Virginia Administrative Code › Title 4 - CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES › Agency 25 - DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY › Chapter 20 - BOARD OF COAL MINING EXAMINERS CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS › Part IV - On-Site Examination of Underground Mine Foreman › Section 4VAC25-20-340 - Examinations

Current through Register Vol. 40, No. 24, July 15, 2024
A. When an
				  underground mine is issued a closure order or violation related to a hazardous
				  roof or ventilation condition, the underground mine foreman may be examined to
				  determine his knowledge of the roof control plan and ventilation requirements
				  in the area of his responsibility at the mine. The examination shall be
				  conducted on the surface at the mine site on the day the violation or closure
				  order is issued.
B. The chief shall
				  develop a pool of no more than 50 questions addressing the areas listed in
				  subsection D of this section, which shall be approved by the BCME. These
				  questions shall be available on request and should be incorporated as part of
				  continuing education and other training for underground mine foremen.
C. A division inspector shall administer a
				  written examination using 10 questions from the approved pool. The foreman
				  shall answer eight out of 10 questions correctly to demonstrate thorough
				  understanding of the mine's roof or ventilation plans. The inspector shall
				  select questions from the pool which are most relevant to the conditions or
				  practices resulting in the order of closure or violation.
D. The underground mine foreman may refer to
				  roof control, ventilation, bleeder, or other plans available to him when
				  examined at the surface of an underground mine. Any underground mine foreman
				  performing tasks requiring certification or otherwise directing work in
				  ventilation or roof support shall be able to provide the following information:
1. Describe the roof control requirements set
				  out in the mine's roof control plan in the area of the foreman's
				  responsibility.
2. Describe the
				  frequency and methods of any required testing of roof, face and ribs in the
				  area of the foreman's responsibility.
3. Show how the roof control practices in the
				  area of the foreman's responsibility comply with the requirements of the roof
				  control plan.
4. Describe the
				  frequency and contents of any pre-shift, on-shift, and, when applicable, weekly
				  examinations of mine ventilation required in the area of the foreman's
				  responsibility.
5. Describe the
				  requirements for action under the mine's fan stoppage plan in the area of the
				  foreman's responsibility.
6.
				  Describe any requirements for face ventilation controls used in the area of the
				  foreman's responsibility.
7.
				  Describe any requirements under the mine bleeder plan in the area of the
				  foreman's responsibility.
8.
				  Describe the requirements for mine ventilation controls such as regulators,
				  ventilation doors, and other similar controls in the area of the foreman's
				  responsibility.
9. Describe the
				  minimum volume of air required in the area of the foreman's
				  responsibility.
10. Describe the
				  minimum requirements for quality of air (oxygen, carbon dioxide, and methane)
				  in the area of the foreman's responsibility.
11. Describe the procedure to follow in the
				  area of the foreman's responsibility upon an accumulation of methane at:
a. 1.0% or greater not less than 12 inches
				  from the roof, face, ribs, or floor;
b. Greater than 1.0% in a split that
				  ventilates any group of active areas;
c. 1.5% (or 2.0% as applicable) in a split of
				  air returning from areas where coal is being extracted or is capable of being
				  extracted; or
d. 5.0% or greater in
				  any area of the mine.