Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 24, June 14, 2024
Section 36-1-17 - Ventilation - Methods - Maintenance - Evacuation - Quality - Quantity17.1. Ventilating tubing shall be constructed to permit ventilation by either exhausting or blowing methods and when metal air ducts are used, they shall be grounded effectively to remove static and other electrical currents.17.2. Ducts shall extend as close to the bottom as necessary to ventilate properly. 17.3. A certified person, designated by the operator, shall be assigned to maintain each ventilating system.17.4. Unless a permit has been obtained from the Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training, the fan shall be operated continuously when personnel are below the surface of a shaft and/or slope. Any accidental stoppage or reduction in air-flow shall be corrected promptly; however, where repairs cannot be made immediately, development work below the surface shall be stopped and all the personnel who are not needed to make necessary repairs shall be removed to the surface. If ventilation is not restored in fifteen (15) minutes all underground employees shall be removed from the shaft and/or slope and the underground employees shall not return until ventilation is restored and the shaft and/or slope is examined by a certified person holding a certificate to make a pre-shift examination.17.5. No superintendent-examiner-foreman shall permit any person to work where he/she is unable to maintain the quantity and quality of the air required. Provided, that such provisions shall not prohibit the employment of personnel to make place of employment safe. 17.6. All active underground working places in a shaft and/or slope shall be ventilated by a current of air obtaining not less than nineteen (19) and five tenths (5/10ths) percent oxygen and no harmful quantities of other noxious or poisonous gases.