Chapter 1567 | Mine Equipment; Safety Provisions

Title 15 Conservation of Natural Resources

Section
Section 1567.01 \| Chapter does not apply to chapter 1514 activities. Effective: April 6, 2007 Latest Legislation: House Bill 443 - 126th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Nothing in this chapter applies to activities that are permitted and regulated under Chapter 1514. of the Revised Code.
Section 1567.02 \| Use of present machinery lawful - replacement of appliances and machinery. Effective: June 14, 2000 Latest Legislation: House Bill 601 - 123rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF In the operation of mines, mine owners, lessees, and their agents may continue to use the type of appliance and machinery owned or operated in such mines on September 2, 1941, in the manner permitted by the statutes in force on June 3, 1941, and until the mine in which such appliances or machinery are located is exhausted or abandoned; in the use of such appliances or machinery, they shall comply with the rules of the chief of the division of mineral resources management. In gaseous mines, as parts of such machinery or appliances become worn out and have to be replaced, the chief or the deputy mine inspector shall order that such replacement parts put the machinery or appliance in a condition or state, as far as practicable, to meet the requirements of the United States bureau of mines for permissible machinery or appliances; in case any piece of machinery or appliance is worn out and is not so connected with the use of other machinery and appliances as to make it necessary to replace such worn-out piece with the same type in order to continue the use of the connected appliances and machinery, the machinery or appliance purchased for such replacement shall be of a type made lawful under this chapter and Chapters 1561., 1563., and 1565. of the Revised Code, which in gaseous mines shall be of permissible or approved type. The chief, in making such rules, shall incorporate therein the statutes in force on June 3, 1941, governing the use of such appliances and machinery. If in the chief's opinion such statutes do not provide the required protection, additional rules to cover such use shall be made by the chief or by the deputy mine inspector, with the chief's approval. The deputy mine inspector and the electrical inspector shall, in their periodic inspection of the mines, report on the condition of all machinery and appliances to see that this section is being complied with.
Section 1567.03 \| Prohibited acts. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF No workman or other person shall knowingly injure a water gauge, barometer, thermometer, air course, brattice, equipment, or machinery, obstruct or throw open an airway, handle or disturb any part of the machinery of the hoisting engine of a mine, open a door of a mine and neglect to close it, endanger the mine or those working therein, disobey an order given in pursuance of law, or do a willful act which may endanger the lives and health of persons working therein, the security of a mine, or the machinery connected therewith.
Section 1567.04 \| Machine runners and helpers. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Machine runners and helpers shall use care while operating mining machines. They shall warn persons not engaged in the operation of a machine of the danger in going near the machine while it is in operation, and shall not permit such persons to remain near it while such machine is in operation. They shall examine the roof of the working place and see that it is safe before starting to operate the machine. When connecting the power cable to the electric wires, the machine runners and helpers shall make the negative or grounded connections before connecting to the positive, and when disconnecting the power cable, shall disconnect from the positive line before disconnecting the negative or grounded line. When positive feed wires extend into rooms, the machine runners and helpers shall connect such wires to the positive wire on the entry before connecting the power cable, and as soon as the power cable is disconnected, shall disconnect such wire from the wire on the entry. They shall use care that the cable does not make contact with metallic rails on the track, and shall avoid, where possible, leaving the cable in water. If they remove props which have been placed by the miner for the security of the roof, they shall reset such props as promptly as possible. No person shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.
Section 1567.05 \| Trespassing. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF No person, except employees of the mine and those permitted by law, shall enter any mine or go upon the property connected therewith, unless the consent of the owner, lessee, or agent has been secured, and then only when accompanied by a guide furnished by such owner, lessee, or agent. This does not prohibit persons seeking employment at such mine, or the authorized representatives of the employees, from entering upon the property as is necessary to make such application to the proper authority or to transact business, if such persons do not enter the mine until given permission to do so, and do not stand on the tracks or go near the machinery or other places of danger.
Section 1567.06 \| Examination of mine generating firedamp - posting or report. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF No person shall enter a mine generating firedamp, which can be detected by an approved flame safety lamp, until it has been reported safe by the person making the fire boss examination as prescribed by section 1563.24 of the Revised Code. This report shall be posted on a blackboard provided for that purpose at the main entrance to the mine. This section does not apply to the mine superintendent and mine foreman. No person shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.
Section 1567.07 \| Entry beyond danger signal. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF In gaseous and nongaseous mines, no person other than a mine foreman or fire boss, or owner, lessee, agent, or operator of the mine, or a representative of either accompanied by a mine foreman or fire boss, shall remove or go beyond any caution board or danger signal placed at the entrance to any working place or old workings in a mine, unless permitted to do so by either a mine foreman or a fire boss after such mine foreman or fire boss has acquainted himself with the danger lying beyond such caution board or danger signal.
Section 1567.08 \| Book of reports of mine condition and air measurements. Effective: June 14, 2000 Latest Legislation: House Bill 601 - 123rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The mine foreperson shall each day enter plainly or have entered in ink, in a book provided for that purpose, a report of the condition of the mine, which report shall clearly state any danger that such mine foreperson has observed during the day, or any danger reported to the mine foreperson by the mine foreperson's assistants, the fire bosses, or the shot firers when employed. The report shall also state whether or not there is a proper supply of material on hand for the safe working of the mine, and whether or not the requirements of the law are complied with. The mine foreperson shall also, once each week, enter plainly or have entered in ink, in the book, a true report of all air measurements required by this chapter and Chapters 1561., 1563., and 1565. of the Revised Code, designating the place, the area of each break-through and entry separately, the velocity of the air in each break-through and entry, and the number of workers employed in each separate split of air, with the date when the measurements were taken. The book shall be kept in the mine office at the mine, for examination by the deputy mine inspector, and by any person working in the mine, in the presence of the mine foreperson. The mine foreperson shall each day personally sign and certify to all facts entered and recorded in such book. The mine foreperson shall each day read carefully and personally sign in ink, and certify to such facts, all reports entered in the record book of the fire bosses. The record books shall be prescribed and supplied by the division of mineral resources management and purchased by the operator. No person shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.
Section 1567.09 \| Ventilation of mines. Effective: June 14, 2000 Latest Legislation: House Bill 601 - 123rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The operator of a mine shall provide and maintain the necessary artificial means of capacity and power capable of supplying the required ventilation, and shall maintain a sufficient volume of air, not less per minute than one hundred fifty cubic feet for each person measured at the point in the mine where distribution to the various working sections begins and distributed to the working faces so as to expel or dilute and render harmless, explosive, poisonous, and noxious gases. The air shall be measured at the last entry break-through in each working section to see that a sufficient volume of air, not less than nine thousand cubic feet per minute, is being distributed at such point, provided that in gaseous mines the volume of air maintained for each person shall be not less than two hundred cubic feet per minute measured at the point in the mine where distribution to the various working sections begins. No more than sixty-five workers shall be permitted to work on one continuous current of air or split of air except with the written consent of the chief of the division of mineral resources management, and in no case shall the number of workers exceed ninety. Air in which workers work or travel in mines shall be improved when it contains less than nineteen and one-half per cent oxygen, or more than one-half of one per cent carbon dioxide, or is contaminated with noxious or poisonous gases. If the air immediately returning from a split that ventilates any group of active workings contains more than one per cent methane, as determined with a permissible flame safety lamp, by air analysis, or by other recognized means of accurate detection, the ventilation shall be improved. If the air immediately returning from such a split contains one and one-half per cent methane, the employees shall be withdrawn from the mine or the portion of the mine affected thereby, and all power shall be cut off from such mine or portion of the mine until such dangerous condition has been corrected. If the air immediately returning from such a split contains one and one-half per cent or more of methane, but not more than two per cent of methane, withdrawal of the employees from such mine or portion of the mine and shutting off all power from such mine or portion of the mine shall not be required if all of the following requirements are met: (A) The volume of air provided and maintained in such split is equal to or in excess of eighteen thousand cubic feet of air per minute; (B) Only permissible electric equipment is used; (C) The air does not pass over trolley or other bare power wires; (D) An official certified under this chapter and Chapters 1561., 1563., and 1565. of the Revised Code is continually testing the gas content of the air during the mining operations therein. At working faces and other places where methane has accumulated and is likely to attain an explosive mixture, blasting shall not be done and the workers shall be removed from such working faces or places until such condition has been corrected. When the methane content of air in face operations exceeds one per cent at any point twelve or more inches from the roof, face, or rib, as determined by a permissible methane detector, a permissible flame safety lamp, or analysis, such condition shall be corrected by improving the ventilation promptly. The electric face equipment at such point shall be turned off and not turned back on until the methane condition is corrected by improving the ventilation. In gaseous mines, air that has passed through abandoned panel sections shall not be re-used to ventilate live workings. Mines that cannot comply with this requirement at once may continue to operate as at present for a reasonable length of time until future mine development and ventilation can be changed to permit compliance with this section. No operator of a mine shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.
Section 1567.10 \| Ventilating fans. Effective: June 14, 2000 Latest Legislation: House Bill 601 - 123rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Every outside fan installed after September 2, 1941, at any coal mine shall be placed at least twenty feet from the side or mouth of the shaft entry or slope with which it is connected for ventilating purposes and shall be of fireproof construction. Explosion doors shall be provided in a direct line with the mine opening. Upon the written order of the chief of the division of mineral resources management, all main mine fans installed after September 2, 1941, shall be so arranged that the ventilating current can be quickly reversed. No fan shall be reversed while workers are in the mine unless authority to do so is given, preferably in writing, by the mine foreperson, superintendent, state inspector, or other responsible person. The fan shall be inspected at least daily. Every main ventilating fan at nongaseous mines shall be kept in operation continuously day and night, unless operations are definitely suspended, except when written permission is given by the inspector to stop it. The permission, or a copy thereof, shall be posted by the mine foreperson in a conspicuous place at the entrances of the mine, and shall state the particular hours the fan may be stopped. The inspector may withdraw or modify such permission at any time and in any manner the inspector deems best. In all cases in which permission has been given by the inspector to stop the ventilating fan, the fan shall be started a sufficient length of time prior to the appointed time for any person working therein to enter, to clear the mine of explosive, poisonous, and noxious gases, and shall be kept in operation a sufficient length of time after the appointed time for such employees to leave their working places, for all persons to be out of the mine. Every main ventilating fan at gaseous mines shall be kept in operation continuously day and night unless operations are definitely suspended. Should it become necessary to stop the fan at any mine, gaseous or nongaseous, because of an accident to part of the machinery connected therewith, or by reason of any other unavoidable cause, the mine foreperson or the foreperson in charge shall, after first having provided for the safety of the persons employed in the mine, order the fans stopped for necessary repairs. Should the ventilating fans be stopped at any time for any reason at any gaseous mine for a period of time sufficient to cause a serious interruption of the ventilation, the source of electric power shall be forthwith disconnected from the mine, and the source of electric power shall not be reconnected with the mine until the fans have been started, and the mine has been examined by the mine foreperson, foreperson, or fire boss, and reported safe. A record of such examination shall be entered in the fire boss record book. The person in charge of the mine at the time of the examination is responsible for the execution of this latter provision. No operator of a mine shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.
Section 1567.11 \| Booster and blower fans. Effective: June 14, 2000 Latest Legislation: House Bill 601 - 123rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Booster and blower fans may be installed only with the approval of the chief of the division of mineral resources management, following the submission by the owner, lessee, or agent of a definite plan of ventilation in which it is proposed to use such fans and the reason therefor. No operator of a mine shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.
Section 1567.12 \| Accident to ventilating fan. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF In case of an accident to a ventilating fan, or its machinery, whereby the ventilation of the mine may be seriously interrupted, the electric power shall be shut off. The mine foreman shall order the men to withdraw from the mine immediately, and he shall not allow them to return to their work until the ventilation has been restored and the mine has been thoroughly examined by him, or by a foreman or fire boss, and reported safe. No person shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.
Section 1567.13 \| Supervision of ventilating apparatus and airways. Effective: June 14, 2000 Latest Legislation: House Bill 601 - 123rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The mine foreperson shall see that careful watch is kept over the ventilating apparatus and airways, and that the volume of the ventilating current is measured at least once each week at the inlet and outlet, at or near the face of all entries, and at that point in the mine where distribution to the various working sections begins. Such measurements shall be noted in duplicate on blanks furnished by the division of mineral resources management. On the first day of each month, the mine foreperson shall forward such blanks with the mine foreperson's signature thereon to the deputy mine inspector in the district in which the mine is located, and such blanks shall be properly filled in with the actual measurements so taken as prescribed in this section. On all examinations that the mine foreperson makes of the old workings, the mine foreperson shall mark on a conspicuous place with chalk the mine foreperson's initials and the date of the month of such examination. No person shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.
Section 1567.14 \| Entry into mine after interruption of ventilation. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Any person ordered by the mine foreman to withdraw from the mine because of the interruption of the ventilation shall not re-enter the mine until permission to do so has been granted after a thorough inspection has been made and the mine is found to be in a good and safe condition by the mine foreman.
Section 1567.15 \| Closing of ventilating doors. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Motormen, trip riders, and drivers in charge of haulage trips, passing through doors used as a means of directing the ventilation, shall see that such doors are closed promptly after the trip passes through. No person shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.
Section 1567.16 \| Electrical system - prohibited activities. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF No person shall damage or without authority alter, or make connection to, any portion of an electrical system of any mine location in this state.
Section 1567.17 \| Rules for use of direct current. Effective: June 14, 2000 Latest Legislation: House Bill 601 - 123rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Where direct current is used underground in mines, the following rules shall govern: (A) In determining the voltage limit the difference in potential shall not exceed three hundred twenty-five volts measured by a meter at the nearest switchboard except with the written approval of the chief of the division of mineral resources management. (B) For the protection of circuits, a switch and circuit breaker shall be installed in the ungrounded side of the circuit, but may be omitted from the return side. Fuses may be substituted for circuit breakers transmitting twenty-five kilowatts or less. Each circuit leading in the underground workings of such mine shall be provided with a suitable ammeter. Additional switches shall be installed in the ungrounded side of all branch circuits. (C) One side of grounded circuits shall be very efficiently insulated from the earth. (D) All trolley and feed wires shall be placed on the opposite side of the track from refuge holes or necks of room. All lines except telephone, shot firing, and signal lines shall be on the same side as the trolley lines. (E) All terminal ends of feed and trolley wires shall be guarded to prevent persons from inadvertently coming in contact with them. (F) No locomotive shall be operated by means of a person holding and sliding upon, or frequently making contact with, the positive wire with any device attached to the cable as a substitute for a trolley, except to move a locomotive out of traffic because of a broken trolley pole or fixtures attached thereto. This does not prohibit the operation of a locomotive by means of a cable without the use of the trolley, if the connection with and disconnection from the positive wire is made when the locomotive is not in motion. (G) Inside the mine the trolley wire shall be installed parallel to the gauge line of the rail and as far away as practical, and in no place closer than six inches from the gauge line, except where written permission is given by the chief. The trolley wire shall be securely supported on hangers efficiently insulated. Such hangers shall be placed at intervals of not exceeding thirty feet and at less intervals if it is necessary to prevent the sag between points of support exceeding three inches. Hangers installed after September 2, 1941, shall be of sufficient height to place the trolley wire within six inches of the roof or cross timbers at the point of trolley wire support, except where the trolley wire may be above the top of the normal seam or draw slate taken with the seam or six feet six inches from the top of the rail. (H) In underground workings all feed wires shall be in places either above the trolley wire on the same hangers, between trolley wire and rib, or on the rib as close to the roof as practicable, and securely supported on hangers sufficiently insulated, not more than fifty feet apart. If feed wires are installed in entries that are not equipped with trolleys, they are to be installed as close to the rib as practicable. (I) Recharging stations for battery locomotives located inside a mine shall be adequately ventilated at all times. All charging panels shall be equipped with automatic overload circuit breakers and ammeters. All refuse or movable material of an inflammable nature shall be kept out of such stations. (J) All trolley and positive feed wires crossing places where persons or animals are required to travel shall be safely guarded or protected from such persons or animals coming in contact with such wires, except where such wires are above the top of normal seam or draw slate taken with the seam, or six feet six inches from the top of the rail. (K) No trolley wire shall be extended into or maintained in any room while being used as a working place; no trolley or feed wire shall be extended into any entry beyond the outside corner of the last break-through, except in case of systems of mining or equipment approved by the chief. (L) When necessary to carry bare wires down shafts or slopes used as traveling ways, the wires shall be thoroughly protected so that persons cannot inadvertently come in contact with them. (M) When positive machine feed wires are extended into rooms, they shall be placed not nearer than four feet from the rail where the room is of sufficient width, and shall only be connected to the positive wire on the entry while in actual use. The wire used for making such connections shall be of sufficient length to reach across the entry, and when the same is disconnected, it shall be removed from the entry or be kept with the machine. No electric wires shall be extended into any room unless a one hundred fifty foot trailing cable will not reach the face of the room, and then not beyond the outside corner of the last break-through, except in the case of systems of mining and equipment approved by the chief. Means shall be provided by which machine runners may readily install the machine cable across the entry so as to render it free from ground, and so the cable will not come in contact with persons or animals required to travel such entry. (N) Any track or rail that is used as a return circuit shall be properly bonded. When metallic pipelines parallel a rail or track used for return, the pipe may be bonded to the rail at both ends to avoid electrolysis, and if the pipeline is of unusual length, intermediate bonds shall be installed. No pipeline or any part thereof shall be used exclusively as the return. In a section of a mine where electric detonators or electric squibs are used, metallic pipeline rails and return lines in that section shall be bonded together. (O) All lighting circuits of a mine, whether underground or outside, shall be installed in such a manner that they will not be a fire hazard or will not endanger persons coming in contact therewith. No operator of a mine shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.
Section 1567.18 \| Rules for use of alternating current. Effective: June 14, 2000 Latest Legislation: House Bill 601 - 123rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF When alternating current is used underground in mines, the following rules apply: (A) On all low voltage circuits all wires shall be protected by a switch and an automatic overload circuit breaker on each wire of the circuit, except that fuses may be substituted for circuit breakers in the case of lighting circuits and in the case of power circuits transmitting twenty-five kilowatts or less. All wires shall be insulated with a standard insulation and shall be placed between trolley wire and rib or on the rib as close to the roof as practicable and securely supported upon hangers efficiently insulated. Additional switches shall be installed in all branch circuits. All points of connection shall be properly protected so that persons cannot inadvertently come in contact therewith. No voltage in excess of two hundred sixty volts measured at the nearest switchboard shall be used in mobile machinery except with the written approval of the chief of the division of mineral resources management. (B) When high voltage circuits are used, all wires shall be provided with a suitable ammeter and protected by an oil-break switch on each wire of the circuit, such switch to be equipped with an automatic overload trip. All wires shall be insulated with a standard insulation at least fifty per cent higher than the standard for the commercial rated voltage between conductors and ground and installed in conduit or be lead covered with an additional covering of steel armor wire or steel tape, and all wire shall be subject to carrying capacity according to the rules of the national board of fire underwriters. This cable may be installed either in or on the bottom or in the location prescribed for direct current feed lines, except no further insulation shall be required than specified in this section. (C) No voltage in excess of eight thousand volts between conductor and ground may be used to operate semipermanent and permanent machinery except with the written approval of the chief. All installations shall be made in accordance with the accepted electrical standards and practices, especially with regard to protective switches, insulation materials, clearance danger signs, and gates. The location, ventilation, and protection against fire hazard and personal injury shall be subject to the approval of the chief. (D) The division of mineral resources management shall accept standard electrical practices in regard to the underground electrical installations and operation of alternating current equipment, but may augment the same to provide additional safeguards. When exercising this authority, the division shall give due consideration to the safety experience in regard to similar installations and the similar operation thereof under similar conditions. (E) The mine foreperson shall have posted at the mine opening, and in all permanent substations therein, a copy of instructions as to the method of resuscitation of persons suffering from electric shock. All persons working about such stations, or with electric machines, shall familiarize themselves with such rules. No operator of a mine shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.
Section 1567.19 \| Grounding of machines and armored cable using alternating current. Effective: June 14, 2000 Latest Legislation: House Bill 601 - 123rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF At all stripping mines where alternating current is used to operate shovels or to convert alternating current to direct current, and where the machines used for this purpose are installed on the shovel or building attached thereto, or where armored cables are used to conduct the current from the main transmission line to the shovel, all machines and armored cables so installed or used shall be grounded in a manner approved by the chief of the division of mineral resources management. No owner, lessee, agent, or operator of a mine shall violate this section.
Section 1567.20 \| Electrical equipment to be grounded. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The frame and bed plates of generators, transformers, motors other than low voltage mobile motors, and all metallic cable covering other than trailing cables, shall be efficiently grounded. No owner, lessee, agent, or operator of a mine shall violate this section.
Section 1567.21 \| Employment of shot firers. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF In gaseous mines or portions of mines as defined by section 1563.02 of the Revised Code, a sufficient number of shot firers shall be employed. The shot firer shall charge, tamp, and fire all holes properly placed, and refuse to charge any holes not properly placed. Whenever such shot firers are required to be employed, it shall be unlawful for any one other than a shot firer to charge, tamp, or fire any blast within such mine. No owner, lessee, or agent, or operator of a mine shall violate this section.
Section 1567.22 \| Use of black powder. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF In all gaseous mines, as defined in section 1563.02 of the Revised Code, no black powder shall be used for blasting coal and all shots shall be fired by a shot firer. No owner, lessee, agent, or operator of a mine shall violate this section.
Section 1567.23 \| Handling explosives in mines. Effective: June 14, 2000 Latest Legislation: House Bill 601 - 123rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF No employee, worker, or miner shall have in the employee's, worker's, or miner's possession inside of an underground mine more than one twenty-five pound keg or box of blasting powder or other explosives. Every person who has powder or other explosives in an underground mine shall keep the same in a wooden box suitable to contain the original container of such explosive. Such box shall be kept at all times at least twenty-five feet from the track and electric wire, no two of such boxes shall be kept within twenty-five feet of each other, nor shall blasting powder and high explosives be kept in the same box, and in no case shall detonating caps be kept in a box with blasting powder or high explosives. Where systems of mining are such that it is impracticable to comply with the first paragraph of this section, those requirements may be modified in writing by the chief of the division of mineral resources management, upon the request of the owner, lessee, or agent of such mine. No operator shall maintain or have a magazine for the storage of blasting powder or high explosives, including detonating caps, in the underground workings of any mine, except with the written permission of the chief. No employee or operator of a mine shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.
Section 1567.24 \| Conveyance of explosives. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Blasting powder or explosives shall not be taken into or out of a mine, or moved from place to place in a mine, along any entry or haulway where there are electric wires, while the power is on such wires, except when such powder or explosive is conveyed in insulated cars, boxes, or packages. No operator, or miner shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.
Section 1567.25 \| Explosives to be protected from contact with fire. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Whenever a workman is about to open a box, package, or keg, containing powder or other explosives, and while handling the same, he shall place and keep his lamp at least five feet distant from such explosives, and in such a position that the air current cannot convey sparks to it. No person shall approach nearer than five feet to any box, keg, or package, containing powder or other explosives, or within five feet of another person handling such explosives, with a naked lamp, lighted pipe, or other thing containing fire. No workman shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.
Section 1567.26 \| Explosives and tools on cages or stairways. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Powder, explosives, and working tools shall not be taken down or up a hoisting shaft in a cage when men are going down or up, nor shall such articles be taken down or up a stairway used for ingress and egress of persons. No miner or owner, lessee, agent, or operator of a mine shall violate this section.
Section 1567.27 \| Use of squibs and fuses - tamping. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF No employee in a mine, who is about to fire a shot with a squib, shall shorten the fuse, saturate it with oil, or ignite it, except at the extreme end; he shall see that all persons are out of danger from the probable effects of such shot, and if it is a rib shot, he shall notify the persons working next to him on said rib before firing said shot, and shall take measures to prevent anyone approaching by shouting "fire" immediately before lighting the fuse. When a squib is used and a shot misses fire, no person shall return until five minutes have elapsed. When a fuse is used and a shot misses fire, no person shall return until one hour has elapsed for each foot of fuse used. The needle used in preparing a blast shall be made of copper, and the tamping bar shall be made of wood, or shall be tipped with at least five inches of solid copper. No inflammable material, explosive in its nature, or any material that may create a spark, shall be used for tamping, and some soft material must always be placed next to the cartridge or explosive. When it is necessary to tamp dynamite, nothing but a wooden tamper shall be used. Two or more shots shall not be fired in the same face, unless all fuses used are at least twelve inches different in length, or unless the shots are fired simultaneously by electric caps or electric squibs.
Section 1567.30 \| Firing of shots - appointed times. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF At a mine where the firing of shots is restricted to specific times, no miner shall fire a shot until the time appointed for him to do so, and then only in such rotation as designated.
Section 1567.31 \| Drill holes. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF When a miner drills holes in the face of coal for blasting and such drill hole bottoms in the permanent roof, he shall not charge or fire such drill hole. No miner shall drill a new hole in such a way that any part of it shall be within twelve inches of any part of an unused drill hole or one in which there has been a misfired shot. No miner shall drill out or attempt to drill out the charge or tamping in a misfired shot.
Section 1567.32 \| Misfired shots. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF A miner after firing a shot shall not leave the mine until he has determined whether or not such shot has misfired. If a shot misfires, such miner shall so report to the foreman in charge of the section in which he works before he leaves the mine.
Section 1567.33 \| Examination after each blast. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF After each blast, the miner shall exercise great care in examining the roof and coal, and shall secure them safely before beginning to load coal. No person shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.
Section 1567.34 \| Solid shooting. Effective: June 14, 2000 Latest Legislation: House Bill 601 - 123rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The owner, lessee, or agent of any mine shall not order or permit solid shooting in a mine unless the owner, lessee, or agent has obtained written permission to do so from the chief of the division of mineral resources management, who may issue such permit when in the chief's judgment such solid shooting is necessary for the just and reasonably profitable operation of such mine. No owner, lessee, agent, or operator of a mine shall violate this section.
Section 1567.35 \| Use of gasoline, naphtha, kerosene, fuel oil or gas engine. Effective: April 6, 2007 Latest Legislation: House Bill 443 - 126th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF No gasoline, naphtha, kerosene, fuel oil, or gas engine shall be used in a mine, except for operating pumping machinery where electric, compressed air, or steam power is not available or cannot be transmitted to the pump, in which case the owner, lessee, or agent shall observe the following: (A) Notice shall be given to the chief of the division of mineral resources management before installing, and the installation and operation shall be subject to the chief's approval. (B) No wood or inflammable material shall be permitted within twenty-five feet of the engine. (C) The supply tank from which the gasoline, naphtha, kerosene, or fuel oil is fed to the engine shall be of metal, with a suitable screw cap opening, fitted with a gasket, so as to make the tank airtight and prevent the escape of gas into the atmosphere, and the tank kept free from leaks. (D) The gasoline, naphtha, kerosene, or fuel oil shall be fed from a tank to the carburetor or mixer by metal tubes securely connected so as to reduce the possibility of leaks to a minimum. (E) The exhaust from the engine shall be conducted by means of metal pipes into the return air current, so that the combustion fumes will not enter the workings of the mine where the workers are required to work, or be conducted in an upcast shaft or slope not used as a means of ingress or egress or through metal pipes to the surface. (F) At no time shall more than five gallons of such gasoline, naphtha, kerosene, or fuel oil be taken into the mine, including that in the supply tank. (G) No gasoline, naphtha, kerosene, or fuel oil shall be taken into the mine except in metallic cans, with a screw cap opening at the top, fitted with a suitable gasket. (H) No package, can, or supply tank of an engine, containing gasoline, naphtha, kerosene, or fuel oil, shall be opened until ready to make the transfer from the package or can to the supply tank, and in transferring, a funnel shall be used so as to avoid spilling the gasoline, naphtha, kerosene, or fuel oil, and the cap on the supply tank shall be immediately closed. (I) In no case shall the package, can, or supply tank be opened when an open light or other thing containing fire is within twenty-five feet of the same, provided that subject to the approval of the chief, the restrictions in the use of fuel oil in a mine shall not apply to mobile or portable machinery, if the mobile or portable machinery is used in a clay, limestone, shale, or any other mine not a coal mine. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit or impede the use of diesel equipment in an underground coal mine, provided that the chief approves the use of the equipment in underground mines and the equipment satisfies requirements established in rules adopted by the chief under section 1513.02 of the Revised Code governing the use of diesel equipment in underground mines. No owner, lessee, agent, or operator of a mine shall violate this section.
Section 1567.36 \| Fire extinguishers. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF At each permanent underground oil storage station there shall be two portable fire extinguishers and two hundred forty pounds of rock dust. One portable fire extinguisher shall be provided at each working section where twenty-five gallons or more of oil are stored in addition to extinguishers required under other sections of this chapter. No operator of a mine shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.
Section 1567.38 \| Use of locomotive and haulage equipment. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF At a mine, or in any part thereof, where a locomotive is detached from a moving train of cars for the purpose of dropping such cars past the locomotive, and the haulageway at such point is designated as the principal traveling way, a traveling way, not less than three feet wide, shall be provided on one side of that portion of the track from where the locomotive will be detached to the switch of the siding. Such traveling way shall be made on the same side of the track as the refuge holes. No locomotive shall be detached from a train of moving cars, for the purpose of making a drop thereof, more than one hundred feet from the switch of the siding. At an underground mine, or in any part thereof, each self-propelled personnel carrier shall be provided with an audible warning device, a sealed-beam headlight, or its equivalent, on each end, and reflectors on both ends and sides. In addition, each track mounted self-propelled piece of mobile equipment shall be provided with a suitable lifting jack and bar that shall be secured or carried in a tool compartment, two separate and independent braking systems properly installed and well maintained, and properly installed and well-maintained sanding devices, except that personnel carriers which transport not more than five men need not be equipped with such sanding devices. Each open type self-propelled personnel carrier shall be equipped with guards of sufficient strength and height to prevent personnel from being thrown from such carriers. Mantrips shall be operated independently of any loaded trip, empty trip, or supply trip, and may not be operated within three hundred feet of any trip, including another mantrip. A sufficient number of mantrips shall be provided to prevent overcrowding of men. Mantrips shall not be pushed. Where mantrips are operated by locomotives on slopes, such mantrips shall be coupled to the front and rear by locomotives capable of holding such mantrips. Where ropes are used on slopes for mantrip haulage, such conveyances shall be connected by chains or other no less effective devices between mantrip cars and the rope. Safety goggles or eyeshields shall be provided for all persons being transported on or operating open-type equipment. All trips, including trailers and sleds, shall be operated at speeds consistent with conditions and the equipment used, and shall be so controlled that they can be stopped within the limits of visibility. All mantrips shall be under the direction of a supervisor and the operator of each mantrip shall be familiar with the haulage safety rules. Men shall proceed in an orderly manner to and from mantrips and no person shall be permitted to get on or off a moving mantrip. Explosives and detonators shall not be permitted on any mantrip or hauled within five minutes before or after any mantrip. Mantrips shall not be permitted to proceed until the operator of the mantrip is assured that he has a clear road. Supplies or tools, except small hand tools or instruments, shall not be transported with men. At places where men enter or leave mantrip conveyances, ample clearance shall be provided and provisions made to prevent persons from coming in contact with energized electric circuits. The mine car next to a trolley locomotive shall not be used to transport men. Such cars may be used to transport small tools and supplies. This does not permit the transportation of large or bulky supplies such as shuttle car wheel units, or similar material. Drop-bottom cars used to transport men shall have the bottoms secured with an additional locking device. Extraneous materials or supplies shall not be transported on top of equipment, however, materials and supplies that are necessary for or related to the operation of such equipment may be transported on top of such equipment if a hazard is not introduced. The speed at which haulage equipment is operated shall be determined by the condition of the roadbed, rails, rail joints, switches, frogs, and other elements of the track and the type and condition of the haulage equipment. Track haulage roads shall have a continuous clearance on one side of at least twenty-four inches from the farthest projection of normal traffic. Where it is necessary to change the side on which clearance is provided, twenty-four inches of clearance shall be provided on both sides for a distance of not less than one hundred feet and warning signs should be posted at such locations. Track haulage roads developed after January 1, 1977, shall have clearance on the tight side of at least twelve inches from the farthest projection of normal traffic. A minimum clearance of six inches shall be maintained on the tight side of all track haulage roads developed prior to January 1, 1977. The clearance space on all track haulage roads shall be kept free of loose rock, supplies, and other loose materials. Positive stopblocks or derails shall be installed on all tracks near the top and at landing of shafts, slopes, and surface inclines. No operator of a mine shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.
Section 1567.39 \| Lights and signals for locomotives and cars - riding on locomotive - protection against runaway or self-propelled equipment. Effective: June 14, 2000 Latest Legislation: House Bill 601 - 123rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The operator of an underground coal mine, at which locomotives are used for hauling coal, shall keep a light on the front end of the locomotive when it is in use. When the locomotive is run ahead of the trip, and the trip rider is not required to ride the rear car of the trip, a signal, light, or marker, approved by the deputy mine inspector, shall be carried on the rear end of the trip to indicate when the trip has passed. Cars shall not be pushed ahead of the locomotive where it can be avoided. When cars are run ahead of the locomotive, a light shall be carried on the front end of the trip, and the cars shall not be moved at a speed greater than four miles per hour. When rope haulage is used, an enclosed light shall be carried on the front end of each train so hauled. A trip light, reflectors, or other devices approved by the chief of the division of mineral resources management shall be used on the rear of trips pulled and on the front of trips pushed or lowered in slopes. However, trip lights or other approved devices need not be used on cars being shifted to and from loading machines, on cars being handled at loading heads, during gathering operations at working faces, when trailing locomotives are used, or on trips pulled by animals. Cars on main haulage roads shall not be pushed, except where necessary to push cars from side tracks located near the working section to the producing entries and rooms, where necessary to clear switches and sidetracks, and on the approach to cages, slopes, and surface inclines. Warning lights or reflective signs or tapes shall be installed along haulage roads at locations of abrupt or sudden changes in the overhead clearance. No person, other than the locomotive operator and brakeperson, shall ride on a locomotive unless authorized by the mine foreperson, and then only when safe riding facilities are provided. Positive-acting stopblocks or derails shall be used where necessary to protect persons from danger of runaway haulage equipment. The operator of all self-propelled equipment including off-track equipment shall give an audible warning wherever persons may be endangered by the movement of the equipment. Locomotives and personnel carriers shall not approach within three hundred feet of preceding haulage equipment, except trailing locomotives that are an integral part of the trip. A total of at least thirty-six inches of unobstructed side clearance (both sides combined) shall be provided for all rubber-tired haulage equipment where such equipment is used. Off-track haulage roadways shall be maintained as free as practicable from bottom irregularities, debris, and wet or muddy conditions that affect the control of the equipment. Operators of self-propelled equipment shall face in the direction of travel. Mechanical steering and control devices shall be maintained so as to provide positive control at all times. All self-propelled, rubber-tired haulage equipment shall be equipped with well maintained brakes, lights, and a warning device. On and after January 1, 1977, all tram control switches on rubber-tired equipment shall be designed to provide automatic return to the stop or off position when released. No operator of a mine shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.
Section 1567.40 \| Riding on haulage trips. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF No person except those in charge of trips, superintendents, mine foremen, mine electricians, machinists, and blacksmiths, when required by their duty, shall ride on haulage trips, except where by mutual agreement in writing between the owner, lessee, or agent, and the employees, a special trip of empty cars is run for the purpose of taking employees into and out of the mine, or empty cars attached to loaded trips, which shall not be run at a speed exceeding eight miles per hour. No person except a trip rider shall ride on a loaded car, and he shall ride only the front or rear end of the trip.
Section 1567.41 \| Operation of trolley ahead of locomotive. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The motormen shall not run the locomotive with the trolley ahead of the locomotive, except in cases where they cannot do otherwise. In such case, the locomotive shall be run only at a speed of two miles per hour.
Section 1567.42 \| Riding on locomotive or cars. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The person in charge of trips shall warn persons forbidden to ride on the locomotive or cars, and shall not permit such persons to ride on locomotives or cars contrary to this chapter and Chapters 1561., 1563., and 1565. of the Revised Code.
Section 1567.43 \| Signal light. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The trip rider in charge of rope haulage trips shall see that the signal light, as required by section 1567.39 of the Revised Code, is in place and in proper condition before starting the trip. No person shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.
Section 1567.44 \| Handling cars. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Drivers shall use care in handling cars, especially going down grade and at junction points. No person shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.
Section 1567.45 \| Limitation on number of persons in cage or elevator - hoisting equipment safety examination. Effective: June 14, 2000 Latest Legislation: House Bill 601 - 123rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) When more than the lawful number of persons get on a cage or elevator to be lowered into a mine, or to be hoisted out of a mine, the person in charge of the lowering or hoisting of such persons shall order a sufficient number to get off such cage or elevator to comply with section 1567.49 of the Revised Code, and shall not lower or raise the cage until such order is complied with. (B) Every hoist used to transport persons at a coal mine shall be equipped with overspeed, overwind, and automatic stop controls. Every hoist-handling platform, cage, or other device used to transport persons shall be equipped with brakes capable of stopping the fully loaded platform, cage, or other device; with hoisting cable adequately strong to sustain the fully loaded platform, cage, or other device; and have a proper margin of safety. Cages, platforms, or other devices that are used to transport persons in shafts and slopes shall be equipped with safety catches or other no less effective devices approved by the chief of the division of mineral resources management that act quickly and effectively in an emergency, and such catches shall be tested at least once every two months. Hoisting equipment, including automatic elevators, that is used to transport persons shall be examined daily. Where persons are transported into or out of a coal mine by hoists, a qualified hoisting engineer shall be on duty while any person is underground, except that no such engineer is necessary for automatically operated cages, platforms, or elevators. Brakes on hoists used to transport persons shall be capable of stopping and holding the fully loaded platform, cage, or other device at any point in the shaft, slope, or incline. (C) All hoisting equipment at a mine, including automatic elevators, safety catches, and other devices approved by the chief, shall be examined daily, and the examination shall include, but not be limited to, the following: (1) A visual examination of the rope for wear, broken wires, and corrosion, especially at excessive strain points, such as near the attachments, where the rope rests on the sheaves and where the rope leaves the drum at both ends; (2) An examination of the rope fastenings for defects; (3) An examination of safety catches; (4) An examination of the cage, platforms, elevators, or other devices for loose, missing, or defective parts; (5) An examination of the head sheaves to check for broken flanges, defective bearings, rope alignment, and proper lubrication; (6) An observation of the lining and all other equipment and appurtenances installed in the shaft. A log or record of each daily examination of hoisting equipment shall be kept, listing each item examined. Each daily entry shall be signed by the person or persons making the examination. The reports of the examinations shall be read and countersigned by a responsible company official daily. (D) Hoists shall have rated capacities consistent with the loads handled and the recommended safety factors of the ropes used. An accurate and reliable indicator of the position of the cage, platform, skip, bucket, or cars shall be provided, and shall be placed so that it is in clear view of the hoisting engineer and shall be checked daily to determine its accuracy. The American national standards institute "specifications for the use of wire ropes for mines," M11.1-1960, or the latest revision thereof, shall be used as a guide in the use, selection, installation, and maintenance of wire ropes used for hoisting. Alterations or changes in a hoist that affect the rated capacity shall be made only with the approval of the chief. (E) There shall be at least two effective methods approved by the chief of signaling between each of the shaft stations and the hoist room, one of which shall be a telephone or speaking tube. One of the methods used to communicate between shaft stations and the hoist room shall give signals that can be heard by the hoisting engineer at all times while workers are underground. Signaling systems used for communication between shaft stations and the hoist room shall be tested daily. Other safeguards adequate, in the judgment of the chief or a deputy mine inspector, to minimize hazards with respect to transportation of workers and materials shall be provided. Divisions (E)(1), (2), and (3) of this section set forth the criteria by which the chief or a deputy mine inspector shall be guided in requiring other safeguards on a mine-by-mine basis. The chief or deputy mine inspector shall notify the operator in writing of any additional specific safeguard the chief or deputy mine inspector requires and shall fix a time in which the operator shall comply. If the safeguard is not provided within the time fixed and if it is not maintained thereafter, a notice of violation shall be issued to the operator. (1) Hoists and elevators used to transport materials shall be equipped with brakes capable of stopping and holding the fully loaded platform, cage, skip, car, or other device at any point in the shaft, slope, or incline. (2) The clutch of a free-drum on a worker hoist shall be provided with a locking mechanism or interlocked with the brake to prevent the accidental withdrawal of the clutch. The hoist rope attached to a cage, worker car, or trip shall be equipped with two bridle chains or cables connected securely to the rope at least three feet above the attaching device and to the cross-piece of the cage, worker car, or trip. The hoist rope shall have at least three full turns on the drum when extended to its maximum working length and shall make at least one full turn on the drum shaft or around the spoke of the drum in the case of a free drum, and be fastened securely. Cages used for hoisting workers shall be constructed with the sides enclosed to a height of at least six feet and shall have gates, safety chains, or bars across the ends of the cage when workers are being hoisted or lowered. Self-dumping cages, platforms, or other devices used for transportation of workers shall have a locking device to prevent tilting when workers are transported thereon. An attendant shall be on duty at the surface when workers are being hoisted or lowered at the beginning and end of each operating shift. Precautions shall be taken to protect persons working in shaft sumps. Workers shall wear safety belts while doing work in or over shafts. (3) The doors of automatic elevators shall be equipped with interlocking switches so arranged that the elevator car will be immovable while any door is opened or unlocked, and arranged so that such door or doors cannot be inadvertently opened when the elevator car is not at a landing. A "stop" switch shall be provided in the automatic elevator compartment that will permit the elevator to be stopped at any location in the shaft. A slack cable device shall be used where appropriate on automatic elevators that will automatically shut off the power and apply the brakes in the event the elevator is obstructed while descending. Each automatic elevator shall be provided with a telephone or other effective communication system by which aid or assistance can be obtained promptly. No person shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.
Section 1567.46 \| Windlass required. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF When the only means of egress is by vertical shaft in which cages or elevators are used as a means of hoisting persons employed in a mine, and the power for operating same is derived from but one source, the owner, lessee, or agent shall provide and keep on hand a suitable windlass capable of hoisting persons from the mine, for use in the event of an accident to the hoisting apparatus or the power by which the same is operated. No operator of a mine shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.
Section 1567.47 \| Qualifications of persons in charge of hoisting engine. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The owner, lessee, or agent of a mine worked by a shaft or slope, shall put only experienced, competent, and sober persons in charge of an engine used for lowering into or hoisting out of such mine persons employed therein. No owner, lessee, agent, or operator of a mine shall violate this section.
Section 1567.48 \| Safe appliances for ingress and egress in shaft. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The operator of a mine shall provide and maintain safe appliances, approved by the deputy mine inspector, for the ingress and egress of persons in each shaft, designated by such owner, lessee, or agent as a means of ingress and egress for persons employed therein. When there is but one shaft available for ingress and egress from any unavoidable cause, the appliances therein shall be kept available at all times to persons employed in such mine. When such appliances in any shaft are rendered unavailable, the same shall be restored without delay. No operator of a mine shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.
Section 1567.49 \| Lowering and hoisting of persons by vertical shaft. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The operator of a mine, at which the only means of ingress and egress for the persons employed therein is by a vertical shaft of fifty feet or more in depth, shall designate one or more persons who shall attend to the lowering and hoisting of persons into and out of such mine, and give and receive the proper signals, governing the movement of the cage while engaged in handling men. At all shaft mines where persons are lowered into or hoisted out of the mine, the number of men to be carried on the cage or skip at any one time shall be determined by the area of the cage or skip in use, allowing not less than four hundred square inches for each person on the cage or skip. The lowering of persons shall begin in time for persons to reach their working places by the hour appointed for such mine to commence work and continue until starting time. Hoisting of persons shall commence at the time for such mine to cease work, and continue until all have had time to be hoisted. Persons may be hoisted at such other times as will not interfere with the hoisting of coal or other products. No person shall be lowered into or hoisted out of a mine with powder, explosives, tools, or other material on any cage, in the same shaft, and no person shall be lowered or hoisted in a vertical shaft in a mine car. When the vertical shaft is less than fifty feet in depth and a stairway, approved by the deputy mine inspector, is not provided, the operator shall be required to lower or hoist persons, as prescribed in this section, but when such stairway is provided, the hoisting of persons shall not be required. No operator of a mine shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.
Section 1567.50 \| Regulations for speaking tube, cages, and safety gate. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The operator of a mine operated by a shaft shall provide and maintain a metal tube, suitable for conversation between persons, connecting the engine room with the top and bottom of such shaft. The cages operated in said shaft shall have an approved safety catch, a sufficient cover, and rings or other adequate handholds for the accommodation of the number of persons permitted on the cage. Such cages shall be protected on each side by a boiler plate not less than one-fourth inch in thickness and not less than three feet high, and a gate or other secure device, approved by the deputy mine inspector, not less than forty-two inches high shall be fastened across the open ends of such cage when men are being regularly lowered and hoisted. There shall be provided an approved safety gate at the top of each shaft, an adequate brake to control the drum used for lowering or hoisting persons in shafts or slopes, and an indicator on all machines used for such purposes to show the location of cages in the shaft or slope. No cage having an unstable or self-dumping platform shall be used for the carriage of persons unless such platform is securely locked. No operator of a mine shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.
Section 1567.51 \| Signal code. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF At each mine operated by a shaft, the means of signaling to and from the bottom man, the top man, and the engineer shall consist of a tube, or tubes, of wire encased in wood or iron pipes, through which signals shall be communicated by electricity, compressed air, or other devices. All proper precautions shall be taken to prevent electric signal and telephone wires from coming into contact with other electric conductors, whether insulated or not. Bells, wires, insulators, contact-makers, and other apparatus used in connection with electric signaling underground, shall be of substantial and reliable construction, and be erected in such a manner as to reduce failures or false signals to a minimum. In any mine, signal circuits for operating lamps or other signal devices at potentials exceeding twenty-five volts shall be adequately insulated and considered as power circuits and shall be installed as such. The following signals are provided for use at mines where signals are required: (A) From the bottom to the top: (1) One ring or whistle from the bottom to the top shall signify to hoist coal or the empty cage, and also to stop either when in motion. (2) Two rings or whistles shall signify to lower cage. (3) Three rings or whistles shall signify that men are coming up; when return signal is received from the engineer, men will get on the cage, and cager shall ring or whistle one to start. (4) Four rings or whistles shall signify to hoist slowly, implying danger. (5) Five rings or whistles shall signify accident in the mine and a call for a stretcher. (B) From the top to the bottom: (1) One ring or whistle from the top to the bottom shall signify: "All ready, get on cage." (2) Two rings or whistles shall signify: "Send away empty cage." No operator of a mine shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.
Section 1567.52 \| Additions to code of signals - posting. Effective: June 14, 2000 Latest Legislation: House Bill 601 - 123rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The management of any mine may, with the consent of the deputy mine inspector, add to the code of signals to increase its efficiency, or to promote the safety of the workers in such mine, but whatever code is established and in use at any mine shall be approved by the division of mineral resources management, and conspicuously posted at the top, at the bottom, and in the engine room, for the information and instruction of all persons concerned. No operator of a mine shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.
Section 1567.53 \| Emergency signal in vertical shaft. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF At each mine where persons are hoisted in a vertical shaft, an emergency signal shall be provided in such manner that persons can give signals from the cage if the cage is stopped between the top and bottom landings. No operator of a mine shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.
Section 1567.54 \| Adequate fire protection - firefighting equipment. Effective: June 14, 2000 Latest Legislation: House Bill 601 - 123rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF At each mine at which the only means of egress is by vertical shaft, the operator shall provide adequate fire protection to secure the safety of such shaft, and, when but one shaft is the only available means of egress, shall keep in attendance a competent person when persons are inside of such mine. Each underground coal mine shall be provided with suitable firefighting equipment adapted for the size and conditions of the mine. The chief of the division of mineral resources management shall adopt and may amend or rescind rules establishing minimum requirements for the type, quality, and quantity of such equipment. The rules shall include the following minimum firefighting equipment at each underground coal mine, regardless of its size or condition, except where indicated: waterlines shall be capable of delivering fifty gallons of water a minute at a nozzle pressure of fifty pounds per square inch. A portable water car shall be of at least one thousand gallon capacity and shall have at least three hundred feet of fire hose with nozzles. A portable water car shall be capable of providing a flow through the hose of fifty gallons of water per minute at a nozzle pressure of fifty pounds per square inch. A portable chemical car shall carry enough chemicals to provide a fire extinguishing capacity equivalent to that of a portable water car. A portable foam-generating machine or device shall have facilities and equipment for supplying the machine with thirty gallons of water per minute at thirty pounds per square inch for a period of thirty-five minutes. A portable fire extinguisher shall be either a multipurpose dry chemical type containing a nominal weight of five pounds of dry powder and enough expellant to apply the powder or a foam-producing type containing at least two and one-half gallons of foam-producing liquids and enough expellant to supply the foam. Only fire extinguishers approved by the underwriters laboratories, incorporated, or factory mutual research corporation, carrying appropriate labels as to type and purpose, shall be used. After January 1, 1977, all new portable fire extinguishers acquired for use in a coal mine shall have a 2A 10 BC or higher rating. Fire hose shall be lined with a material having flame resistant qualities meeting requirements for hose in Bureau of Mines' Schedule 2G. The cover shall be polyester, or other material with flame-spread qualities and mildew resistance equal or superior to polyester. The bursting pressure shall be at least four times the water pressure at the valve to the hose inlet with the valve closed; the maximum water pressure in the hose nozzle shall not exceed one hundred pounds per square inch, gauge. However, fire hose installed for use in underground coal mines prior to December 30, 1970, shall be mildew-proof and have a bursting pressure at least four times the water pressure at the valve to the hose inlet with the valve closed, and the maximum water pressure in the hose nozzle with water flowing shall not exceed one hundred pounds per square inch, gauge. Each working section of an underground coal mine producing three hundred tons or more per shift shall be provided with two portable fire extinguishers and two hundred forty pounds of rock dust in bags or other suitable containers; waterlines shall extend to each section loading point and be equipped with enough fire hose to reach each working face unless the section loading point is provided with two portable water cars, or two portable chemical cars, or one portable water or chemical car and either a portable foam-generating machine or a portable high-pressure rock-dusting machine fitted with at least two hundred fifty feet of hose and supplied with at least sixty sacks of rock dust. Each working section of an underground coal mine producing less than three hundred tons of coal per shift shall be provided with two portable fire extinguishers, one hundred forty pounds of rock dust in bags or other suitable containers, and at least five hundred gallons of water and at least three pails of ten quart capacity. In lieu of the five hundred gallon water supply a waterline of sufficient hose to reach the working places, a portable water car of at least five hundred gallon capacity, or a portable, all-purpose dry powder chemical car of at least one hundred twenty-five pounds capacity may be provided. In all underground coal mines, waterlines shall be installed parallel to the entire length of belt conveyors and shall be equipped with fire hose outlets with valves at three hundred foot intervals along each belt conveyor and at tailpieces. At least five hundred feet of fire hose with fittings suitable for connection with each belt conveyor waterline system shall be stored at strategic locations along the belt conveyor. Waterlines may be installed in entries adjacent to the conveyor entry belt as long as the outlets project into the belt conveyor entry. In underground coal mines producing three hundred tons of coal or more per shift, waterlines shall be installed parallel to all haulage tracks using mechanized equipment in the track or adjacent entry and shall extend to the loading point of each working section. Waterlines shall be equipped with outlet valves at intervals of not more than five hundred feet, and five hundred feet of fire hose with fittings suitable for connection with such waterlines shall be provided at strategic locations. Two portable water cars, readily available may be used in lieu of waterlines prescribed under this paragraph. In underground coal mines producing less than three hundred tons of coal per shift, a tank of water of at least fifty-five gallon capacity with at least three pails of not less than ten-quart capacity, or not less than two hundred forty pounds of bagged rock dust shall be provided at five hundred foot intervals along all main and secondary haulage roads. Each track or offtrack locomotive, self-propelled mantrip car, or personnel carrier shall be equipped with one portable fire extinguisher. Two portable fire extinguishers or one extinguisher having at least ten pounds of dry powder or five gallons of foam-producing liquids shall be provided at each permanent electrical installation. One portable fire extinguisher and two hundred forty pounds of rock dust shall be provided at each temporary electrical installation. One portable fire extinguisher or two hundred forty pounds of rock dust shall be provided at locations where welding, cutting, or soldering with arc or flame is being done. At each wooden door through which power lines pass there shall be one portable fire extinguisher or two hundred forty pounds of rock dust within twenty-five feet of the door on the intake air side. At each underground coal mine producing three hundred tons of coal or more per shift there shall be readily available the following materials at locations not exceeding two miles from each working section: one thousand board feet of brattice boards, two rolls of brattice cloth, two hand saws, twenty-five pounds of eightpenny nails, twenty-five pounds of tenpenny nails, twenty-five pounds of sixteenpenny nails, three claw hammers, twenty-five bags of wood fiber plaster or ten bags of cement or equivalent material for stoppings, and five tons of rock dust. These materials shall be available at each mine producing less than three hundred tons of coal per shift, except that if the active working sections are located at a distance of two miles or less from the surface, the emergency materials for one or more mines may be stored at a central warehouse or building supply company, and such supply shall be the equivalent of that required for all mines involved and within one hour's delivery time from each mine. All fire fighting equipment shall be maintained in a usable and operative condition. Chemical extinguishers shall be examined every six months and the date of the examination shall be written on a permanent tag attached to the extinguisher. The operator shall give each miner a self-rescue device that is adequate to protect the miner for one hour or longer and is approved by the chief. Such self-rescue devices shall be worn or carried on the person of each miner. However, where the wearing or carrying of self-rescue devices is hazardous to a miner, such devices shall be located at a distance no greater than twenty-five feet from the miner. Where a miner works on or around mobile equipment, self-rescue devices, if not carried by the miner, shall be placed in a readily accessible location on such equipment. No operator of a mine shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.
Section 1567.55 \| Report of coal seam fire - covering of exposed surface to prevent fire. Effective: June 14, 2000 Latest Legislation: House Bill 601 - 123rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The operator of any coal mine or the owner of land bearing natural coal deposits immediately upon learning of a fire in any coal seam upon the operator's or owner's property shall report the fire to the chief of the division of mineral resources management. When a coal seam fire is reported to the chief, the chief shall immediately investigate such fire. In the event of a fire in any outcrop of a coal seam or in an abandoned mine, the chief shall extinguish such fire, and the chief may employ such persons and purchase such materials as are necessary to extinguish such fire. Persons so employed shall serve at the pleasure of the chief and their employment shall not be governed by civil service laws, rules, or regulations. Materials purchased for immediate use in extinguishing a fire shall be emergency purchases and shall be paid for out of state funds appropriated for such purpose upon vouchers issued by the chief certifying to the emergency nature of the purchase, notwithstanding the fact that there has been no compliance with other laws governing the making of purchases by the state. Whenever, after August 26, 1949, the surface of a natural deposit of coal is exposed by mining operations, the chief may order the owner, lessee, or agent of the mine at which such exposure occurs to cover such exposed surface with earth or other noncombustible material if, in the judgment of the chief, such covering is necessary to prevent a fire in the coal that would endanger life or property. Such order shall be in writing and shall fix a reasonable time for compliance therewith. No operator of a mine shall refuse or neglect to comply with such order for a period of fifteen days after the expiration of the time fixed in such order for compliance therewith. Each period of fifteen days after the expiration of the time fixed in such order for compliance therewith, during which any such operator refuses or neglects to comply with such order, constitutes a separate offense.
Section 1567.57 \| Two-way communication system. Effective: June 14, 2000 Latest Legislation: House Bill 601 - 123rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Every operator of a mine shall install and maintain in efficient working condition a system of two-way communications approved by the chief of the division of mineral resources management connecting the surface and each landing of main shafts and slopes between the surface and each working section of any coal mine that is more than one hundred feet from a portal. No operator of a mine shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.
Section 1567.58 \| Lights in mines. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The operator of each mine shall provide an enclosed lard or signal oil lamp or lantern approved by the deputy mine inspector, or incandescent electric light, at such points in the mine as are necessary, including at the top of extreme grades and in underground stations where machinery is installed. No open light shall be used for fixed or stationary purposes, and no coal oil or kerosene lamp or lanterns shall be used in a mine. No operator of a mine shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.
Section 1567.59 \| Flame safety lamps. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The operator of an underground coal mine shall keep on hand in proper condition for use not less than one approved flame safety lamp, other approved methane detector, or other approved device capable of detecting methane gas in equivalent quantities as a flame safety lamp, for each fifty men employed in said mine, and upon the order of the deputy mine inspector, shall provide such additional flame safety lamps or approved methane detectors as are required to meet probable emergency. This section does not apply to clay mines, except when such equipment is deemed necessary by the deputy mine inspector. No operator of a mine shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.
Section 1567.60 \| Recording pressure gauge. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The operator of any underground mine shall have a U tube or recording pressure gauge for the purpose of recording pressure or vacuum of the main air current installed in such mine. A record of the readings of such gauge shall be kept in a book which shall be accessible to the deputy mine inspector and all of such records of readings shall be kept so accessible for not less than one year. No operator of a mine shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.
Section 1567.61 \| First aid and emergency medical equipment - report of arrangements for emergency medical assistance and transportation. Effective: June 14, 2000 Latest Legislation: House Bill 601 - 123rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF As used in this section, "emergency medical service organization" has the same meaning as in section 4765.01 of the Revised Code. The operator at all mines and quarries shall keep first aid and emergency medical equipment in a dry and sanitary condition in accessible places. Each operator shall report to the chief of the division of mineral resources management, the name, title, and address of each emergency medical service organization with which arrangements have been made or otherwise provided. Each operator shall, within ten days after any change of the arrangements, report such changes to the chief. If such changes involve a substitution of persons, the operator shall report the name, title, and address of the person substituted together with the name and address of the emergency medical service organization with which such person is associated. Each operator shall, immediately after making such an arrangement or any change of such arrangement, post at appropriate places at the mine the names, titles, addresses, and telephone numbers of all persons or organizations currently available under such arrangements to provide medical assistance and transportation at the mine. The operator of an underground mine shall provide a vehicular mode of transportation that is equipped to handle stretchers to transport injured miners underground in a manner that minimizes shock. Such vehicle shall be accessible within the lesser of thirty minutes or the time needed to render first aid and medical attention, secure the injured person to a stretcher or broken-back board or other device, and transport the injured person to the vehicle. No operator of a mine shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.
Section 1567.62 \| Obstruction of airway. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF No person shall place refuse in or obstruct any airway or break-through used as an airway.
Section 1567.63 \| Use of traveling ways - loitering prohibited. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Each employee of a mine shall go to and from his place of duty by the traveling ways provided. He shall not travel around the mine, or the buildings, tracks, or machinery connected therewith, where duty does not require, and when not on duty, he shall not loiter at, in, or around the mine, or the buildings, tracks, or machinery connected therewith.
Section 1567.64 \| Operator to provide tag lines or tie-off lines for miners. Effective: June 11, 2008 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 323 - 127th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) As used in this section, "tag lines" and "tie-off lines" have the same meanings as in rules adopted under this section. (B) The operator of an underground coal mine shall provide tag lines or tie-off lines for each miner at the mine. The operator shall provide and employees of the mine shall use tag lines or tie-off lines in accordance with requirements and procedures established in rules adopted under this section. (C) The chief of the division of mineral resources management, in consultation with a statewide association representing the coal mining industry and a statewide association representing employees of coal mines, shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code concerning the use of tag lines or tie-off lines in an underground coal mine. The rules shall include all of the following: (1) A definition of "tag line" and of "tie-off line"; (2) A description or list of acceptable tag lines and tie-off lines; (3) Procedures and requirements for the use of tag lines and tie-off lines; (4) Procedures for the approval and inspection of the use of tag lines and tie-off lines in a mine; (5) Any other requirements concerning tag lines or tie-off lines that the chief determines are necessary. (D) No operator of a mine shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section or rules adopted under it.
Section 1567.65 \| Prohibition against smoking or carrying smoking materials. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF No person shall smoke or carry smoking materials or matches or lighters for smoking material in an underground coal mine or any underground gaseous metal or nonmetal mine. Smoking in nongaseous metal and nonmetal underground mines or in or about surface structures of any mine shall be restricted to places where it will not cause a fire or hazard.
Section 1567.66 \| Prohibition against intoxicants. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF No person shall go into, to, or around a mine, or the buildings, tracks, or machinery connected therewith, while under the influence of intoxicants. No person shall use, carry, or have in his possession any intoxicants at, in, or around a mine, or the buildings, tracks, or machinery connected therewith.
Section 1567.67 \| Protective clothing. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Each man working in and about a mine shall exercise discretion in wearing such clothes as will protect him from injury and minimize the danger of getting clothing caught in machinery or other places.
Section 1567.68 \| Safety provisions for machinery and equipment. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Coal spilled beneath belt conveyor drives or tail pieces shall not be removed while the conveyor is in motion, except where such coal can be removed without endangering persons. Mobile and stationary machinery and equipment shall be maintained in safe operating condition and machinery or equipment in unsafe condition shall be removed from service immediately. Machinery and equipment shall be operated only by persons authorized to operate such machinery or equipment. Repairs or maintenance shall not be performed on machinery until the power is off and the machinery is blocked against motion, except where machinery motion is necessary to make adjustments. Machinery shall not be lubricated manually while in motion, unless equipped with extended fittings or cups. Drive belts shall not be shifted while in motion unless the machines are provided with mechanical shifters. Belt dressing shall not be applied while belts are in motion except where it can be applied without endangering a person. Belts, chains, and ropes shall not be guided onto power-driven moving pulleys, sprockets, or drums with the hands except on slow-moving equipment especially designed for hand feeding. Pulleys of conveyors shall not be cleaned manually while the conveyor is in motion. No person shall violate this section.
Section 1567.681 \| Fire detection devices required on conveyor belts. Effective: June 11, 2008 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 323 - 127th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) The operator of an underground coal mine that uses conveyor belts in the operation of the mine shall install fire detection devices on each conveyor belt that is used in the mine. The fire detection devices shall be of a design and type established in rules adopted under this section. The chief of the division of mineral resources management shall inspect the fire detection devices after the operator of the mine has installed the devices on the conveyor belts that are used in the operation of the mine. The chief shall approve or disapprove the installation of the fire detection devices and shall notify the operator of the chief's decision. (B) The chief, in consultation with a statewide association representing the coal mining industry and a statewide association representing employees of coal mines, shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code concerning the installation and use of fire detection devices on conveyor belts that are used in an underground coal mine. The rules shall include all of the following: (1) The design and types of fire detection devices that must be used on a conveyor belt in order to provide for the earliest possible detection of a fire; (2) The number of fire detection devices that are required on a conveyor belt; (3) A procedure for the notification of the chief after the operator of a mine has installed the fire detection devices; (4) A procedure for the inspection of fire detection devices installed on a conveyor belt; (5) Any other requirements that the chief determines are necessary. (C) No operator of a mine shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section or rules adopted under it.
Section 1567.69 \| Longwall mining plans or revisions - contents. Effective: June 14, 2000 Latest Legislation: House Bill 601 - 123rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) On and after July 20, 1984, no operator shall begin longwall mining in any coal mine until plans for the longwall mining have been filed with and approved by the chief of the division of mineral resources management. All revisions to approved plans shall also be submitted for approval to the chief. The chief shall not approve any plan or revision unless it meets the requirements of this section and shall approve all plans and revisions that meet those requirements. Approval of a plan or revision, or portion thereof, under comparable provisions of the "Federal Coal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1969," 83 Stat. 742, 30 U.S.C.A. 801, as amended or reenacted, or regulations adopted thereunder, shall be a sufficient basis for approval of the plan or revision, or portion thereof, by the chief unless the chief makes a specific written explanation and findings as to why the federally approved plan, revision, or portion thereof does not meet the requirements of the mining laws of this state and as to why a variance from the federally approved plan is reasonably necessary to meet the requirements of this state's mining laws. The chief shall make a final decision on a plan or revision, including review of any additional information the chief requests, no later than fourteen days after the operator's initial submission of the plan or revision. Approval of completed plans or revisions shall not be unreasonably withheld. (B) Longwall mining plans submitted to the chief for approval shall include all of the following: (1) Company name; (2) Mine name; (3) Mine location; (4) Mine address; (5) Mine telephone number; (6) Name, title, and telephone number of the person submitting the plan; (7) Mine identification number; (8) Longwall mining roof control plan, which shall include a plan indicating the roof support to be used and the working procedures to be followed when a cavity is encountered over chocks or shields; (9) Ventilation plan, which shall include the complete section and face ventilation controls and bleeder systems; (10) Methane and dust control plan; (11) Any other information required by the chief. (C) After the chief has approved plans submitted under this section, an operator shall not be required to obtain additional approvals for new longwall working sections if plans initially approved or revised are complied with. (D) In coal mines where longwall working section operations are in progress prior to July 20, 1984, no operator shall begin new longwall working sections until required plans for longwall mining have been filed with and approved by the chief.
Section 1567.70 \| Plan for recovery of longwall roof support - approval by chief. Effective: June 14, 2000 Latest Legislation: House Bill 601 - 123rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF An operator conducting longwall mining shall develop a plan for recovery of chocks and shields or other longwall roof support and shall not initiate recovery until the recovery plan is approved by the chief of the division of mineral resources management. An operator shall also submit all revisions of an approved recovery plan for approval to the chief. Approval of a plan or revision, or portion thereof, under comparable provisions of the "Federal Coal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1969," 83 Stat. 742, 30 U.S.C.A. 801, as amended or reenacted, or regulations adopted thereunder, shall be a sufficient basis for approval of the plan or revision, or portion thereof, by the chief unless the chief makes a specific written explanation and findings as to why the federally approved plan or revision, or portion thereof, does not meet the requirements of the mining laws of this state and as to why a variance from the federally approved plan, revision, or portion thereof is reasonably necessary to meet the requirements of this state's mining laws. The chief shall make a final decision on a plan or revision, including review of any additional information that the chief requests, no later than fourteen days after the operator's initial submission of the plan or revision. The chief shall not unreasonably withhold approvals of completed plans or revisions.
Section 1567.71 \| Two-way communication facilities. Effective: June 14, 2000 Latest Legislation: House Bill 601 - 123rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) An operator conducting longwall mining shall provide two-way communication facilities, approved by the chief of the division of mineral resources management, at the headgate and tailgate and across each longwall working face that, during the production of coal, are a separate system from the mine communication facilities. Longwall working section communication facilities shall be located at points not more than one hundred feet apart across the longwall working face. (B) An operator conducting longwall mining shall also provide two-way communication facilities on each longwall working section. During production of coal, a designated person shall, as part of that person's other assigned duties, be available with the longwall working section communication and longwall working face communication facilities.
Section 1567.72 \| De-energizing electrical power on longwall working face conveyor. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) An operator conducting longwall mining shall provide all longwall working face conveyors installed on and after the effective date of this section with lock-out type de-energizing devices to de-energize the electrical power on the longwall working face conveyor. The de-energizing devices shall be provided at intervals of not more than fifty feet when the average height of the coal seam is at or below forty-eight inches and at intervals of not more than one hundred feet when the average height of the coal seam is above forty-eight inches. The lock-out de-energizing may be done electrically. (B) Within twelve months after the effective date of this section, an operator shall provide all longwall working sections in operation prior to the effective date of this section with lock-out type de-energizing devices on face conveyors as required in division (A) of this section. (C) The operator shall provide on the headgate of the longwall working section an emergency de-energizing device to de-energize immediately the longwall working face equipment. (D) At the beginning of each coal producing shift, all emergency de-energizing devices shall be checked for proper functioning and, if an emergency de-energizing device is found malfunctioning, mining operations shall not begin until all de-energizing devices within the intervals required by division (A) of this section are functioning properly or until a designated person is stationed at the next de-energizing device at the interval required under division (A) of this section until such time as the malfunctioning de-energizing device is repaired. (E) If, during a coal producing shift, a de-energizing device malfunctions, which creates an interval greater than that required by division (A) of this section, a designated person shall be stationed at the next de-energizing device at the interval required under division (A) of this section until such time as the malfunctioning de-energizing device is repaired or the machine is de-energized and locked out. (F) No operator shall permit longwall mining to begin or continue at any time that more than one of the de-energizing devices required under division (A) of this section is malfunctioning. If the malfunctions create intervals greater than those required under that division, except as provided in division (E) of this section. (G) No operator shall install or use a longwall working face conveyor unless its electrical circuits are designed so that the face conveyor will not start at any other location until the lock-out device is disengaged at the point of initial interruption. (H) No operator shall provide or permit use of shearer and plow motors on a longwall working section that are not designed so that their cutting bits cannot begin operating when electrical power is initially applied. (I) No person shall perform work on the face conveyor or on the face side of the face conveyor unless equipment is de-energized and locked out, except when motion facilitates troubleshooting or positioning for maintenance or repair.
Section 1567.73 \| Installation of methane monitors. Effective: June 14, 2000 Latest Legislation: House Bill 601 - 123rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) The chief of the division of mineral resources management or the chief's representative shall require installation on a longwall working section of a federally approved methane monitor capable of giving warning automatically when the concentration of methane reaches a maximum percentage of not more than 1.0 volume per cent of methane. The sensoring unit indicating the atmospheric conditions on the methane monitor shall be installed at a location specified in the approved plan or revision required by section 1567.69 of the Revised Code. The operator shall ensure that the methane monitor is kept operative and properly maintained and tested weekly for functioning. The operator of any mine in which longwall mining is performed shall establish and adopt a definite maintenance program designed to keep methane monitors operative, and a written description of the program shall be available for inspection by the division of mineral resources management. At least once each month, the operator shall have the methane monitor checked for operating accuracy with a known methane air mixture and shall have the monitor calibrated as necessary. The operator shall keep a record of calibration tests in a book on the surface, which may be the same book used to comply with requirements established under regulations of the mine safety and health administration in the United States department of labor. If the methane monitor on a longwall working section malfunctions, the operator shall have the monitor repaired within twelve hours. During the period of time the methane monitor is inoperative, the operator shall not permit electric equipment to be operated for longer than ten minutes without an examination for methane gas, shall require that the examinations required in division (B) of this section be conducted on one-hour intervals, and shall require an air reading on the intake side of the longwall working face to be collected on one-hour intervals. If parts are unavailable to correct the malfunction of the methane monitor or the malfunction cannot be repaired within twelve hours, the operator shall immediately notify the division, which shall evaluate the circumstances and may allow continued operation under the procedures of the preceding paragraph if the operator is proceeding with good faith efforts to correct the malfunction. If a malfunction of the methane monitor occurs on a longwall working section, the supervisor on duty shall indicate in the supervisor's own shift examination report, in the fire boss report books, the date and time the methane monitor malfunctioned. (B) A certified person designated by the mine foreperson to supervise a longwall working section shall examine the longwall working face for hazards as a part of the pre-shift and on-shift examinations for each coal producing shift and more often if necessary for safety or required by division (A) of this section. The examination shall include a test for methane gas and oxygen deficiency. The methane and oxygen deficiency examinations shall be made at reasonable intervals along the coal face between the headgate and tailgate. The person's initials, date, and time shall be recorded at the headgate and tailgate. If one per cent or more of methane gas is detected along the coal face, the electrical equipment shall be immediately de-energized and the electrical power circuit then disconnected from the power supply until a certified person pronounces the place safe.
Section 1567.74 \| Safety requirements for longwall working face. Effective: June 14, 2000 Latest Legislation: House Bill 601 - 123rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) No person shall cross the longwall working face conveyor while it is in operation unless a safe crossover is provided. (B) The operator shall provide telephone pager communications or other means of providing an effective warning signal in a longwall working section. Prior to starting a longwall working face conveyor, the person who is going to activate the conveyor shall sound the telephone pager communications or other effective warning signal to alert all persons across the longwall working face. (C) No person shall ride the longwall working face conveyor. However, an operator may submit a plan to the chief of the division of mineral resources management, as part of the plan required by section 1567.69 of the Revised Code or later, for approval for the removal of injured persons on the longwall working face conveyor if it is necessary to transport injured persons on a stretcher or backboard. (D) On and after July 20, 1984, an operator shall equip all newly installed face roof support units with adjacent unit controls unless the units have a wide single canopy over each unit that protects the workers from falling material when operating unit controls from within the support of the shield unit being removed. (E) On and after July 20, 1984, all newly installed face roof support units shall be equipped with an outlet to facilitate measurement of the interior prop pressure and an outlet to facilitate measurement of the yield pressure. Any yield valves of face roof support units that do not maintain at least eighty-five per cent of the yield pressure specified in the approved roof control plan shall be promptly repaired or replaced. The valves of face roof support units shall be tested at least annually, and a legible record of the date of the test, the person performing the test, and the valves repaired or replaced shall be kept in an appropriate mine record.
Section 1567.75 \| Cutting and welding. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) Prior to cutting and welding being performed on a longwall working section, methane gas examinations shall be made by a certified foreman or a person qualified to make the examinations designated by a certified foreman. No person shall perform cutting and welding when the methane gas concentration is one per cent or more. A certified foreman or person qualified to make examinations for gas shall be continuously present during all cutting and welding operations. (B) Prior to cutting or welding on a longwall working face conveyor, and unless otherwise allowed as part of the plan approved under section 1567.69 of the Revised Code due to specific conditions in the mine or procedures to be followed, a certified foreman or fire boss shall have open bottom face conveyors jacked up, blocked, and properly secured off the bottom a distance of at least ten feet along the face on both sides where the cutting is to be performed and shall have methane examinations made before cutting and welding is initiated on the face conveyors. (C) When cutting and welding operations have been completed, a diligent search for fires and hot spots shall be conducted. The person responsible for performing the cutting and welding operation may be designated to conduct this search as part of the cutting and welding operation. If fires or hot spots are found, they shall be extinguished immediately.
Section 1567.76 \| Maintenance of hydraulic lines and roof support units. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) An operator shall ensure that all hydraulic line repairs are performed in accordance with maintaining the functioning of the line at a level consistent with that at the time of initial installation of the line. (B) An operator shall ensure that all hydraulic roof support units and associated apparatus on a longwall working face are visually inspected at least once each day, at any time of the day, by a qualified person as part of one of the on-shift examinations of the longwall working sections. The person conducting the inspection shall enter the inspection into the preshift examination book and shall note any hazards or problems that he encountered.
Section 1567.77 \| First aid equipment. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF An operator shall maintain first aid equipment required on each working section by section 1567.61 of the Revised Code in the headgate entry at a point not to exceed one hundred fifty feet outby the longwall working face. No operator shall fail to comply with this section.
Section 1567.78 \| Maintaining accessible tailgate travel route. Effective: June 14, 2000 Latest Legislation: House Bill 601 - 123rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF An operator shall maintain an accessible travel route at all times off the tailgate end of the longwall working face unless the operator develops and the chief of the division of mineral resources management approves a plan to continue operation of the longwall working section in the event the tailgate route becomes impassable. Such a plan shall include necessary provisions to be taken to provide additional protective devices for longwall working section personnel. When the tailgate travel route becomes impassable, the operator shall cease the longwall mining operation immediately, familiarize all persons working on the longwall working section with the procedures to follow for escape from the section, and implement immediately the plan approved by the division of mineral resources management before recommencing mining. The operator shall immediately notify the division when the accessible travel route becomes impassable and the approved plan has been implemented. The division's representative shall immediately, upon notification, establish a scheduled meeting with the operator and representatives of the miners at the mine.
Section 1567.79 \| Instruction on hazards. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Employees assigned to work on a longwall working section shall be instructed in the hazards of longwall mining, including, but not limited to, a review of all of the following: (A) Escapeway and travel routes; (B) Ventilation; (C) Roof support; (D) Communications; (E) Stop controls and signals; (F) Location of first aid equipment; (G) Safety rules for longwall mining.
Section 1567.99 \| Penalty. Effective: October 29, 1995 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Whoever knowingly violates any section of this chapter is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.