West Virginia Code of State Rules › Agency 56 - Miners' Health, Safety And Training › Title 56 - LEGISLATIVE RULE OFFICE OF MINERS' HEALTH, SAFETY AND TRAINING › Series 56-04 - Rules Governing Protective Clothing And Equipment › Section 56-4-8 - Emergency Shelters/Chambers

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 28, July 12, 2024
8.1. An emergency shelter/chamber shall be
				maintained within 1,000 feet of the nearest working face in each working
				section. Each emergency shelter/chamber shall be approved by the Director and
				constructed and maintained in a manner prescribed by the Director.
8.2. The Director may approve, as an
				alternative to a shelter/chamber, an additional surface opening located no more
				than 1,000 feet from the nearest working face and accurately located on
				escape-way maps as required by W. Va. Code §22A-2-1.
8.3. The Director shall acquire, no later
				than July 1, 2006, the necessary technical/engineering support needed to
				evaluate the performance of emergency shelter/chamber components/systems, and
				to review the effectiveness of emergency shelter/chamber plans.
8.4. The Director shall, no later than July
				10, 2006, issue an open opportunity for emergency shelter/chamber providers to
				submit products for approval. The Director shall maintain a current list of
				pending and approved emergency shelter/chambers on the West Virginia MHS&T
				web site:
https://minesafety.wv.gov
.
8.5. Providers of emergency shelter/chamber
				seeking approval shall submit documentation prescribed by the Director that
				shall include a certification by an independent West Virginia licensed
				professional engineer that the proposed product meets the requirements set
				forth in Section 8, a description of the process used in making that
				determination and a certification in the following form: AI, the undersigned,
				herby certify that this product, to the best of my knowledge and belief, meets
				or exceeds all requirements set forth in W. Va. Code R.
				§56-4-8."
8.6. Any emergency
				shelter/chamber approved by the Director shall:
8.6.1. Provide a minimum of 48 hours life
				support (air, water, emergency medical supplies, and food) for the maximum
				number of miners reasonably expected on the working section;
8.6.2. Be capable of surviving an initial
				event with a peak overpressure of 15 psi for 3 seconds and a flash fire as
				defined by National Fire Protection Association standard NFPA-2113 of 300
				degrees Fahrenheit for 3 seconds;
8.6.3. Be constructed in a manner such that
				it will be protected under normal handling and during pre-event mine
				conditions;
8.6.4. Provide for
				rapidly establishing and maintaining an internal shelter atmosphere of oxygen
				above 19.5%, carbon dioxide below 0.5%, carbon monoxide below 50 ppm, and an
				apparent-temperature of 95 degrees Fahrenheit;
8.6.5. Provide the ability to monitor carbon
				monoxide and oxygen inside and outside the shelter/chamber;
8.6.6. Provide a means for entry and exit
				that maintains the integrity of the internal atmosphere;
8.6.7. Provide a means for MSHA certified
				intrinsically safe power if power required;
8.6.8. Provide a minimum 8 quarts of water
				per miner;
8.6.9. Provide a minimum
				of 4,000 calories of food per miner;
8.6.10. Provide a means for disposal of human
				waste to the outside of the shelter/chamber;
8.6.11. Provide a first aid kit as defined at
				W. Va. Code §22A-2-59(3)(b)
				independent of the section first aid kit required by W. Va. Code
				§22A-2-59(3) and
				2-60(f);
8.6.12. Have provisions
				for inspection of the shelter/chamber and contents;
8.6.13. Contain manufacturer recommended
				repair materials;
8.6.14. Provide a
				battery-powered occupant-activated strobe light of a model approved by the
				Director that is visible from the outside indicating occupancy;
8.6.15. Provide provisions for communications
				to the surface; and
8.6.16. Provide
				proof of current approval for all items and materials subject to MSHA
				approval.