(a) When necessary to protect the operator of the equipment, all
rubber-tired or crawler-mounted self-propelled scrapers, front-end loaders,
dozers, graders, loaders, and tractors, with or without attachments, that are
used in surface coal mines or the surface work areas of underground coal
mines shall be provided with substantial falling object protective
structures (FOPS). FOPS which meet the requirements of the Society of
Automotive Engineers (SAE) Standard J 231 shall be considered to be a
"substantial" FOPS. An authorized representative of the Secretary may
approve a FOPS which provides protection equivalent to SAE J 231.
(b) When necessary to protect the operator of the equipment, forklift
or powered industrial trucks shall be provided with substantial FOPS. Such
FOPS shall meet the requirements of the State of California, Division of
Industrial Safety, General Safety Orders, Register 72, Number 6, February 8,
1972, Article 25, Section 3655--"Overhead Guards for High-Lift Rider
Trucks."
( § 101(a), Federal Coal Mine Health and
Safety Act of 1969, as amended (83 Stat. 745; 30 U.S.C. 811(a))
