In response to Senate Concurrent Resolution 63, (SCR 63), the WV Board of Coal Mine Health & Safety promulgated “Emergency Rules” Governing the Movement of Mining Equipment in Underground Mines which became effective Tuesday, June 2, 2015, as was directed by the SCR.
The emergency rule revises the Title 36, Series 4 Rule, which has been in effect since 1979, to conform with recent legislative changes made to WV Code 22A-2-6 by the passage of Senate Bill 357. The revised rule establishes a series of safety precautions which must be employed when moving or tramming underground mining equipment and miners are working inby the move; provides for special safeguards when operating track cleaners or roof bolting in track entries where trolley wire exists and for tramming electrical equipment, transporting mining supplies and disassembled mining machine parts; and, addresses situations where rehabilitation and construction work is performed underground. The rule also restates the statutory prohibition against moving equipment where “energized” trolley wire exists with miners inby.
The Board announced a 30-day comment period extending through June to receive comments on the emergency rule and the WV Office of Miners’ Health Safety & Training will set up regional information briefings on the rule over the next several months.