30 C.F.R. Subpart B—Ground Control
Title 30 - Mineral Resources
Authority: 30 U.S.C. 811
Source: 51 FR 36197, Oct. 8, 1986, unless otherwise noted.
The following definitions apply in this subpart. Travelway. A passage, walk, or way regularly used or designated for persons to go from one place to another. [51 FR 36197, Oct. 8, 1986, as amended at 69 FR 38840, June 29, 2004] Mining methods shall be used that will maintain wall, bank, and slope stability in places where persons work or travel in performing their assigned tasks. When benching is necessary, the width and height shall be based on the type of equipment used for cleaning of benches or for scaling of walls, banks, and slopes. In places where persons work or travel in performing their assigned tasks, loose or unconsolidated material shall be sloped to the angle of repose or stripped back for at least 10 feet from the top of the pit or quarry wall. Other conditions at or near the perimeter of the pit or quarry wall which create a fall-of-material hazard to persons shall be corrected.
Title 30: Mineral Resources
PART 56—SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS—SURFACE METAL AND NONMETAL MINES
Subpart B—Ground Control
§ 56.3000 Definitions.
Mining Methods
§ 56.3130 Wall, bank, and slope stability.
§ 56.3131 Pit or quarry wall perimeter.
Scaling and Support
§ 56.3200 Correction of hazardous conditions.
Ground conditions that create a hazard to persons shall be taken down or supported before other work or travel is permitted in the affected area. Until corrective work is completed, the area shall be posted with a warning against entry and, when left unattended, a barrier shall be installed to impede unauthorized entry.
§ 56.3201 Location for performing scaling.
Scaling shall be performed from a location which will not expose persons to injury from falling material, or other protection from falling material shall be provided.
§ 56.3202 Scaling tools.
Where manual scaling is performed, a scaling bar shall be provided. This bar shall be of a length and design that will allow the removal of loose material without exposing the person performing this work to injury.
§ 56.3203 Rock fixtures.
(a) For rock bolts and accessories addressed in ASTM F432–95, “Standard Specification for Roof and Rock Bolts and Accessories,” the mine operator shall—
(1) Obtain a manufacturer's certification that the material was manufactured and tested in accordance with the specifications of ASTM F432–95; and
(2) Make this certification available to an authorized representative of the Secretary and to the representative of miners.
(b) Fixtures and accessories not addressed in ASTM F432–95 may be used for ground support provided they—
(1) Have been successful in supporting the ground in an area with similar strata, opening dimensions and ground stresses in any mine; or
(2) Have been tested and shown to be effective in supporting ground in an area of the affected mine which has similar strata, opening dimensions, and ground stresses as the area where the fixtures are expected to be used. During the test process, access to the test area shall be limited to persons necessary to conduct the test.
(c) Bearing plates shall be used with fixtures when necessary for effective ground support.
(d) The diameter of finishing bits shall be within a tolerance of plus or minus 0.030 inch of the manufacturer's recommended hole diameter for the anchor used. When separate finishing bits are used, they shall be distinguishable from other bits.
(e) Damaged or deteriorated cartridges of grouting material shall not be used.
(f) When rock bolts tensioned by torquing are used as a means of ground support,
(1) Selected tension level shall be—
(i) At least 50 percent of either the yield point of the bolt or anchorage capacity of the rock, whichever is less; and
(ii) No greater than the yield point of the bolt or anchorage capacity of the rock.
(2) The torque of the first bolt, every tenth bolt, and the last bolt installed in each work area during the shift shall be accurately determined immediately after installation. If the torque of any fixture tested does not fall within the installation torque range, corrective action shall be taken.
(g) When grouted fixtures can be tested by applying torque, the first fixture installed in each work place shall be tested to withstand 150 foot-pounds of torque. Should it rotate in the hole, a second fixture shall be tested in the same manner. If the second fixture also turns, corrective action shall be taken.
(h) When other tensioned and nontensioned fixtures are used, test methods shall be established to verify their effectiveness.
(i) The mine operator shall certify that tests were conducted and make the certification available to an authorized representative of the Secretary.
[51 FR 36197, Oct. 8, 1986, as amended at 51 FR 36804, Oct. 16, 1986; 63 FR 20030, Apr. 22, 1998]
Precautions
§ 56.3400 Secondary breakage.
Prior to secondary breakage operations, material to be broken, other than hanging material, shall be positioned or blocked to prevent movement which would endanger persons in the work area. Secondary breakage shall be performed from a location which would not expose persons to danger.
§ 56.3401 Examination of ground conditions.
Persons experienced in examining and testing for loose ground shall be designated by the mine operator. Appropriate supervisors or other designated persons shall examine and, where applicable, test ground conditions in areas where work is to be performed prior to work commencing, after blasting, and as ground conditions warrant during the work shift. Highwalls and banks adjoining travelways shall be examined weekly or more often if changing ground conditions warrant.
§ 56.3430 Activity between machinery or equipment and the highwall or bank.
Persons shall not work or travel between machinery or equipment and the highwall or bank where the machinery or equipment may hinder escape from falls or slides of the highwall or bank. Travel is permitted when necessary for persons to dismount.
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