enter. When a station is located in any mine, the fire bosses shall sign also the report entered in the record book in the mine office on the surface. The record books of the fire bosses shall at all times during working hours be accessible to the deputy mine inspector and the employees of the mine.

In every mine generating explosive gas in quantities sufficient to be detected by an approved flame safety lamp, when the working portions are one mile or more from the entrance to the mine or from the bottom of the shaft or slope, a permanent station of suitable dimensions may be erected by the mine foreperson, provided that the location is approved by the deputy mine inspector, for the use of the fire bosses, and a fireproof vault of ample strength shall be erected in the station of brick, stone, or concrete, in which the temporary record book of the fire bosses, as described in this section, shall be kept. No person, except a mine foreperson of gaseous mines, and in case of necessity such other persons as are designated by the mine foreperson, shall pass beyond the permanent station and danger signal until the mine has been examined by a fire boss, and the mine or certain portions thereof reported by the fire boss to be safe.

This section does not prevent a mine foreperson or foreperson of gaseous mines from being qualified to act and acting in the capacity of fire boss. The record book shall be supplied by the division and purchased by the operator.

No mine foreperson or person delegated by the mine foreperson, or any operator of a mine, or other person, shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.

Section 1563.25 | Accumulation of combustible materials prohibited.

• Effective: October 29, 1995
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly

Coal dust, loose coal, and other combustible materials shall not be permitted to accumulate in any active workings. Where mining operations raise an excessive amount of dust into the air, water or water with a wetting agent added to it, or other effective methods, shall be used to allay such dust at its source.

No operator of a mine shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.

Section 1563.26 | Rock dusting - testing of dust samples.

• Effective: June 14, 2000
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 601 - 123rd General Assembly

All mines, except those mines or locations in a mine that are too wet or too high in incombustible content to propagate an explosion, shall be rock dusted. The rock dusting shall be done with such regularity and frequency that all surfaces required to be rock dusted shall be kept in such condition that the incombustible content of the adhering and lodging dust is not less than sixty-five per cent. When methane is present in any ventilating current, such incombustible content shall be not less than sixty-five per cent plus one and four-tenths per cent for each one tenth of one per cent of methane so present.

The rock dust to be used shall be pulverized limestone or any other material containing less than five per cent combustible material. All dust shall be so pulverized that it will all go through a sieve that has twenty openings to the linear inch and at least fifty per cent of such dust shall pass through a sieve with two hundred openings to the linear inch. The rock dust shall not contain more than four per cent free silicon and silicon dioxide.

The rock dust shall be distributed on top, bottom, and sides of all haulageways, traveling ways, developing entries, and rooms to within forty feet of face. Back entries shall be rock dusted for at least one thousand feet out by the junction with the first active entry.

In coal mines where rock dusting is required, the superintendent shall see that a representative sample of dust is gathered at each sampling point from the roof, sides, and floor of all entries by a competent person once each sixty days and tested to determine if any part of the mine requires redusting, and a record shall be kept in a book furnished by the division of mineral resources management for that purpose. Such books shall be kept in the mine office. Such record shall show the location at which samples have been taken and the results of the analyses or tests. The distance between sampling points on haulageways and traveling ways shall not exceed two thousand feet, but in developing entries and in entries producing coal from rooms or pillars and their parallel entries the distance between sampling points shall not exceed five hundred feet.

No operator of a mine shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.

Section 1563.27 | Examination of working place by mine foreman.

• Effective: October 29, 1995
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly

The mine foreman shall examine or have examined the working place of each person working in the mine on each coal-producing shift that such person is working in such working place or more often when the circumstances so require. In case the mine foreman should delegate such duty of inspecting working places, when men are at the faces, the person to whom he delegates such authority shall be certified. As evidence of such examination, the mine foreman or the certified person delegated by him for such examination shall mark with chalk upon the face of the coal or upon some other conspicuous place, his initials and the time and date of the month upon which such examination is made. During such examination of the working places, the condition of the roof and timbering shall be observed, and when necessary, instructions shall be issued to the workmen therein as to the proper method of timbering for the security of the roof. He shall instruct pick miners and machine men regarding the width of the working places. The examination provided for in this section shall be made at least once each coal-producing shift by a certified man.

No person shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.

Section 1563.28 | Examination of working place by fire boss.

• Effective: September 29, 2011
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 153 - 129th General Assembly

The worker performing the duties of fire boss shall, in an approved manner, use a flame safety lamp when making examinations under this chapter and Chapters 1561., 1565., and 1567. and applicable provisions of Chapter 1509. of the Revised Code. As evidence of such examinations the fire boss shall mark with chalk, upon the face of the coal or in some other conspicuous place, the fire boss's initials and the date of the month that the examination is made, and shall fully comply with all the law relating to gas and the fire boss's duties as to making such examinations. After making such an examination and report, prior to employees entering the mine for the oncoming shift, the fire boss who made the examination or another fire boss shall return to the working places with the employees at the starting time of the oncoming shift.

No person shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.

Section 1563.29 | Examination of working place by miner.

• Effective: October 29, 1995
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly

Each miner shall examine his working place upon entering it, and shall not commence to mine or load until it is made safe. He shall be very careful to keep his working place in a safe condition.

Section 1563.30 | Unsafe working place.

• Effective: October 29, 1995
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly

When a working place becomes unsafe, the mine foreman shall order the persons working therein to cease mining or loading, and not remain in such working place, until it is safe, except as is necessary to make it safe.

No person shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.

Section 1563.31 | Work to cease when working place found dangerous.

• Effective: October 29, 1995
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly

If a miner finds his place becoming dangerous, he shall at once cease work and notify the mine foreman, or other person acting for the mine foreman, of such danger and, upon leaving such place, he shall place some plain warning at the entrance thereto to warn others from entering into the danger. Such miner shall not return until ordered to do so by the mine foreman.

No person shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.

Section 1563.32 | Fencing of dangerous places - danger signs.

• Effective: October 29, 1995
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly

The mine foreman shall see that all dangerous places and old workings are properly fenced off, and proper dangersignal boards are hung on such fencing so that they may be plainly seen. He shall also travel all airways, and examine all the accessible openings to old workings as often as is necessary to insure their safety. All signs placed by the mine foreman under this section shall be marked "danger."

No person shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.

Section 1563.33 | Roof control system and plan.

• Effective: June 14, 2000
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 601 - 123rd General Assembly

Each operator shall carry out on a continuing basis a program to improve the roof control system of each coal mine and the means and measures to accomplish such system. The roof and ribs of all active underground roadways, travelways, and working places shall be supported or otherwise controlled adequately to protect persons from falls of the roof or ribs. A roof control plan and revisions thereof suitable to the roof conditions and mining system of each coal mine and approved by the chief of the division of mineral resources management shall be adopted and set out in printed form on or before January 1, 1977. The plan shall show the type of support and spacing approved by the chief. Such plan shall be reviewed periodically, at least every six months by the chief, taking into consideration any falls of roof or ribs or inadequacy of support of roof or ribs. No person may proceed beyond the last permanent support unless adequate temporary support is provided or unless such temporary support is not required under the approved roof control plan and the absence of such support will not pose a hazard to the miners. A copy of the plan shall be furnished to the chief or the chief's authorized representative and shall be available to the miners and their representatives.

No person shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.

Section 1563.34 | Operator program for improving roof control systems.

• Effective: June 14, 2000
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 601 - 123rd General Assembly

Each operator shall adopt an adequate program for improving roof control systems. This program shall include a roof control plan, provision for the training of miners, a history of all unintentional roof falls, and systematic evaluation of the effectiveness of the roof control system in use. Each operator shall adopt a roof control plan suitable to the roof conditions and the mining system for all underground roadways, travelways including escapeways, and working places of each mine. Roof control plans shall be filed with the chief of the division of mineral resources management. The chief shall notify the operator in writing of the approval of a proposed roof control plan. If revisions are required for approval, the changes required shall be specified and the operator shall be afforded an opportunity to discuss the revisions with the chief.

A roof control plan shall include the following information:

(A) Name and address of the company;

(B) Name and address of the mine;

(C) Names and addresses of the responsible officials;

(D) Area of the mine covered by the roof control plan;

(E) A columnar section of the mine strata that shall:

(1) Show the name and thickness of the coalbed and any persistent partings;

(2) Identify by type and show the thickness of each stratum (rock layer) up to and including the main roof over and for ten feet under the coalbed;

(3) Show the maximum cover over the mining area covered included in the roof control plan.

(F) A description of the sequence of mining and installation of supports including temporary supports. The description shall include:

(1) Drawings on eight and one-half by eleven inch paper or on paper folded to this size, showing the location of all roof, face, and rib supports for each method of mining employed at the mines. The scale shall be specified and not less than five feet to the inch nor more than twenty feet to the inch. A legend explaining all the symbols used shall also be included on the drawings.

(2) A list of all roof support materials employed in the roof control system including, where applicable, the name of the manufacturer and its designation for the item. Prior approval shall be obtained before making any changes in the materials listed.

No person shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.

Section 1563.35 | Criteria or specifications applied to plans.

• Effective: June 14, 2000
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 601 - 123rd General Assembly

The chief of the division of mineral resources management shall approve roof control plans on a mine-by-mine basis in accordance with the criteria or specifications set forth in this section. Additional measures may be required. Roof control plans that do not conform to these criteria or specifications may be approved if the operator satisfies the chief that the resultant roof conditions will provide no less protection to the miners.

(A) The following criteria apply to full roof bolting plans. A full roof bolting plan is one in which roof bolts constitute the sole means of roof support at a face as part of the normal mining cycle.

(1) Roof bolt assemblies shall meet the following specifications:

(a) All components of the roof bolt assembly shall comply with the American national standards institute, "specifications for roof bolting materials in coal mines."

(b) Roof bolts that provide support by creating a beam of laminated strata shall be of a length that assures adequate anchorage, but in no case may the length of the bolt be less than thirty inches.

(c) Roof bolts that provide support by suspending the immediate roof from a stronger overlying strata shall be of a length that permits anchoring at least twelve inches in the stronger strata.

(d) Bearing plates used directly against the mine roof shall be not less than six inches square or of equivalent area. In exceptional cases where the mine roof is firm and not susceptible to sloughing, bearing plates five inches square or of equivalent area may be used.

(e) When wooden material such as planks, header blocks, and crossbars are used between the bearing plate and the roof for additional bearing, the use shall be limited to short life openings, not to exceed three years, unless treated. Bearing plates used in conjunction with wooden materials shall be not less than four inches square or of equivalent area.

(f) When washers are used, the shape of such washers shall conform to the shape of roof bolt head and the shape of the bearing plate and such washers shall be of sufficient strength to withstand loads up to the yield point of the roof bolt.

(2) Full roof bolting plan installation practices shall meet the following criteria:

(a) Finishing bits shall be easily identifiable by sight or feel and the diameter shall be within a tolerance of plus thirty thousandths of one inch minus zero of the manufacturer's recommended hole diameter for the anchor used.

(b) Torque ranges specified in the roof control plan shall be capable of providing roof bolt loads to within plus or minus one thousand pounds of fifty per cent of either the yield point of the roof bolt being used or the anchorage capacity of the strata, whichever is less. In no case, however, shall installed torques provide loads that exceed the yield point of the roof bolt being used or the anchorage capacity. Relationships for determining roof bolt load for torque applied are as follows:

	Expansion typeroof bolt(in inches)	Pounds of loadper foot-poundof torque
Cone neck or self-centering roof bolt
	5/8	30
	3/4	30
Standard roof bolt without hard washer or lubricant
	5/8	50
	3/4	40
Standard roof bolt with hard washer or lubricant
	5/8	60
	3/4	60

(c) Each operator shall outline and describe roof bolt testing procedures to be followed in the roof control plan. The procedures to be followed shall include:

(i) Providing and maintaining an approved, calibrated torque wrench on each roof bolting machine. An approved wrench shall be one that will indicate the actual torque on the roof bolt.

(ii) Designating a qualified person to spot-check torques on at least twenty-five per cent of the roof bolts immediately after the working place has been fully bolted. If the majority of the installed torques fall outside the recommended range, the remaining roof bolts in the working place shall be tested. If the majority of the torques still fall outside the recommended range, necessary adjustments in the equipment used for tightening the roof bolts shall be made immediately. If, after adjustments are made and required torques are not achieved, supplementary support such as additional roof bolts, longer bolts with adequate anchorage, posts, cribs, or crossbars shall be installed.

(iii) On a daily basis, spot-check torques on at least ten per cent of the roof bolts from the outby corner of the last open crosscut to the face and record the results. This record shall show the number of roof bolts tested, number of roof bolts below the recommended range, and the number of roof bolts above the recommended range. If results show that a majority of the roof bolts are not maintaining at least seventy per cent of the minimum torque required (fifty per cent if plates bear against wood), or have exceeded the maximum required torque by fifty per cent, supplementary support such as additional roof bolts, longer roof bolts with adequate anchorage, posts, cribs, or crossbars shall be installed until a review of the adequacy of the roof control plan is made by an authorized representative of the chief.

(d) Devices shall be used to compensate for the angle when roof bolts are installed at angles greater than five per cent from the perpendicular to the roof line.

(3) The roof bolting pattern shall meet the following criteria:

(a) Roof bolt spacing either lengthwise or crosswise shall not exceed five feet.

(b) Roof bolts shall be installed as close as possible to, but not more than five feet from, the rib before a sidecut is started.

(c) Roof bolts shall be installed as close as possible to, but not more than five feet from, the face before starting conventional cutting or a continuous miner run.

(4) Openings shall not exceed twenty feet in width where roof bolting is the sole means of roof support.

(B) A conventional roof control plan is one in which installation of materials other than roof bolts, such as metal or wood posts, jacks, or cribs, in conjunction with wooden cap blocks (half headers), footers (sills), planks, or beams, are installed as the sole means of roof support at a face as part of the normal mining cycle. The following criteria apply to conventional roof control plans:

(1) Support materials shall meet the following specifications:

(a) Posts shall be of solid, straight-grain wood with the ends sawed square and free from defects that would affect their strength.

(b) The diameter of round posts shall not be less than one inch for each fifteen inches of length, but in no case shall the diameter be less than four inches; split posts shall have a cross-sectional area equal to that required for round posts to equivalent length.

(c) Wooden cap blocks and footers shall have flat paralleled sides and be not less than two inches thick, four inches wide, and twelve inches long.

(d) Wooden crossbars and planks shall be straight and of solid wood. Crossbars shall have a minimum cross-sectional area of twenty-four square inches and the minimum thickness shall be three inches. Planks shall have a minimum cross-sectional area of eight square inches and a minimum thickness of one inch.

(e) Cribbing material shall be of wood having parallel flat sides. In no case may the crib be less than thirty inches square.

(2) Conventional roof control plan installation practices shall meet the following criteria:

(a) No more than two wooden wedges shall be used to install a post.

(b) Posts shall not be installed under roof susceptible to sloughing or under disturbed roof without a wooden cap block, plank, or crossbar between the post and the roof.

(c) Posts shall be installed tight and on solid footing.

(d) Blocks used for lagging between the roof and wooden crossbars, planks, or metal bars shall be spaced so that the load on the supports will be equally distributed.

(e) Cap blocks shall be used between jacks and the roof.

(3) The support pattern shall meet the following criteria:

(a) Spacing of roadway roof supports shall not exceed five feet.

(b) Width of roadways shall not exceed fourteen feet on the straight and sixteen feet on the curves.

(c) Roof supports shall be installed to within five feet of the uncut face; however, the supports nearest the face may be removed to facilitate the operation of face equipment if equivalent temporary support is installed prior to removal.

(d) When an opening is no longer needed for storing supplies or for travel of equipment, the roof at the entrance of all such openings along travelways shall be supported by extending the post line across the opening.

(4) Openings shall not exceed twenty feet in width where the roof is supported solely by conventional means.

(C) The following criteria apply to combination roof control plans. For a plan where both roof bolts and conventional supports are used for roof control at the face, the criteria for a full roof bolting plan and a conventional roof control plan shall apply with the following modifications:

(1) Any place being driven over twenty feet in width shall be supported in compliance with a combination roof control plan.

(2) The roadway shall be limited to sixteen feet in width on both the straight and the curves to within ten feet of the uncut face.

(3) A row of posts shall be set for each five feet of space between the roadway posts and the ribs.

(4) Openings shall not exceed thirty feet in width.

(D) The following criteria apply to spot roof bolting plans. Spot roof bolting may be used only as a supplement to the approved roof control plan at random locations where adverse roof conditions are encountered. Where spot roof bolting is used, the criteria in divisions (A)(1) and (2) of this section shall apply. In addition, roof bolts shall be installed in accordance with roof conditions, but in no case shall spacing exceed four feet lengthwise and crosswise. Roof bolting shall begin under safe roof and continue for the length of the adverse roof condition until safe roof is again encountered.

(E) The following criteria apply to pillar recovery plans. Any reduction in pillar size during second mining or intentional retreat mining shall be considered pillar recovery:

(1) Division (A), (B), or (C) of this section shall apply depending on whether the pillar recovery plan calls for conventional support or a combination of conventional support and roof bolting.

(2) During development, the size and shape of the pillars shall be dictated by the depth of cover, height of coal, and other conditions associated with the coal bed. The smallest dimension of the pillar may not be less than twenty feet.

(3) Pillar splits and lifts may not exceed twenty feet in width.

(4) A minimum of two rows of breaker posts or the equivalent shall be installed on not more than four foot centers across each opening leading into pillared areas and such posts shall be installed before production is started. Such posts shall be installed near the breakline between the lift being started and the gob.

(5) A row of roadside-radius (turn) posts or the equivalent shall be installed on not more than four foot centers leading into pillar splits, including secondary splits in slabs, wings, or fenders.

(6) The width of the roadway leading from the solid pillars to a final stump (pushout) may not exceed fourteen feet. At least two rows of posts or their equivalent shall be set on each side of the roadway on not more than four foot centers. Only one open roadway leading to a final stump (pushout) may be permitted.

(7) Before full pillar recovery is begun in areas where roof bolts were used as the sole means of roof support and openings are more than sixteen feet wide, supplementary support shall be installed on either side on not more than four foot centers lengthwise, and the width of all roadways may not exceed sixteen feet. These supports shall be extended from the entrance to the split for at least one full pillar outby the pillar in which the split is being made.

(8) The following criteria shall apply to open end pillaring:

(a) At least two rows of breaker posts or their equivalent shall be installed between the lift being started and the gob on not more than four foot centers before the initial cut is made and shall be extended to within seven feet of the face. The width of the roadway may not exceed fourteen feet.

(b) If the roof in open end pillaring has a tendency to hang, falls shall be made, or cribs installed in addition to the breakline posts between the active lift and the hanging area. The cribs may be set not more than eight feet apart. Heavy duty hydraulic jacks set at centers close enough to give equivalent support may be substituted for cribs, if such jacks are removed remotely.

(F) The following criteria apply to special roof control plans. A special roof control plan shall be adopted and followed when support is installed on an intermittent basis, but only at predetermined locations, such as at intersections, or when equipment is especially designed to provide either natural or artificial support as the coal is mined. Special roof control plans also cover experimental installations using new devices, materials, or methods for roof support.

(1) The following criteria apply to mining methods using continuous miners with integral roof bolting equipment where roof bolts are the sole means of roof support.

(a) The distance between roof bolts shall not exceed eight feet crosswise, unless additional material such as wooden planks, wooden beams, or metal straps are installed in conjunction with the roof bolts. Roof bolts installed more than eight feet, but less than nine feet apart shall be supplemented with a wooden plank at least two inches thick by eight inches wide or its equivalent. Roof bolts installed more than nine feet, but less than ten feet apart shall be supplemented with a wooden plank at least three inches thick by eight inches wide or its equivalent. Roof bolts may not be installed more than ten feet apart.

(b) Work in intersections, pillar splits, or other such places may not be started until additional support has been installed where the roof is supported with only two roof bolts crosswise. Such support shall reduce bolt spacing to a maximum of five feet.

(c) The maximum opening width where the roof may be supported by only two roof bolts crosswise is sixteen feet.

(d) The distance between the last row of bolts and the face may not exceed the distance from the head of the machine to the integral roof bolting equipment before starting a continuous miner run.

(2) Before any new support materials, devices, or systems are used as a sole means of roof support, their effectiveness shall be demonstrated by experimental installations in areas approved by the chief.

(G) The following criteria apply to temporary supports:

(1) The following criteria apply to the installation of temporary supports in faces:

(a) In areas where permanent artificial support is required temporary support shall be used until such permanent support is installed.

(b) Only those persons engaged in installing temporary support may be allowed to proceed beyond the last permanent support until such temporary supports are installed.

(c) A minimum of two temporary supports shall be installed on not more than five foot centers and within five feet of the rib or face when work is being done between such support and the nearest rib or face. At least four temporary supports shall be installed on not more than five foot centers when work is being done in other areas of the face inby the last permanent support. No person may be permitted to proceed beyond temporary support in any direction unless such support is within five feet of the rib face or permanent support.

(2) During rehabilitation work such as rebolting, installing crossbars, or other permanent roof support, taking down loose roof, and cleaning up falls of roof, temporary roof supports shall be installed and the following criteria shall apply:

(a) Where rebolting work is being done or crossbars are being installed, at least two rows of temporary supports on not more than five foot centers shall be installed across the place so that the work in progress is done between the installed temporary supports and permanent roof supports installed in sound roof. The distance between the permanent supports and the nearest temporary supports may not exceed five feet.

(b) Tools used to take down loose material shall be of a design that will enable workers to perform their duties from a safe position without exposure to falling material. Where loose material is being taken down, a minimum of two temporary supports on centers of not more than five feet shall be set between the workers and the material if such work cannot be done from an area supported by permanent roof supports.

(c) Where roof falls have occurred, a minimum of four temporary supports shall be set before starting any work in and around the affected area. These supports shall be located so as to provide the maximum protection for persons working in the area.

(H) Any operator who intends to recover roof supports shall include a detailed plan for such recovery in the roof control plan. The following criteria apply to recovery procedures:

(1) Recovery shall be done only under the direct supervision of a general mine foreperson, mine foreperson, or section foreperson.

(2) Except where circumstances preclude such assignment, only experienced miners shall be assigned to such work.

(3) The person supervising recovery shall make a careful examination and evaluation of the roof and designate each support to be recovered.

(4) Supports may not be recovered in the following areas:

(a) Where roof fractures are present or there are other indications of the roof being structurally weak;

(b) Where any second mining has been done;

(c) Where torque readings on roof bolts or visual observations of conventional support indicate excessive loading.

(5) Two rows of temporary supports on not more than four foot centers, lengthwise and crosswise, shall be set across the place, beginning not more than four feet inby the support being recovered. In addition, at least one temporary support shall be provided as close as practicable to the support being recovered.

(6) Temporary supports used may not be recovered unless recovery is done remotely from under roof where the permanent supports have not been disturbed and two rows of temporary support, set across the place on four foot centers, are maintained at all times between the workers and the unsupported area.

(7) No one may be permitted to enter any area from which supports have been recovered.

(8) Entrances to the areas from which supports are being recovered shall be marked with danger signs placed at conspicuous locations. The danger signs shall suffice as long as further support recovery work is being done in the area. If the recovery work is completed or suspended for three or more days, the areas shall be barricaded.

(I) No person shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.

Last updated March 22, 2022 at 3:14 PM

Section 1563.36 | Excessive widths of rooms and entries or faulty pillar recovery methods.

• Effective: October 29, 1995
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly

The method of mining followed in any coal mine shall not expose the miner to unusual dangers from roof falls caused by excessive widths of rooms and entries or faulty pillar recovery methods.

(A) The method of mining shall provide widths of openings and pillar dimensions compatible with effective roof control. These widths and dimensions shall be incorporated into the roof control plan submitted for approval.

Where excessive widths result from poor mining practices, additional roof support shall be installed before any travel or other work is done in such area. If excessive widths of openings are a result of coal sloughing, additional support shall be installed and the mining system reevaluated to determine changes that are necessary to minimize such occurrences.

(B) In addition to the criteria set forth in division (E) of section 1563.35 of the Revised Code, the following shall apply to pillar recovery:

(1) The overall pillar recovery system shall be designed to minimize the possibility of outbursts or squeezes. The manner and sequence of recovery shall be included in the roof control plan submitted for approval.

(2) Where full pillar recovery is being done, extraction shall be such as to allow total caving of the main roof in the pillared area.

(3) During partial pillar recovery sufficient coal shall be left in place to support the main roof to the extent that the possibility of undue forces overriding the working places will be minimized.

(4) A combination of full and partial pillar recovery shall not be conducted on the same pillar line.

(5) If full extraction of pillars is being done and physical conditions such as standing water, adverse roof conditions, and falls of roof, or law requirements concerning oil and gas wells or surface subsidence dictate that some pillars of coal are to be left in place, a sufficient amount of coal shall be left to support the main roof so as to minimize the possibility of undue forces overriding the working places.

(6) Where full recovery of pillars is planned, the design of the pillars shall be compatible with the planned method of extraction.

(7) Pillaring methods shall eliminate pillar points and pillars that project inby the brakeline.

(8) When recovering adjacent pillars left and right from the same opening, mining shall be completed in one such pillar left and the openings posted off with at least two rows of breaker posts on not more than four foot centers before operations are started in the second pillar.

(C) Longwall mining shall be considered as modification of the open-end method of pillar extraction and the support system for the longwall shall be approved on an individual basis.

(D) No person shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.

Section 1563.37 | Operator to supply roof support materials - roof bolts - testing of danger areas.

• Effective: June 14, 2000
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 601 - 123rd General Assembly

(A) The operator, in accordance with the approved plan, shall provide at or near each working face and at such other locations in the coal mines as the chief of the division of mineral resources management may prescribe an ample supply of suitable materials of proper size with which to secure the roof of all working places in a safe manner. Safety posts, jacks, or other approved devices shall be used to protect the workers when roof material is being taken down, crossbars are being installed, roof bolt holes are being drilled, roof bolts are being installed, and in such other circumstances as may be appropriate. Loose roof and overhanging or loose faces and ribs shall be taken down or supported. Except in the case of recovery work, supports knocked out shall be replaced promptly.

(B) The operator shall have an adequate supply of roof support material (including temporary supports) as specified in the approved roof control plan for the type of mining being conducted as close as practical to the working face, but not farther away than the first open crosscut outby the working face unless storing of such supplies in this area poses a hazard to the miner. In such cases supplies shall be stored at an alternate location approved by an authorized representative of the chief. Where mining equipment such as roof drilling machines or timbering machines are required to install the supports, such support material may be transported from place to place on the equipment. An adequate supply shall be defined as sufficient material including temporary supports, to support roof exposed by one complete cycle of mining. An additional supply of supplementary roof support materials, such as posts, jacks, crossbars, or different length roof bolts, shall be located within fifty feet of each working section in the event adverse roof conditions, such as water coming from the roof, slips, washouts, wants, or roof cracks, are encountered.

(C) When installation of roof bolts is permitted, such roof bolts shall be tested in accordance with the approved roof control plan.

(D) The criteria that may be required in the roof control plan for testing installed roof bolts are set forth in divisions (A)(2)(c)(ii) and (iii) of section 1563.35 of the Revised Code.

(E) Roof bolts shall not be recovered where complete extractions of pillars are attempted, where adjacent to clay veins, or at the locations of other irregularities, whether natural or otherwise, that induce abnormal hazards. Where roof bolts recovery is permitted, it may be conducted only in accordance with methods prescribed in the approved roof control plan, and it shall be conducted by experienced miners, but only where adequate temporary support is provided.

(F) To assure that miners are protected during roof bolt recovery work, the operator shall conform with criteria set forth in division (H) of section 1563.35 of the Revised Code.

(G) Where miners are exposed to danger from falls of roof, face, and ribs, the operator shall examine and test the roof, face, and ribs before any work or machine is started, and as frequently thereafter as may be necessary to insure safety. When dangerous conditions are found, they shall be corrected immediately.

(H) No person shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.

Section 1563.39 | Precautions when working place approaches completed or abandoned workings.

• Effective: October 29, 1995
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly

When any working place approaches within fifty feet of accurately surveyed completed workings in the same mine, or within two hundred feet of any other abandoned workings, that cannot be inspected and which may contain dangerous accumulations of water or gas, boreholes shall be drilled at least twenty feet in advance of the face, and forty-five degree angle rib holes shall be drilled at least twenty feet deep and not more than eight feet apart in one or both ribs as may be necessary for adequate protection. Completed workings are accurately surveyed when a competent engineer or surveyor has certified as to the surveying and recording thereof.

No operator of a mine shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.

Section 1563.40 | Closing of openings to abandoned mines - closing abandoned vertical shafts.

• Effective: June 14, 2000
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 601 - 123rd General Assembly

The operator shall effectively close or fence all openings to mines abandoned after June 3, 1941, so that persons or animals cannot inadvertently enter therein.

Abandoned vertical shafts and other abandoned openings leading to underground workings, which shafts and other openings are abandoned after August 26, 1949, shall be closed within ninety days after abandonment as follows:

(A) Vertical shafts shall be completely filled with earth or other noncombustible material, or the top of such shaft shall be covered with a substantial reinforced concrete slab, the design of which has been approved by the chief of the division of mineral resources management.

(B) Other openings not potentially usable in later mining operations shall be closed with earth or masonry in a way that may reasonably be expected to prevent unauthorized persons from entering the same.

No operator of a mine shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.

Section 1563.41 | Sealing off abandoned workings.

• Effective: June 14, 2000
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 601 - 123rd General Assembly

The operator of a mine, before sealing off any abandoned workings, shall obtain the approval of the deputy mine inspector and the chief of the division of mineral resources management. The seals used in sealing off such workings, when approved by the chief, shall be constructed of not less than eighteen-inch concrete or masonry bulkheads effectively anchored to the ceiling, ribs, and floor, except where seals are used to seal abandoned individual panel or room entries, they shall be constructed of concrete or masonry bulkheads not less than six inches in thickness effectively anchored to the ceiling, ribs, and floor in a manner approved by the deputy mine inspector and the chief. All seals are to be bled or drained of gas in a manner approved by the deputy mine inspector and the chief.

No operator of a mine shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.

Section 1563.42 | Filing of map of abandoned mine.

• Effective: August 1, 2003
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 95 - 125th General Assembly

The operator of a mine, before the pillars are drawn previous to the abandonment of any part of the mine, shall have a correct map of such part of the mine made, showing its area and workings to the day of the abandonment and the pillars drawn previous to abandonment, and file such map within ninety days after the abandonment of such mine, in the office of the county recorder of the county where such mine is located, and with the chief of the division of mineral resources management. Such map shall have attached the usual certificate of the mining engineer making it, and the mine foreperson in charge of the underground workings of the mine, and such operator shall pay to the recorder for filing such map, a base fee of five dollars for services and a housing trust fee of five dollars pursuant to section 317.36 of the Revised Code.

No operator of a mine shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.

Section 1563.43 | When notice to chief required.

• Effective: June 14, 2000
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 601 - 123rd General Assembly

The operator of a mine shall give notice to the chief of the division of mineral resources management when:

(A) A change occurs in the name of a mine, in the name of the operator thereof, or in the officers of an incorporated company owning or operating such mine;

(B) Work is commenced opening a new shaft, slope, or mine;

(C) A mine is abandoned, or the working thereof is discontinued;

(D) The working of a mine is commenced, after an abandonment or discontinuance thereof for a period of more than three months;

(E) The pillars of a mine are about to be removed or robbed;

(F) A squeeze, crush, or fire occurs, or a dangerous body of gas is found, or any cause or change occurs that may seem to affect the safety of persons employed therein.

No operator of a mine shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.

Section 1563.45 | Abandoned mines recorded.

• Effective: October 29, 1995
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly

The county recorder, when presented with a map of an abandoned mine by the owner, lessee, or agent thereof, as provided for in section 1563.42 of the Revised Code, shall properly label, file, and preserve such map as a part of the records of the land upon which said mine is located.

Section 1563.46 | Injunction.

• Effective: June 14, 2000
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 601 - 123rd General Assembly

If the appliances of a mine for the safety of the persons working therein do not conform to this chapter and Chapters 1509., 1561., 1565., and 1567. of the Revised Code, or if the owner, lessee, or agent disregards the requirements of such chapters, on application by the chief of the division of mineral resources management, in the name of the state, any court of competent jurisdiction may enjoin or restrain the owner, lessee, or agent from operating such mine, until it conforms to such chapters. Such remedy shall be cumulative, and shall not affect any other proceedings authorized against the owner, lessee, or agent for the matter complained of in the action. The attorney general shall represent the chief in all actions under this section.

Section 1563.99 | Penalty.

• Effective: October 29, 1995
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly

Whoever knowingly violates any section of this chapter is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.