Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 25, June 21, 2024
Section 36-43-3 - Requirements for Remote Controlled Extended or Deep-Cut Mining Operations; Special Consideration of Roof Control and Mine Ventilation Plans; Roof Bolting Procedures; Additional Precautions for Increased Worker Safety3.1. Required Roof Control and Methane and Dust Control Plans and the compatibility of each system shall be applied on a mine-by-mine basis.3.2. During mining and place changing with remote control miners, all persons shall be positioned in an area that will afford protection to themselves and others from unsupported roof and moving equipment. The remote control unit shall not be placed on top of the mining machine and operated from this position.3.3. All persons shall remain under permanently supported top at all times during the mining operations. While the continuous miner is in operation extracting coal, no person shall proceed inby the next to last row of permanent supports, provided however, that the inby edge of the canopy of manned face haulage equipment or the manned continuous miner may be advanced to the last row of permanent supports.3.4. No person shall be inby the continuous miner operator's work position while coal is being mined unless he notifies the operator and can be located in a safe position. Exception: Equipment operator's transporting the material being cut/loaded.3.5. In the event of a continuous miner breakdown that requires persons to go inby existing permanent roof support to make repairs, the unsupported area where practical, will be permanently supported and the remaining unsupported roof supported with temporary supports set on 5-foot centers lengthwise and crosswise where miners are present or working. However, to reset the continuous miner breaker, a minimum of two rows of temporary supports on five foot centers to the breaker will be required, unless the side of the machine where the breaker is located is five feet or less from the rib, one row of temporary supports located not more than five feet from the rib will be acceptable. The installation of temporary supports required by this section shall be performed under the direct supervision of a certified foreman.3.6. A conspicuous reference mark or some other visual means shall be provided for the workers to determine when the maximum depth of cut is attained. (Chalk marks are not acceptable)3.7. An approved ATRS System will be maintained and used during bolting operations.3.8. When a sidecut is planned to be turned from any mine entry, permanent roof supports shall be installed inby the projected inby rib of the proposed sidecut for a distance of ten feet or totally supported if the distance is less.3.9. Roof supports shall be installed in sequence and spacing specified in the approved roof control plan. 3.10. All openings of unsupported crosscuts shall be supported with at least two rows of temporary supports on 4-foot center (crosswise) across the openings prior to work or travel in the intersection. This does not prevent preshift and on shift examination.3.11. When crosscuts, in excess of a normal cut are developed on a working section, no more than two open, unsupported adjacent crosscuts in direct line with one another shall be permitted.3.12. Where adverse roof conditions are encountered, the depth of the cuts shall be reduced to a depth sufficient to effectively control the mine roof.3.13. During the mining of a final push-out only those persons necessary shall be allowed in the area of the immediate intersection.3.14. All remote control continuous miners shall be equipped with a strobe light or equivalent device to give warning when methane gas concentrations reach one percent of more. In addition, a device to remotely activate the fire suppression system and the water supply shall be provided on the remote control panel (unit) or at another remote location under supported roof.3.15. Methane examinations shall be made according to the requirements of W. Va Code '22A-2-43.3.16(a) Face ventilation shall be established according to the approved ventilation plan and W. Va. Code '22a-2-4. Air quality measurements to determine compliance with this requirement may be taken at the end of the line brattice or tubing.(b) Notwithstanding W. Va. Code '22A-2-4(f), during remote control deep-cut mining operations, crosscuts for air shall be made not more than 120 feet apart and working places shall not be advanced more than 50 feet inby the projected crosscut prior to it's completion.3.17. When the roof bolting cycle is started, the line brattice may be removed a sufficient distance to provide a safe work area and will be advanced as permanent supports are installed.3.18. When flooded-bed scrubbers are used in conjunction with deep cut, remote mining, the scrubber screens shall be examined at least once each shift and cleaned if necessary. In addition, the entire scrubber will be examined after twenty four (24) production hours and cleaned if necessary.