(a) Self-rescue devices shall be used and located as prescribed in paragraphs (b) through (f) of this section.
(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c), (d), (e), or (f) of this section, self-rescue devices shall be worn or carried at all times by each person when underground.
(c) Where the wearing or carrying of the self-rescue device is hazardous to the person, it shall be placed in a readily accessible location no greater than 25 feet from such person.
(d) Where a person works on or around equipment, the self-rescue device may be placed in a readily accessible location on such equipment.
(e) A mine operator may apply to the District Manager under 30 CFR 75.1101-23 for permission to place the self-contained self-rescue device more than 25 feet away. - (1) The District Manager shall consider the following factors in deciding whether to permit an operator to place a self-contained self-rescue device more than 25 feet from a miner:
- (i) Distance from affected sections to surface,
- (ii) Pitch of seam in affected sections,
- (iii) Height of coal seam in affected sections,
- (iv) Location of escapeways,
- (v) Proposed location of self-contained self-rescuers,
- (vi) Type of work performed by affected miners,
- (vii) Degree of risk to which affected miners are exposed,
- (viii) Potential for breaking into oxygen deficient atmospheres,
- (ix) Type of risk to which affected miners are exposed,
- (x) Accident history of mine, and
- (xi) Other matters bearing upon the safety of miners.
- (2) Such application shall not be approved by the District manager unless it provides that all miners whose self-contained self-rescuer is more than 25 feet away shall have, in accordance with paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of this section, at all times while underground, a self-rescue device approved under subpart I of part 11 of this chapter or Bureau of Mines Schedule 14F, Gas Masks, April 23, 1955, as amended (Part 13, 30 CFR, 1972 ed.) sufficient to enable each miner to get to a self-contained self-rescuer. A copy of this variance shall be filed with the State Mine Inspector.
- (3) An operator may not obtain permission under paragraph (e) of this section to place self-contained self-rescuers more than 25 feet away from miners on mantrips into and out of the mine.
(f) If a self-contained self-rescue device is not carried out of the mine at the end of a miner's shift, the place of storage must be approved by the District Manager, a sign with the word "SELF-RESCUER" or "SELF-RESCUERS" shall be conspicuously posted at each storage place, and direction signs shall be posted leading to each storage place.
(g) Where devices of not less than 10 minutes and 1 hour are made available in accordance with S 75.1714-1(a)(3)(ii) or S 75.1714-1(b)(2), such devices shall be used and located as follows: - (1) Except as provided in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section, the device of not less than 10 minutes shall be worn or carried at all times by each person when underground, and
- (2) The 1-hour canister shall be available at all times to all persons when underground in accordance with a plan submitted by the operator of the mine and approved by the District Manager.
A copy of this plan and any changes shall be filed with the State Mine Inspector. When the 1-hour canister is placed in a cache or caches, a sign with the word "SELF-RESCUERS" shall be conspicuously posted at each cache, and direction signs shall be posted leading to each cache.
053-4 Wyo. Code R. § 75.1714-2