W. Va. Code R. § 38-7-6

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 25, June 21, 2024

Section 38-7-6 - Methane Examination; Monitor: Face Area

6.1. The Director or his representative shall require an approved methane monitor to be installed on the continuous mining machine.

The methane monitor shall give warning automatically when the concentration of methane reaches a maximum percentage of not more than 1.0 volume per centum of methane.

The operator of any mine which shortwall 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 each month the methane monitors shall be checked for operation accuracy with a known methane air mixture and shall be calibrated as necessary. A records of calibration tests shall be kept in a book on the surface.

If the methane monitor on a shortwall mining section malfunctions, the operator shall have such monitor repaired within twelve (12) hours. However, during the period of time the methane monitor is inoperative, the electric equipment shall not be operated for a longer period than ten (10) minutes without an examination for methane gas, the two (2) hour examinations as required in section 7.2 of these rules and regulations shall be conducted on one (1) hour intervals and air reading on the intake side of the shortwall face shall be collected on one (1) hour intervals.

If for extraordinary reasons parts are unavailable to correct the malfunction on the methane monitor, within twelve (12) hour, the operator shall notify the Department of Energy who will evaluate the circumstances.

If the circumstances prevail to prevent the methane monitor from being repaired to operating condition, the Department of Energy may extend the above twelve (12) hour time limit, providing the protection to the worker is not reduced.

If a malfunction to the methane monitor occurs on a shortwall working section, the supervisor on such shift shall indicate in his on-shift examination report, in the fire boss report books, the date and time such methane monitor malfunction.

6.2. It shall be the duty of the certified person designated by the mine foreman to supervise a shortwall section, to examine the shortwall face for hazards at least once every two (2) hour during each coal producing shift or more often if necessary for safety. Such examinations shall include test for methane gas and oxygen deficiency. Such methane and oxygen deficiency examination shall be made in at least one hundred (100) foot intervals, between the headgate and tailgate. The initials, date, and time shall be recorded at the test locations.

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.

W. Va. Code R. § 38-7-6