W. Va. Code R. § 56-20-11

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 24, June 14, 2024

Section 56-20-11 - Haulage

11.1. Roads. - Traffic directions and warning signs.

11.1.a. Traffic directions which differ from standard highway practice shall be posted on signs along the haulage roads at strategic points in letters at least three (3) inches high.

11.1.b. Well-marked signs conspicuously placed shall be properly located to alert drivers to existing danger areas, such as the approach to a dangerous curve or extreme grade.

11.1.c. Traffic rules, signals, and warning signs shall be standardized at each quarry.

11.1.d. Where side or overhead clearances on haulage roads or loading or dumping locations are hazardous to quarry workers, such areas shall be conspicuously marked and warning devices shall be installed when necessary to insure the safety of the workers.

11.1.e. Flashers, flares or other means of signaling shall be used to warn approaching drivers of a hazard created by an obstruction in the roadway.

11.1.f. Regulatory signs shall be used to indicate required method of traffic movement. (Example: "Stop", "Yield", "One Way".)

11.1.g. Posted warning signs shall be used where necessary to indicate potential hazardous conditions. (Example: "Hill", "Curve", "Truck Crossing".)

11.1.h. Object marking shall be used to mark physical obstruction in or near the haulage way that presents possible hazards. (Example: Reflectors and high visibility paint.)

11.1.i. All signs and marking shall be displayed and utilized so as to be effective as possible.

11.1.j. Object marking shall be used to mark physical obstruction in or near the haulage way that presents possible hazards. (Example: Reflectors and high visibility paint.)

11.2. Haulage Roads. - Construction and maintenance.

11.2.a. Haulage roads shall be located an adequate distance from highwalls/benches and burden banks to minimize the danger of falling material onto personnel and equipment.

11.2.b. When dust created by haulage is thrown into suspension in such quantities that may obscure the vision of the operators of vehicles, an adequate means shall be taken to allay such dust.

11.2.c. Only authorized persons shall be permitted on haulage roads and at loading or dumping locations.

11.2.d. Berms or guards shall be provided on elevated roadways.

11.2.e. The width and grade to be utilized in haulage road construction shall be determined for each specific situation based upon terrain configuration, vehicle characteristics, and driver visibility for safe haulage.

11.2.f. Haulage roads shall be constructed of sufficient width to permit the driver to maneuver his/her vehicle to avoid striking unexpected obstacles on the roadway where reclamation regulations permit.

11.2.g. Provisions shall be made to adequately drain and remove excessive water from the haulage roads.

11.2.h. Haulage roads shall be constructed, installed and maintained in a manner consistent with speed and type of haulage operations being conducted to insure safe operation. All roads leading to and from work sites on which persons are expected to travel to and from work or to haul material or supplies, shall be of sufficient width and be maintained in good condition.

11.2.i. Haulage operations shall be stopped when the haulage surface has deteriorated to the extent that it presents a danger to the safety of the haulage operation.

11.2.j. When required by the Director or his authorized representative, approved runaway roads or suitable equivalent shall be provided on all haulage roads on which material is first hauled from such quarry.

11.2.k. All power lines constructed over haulage roads shall be maintained a minimum of twelve (12) feet above all equipment used on haulage roads including dump trucks in a raised position.

11.3. Haulage equipment-Construction and maintenance.

11.3.a. Haulage trucks shall not be operated with dirty windshields, cracked, dirty, or broken rearview mirrors.

11.3.b. Supplies, materials, and tools other than small hand tools shall not be transported with persons in vehicles unless such vehicles are specifically designed to make such transportation safe.

11.3.c. All new haulage vehicles placed into service shall be equipped with an emergency steering and braking system.

11.3.d. Where required by the Director, trucks used for haulage of materials, persons or supplies shall be equipped with two-way communication instruments.

11.3.e. All haulage vehicles placed into service shall be equipped with an approved supplemental emergency braking system.

11.4. Haulage equipment. - Operation.

11.4.a. Haulage truck operators shall make sure his/her truck path is unobstructed, especially when starting or moving the trucks forward or backward.

11.4.b. Radio or visual contact shall be made with an operator of a haulage truck to insure that it is safe to approach the truck.

11.4.c. Vehicles shall follow at a safe distance. Passing shall be limited to areas of adequate clearance and visibility.

11.4.d. No persons shall work or pass under the buckets or booms of equipment.

11.4.e. Drivers shall drive their trucks according to the condition of the road and the weather. At no time shall truck speeds exceed the safe predetermined speed limit that has been established on that haul road.

11.4.f. Haulage trucks traveling in the same direction shall not pass any vehicle until signals have been exchanged between both drivers and the vehicle to be passed pulls to the right side of the road.

11.4.g. Haulage trucks shall maintain a safe distance between the trucks they are following. Other vehicles shall maintain a minimum of one (1) car length for each ten (10) m.p.h. of travel in back of the vehicle they are following.

11.4.h. When approaching a state or county road, drivers shall maintain their trucks under control to stop, yield right of way, or obey the signals of a flagman.

11.4.i. When the body of a haulage unit is being raised, no person will be permitted in close proximity where they may be endangered.

11.4.j. Materials or equipment required in the cab of haulage equipment shall be adequately secured.

11.5. Parked vehicles.

11.5.a. Lights, flares, or other approved warning devices shall be adequately located when parked equipment creates a hazard to vehicular traffic.

11.5.b. Mobile equipment shall not be left unattended unless the brakes are set. The wheels shall be turned into a bank or berm, or shall be blocked, when such equipment is parked on a grade.

11.6. Employee parking and mantrips.

11.6.a. On all active quarries, a designated area shall be provided for parking of employees' vehicles. All employees shall park their personal vehicles at the designated parking area. Sufficient illumination shall be provided at all parking areas and parking areas shall be maintained in good condition.

11.6.b. No vehicle or other conveyance used to transport persons to and from work areas at quarries shall be overcrowded and all persons shall ride in a safe position.

11.6.b.1. All mantrips shall have, at a minimum, a "ten (10) unit" first aid kit, two-way communication, audible warning devices, and be equipped with strobe lights and/or whip antenna with florescent flag or equivalent.

11.7. Loading and hauling large rocks. Large rocks shall be broken before loading if they could endanger persons or affect the stability of mobile equipment. Mobile equipment used for haulage of mined material shall be loaded to minimize spillage where a hazard to persons could be created.

11.8. Loading, hauling and unloading of equipment or supplies. Equipment and supplies shall be loaded, transported, and unloaded in a manner which does not create a hazard to persons from falling or shifting equipment or supplies.

11.9. Supplies, materials and tools on mantrips. Supplies, materials, and tools, other than small items that can be carried by hand, shall not be transported underground with persons in mantrips.

11.10. Travelways. Safe means of access shall be provided and maintained to all working places.

W. Va. Code R. § 56-20-11