2 Colo. Code Regs. § 407-6-13

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 1, January 10, 2025

Rule 2 CCR 407-6-13 - PERSONNEL HOISTING

1. The construction of any headframe and the material used therein shall be sufficiently strong and durable to assure its withstanding any strain put upon it. All headframes shall be so designed that they will withstand a greater load than the calculated breaking strength of all hoisting attachments.

2. Hoists shall have rated capacities consistent with the loads handled and the recommended safety factors of the ropes used.

3. Hoists shall be anchored securely.

4. Belt, rope, or chain shall not be used to connect driving mechanisms to man hoists.

5. Any hoist used to hoist persons shall be equipped with a brake or brakes capable of holding its fully loaded cage, skip, or bucket at any point in the shaft.

6. The operating mechanism of the clutch of every man-hoist drum shall be provided with a locking mechanism, or interlocked electrically or mechanically with the brake to prevent accidental withdrawal of the clutch.

7. Automatic hoists shall be provided with devices that automatically apply the brakes in the event of a power failure.

8. All personnel hoists shall be provided with devices to prevent overtravel. When utilized in shafts exceeding 100 feet in depth, such hoists shall also be provided with overspeed devices.

9. Where creep or slip may alter the effective position of safety devices, friction hoists shall be equipped with synchronizing mechanisms that recalibrate the overtravel devices and position indicators.

10. An accurate and reliable indicator of the position of the cage, skip, bucket, or cars in the shaft shall be provided.

11. Hoist controls shall be placed or housed so that the noise from machinery or other sources will not prevent hoistmen from hearing signals.

12. Flanges on drums shall extend radially a minimum of 4 inches or three rope diameters beyond the last wrap, whichever is the lesser.

13. Where grooved drums are used, the grooves shall be of suitable size and pitch for the ropes used.

14. Each hoist shall be equipped with a manually operable switch that will initiate emergency braking action to bring the conveyance and the counterbalance safely to rest. This switch shall be located within reach of the hoistman in case the manual controls of the hoist fail.

15. When an overtravel by-pass switch is installed, the switch shall function so as to allow the conveyance to be moved through the overtravel position when the switch is held in the closed position by the hoistman. The overtravel bypass switch shall return automatically to the open position when released by the hoistman.

16. If guide ropes are used in shafts for personnel hoisting applications, the nominal strength (manufacturer's published catalog strength) of the guide rope at installation shall meet the minimum value calculated as follows: Minimum Value = Static Load x 5.0.

17. At installation, the nominal strength (manufacturer's published catalog strength) of wire ropes used for hoisting shall meet the minimum rope strength values obtained by the formulas in 30 CFR 57.19021, as amended July 1, 2001, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

18. After initial rope stretch but before visible wear occurs, the rope diameter of newly installed wire ropes shall be measured at least once in every third interval of active length and the measurements averaged to establish a baseline for subsequent measurements. A record of the measurements and the date shall be made by the person taking the measurements. This record shall be retained until the rope is retired from service.

19. Wire rope shall be attached to the load by a method that develops at least 80 percent of the nominal strength of the rope.

20. The standard code of hoisting signals recognized by the State of Colorado (34-21-109 C.R.S.) shall be adopted and used at each mine.

21. A legible signal code shall be posted prominently in the hoist house within easy view of the hoistmen, and at each place where signals are given or received.

22. A hoistman training and procedures plan must be developed by the tourist mine owner/operator for personnel that may operate the hoist. The tourist mine owner/operator shall ensure that any person operating a hoist is physically competent to perform the duty. The training and procedures plan along with documentation of the training must be made available for the MSTP inspector to examine.

23. Only experienced hoistmen shall operate the hoist except in cases of emergency and in the training of new hoistmen.

24. A systematic procedure of inspection, testing, and maintenance of shaft and hoisting equipment shall be developed and followed. If it is found or suspected that any part is not functioning properly, the hoist shall not be used until the malfunction has been located and repaired or adjustments have been made.

25. At the time of completion, the person performing inspections, tests, and maintenance of shafts and hoisting equipment required shall certify, by signature and date, that they have been completed. A record of any part that is not functioning properly shall be made and dated. Certifications and records shall be retained at the tourist mine for one year.

26. Parts used to repair hoists shall have properties that will ensure the proper and safe function of the hoist.

27. Examinations:

a. When the tourist mine is operating, at least once every fourteen-calendar days, each wire rope in service shall be visually examined along its entire active length for visible structural damage, corrosion, and improper lubrication or dressing. In addition, visual examination for wear and broken wires shall be made at stress points, including the area near attachments, where the rope rests on sheaves, where the rope leaves the drum, at drum crossovers, and at change-of-layer regions. When any visible condition that results in a reduction of rope strength is present, the affected portion of the rope shall be examined on a daily basis.

b. Before any tourist, employee, or tourist mine owner/operator is hoisted with a newly installed wire rope or any wire rope that has not been examined in the previous fourteen-calendar days, the wire rope shall be examined in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section.

c. At least once every six months, nondestructive tests shall be conducted to the active length of the rope, or rope diameter measurements shall be made

i. Wherever wear is evident;

ii. Where the hoist rope rests on sheaves at regular stopping points;

iii. Where the hoist rope leaves the drum at regular stopping points; and

iv. At drum crossover and change-of-layer regions.

d. At the completion of each examination required by paragraph (a) of this section, the person making the examination shall certify, by signature and date, that the examination has been made. If any condition listed in paragraph (a) of this section is present, the person conducting the examination shall make a record of the condition and the date. Certification and records of examinations shall be retained for one year.

e. The person making the measurement or nondestructive tests as required by paragraph (c) of this section shall record the measurements or test results and the date. This record shall be retained until the rope is retired from service.

f. Hoistmen shall examine their hoists and shall test overtravel, deadman controls, position indicators, and braking mechanisms at the beginning of each shift.

g. Before hoisting persons and to assure that the hoisting compartments are clear of obstructions, empty hoist conveyances shall be operated at least one round trip after:

i. Any hoist or shaft repairs or related equipment repairs that might restrict or obstruct conveyance clearance;

ii. Any oversize or overweight material or equipment trips that might restrict or obstruct conveyance clearance;

iii. Blasting in or near the shaft that might restrict or obstruct conveyance clearance; or iv. Remaining idle for one shift or longer.

28. When a manually operated hoist is used, a qualified hoistman shall remain within hearing of the telephone or signal device at all times while any person is underground.

29. When automatic hoisting is used, a competent operator of the hoist shall be readily available at or near the hoisting device while any person is underground.

2 CCR 407-6-13