# Presentation: 704951

## DIRECTIONAL LIFELINES

**Kenneth A. Sproul**
**MSHA Approval & Certification Center**

**Mine Escape Planning and Emergency Shelters Workshop**
**April 18, 2006**

## It’s not Rocket Science!

**It’s not Rocket Science!**

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## It’s A Rope...

**It’s A Rope...**

**...****but it just might save lives!**

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## State Requirements

**  **_**West Virginia**_** - Lifelines required in alternate escapeways ventilated by return air.**
**  **_**Kentucky**_** - Lifelines required in alternate escapeways ventilated by return air.**
**  **_**Virginia**_** - Lifelines required in** **all primary escapeways**

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## “Safety Standards for the Use of Belt Entry As an Intake Air Course to Ventilate Working Sections and Areas Where Mechanized Mining Equipment is Being Installed or Removed”

**	****	****- Effective Date June 1, 2004**** **
**Installation of lifelines is required only in return air courses designated as an alternate escapeway, or portions of the return used as part of the alternate escapeway.**

## Emergency Temporary Standard; Notice of public hearings; Notice of close of comment period. The Mine Safety and Health Administration has issued an emergency temporary standard under section 101(b) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 in response to the grave danger which miners are exposed to during underground coal mine accidents and subsequent evacuations. 

## March 9, 2006

**March 9, 2006**

## § 75.380 Escapeways; bituminous and lignite mines.

- * * * * *
**(d) Each escapeway shall be -**
**(7) Provided with a continuous directional lifeline or equivalent device that shall be:**
**	****(i) Installed and maintained throughout the entire length of ****	****each escapeway as defined in paragraph (b)(1) of this section.**
**	****(ii) Made of durable material.**
**	****(iii) Marked with a reflective material every 25 feet.**
**	****(iv) Located in such a manner for miners to use effectively to ****	****escape.**
**	****(v) Equipped with directional indicators, signifying the route of ****	****escape, placed at intervals not exceeding 100 feet.**
**	****(vi) Securely attached to and marked to show the location of ****	****any SCSR storage locations in the escapeway**

## (d) Each escapeway shall be -

**Includes both the primary (intake) and alternate escapeway**

## (7) Provided with a continuous directional lifeline or equivalent device that shall be:

**A directional lifeline is most likely a rope made of durable material, though it could also be an equivalent device, such as a pipe or**
**handrail**

## (i) Installed and maintained throughout the entire length of each escapeway as defined in paragraph (b)(1) of this section.

**Escapeways shall be provided from each working section, and each area where mechanized mining equipment is being installed or removed, continuous to the surface escape drift opening or continuous to the escape shaft or slope facilities to the surface.**

## (ii) Made of durable material.

**Lifelines must be constructed of durable (strong) materials and must survive normal mining conditions (*****e.g.*****, atmospheric conditions such as humidity). They must be available in an emergency when miners need them to evacuate the mine. In addition, lifelines must also be sturdy enough to withstand intense physical use during an evacuation.**

## (iii) Marked with a reflective material every 25 feet.

**... ****so that miners can locate the lifeline using their cap lamps in low-visibility conditions and when smoke is present.**

## (iv) Located in such a manner for miners to use effectively to escape.

**(iv) Located in such a manner for miners to use ****effectively**** to escape.**

**The proper positioning of the lifeline**
**regarding height, accessibility, and**
**location as determined by the mining**
**conditions improves the ability of**
**miners to effectively use lifelines to**
**escape during emergency situations.**

## (v) Equipped with directional indicators, signifying the route of escape, placed at intervals not exceeding 100 feet.

**These directional indicators are physical objects, such as, but not limited to, cones, that provide tactile feedback to a miner attempting to escape a dark, smoke-filled**
**environment.**

## (vi) Securely attached to and marked to show the location of any SCSR storage locations in the escapeway

**Miners escaping a mine under adverse**
**environmental conditions may need to**
**access additional SCSRs in order to**
**successfully evacuate the mine**

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## BOONE SUPPLYP. O. Box 429, 100 Coal River Drive,Sylvester, WV 25193, U. S. A.Tel: 1-888-440-2811 / 1-304-854-0761 Fax: 1-304-854-1320E-Mail: sales@ropehangers.com  orboonesupply@citynet.net_x000b_

- CAB PRODUCTS ARE MANUFACTURED BY:
- _[The Cambria County Association for the Blind and Handicapped](http://www.ccabh.com/)_
- 175 Industrial Park Road, Ebensburg, PA 15931-4109 U.S.A.
- TEL: 814-472-5077     FAX: 814-472-7179
- email: cab@cabproducts.com

## MINE LIFELINE LLCPO BOX 625LOGAN, WV 25601 

**MINE LIFELINE LLC****PO BOX 625****LOGAN, WV 25601**

**EMAIL:**
**info@minelifeline.com**

**PHONE ORDERS & INFORMATION:**
**304-239-6300**
**FAX PURCHASE ORDERS TO: **
**304-239-6288**

## Have you reached the end of your rope yet?

**Have you reached the end of your rope yet?**

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