West Virginia Code of State Rules › Agency 36 - Coal Mine Health And Safety › Title 36 - LEGISLATIVE EXEMPT RULE BOARD OF COAL MINE HEALTH AND SAFETY › Series 36-27 - Rules And Regulations Governing Surface Areas On Mine Property And Limitations On Mining Adjacent To Gas Facilities › Section 36-27-5 - Safety Precautions on Coal Stockpiles

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 28, July 12, 2024
5.1. The following requirements shall apply
				to all surface coal stockpiles with draw-off tunnel feeders underneath the coal
				storage area of the stockpile which discharge onto a conveyor belt:
5.1.a. No person shall travel on foot or
				operate equipment on a coal stockpile or coal storage area directly over areas
				where underlying coal feeders are in place without a plan approving such
				activity by the Director, or his authorized representative. The Plan shall be
				submitted by the operator or the independent contractor performing the work,
				and shall be reviewed with all persons prior to work being done, and a record
				kept of such review.
5.1.b. The
				Plan shall outline procedures to protect the health and safety of those who may
				have to travel on foot or operate equipment on a coal stockpile or coal storage
				area directly over areas where underlying coal feeders are in place. The
				minimum criteria for approval of the plan shall include:
5.1.b.1. The equipment shall be equipped with
				an enclosed cab and doors and windows shall be closed and secured at all times
				the equipment is in operation. Beginning January 1, 2001 all mobile equipment
				manually operated on coal stockpiles, where there is a potential of the
				equipment falling into a cavity, shall be equipped with an enclosed cab fitted
				with chemically tempered glass and a window support system; provided however,
				that glass certified to withstand 40 psi may be installed without a window
				support system, provided that such glass is installed in a substantial frame.
				The Director of the Office of Miners Health, Safety and Training will approve
				all enclosed cabs pursuant to this section. The Director of the Office of
				Miners Health, Safety and Training may approve other types of glass and window
				frames or support system provided that an equal or greater amount of protection
				is afforded.
5.1.b.2. The equipment
				shall have two-way communications and a back up communication system supplied
				on an independent power source.
5.1.b.3. The equipment operator shall be
				provided with two self-contained self-rescuers. 5.1.b.4. A remote control
				device capable of stopping the flow of coal from the feeder and stop the coal
				coming onto the stockpile. Such device shall be tested weekly.
5.1.b.5. A means of providing emergency
				lighting to the mobile equipment operator.
5.1.b.6. Warning signs shall be posted at the
				entrances to all coal stockpiles with underlying coal feeders.
5.1.b.7. No person shall travel on foot,
				except on an emergency basis, and only under direct supervision; they shall be
				secured by an overhead lifeline; and feeders shall be locked and tagged
				out.
5.1.c. The operator
				shall establish rules for the safe procedures for breaking through cavities and
				for marking the feeder areas on the surface. A copy of the rules shall be
				submitted to the Director, Office of Miners Health, Safety and Training for
				approval. A copy of the approved rules shall be posted at the mine site, and
				all persons to perform such work shall be instructed in these
				procedures.
5.1.d. Telephone or
				equivalent two-way communications shall be established between equipment
				operators working on stockpiles and those persons who are operating conveyors,
				feeders, and hoppers at storage piles (where more than one person performs
				these duties), in order to keep such equipment operators advised of the
				possibility of bridged material over a cavity in the stockpile.