Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 43, October 25, 2024
Section 36-4-5 - General Safety Precautions for All Types of Equipment Moves5.1. Mining equipment may be transported in track entries with track mounted battery or diesel powered locomotives while persons are in by the ventilating current of such equipment where trolley and feeder wire does not exist or has been de-energized, provided: 5.1.1. When trolley and feeder wires are present, a certified electrician shall be designated to de-energize such trolley and feeder wire in the area where such equipment is to be moved. De-energizing devices in the trolley and feeder wire system shall be open, locked out with an approved device and suitably tagged by a designated certified electrician. A designated certified electrician shall be the person who removes the danger tags, locking devices, and restores the electrical power to the trolley and feeder wires after the equipment move has passed through that specific area.5.2. The equipment move and the move crew shall be under the direct supervision of a certified foreman. Prior to starting and during the transporting or tramming of such aforementioned equipment the following listed procedures shall apply and necessary equipment shall be provided:5.2.1. Equipment being transported or trammed on flat cars, skids, or other similar equipment shall be cleaned of accumulated combustible materials, properly secured to transporting vehicle and effectively insulated on the top side next to the trolley or feeder wire.5.2.2. Prior to any equipment being transported on rail, a positive ground shall be established and continuously maintained between such machine and ground system.5.2.3. Heads and/or booms of all equipment being transported shall have all hydraulic pressure released and heads and/or booms shall be secured.5.2.4. When necessary, all equipment assemblies shall be removed to provide required clearance.5.2.5. Adequate size equipment shall be used while transporting mining equipment.5.2.6. Pre and Post- move Examinations; 5.2.6.a. Within eight (8) hours prior to such equipment being transported the entire length of the travel route, where such equipment is to be transported or trammed, shall be examined by a certified foreman or fire boss.5.2.6.b. Within three (3) hours after such equipment has been transported the entire length of the travel route, where such equipment has been transported or trammed shall be examined by a certified foreman or fire boss.5.2.6.c. Such examinations in paragraph 1 and 2 above shall be recorded by such foreman in a book kept for that purpose.5.2.7. Prior to an equipment move, a visual examination shall be made by a certified electrician of all circuit breakers that will be utilized along the route of travel. Necessary settings of all such circuit breakers to be utilized, shall be made by a certified electrician.5.2.8. A minimum of twelve (12) inches of radius clearance shall be maintained between the equipment being moved and the energized high voltage cable and energized, insulated D.C. feeder wire paralleling the entry along the route of travel. In areas where the aforementioned twelve (12) inches of radius clearance cannot be maintained the high voltage cable and D.C. feeder cable shall be adequately guarded, however, if six (6) inches of clearance cannot be maintained between the equipment being moved and the high voltage cables and D.C. insulated feeder wire and the high voltage cables or D.C. insulated wire shall be de-energized, and suitably tagged and locked out with an approved device by a certified electrician: Provided, however, where it becomes necessary for equipment to pass under high voltage cables and/or insulated D.C. feeder wire, where the required clearance cannot be maintained, the aforementioned high voltage cables and/or insulated D.C. feeder wire shall either be channeled above the level of the roof line or de-energized. When energized trolley and feeder wires are present, a certified electrician shall be designated to de-energize such trolley and feeder wire in the area where such equipment is to be moved. De-energizing devices in the trolley and feeder wire system shall be opened, locked out with an approved device and suitably tagged by a designated certified electrician. A designated certified electrician shall be the person who removes the danger tags, locking devices, and restores the electrical power to the trolley and feeder wires after the equipment move has passed through that specific area. Prior to energizing trolley and/or feeder wires in the area where such equipment has been moved, an examination of the area shall be made by a certified foreman and all hazardous conditions found during his examination shall be corrected.5.2.9. An operative means of communications shall be maintained between the move crew transporting or tramming such equipment, the dispatch eror a designated qualified person on the surface and the affected section.5.2.10. An experienced machine operator of the type of equipment being moved shall be provided with all moves.5.2.11. Except as provided in paragraph L below, a qualified person shall be located where electrical power can be immediately de-energized while the equipment is being transported or trammed.5.2.12. Should it be necessary for any person to be located downwind of the equipment being moved to control the electrical power, such person shall be provided with a one hour self-contained self-rescuer or equivalent and has been trained in its use, also the above mentioned person shall have a readily available vehicle, operative communications, and immediate access to an isolated intake air escapeway before such person goes downwind such equipment to control the power, he or she shall have been familiarized as to the escapeways in the area he or she may be located in at the time. If an isolated intake air escapeway is not provided in the area where a person must be downwind the equipment being transported, then the person shall be given ample time to establish the power and return to the upwind side of the equipment being moved, before such equipment proceeds any further.5.2.13. When a locomotive is operating on the boom end of the equipment being transported or where there are other conditions that may present a hazard to the locomotive operator because of being in close proximity to the equipment being moved, a flat car, mine car, or similar equipment shall be provided between the locomotive and moving equipment. When possible, place the boom end of the equipment being moved at the opposite end of the locomotive operator's compartment.5.2.14. No person shall be assigned to an equipment move crew that does not possess a West Virginia miners certificate as an underground miner.5.2.15. A light and equipment move notification instructions shall be located at all portals where persons enter the mine. At the beginning of the shift when such equipment is to be moved the date, time, route of travel, and destination of equipment moves shall be posted on the mine bulletin board and a representative of the miners at that mine shall be notified at the time of posting. Such aforementioned written instructions shall be signed by a certified foreman. Immediately prior to the equipment move the conspicuous light shall be turned on by a certified foreman and such light shall remain on for the duration of the equipment move. In the event the need for an unplanned move arises, all underground persons shall be notified prior to the move.5.2.16. A readily available vehicle, capable of transporting injured persons shall be provided on the out by side of the equipment being moved5.2.17. All locomotives used to transport such equipment shall be cleaned of accumulated combustible material5.2.18. Battery tops shall be cleaned prior to equipment moves. Battery terminals shall be insulated between the top of the battery and the battery cover to prevent accidental short-circuiting.5.2.19. All locomotives, except diesel powered, shall be examined for proper voltage prior to equipment moves.5.2.20. Each piece of equipment involved in equipment moves shall have a pre-operational check performed. Each shift prior to its operation, equipment involved in equipment moves shall be examined for safety defects and/or unsafe conditions.5.2.21. The following fire protection equipment and tools shall be provided with each equipment move, provided items 4 and 7 do not apply, if trolley or feeder wire is not present in the entry where equipment is being moved:5.2.21.a. 4-20 lb. ABC fire extinguishers (such extinguishers shall be placed where they are readily accessible).5.2.21.d. 1 wire bell wrench.5.2.21.e. 1 set of come-a-longs.5.2.21.f. 2-12 inch adjustable wrenches.5.2.21.g. Adequate supply of trolley wire splices and bells.5.2.21.h. A lifting jack or equivalent and/or lifting jacks sufficient and an appropriate jack bar in size to lift such equipment being moved or transported or trammed.5.2.21.j. Assortment of wood blocks.5.2.21.k. One pair insulated wire cutters.5.2.21.l. One pair of high-voltage gloves.5.2.21.m. One sledge hammer.5.2.21.n. One 10 unit first aid kit.