Illinois Administrative Code › Title 62 - MINING › Part 220 - SURFACE INSTALLATION HEALTH AND SAFETY › Section 220.230 - Health and Safety Rules Applicable to Underground Coal Mines

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 28, July 12, 2024
This Section sets forth mandatory health and safety standards
				applicable to underground coal mines. This Section complements the specific
				provisions of the Coal Mining Act of 1953, as amended, and in no way limit or
				diminish the applicability of that law to underground coal mines. In adopting
				this Section, the Mining Board and the Director have adhered to the statutory
				standards affecting the adoption of and promulgation of health and safety
				rules, including, but not limited to, Section 2.12 of the Coal Mining Act of
				1953 [225
				ILCS 705/2.12 ], as amended, and the Rules of
				Procedure in Administrative Proceedings (62 Ill. Adm. Code 100) in the
				Department of Natural Resources (Department) before the Mining Board.
a) Submission of plan where coal is broken
			 down by compressed air.
In each mine where coal is "broken down" by compressed air, a
				plan describing the means by which coal is to be "broken down" shall be
				submitted to the Mining Board for the Board's retention and file. Nothing in
				this Section shall be construed to require approval of such plan by the Mining
				Board.
b) Submission of fan
			 stoppage plan.
Each operator of an underground mine shall submit the fan
				stoppage plan required by the Mine Safety and Health Administration to the
				Mining Board for the Board's retention and file. Nothing in this Section shall
				be construed to require approval of such plan by the Mining Board.
c) Hoisting of persons; stationing
			 of competent persons.
At every shaft and/or slope where persons are hoisted or
				lowered, the operator shall station a competent person at the top and at the
				bottom of such shaft and/or slope who shall attend to signals, and be empowered
				to preserve order and enforce the rules governing the carriage of persons on
				means of conveyance. The top person and bottom person shall be at their
				respective posts of duty a sufficient length of time before the shift begins in
				the morning and after the shift ends for the day to properly perform their
				duties as provided for in this Section. Cagers and alternates should be trained
				or instructed as to duties and signals. No operator shall use persons not
				familiar with caging procedures.
d) Uniform daily inspection of hoists.
Procedures shall be adopted for the uniform daily inspection of
				all electric hoists, cages, guides, and other equipment associated with the
				hoisting and lowering of men.
e) Communications between coal-producing
			 sections and the surface.
A means of communication from each coal-producing section to
				the surface shall be maintained at all times while coal is being mined. No coal
				shall be produced nor shall any face equipment be operated on such section
				while there is an interruption in that communication. An interruption in the
				communication from one (1) coal-producing section to the surface shall not
				prohibit the production of coal on any other coal-producing section or area of
				the mine. Nothing in this Section shall preclude work other than the production
				of coal during the time that the communication system is interrupted.
f) State mine inspectors;
			 notification of miners' representative prior to inspection and posting of
			 findings and recommendations.
On each visit to the mine, the State Mine Inspector shall
				notify a representative of the miners that he is there to make an inspection so
				that the miners' representatives may accompany him if they so desire. Following
				each inspection, the inspector shall meet with management and representatives
				of the miners at the request of either or both of them to discuss his findings
				and recommendations. His findings and recommendations together with the time
				provided to comply shall be posted in a conspicuous place following each
				inspection. The length of time to comply will be based upon the nature and
				severity of the infraction(s) noted.
g) Standards for Diesel Engines in
			 Underground Coal Mines.
The following rules govern the operation of diesel equipment in
				underground coal mines. In addition to these rules, compliance with 30 CFR 31,
				32, and 36(1983) as pertaining to the operation and maintenance of diesel
				equipment is required.
1)
A) Before operating any diesel equipment in
			 an underground mine, the operator must submit to the Department of Natural
			 Resources a mining plan amendment which shall contain a ventilation plan
			 stating the quantity of air in the areas where the diesel equipment will be
			 operating and the number of diesel units which the mine operator plans to
			 operate. An operator must meet also the quantity of air requirements of Section
			 31.02 of the Coal Mining Act of 1953. This plan must also contain the projected
			 quantities of diesel fuel to be used in a 24-hour period. The State Mine
			 Inspector shall adjust the quantity of diesel fuel allowed in the mine in
			 accordance with Sections (11) and (12) herein by submitting such adjustment in
			 writing to the Department.
B) No
			 diesel equipment shall be placed in initial operation underground until it is
			 checked for approval in accordance with Sections (2) and (10) herein and tested
			 in accordance with Sections (3) and (4) herein by the State Mine Inspector for
			 the district in which the mine is located. The State Mine Inspector shall
			 submit to the Department, in writing, the mine operator's name, type of
			 equipment, serial number and Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)
			 certification number.
C)
i) To amend a mining plan to include the use
			 of diesel equipment in underground coal mines, an operator must submit a
			 request for a mining plan amendment to the Mining Board. Upon receipt of that
			 request, the State Mine Inspector shall test the mine in which the equipment is
			 proposed to be used to insure that sufficient ventilation exists to comply with
			 this rule.
ii) The State Mine
			 Inspector shall test the diesel equipment which is proposed to be used in the
			 mine prior to its installation for compliance with this rule. If this equipment
			 meets the requirements of this rule, it shall be installed in the mine in which
			 it is to be operated and tested again by the State Mine Inspector to insure it
			 complies with the requirements of this rule. This equipment may not be operated
			 until such time as its use is approved by the Mining Board.
iii) The State Mine Inspector shall provide a
			 written report of the results of the testing of the equipment to the Mining
			 Board. Within 10 days of receipt of the State Mine Inspector's report, the
			 Mining Board shall approve or disapprove the operator's request. Within 10 days
			 of such action, the Mining Board shall notify the operator of its decision. A
			 denial of the operator's request shall be accompanied by a statement of reasons
			 for the denial.