Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 24, June 14, 2024
Section 56-20-7 - Drilling7.1. Inspection. All drilling equipment shall be provided with restraining devices installed properly to prohibit the free fall of drill steels which may break or become unthreaded at the point of the adaptor.7.2. Horizontal drill. 7.2.a. When horizontal drills are used, the operator shall not leave the controls while the drill stems are in operation.7.2.b. All persons shall be required to keep in the clear of auger and drill stems while in motion. No person shall be permitted to pass under or step over a moving drill stem or auger.7.2.c. Prior to horizontal holes being drilled in overburden, a careful inspection of the highwall face shall be made. All loose hazardous material shall be removed before other work is performed.7.3. Vertical drilling. 7.3.a. When vertical drilling operations are being performed, the drill machine shall be continuously attended.7.3.b. When chum drills or vertical rotary drills are used, the drill machine operator shall not work under suspended tools. When collaring holes, inspecting, or during any operation where tools are removed from the hole, the tools shall be lowered to the ground or platform.7.3.c. No person shall be permitted around auger and drill stems that are in motion.7.3.d. Starter hole drill steels shall be utilized when collaring holes with a hand-held drill.7.3.e. No person shall be permitted on the drill mast while the drill bit or carriage is in motion. Tools and/or other material shall not be left on the drill mast.7.3.f. Threads on all drill steels and related components shall be maintained in a safe working condition.7.4. Drilling position. 7.4.a. Drill machine operators shall not drill from positions that hinder their access to controls levers, or from insecure footing, or staging, or from atop equipment not designated for this purpose.7.4.b. Miners shall not hand grasp the drill steel while collaring holes or place their hands on the chuck or centralizer while drilling.7.4.c. Miners operating or working near jackhammers or jackleg drills shall position themselves so they will not be struck or lose their balance if the drill steel breaks.7.4.d. Drills shall not be positioned near the edge of the bench where safe egress from the operator's cab cannot be maintained.7.4.e. When drilling near a highwall, the drill shall be positioned so the operator's cab is on the side of the drill away from the highwall. If this cannot be accomplished due to extenuating circumstances, a spotter shall be provided.7.5. Movement of drills. 7.5.a. Vertical drill holes and blast crevices that remain open after blasting and constitute a hazard shall be protected to prevent persons from falling into them.7.5.b. While moving a drill machine from one area to another, drill steel tools and other equipment shall be secured and the mast placed in a safe position.7.5.c. The location of the drill machine helper shall be known to the drill machine operator at all times while such drill is being moved.7.5.d. Hand-held air drills shall be turned off and all air bled from air hoses before such drill is moved from one working area to another and at the end of each shift.