§ 862. — Roof support.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 30USC862]
TITLE 30--MINERAL LANDS AND MINING
CHAPTER 22--MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH
SUBCHAPTER III--INTERIM MANDATORY SAFETY STANDARDS FOR UNDERGROUND COAL
MINES
Sec. 862. Roof support
(a) Roof control plan; contents; review; availability
Each operator shall undertake to carry out on a continuing basis a
program to improve the roof control system of each coal mine and the
means and measures to accomplish such system. The roof and ribs of all
active underground roadways, travelways, and working places shall be
supported or otherwise controlled adequately to protect persons from
falls of the roof or ribs. A roof control plan and revisions thereof
suitable to the roof conditions and mining system of each coal mine and
approved by the Secretary shall be adopted and set out in printed form
within sixty days after the operative date of this subchapter. The plan
shall show the type of support and spacing approved by the Secretary.
Such plan shall be reviewed periodically, at least every six months by
the Secretary, taking into consideration any falls of roof or ribs or
inadequacy of support of roof or ribs. No person shall proceed beyond
the last permanent support unless adequate temporary support is provided
or unless such temporary support is not required under the approved roof
control plan and the absence of such support will not pose a hazard to
the miners. A copy of the plan shall be furnished the Secretary or his
authorized representative and shall be available to the miners and their
representatives.
(b) Creation of dangers by roof falls
The method of mining followed in any coal mine shall not expose the
miner to unusual dangers from roof falls caused by excessive widths of
rooms and entries or faulty pillar recovery methods.
(c) Location and supply of roof support material; safety devices for
roof work
The operator, in accordance with the approved plan, shall provide at
or near each working face and at such other locations in the coal mine
as the Secretary may prescribe an ample supply of suitable materials of
proper size with which to secure the roof of all working places in a
safe manner. Safety posts, jacks, or other approved devices shall be
used to protect the workmen when roof material is being taken down,
crossbars are being installed, roof bolt- holes are being drilled, roof
bolts are being installed, and in such other circumstances as may be
appropriate. Loose roof and overhanging or loose faces and ribs shall be
taken down or supported. Except in the case of recovery work, supports
knocked out shall be replaced promptly.
(d) Roof bolts
When installation of roof bolts is permitted, such roof bolts shall
be tested in accordance with the approved roof control plan.
(e) Recovery of roof bolts
Roof bolts shall not be recovered where complete extractions of
pillars are attempted, where adjacent to clay veins, or at the locations
of other irregularities, whether natural or otherwise, that induce
abnormal hazards. Where roof bolt recovery is permitted, it shall be
conducted only in accordance with methods prescribed in the approved
roof control plan, and shall be conducted by experienced miners and only
where adequate temporary support is provided.
(f) Safety inspections; correction of dangerous conditions
Where miners are exposed to danger from falls of roof, face, and
ribs the operator shall examine and test the roof, face, and ribs before
any work or machine is started, and as frequently thereafter as may be
necessary to insure safety. When dangerous conditions are found, they
shall be corrected immediately.
(Pub. L. 91-173, title III, Sec. 302, Dec. 30, 1969, 83 Stat. 766.)
References in Text
For the operative date of this subchapter, referred to in subsec.
(a), see section 509 of Pub. L. 91-173, set out as an Effective Date
note under section 801 of this title.
Section Referred to in Other Sections
This section is referred to in section 861 of this title.
