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 30 - Rescue Stations and Equipment Underground › Section 7086 - (4-70). Use of Mine Rescue Equipment

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 28, July 12, 2024
(a) As used in these Orders, "breathing
					 apparatus" means a device which supplies the wearer with oxygen or air under
					 low pressure for breathing purposes. By use of this device, the wearer carries
					 his air with him and is independent of the atmosphere around him.
"Gas mask" is a device which is equipped with a canister
						containing chemicals. The wearer draws his air through the chemicals, which
						remove small amounts of poisonous gases by filtering or chemical action. As the
						gas mask does not provide oxygen for the wearer, it cannot be worn safely in an
						atmosphere containing a high concentration of gases or so low in oxygen that a
						flame safety lamp will not burn.
There are many types of gas mask canisters which are
						permissible for use as protection against certain gases or combinations of
						gases. However, there is only one type of canister that affords protection
						against carbon monoxide, the poisonous gas which is always present during mine
						fires and after mine explosions. This is the Type N canister, which is easily
						recognizable because of its red color.
No gas mask shall be used in a mine unless such gas mask
						is of a type designated as "permissible" by the U. S. Bureau of Mines and used
						only with a permissible Type N canister.
(b) No man shall be permitted to wear
					 breathing apparatus in irrespirable mine air unless he is physically fit and
					 has had the required training.
(c)
					 Every rescue crew shall be composed of at least five men. A crew composed of
					 six men is preferable.
(d) No
					 breathing apparatus shall be used in irrespirable mine air unless such
					 apparatus is of a type designated as "permissible" by the U.S. Bureau of
					 Mines.
(e) Each apparatus shall be
					 carefully inspected and tested before it is worn in irrespirable air.
The test shall be sufficient in scope to assure that the
						apparatus is air tight, and that its various parts are in good condition,
						functioning properly, and in safe condition to wear.
(f) Except in extreme emergency, only a full
					 rescue crew of not less than five men shall be permitted to wear breathing
					 apparatus in irrespirable air in any mine during a mine fire or for recovery
					 work following a mine explosion.
(g) Except in extreme emergency, no rescue
					 crew shall be permitted to wear breathing apparatus in irrespirable air unless
					 a fully equipped reserve rescue crew is standing by, ready for service, in the
					 most advanced fresh air station.
(h) Communication shall be maintained between
					 the reserve rescue crew and the rescue crew in irrespirable air by means of a
					 signal line.
(i) Care shall be used
					 that the rescue crew does not proceed farther from its fresh air base than it
					 can return safely to such base.
It is recommended that, except in extreme emergency, the
						rescue crew does not travel farther than 1,000 feet from its fresh air base
						over a level, unobstructed traveling way where visibility is good. Where
						necessary to climb ladders or other obstructions, or travel in dense smoke, the
						distance traveled should be shortened accordingly.
(j) Breathing apparatus should not be used to
					 explore inactive mines or parts of mines because of the many dangers in
					 addition to irrespirable air. Instead, it is recommended that a temporary
					 ventilation system be installed and the exploration be made in fresh air.
If such exploration is undertaken, it shall be done only
						with a full rescue crew of not less than five men, with a second full rescue
						crew acting as a reserve in fresh air. Such crews shall be equipped with
						permissible breathing apparatus. Gas masks shall not be used for such
						exploration.
(k) Every
					 rescue crew equipped with permissible gas masks shall be provided with a
					 permissible flame safety lamp in good condition.
(l) No rescue crew using gas masks shall
					 remain in an atmosphere where the permissible flame safety lamp will not
					 burn.