(a) At least once every six months, mine evacuation drills shall be
held to assess the ability of all persons underground to reach the surface or
other designated points of safety within the time limits of the self-rescue
devices that would be used during an actual emergency.
(b) The evacuation drills shall--
(1) Be held for each shift at some time other than a shift change and involve
all persons underground;
(2) Involve activation of the fire alarm system; and
(3) Include evacuation of all persons from their work areas to the surface or
to designated central evacuation points.
(c) At the completion of each drill, the mine operator shall certify
the date and the time the evacuation began and ended. Certifications shall be
retained for at least one year after each drill.
