W. Va. Code R. § 56-20-12

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

Section 56-20-12 - General Provisions

12.1. Horseplay. Horseplay, practical jokes, wrestling, fighting or other actions which threaten persons with personal injury, causing them to fear for their personal safety or causing damage resulting in interference with safe operations, shall be prohibited.

12.2. Alcohol and drugs. Persons under the influence of alcohol or drugs shall not be permitted on a quarry or attendant facility. An authorized representative of the Director may cause any miner to be withdrawn from the quarry and request the quarry operator to search and/or test the miner for alcohol, drugs or drug paraphernalia.

12.3. Housekeeping. Paths, walkways, stairways, and roadways shall be kept free of obstructions. Structures and inside work areas shall be kept free of oil, spillage, litter, and dust accumulations.

12.4. Smoking. Smoking or open flames shall not be permitted in the following areas:

12.4.a. Within fifty (50) feet of the are a where explosives are being stored, handled, or used;

12.4.b. Within one hundred fifty (150) feet of flammable liquid storage areas;

12.4.c. Within one hundred fifty (150) feet of liquefied and non-liquefied gas storage areas;

12.4.d. Within one hundred fifty (150) feet of the proximity of auger holes; and

12.4.e. Within one hundred fifty (150) feet of highwall miner openings.

12.5. Compressed air or gases.

12.5.a. Safety chains or suitable locking devices shall be used at connections to machines or high-pressured hose lines where a connection failure would create a hazard.

12.5.b. Compressors and compressed-air receivers shall be equipped with automatic pressure relief valves, pressure gauges, and drain valves.

12.5.c. Except where automatic shutoff valves are used, safety chains or other suitable locking devices shall be used at connections to machines of high-pressure hose lines of three-fourths (3/4) inch inside diameter or larger, and between high-pressure hose lines of three-fourths (3/4) inch inside diameter or larger, where a connection failure would create a hazard.

12.5.d. At no time shall compressed air be directed toward a person. When compressed air is used, all necessary precautions shall be taken to protect persons from injury.

12.6. No working alone. No person shall be assigned, or allowed, or be required to perform work alone in any area where hazardous conditions exist that would endanger his/her safety unless he/she can communicate with others, can be heard, or can be seen.

12.7. Stockpiles. Material shall not be stockpiled at or near exposed or buried gas lines.

12.8. Reclaiming hazards. No person shall be permitted to walk or stand immediately above a reclaiming area at or near a slurrage or storage pile where the reclaiming operations may expose him/her to a hazard.

12.9. Toilet facilities. Each operator of a quarry shall provide at least one sanitary toilet in a location convenient to each surface work site. All sanitary toilets shall be regularly maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. Where ten (10) or more employees use such facilities, sufficient toilets shall be furnished to provide approximately one (1) sanitary toilet for each ten (10) employees. Separate toilet facilities shall be provided for each sex except where toilet rooms will be occupied by no more than one (1) person at a time and can be locked from the inside.

12.10. Drinking water. An adequate supply of potable water shall be provided for drinking purposes in each worksite of the quarry. Water transported to all work sites shall be carried, stored and otherwise protected in sanitary containers.

12.11. Persons entering a quarry. Only authorized persons shall be permitted to enter a quarry. The quarry operator shall develop a plan to account for those authorized persons while at the quarry. The plan shall be available to a representative of the Director upon request.

W. Va. Code R. § 56-20-12