Ala. Admin. Code r. 480-3-3-.33
Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024
Section 480-3-3-.33 - Mine Rescue Training And Equipment - Oxygen Breathing Apparatus(1)Mine Rescue Equipment Required - There shall be provided and kept in a readily accessible place at every mine employing more than fifty (50) men underground on one shift, a minimum of the following equipment or its equivalent: 1. 10 complete sets of self-contained oxygen breathing apparatus of a permissable type.2. 1 extra small oxygen bottle for each oxygen breathing apparatus.3. 2 extra reducing valves, extra mouthpieces, breathing bags, bypass tubes, gaskets, and other parts for repairing apparatus.4. 2 flame safety lamps of a permissable type, with repair parts.5. 12 permissable flashlights, 12 permissable electric cap lamps. Charging rack and facilities for electric cap or hand lamps.6. 1 oxygen pump, hand or power-driven, with extra gaskets and repair parts.7. 1 1,000-foot life line and reel, or approved electric life line.8. 1 carbon monoxide (hoolamite) detector.9. 1 orstat apparatus for analyzing gases and 6 gas-sampling tubes or bottles.11. 1 tool box with good assortment of wrenches and other tools.12. Means for transporting equipment. Provided that the Department may require the maintenance of such apparatus at a mine employing less than fifty (50) men underground on one shift, when the ventilation or the fire hazard at such mine, in the opinion of the Department justifies this protection. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the construction of a cooperative station in any district where mine operators may build and maintain a station to supply apparatus for several mines; not less than ten (10) sets of permissable self-contained two-hour oxygen breathing apparatus shall be kept at such station. A cooperative station shall be located at no greater distance from each mine which it serves than can be covered by the most convenient means of transportation in two hours' time, during all seasons of the year. (a) Oxygen breathing apparatus shall be stored fully charged with oxygen and cardoxide and shall be maintained in condition for immediate use.(2)Requirements for Cooperative and Privately Owned Mines - The requirements of Paragraph (1) shall be suspended where mines are less than the designated distance from the United States Bureau of Mines Rescue Station at Birmingham and the operator notifies the Department and the Bureau of his intention to depend upon that station. (a) Where a cooperative station is maintained, a competent man shall be designated as foreman to have charge of such station. Such foreman need not be exclusively so employed, but his employment shall be such that he or a substitute can arrive promptly at the place of the accident in case of need. He shall occupy living quarters at the station, or convenient thereto, and shall make reports to the Department as provided in Paragraph (e) and (f) of this rule.(b) Telephone communication shall be maintained between a cooperative station and each mine where it serves. If the foreman in charge of a station does not reside thereat, his residence shall also be in telephone communication with each mine served by the station.(c) In addition to the supplies used for training of men, an oxygen pump, an emergency supply of oxygen and regenerator charges sufficient to keep all apparatus running for at least ten (10) hours shall be kept on hand, at each cooperative or privately owned station, and sufficient spare parts shall be kept to assemble at least one additional apparatus in good working order.(d) The apparatus at privately owned and cooperative stations shall be thoroughly inspected monthly by a competent man designated for this duty. At cooperative stations the inspections and tests shall be made by the foreman of the station. Monthly inspections of each apparatus shall include tests for tightness of all joints, breathing bags and breathing circuit, and flow of oxygen from the reducing valve.(e) The result of such tests and inspections shall be tabulated on forms prescribed by the Department and shall be forwarded to the Department at least once a month.(f) Each member of a cooperative station shall be furnished with a copy of the monthly tests and training at the station to which he belongs.(3)Mine Rescue Crews and Training - At each mine employing fifty (50) or more men underground on one shift, at least twelve (12) men physically fit and thoroughly qualified to use permissable self-contained two-hour Oxygen Breathing Apparatus shall be trained by an instructor approved by the Department, except, that where three or more mines operated by one company are within a radius specified by these rules, not more than thirty-six (36) men need be trained. Men receiving Mine Rescue Training for the first time, shall be trained in an approved course for a minimum of twenty (20) hours and shall be retrained at least once every six (6) months. Author: Marcus Davis, Workers' Compensation Examiner.
Ala. Admin. Code r. 480-3-3-.33
Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, § 25-2-13(2).