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Accident Prevention Program
Stockpile Protection


Below, please find a copy of the West Virginia regulation on stockpiles
that took effect January 1, 2001.


§36-27.5 Safety Precautions on Coal Stockpiles.

     5.1. The following requirements shall apply to all surface coal stockpiles with draw-off tunnel feeders underneath the coal storage area of the stockpile which discharge onto a conveyor belt:
    (a) No person shall travel on foot or operate equipment on a coal stockpile or coal storage area directly over areas where underlying coal feeders are in place without a plan approving such activity by the Director, or his authorized representative. The Plan shall be submitted by the operator or the independent contractor performing the work, and shall be reviewed with all persons prior to work being done, and a record kept of such review.

    (b) The Plan shall outline procedures to protect the health and safety of those who may have to travel on foot or operate equipment on a coal stockpile or coal storage area directly over areas where underlying coal feeders are in place. The minimum criteria for approval of the plan shall include:

      (1) The equipment shall be equipped with an enclosed cab and doors and windows shall be closed and secured at all times the equipment is in operation. Beginning January 1, 2001 all mobile equipment manually operated on coal stockpiles, where this is a potential of the equipment falling into a cavity, shall be equipped with an enclosed cab fitted with chemically tempered glass and a window support system; provided however, that glass certified to withstand 40 psi may be installed without a window support system, provided that such glass is installed in a substantial frame. The Director of the Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training will approve all enclosed cabs pursuant to this section. The Director of the Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training may approve other types of glass and window frames or support system provided that an equal or greater amount of protection is afforded.

      (2) The equipment shall have two-way communications and a back-up communication system supplied on an independent power source.

      (3) The equipment operator shall be provided with two self-contained self-rescuers.

      (4) A remote control device capable of stopping the flow of coal from the feeder and stop the coal coming onto the stockpile. Such device shall be tested weekly.

      (5) A means of providing emergency lighting to the mobile equipment operator.

      (6) Warning signs shall be posted at the entrances to all coal stockpiles with underlying coal feeders.

      (7) No person shall travel on foot, except on an emergency basis, and only under direct supervision; they shall be secured by an overhead lifeline; and feeders shall be locked and tagged out.


    (c) The operator shall establish rules for the safe procedures for breaking through cavities and for marking the feeder areas on the surface. A copy of the rules shall be submitted to the Director, Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training for approval. A copy of the approved rules shall be posted at the mine site, and all persons to perform such work shall be instructed in these procedures.

    (d) Telephone or equivalent two-way communications shall be established between equipment operators working on stockpiles and those persons who are operating conveyors, feeders, and hoppers at storage piles (where more than one person performs these duties), in order to keep such equipment operators advised of the possibility of bridged material over a cavity in the stockpile.



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