Section 690-256 - Operation of haulage equipment(a) Duties of motormen and trip riders.--Motormen and trip riders shall: (1) Use care in handling locomotives and cars.(2) See that the entire trip is coupled before starting.(3) See that there is a conspicuous light or other device approved by the department, properly maintained, on the front and rear of each trip or train of cars when in motion.(b) Prohibitions.--(1) No individual shall ride on locomotives unless granted permission by the mine foreman.(2) No individual shall ride on any loaded car or on the outside of any car.(3) No motorman or trip rider shall get on or off a locomotive while it is in motion.(4) No individual shall fly or run switches or ride on the front bumper of a car. Back poling shall be permitted only to the nearest turning point or when going up extremely steep grades and then only cautiously and at slow speed. The operator of a shuttle car shall face in the direction of travel except during the loading operation when he may face the loading machine.(c) Duties of motormen.--Motormen shall:(1) See that properly maintained safety devices are placed on the last car of any trip being hauled upgrade, as designated by the mine foreman and approved by the department, on the front and rear of each trip or train of cars when in motion.(2) Inspect locomotives and report any mechanical defects found to the proper mine official prior to operation. The locomotive may not be operated until the defects are corrected.(3) If there is reason to leave a trip, see that the trip is left in a safe place, secure from cars, locomotives or other dangers and where it will not endanger the operators of other trips or other individuals.(d) System of signals, methods or devices.--A system of signals, methods or devices shall be used to provide protection for trips, locomotives and other equipment coming out onto tracks used by other equipment. Where a dispatcher is employed to control trips, traffic shall move only at his direction.2008, July 7, P.L. 654, No. 55, §256, effective in 180 days [ 1/5/2009].