Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024
Section 56-3-34 - Haulage34.1. Roads - traffic directions and warning signs.34.1.1. Traffic directions which differ from standard highway practice shall be posted on signs along the haulage roads at strategic points in letters at least three (3) inches high.34.1.2. Well marked signs conspicuously placed, shall be properly located to alert drivers to existing danger areas. Such as the approach to a dangerous curve or extreme grade.34.1.3. Traffic rules, signals, and warning signs shall be standardized at each mine.34.1.4. Where side or overhead clearances on haulage roads or loading or dumping locations are hazardous to mine workers, such areas shall be conspicuously marked and warning devices shall be installed when necessary to insure the safety of the workers.34.1.5. Flashers, flares, or other means of signaling shall be used to warn approaching drivers of a hazard created by an obstruction in the roadway.34.1.6. Regulatory signs shall be used to indicate required method of traffic movement, (Example: "Stop", "Yield", "One Way".)34.1.7. Posted warning signs shall be used where necessary to indicate potential hazardous conditions. (Example: "Hill", "Curve", "Truck Crossing".)34.1.8. Object marking shall be used to mark physical obstruction in or near the haulage way that presents possible hazards. (Example: Reflectors and high visibility paint.)34.1.9. All signs and markings shall be displayed and utilized so as to be effective as possible.34.1.10. Where side or overhead clearance on any haulage road or at any loading or dumping location at a surface mine is hazardous to any person, such hazard shall be corrected immediately, and all necessary precautions taken while such hazard is being corrected.34.2. Haulage roads - construction and maintenance.34.2.1. Haulage roads shall be located an adequate distance from high walls and spoil banks to minimize the danger of falling material onto personnel and equipment.34.2.2. When dust created by haulage is thrown into suspension in such quantities that may obscure the vision of the operators of vehicles, adequate means shall be taken to allay such dust.34.2.3. Only authorized persons shall be permitted on haulage roads and at loading or dumping locations.34.2.4. Berms or guards shall be provided where required on the outer bank of elevating roadways.34.2.5. The width and grade to be utilized in haulage road construction shall be determined for each specific situation based upon terrain configuration, vehicle characteristics, and driver visibility for safe haulage.34.2.6. Haulage roads shall be constructed of sufficient width to permit the driver to maneuver the vehicle to avoid striking unexpected obstacles on the roadway where reclamation rules permit.34.2.7. Provisions shall be made to adequately drain and remove excessive water from the haulage roads.34.2.8. Haulage roads shall be constructed, installed and maintained in a manner consistent with speed and type of haulage operations being conducted to insure safe operation.34.2.9. All roads leading to and from work sites on which persons are expected to travel to and from work or to haul coal or supplies, shall be of sufficient width and be maintained in good condition.34.2.10. Haulage operations shall be stopped when the haulage surface has deteriorated to the extent that it presents a danger to the safety of the haulage operation.34.2.11. All haulage vehicles placed into service after the effective date of this rule shall be equipped with an approved supplementary emergency braking system.34.2.12. All power lines constructed over haulage roads after the effective date of this section shall be maintained a minimum of twelve (12) feet above all equipment used on haulage roads including dump trucks in a raised position.34.3. Haulage equipment - construction and maintenance.34.3.1. Haulage trucks shall not be operated with dirty windshields, cracked, dirty, or broken rear view mirrors.34.3.2. Supplies, materials, and tools other than small hand tools shall not be transported with persons in vehicles unless such vehicles are specifically designed to make such transportation safe.34.3.3. All new haulage vehicles placed into service shall be equipped with an emergency steering and braking system.34.3.4. Where required by the director, trucks used for haulage of coal, workers or supplies shall be equipped with two (2) way communication instruments.34.3.5. Where required by the director or the director's authorized representative, runaway roads or "J" roads shall be provided on all haulage roads on which coal is first hauled from such surface mine after the effective date of this section.34.4. Haulage equipment - operation. 34.4.1. Haulage truck operators shall make sure their truck path is unobstructed, especially when starting or moving the trucks forward or backward.34.4.2. Radio or visual contact shall be made with an operator of a haulage truck to insure that it is safe to approach the truck.34.4.3. Vehicles shall follow at a safe distance: passing shall be limited to areas of adequate clearance and visibility.34.4.4. Workers shall not work or pass under the buckets or booms of equipment.34.4.5. Drivers shall drive their trucks according to the condition of the road and the weather. At no time shall truck speeds exceed the safe predetermined speed limit that has been established on that haul road.34.4.6. Haulage trucks traveling in the same direction, shall not pass any vehicle until signals have been exchanged between both drivers and the vehicle to be passed pulls to the right side of the road.34.4.7. Haulage trucks shall maintain a safe distance behind the truck they are following. Other vehicles shall maintain a minimum of one(l) car length for each ten (10) m.p.h. of travel behind the vehicle they are following.34.4.8. When approaching a state or county road, drivers shall maintain their trucks under control to stop, yield right of way, or obey the signals of a flagman.34.4.9. When the body of a haulage unit is being raised, no person will be permitted in close proximity where they may be endangered.34.4.10. Materials or equipment required in the cab of haulage equipment shall be adequately secured.34.5. Parked vehicles. 34.5.1. Lights, flares, or other approved warning devices shall be adequately located when parked equipment creates a hazard to vehicular traffic.34.5.2. Mobile equipment shall not be left unattended unless the brakes are set. When mobile equipment is parked on a grade, the wheels shall be turned into a bank or berm, or shall be blocked.34.6. Employee parking and man trips.34.6.1. On all active surface mines, a designated area shall be provided for parking of employee's vehicles.34.6.2. No vehicle or other conveyance used to transport persons to and from work areas at surface mines shall be overcrowded and all persons shall ride in a safe position.34.6.3. All man trips shall have ten (10) unit first aid kits, and audible warning devices.