California Code of Regulations › Title 8 - Industrial Relations › Division 1 - Department of Industrial Relations › Chapter 4 - Division of Industrial Safety › Subchapter 17 - Mine Safety Orders › Article 21 - Mine Ladders and Travelways › UNDERGROUND › Section 7044 - (11-1). Manways and Ladder Installations

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 28, July 12, 2024
(a) Every mine shall have at least one means
						of outlet for the miners by means of ladders, stairways, or runway from all
						active workings of the mine to the surface.
(b) (11-55) No ladder or stair need be
						provided in a passageway if the slope is less than 20 degrees from the
						horizontal and the footing is such that men can walk safely.
(c) Every ladderway having an inclination of
						more than 60 degrees from the horizontal, and where the distance between the
						top and bottom of the ladderway is more than 30 feet, shall have substantial
						platforms at intervals of not more than 20 feet. If possible, the sections of
						the ladders shall be staggered at each platform so that no section shall be
						directly in line with the section above or below it.
(d) The ladder opening in any platform shall
						be large enough to permit ready passage of rescue men wearing breathing
						apparatus, and in no case shall such opening be less than 24 inches by 24
						inches.
(e) Distance from the step
						to the nearest permanent object on the climbing side of the ladder shall not be
						less than 24 inches.
There shall be a clear width of at least 12 inches from
						  the center line of the ladder on each side across the front of the
						  ladder.
(f) (11-5) The front
						side of the step of a ladder shall in no case be less than 4 inches from any
						obstruction.
(g) (11-6) Ladders
						shall project at least 3 feet above every platform in the ladderway, and at
						least 3 feet above the collar of the shaft, winze, or raise, unless convenient
						and secure handholds are fixed at such places.
(h) (11-5) All ladders shall be securely
						fastened.
(i) Under no
						circumstances shall any ladder be installed in such manner that it leans
						backwards from the vertical.
(j) In
						all shafts which are in the process of sinking or enlarging, a fixed ladder,
						stair, or ramp shall be provided to within such distance from the bottom of the
						shaft as will secure it from the danger of blasting.
Access shall be provided from the bottom of the shaft
						  to the bottom of the fixed ladder, stair, or ramp. Such access may be by means
						  of an extension ladder or flexible ladder or by a handline or
						  chain.
(k) Ladders,
						stairways, and ramps shall be installed at such distance from power and light
						wires that a person on them cannot accidentally contact an electric
						conductor.
(l) Every shaft shall be
						provided with a continuous means of egress from the bottom of such shaft to the
						nearest active mine level. Such means of egress may be by stairs or fixed
						ladders or ramps, or by a combination of the above.
(m) (11-3) Any manway through which employees
						are required or permitted to pass shall be kept in good repair to allow ready
						passage.
(n) (11-36) Trap doors or
						adequate guarding shall be provided in ladderways at each level. Doors shall be
						kept operable so that they are easily opened.