Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 37, September 13, 2024
Section 36-6-8 - Methane Examinations; Monitor, Face Area8.1. The Director or his representative shall require an approved methane monitor to be installed at the headgate on a longwall working section. The censoring unit indicating the atmospheric conditions on the above methane monitor shall be installed at a location in by the rib line on the return side of the longwall face. 8.1.1. The methane monitor shall be kept operative and properly maintained and tested weekly.8.1.2. Such methane monitor shall give warning automatically when the concentration of methane reaches a maximum percentage of not more than 1.0 volume percentum of methane.8.1.3. The operator of any mine which longwall mining is performed shall establish and adopt a definite maintenance program designed to keep such methane monitors operative and a written description of such program shall be available for inspection. At least once every fifteen (15) days the methane monitors shall be checked for operating accuracy with a known methane air mixture and shall be calibrated as necessary. A record of calibration tests shall be kept in a book on the surface.8.2. It shall be the duty of the certified person designated by the mine foreman to supervise a longwall section, to examine the longwall face for hazards at least once every two (2) hours during each coal producing shift or more often if necessary for safety. Such examination shall include test for methane gas and oxygen deficiency. Such methane and oxygen deficiency examinations shall be made in at least one hundred foot intervals, between the headgate and tailgate. The initials, date, and time shall be recorded at the test locations. 8.3. Should one percent or more of methane gas be detected, the electrical equipment shall be immediately de-energized and the electrical power circuit then disconnected from the power supply until the place is pronounced safe by a certified person.