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Continuous Mining Machine Operator
Contact:  Palmer.Melvin@dol.gov

 Home 
 1. Start of Shift 
 Obtain PPE 
 Obtain tools/equipment/supplie...  
 Attend white board meeting (Cu...  
 Attend and participate in week...  
 Check maintenance board 
 Check in 
 Enter mine on mantrip 
 2. Workplace examination 
 Walk to section 
 Section exam 
 3. Pre-op inspection 
 Conduct walk-around of continu...  
 Check water pressure 
 Check remote functions 
 Check water sprays 
 Check methane monitor 
 Check scrubber 
 4. Service continuous miner 
 De-energize breaker on the min...  
 Obtain grease and grease gun 
 Wear metacarpal gloves 
 Check hydraulic fluid indicato...  
 Check bits, inserts. lugs, ped...  
 Replace tools onto miner 
 Conduct methane test 
 Energize continuous miner 
 5. Dust Parameters Examination 
 Check water flow 
 Check water psi 
  Check number sprays operating 
 Check ventilation at face 
 Check local curtains 
 Report findings on dust parame...  
 6. End of Shift 
 Check out 
 Put light on charge 
 Put detector on charge 
 Communicate with on-coming min...  
 7. Emergency/Abnormal Procedures 
 Methane detection 
 Observe potential loss of remo...  
 8. Shut down 
 Move miner to next cut, if pos...  
 Lower all components to bottom 
 Note any maintenance issue 
 Write down conveyor hours  
 Put spotter on charge 
 Disconnect remote and place on...  
 Park miner at least 15' from c...  
 Make final ventilation check 
 De-energize miner at power cen...  
 Turn off water valve 
 Turn in cut times to foreman 
 9. Maintenance 
 Change bits 
 Add oil 
 Check lights 
 Examine cables 
 Wash miner at least once per s...  
 Clean scrubber  
 Grease machine 
 Hazcom Program 
 10. Turning Crosscut 
 Cut nitch 
 Refer to cut cycle 
 Position left side of miner as...  
 Turn angle as sharp as possibl...  
 Take cut to allowed depth of r...  
 Continuously monitor roof and ...  
 Hole through (cutting through ...  
 11. Place Change 
 Follow tram procedures 
 Look for obstacles in your pat...  
 Pick up cable 
 Back outby last open crosscut 
 Tram into last open crosscut 
 Hang cable, if necessary 
 Examine new workplace 
 Paint quality check 
 Tram miner into workplace 
 Check/change bits  
 Check sprays 
 Clean scrubber screens 
 Refer to P2 Handbook and see c...  
 12. Taking a Cut 
 Maintain constant visual of ro...  
 Set up on center lines 
 Take first cut on curtain side 
 Turn sprays on 
 Drop pan on mine floor  
 Start up cutter head 
 Position conveyor for shuttle ...  
 Sump cutter head in  
 Start conveyor 
 Back up aprox. 1-1/2 feet to g...  
 Raise head as tramming forward 
 Repeat cycle until shuttle car...  
 Follow cut cycles in ventilati...  
 Trim corner on designated entr...  
 Install five reflectors to def...  
 Cut nitch for crosscut in desi...  
 Conduct methane exam at 20-min...  
 Advance line curtain as needed 
 Trim roof as you cut 
 Clean up cut as you advance 
 Hang reflector if necessary 
 Relay mining conditions to roo...  
 After loading last buggy, ente...  
 13. Tramming 
 Maintain communications with c...  
 Stay out of Red Zone 
 Cable Handling 
 Tram miner inby/outby 
 Tramming outby 
Continuous Mining Machine Operator
Start of Shift Workplace examination Pre-op inspection Service continuous miner Dust Parameters Examination End of Shift Emergency/Abnormal Procedures Shut down Maintenance Turning Crosscut Place Change Taking a Cut Tramming
1. Start of Shift
Obtain PPE
Gloves - metacarpal
Safety glasses
Hearing Protection
SCSR
Check appearance/damage
Check indicators
Check seal
Knee pads
Safety boots
Hard hat w/reflective material
Check-in Check-out tag
Safety belt w/ID tag
Leg bands
Reflective clothing
Ensure outer clothing has reflective material (coats/jackets)
Cap lamp w/remote hook-up
Ensure cap lamp is functional and permissible
Check fluid level when fully charged
Rain suits
Obtain tools/equipment/supplies
Bit hammer (specially designed hammer)
Methane detector/spotter
Conduct visual exam
Conduct electrical zero
Check battery
11/16" spray wrench
"Do not operate" tag
Spray paint
Cut cycle book
Pen/pencil
Watch
15/16" wrench
Five grease fittings
Channel locks
Tape measure
Attend white board meeting (Cut cycle)
Roof conditions
Equipment placement
Section conditions
Section layout
Ventilation
Unbolted areas
Abnormal conditions
Prior shift report
Report of supplies needed
Mining projections
Attend and participate in weekly safety meeting
Sign off
Check maintenance board
Update as repairs are made
Check in
Enter mine on mantrip
Keep body inside compartment
Keep nascar netting closed
2. Workplace examination
Walk to section
Check for slip/trip hazards
Conduct visual of roof/rib conditions
Check mine bottom (wet/muddy conditions)
Check general housekeeping
Check to see if water is turned on at pump
Check pump breaker
Check cat-head at power center
Check the cat-head/breaker identification
Check ground trip
Conduct methane test (if necessary) before energizing machine
Section exam
Walk and examine cable and water line
Move off roadway
Hang properly
Check for damaged splices
Check slack
Check water line for leaks, kinks, etc.
Examine workplace
Conduct visual exam of roof/rib
Correct or report any roof/rib defects
Check drilled test holes
Check location of last row of undisturbed bolts
Check for pizza pans
Operator's side only
Indicate on rib check was made (circle w/check using spray paint)
Check for methane at face
Notify foreman if methane is detected
Turn miner breaker on
If everything on the section is normal and in good condition, i.e. no gas, ventilation correct
3. Pre-op inspection
Conduct walk-around of continuous miner
Make sure no one is around mchine
Check for remote
Check lights
Check general appearance
Check for slate bar
Check for sledge hammer
Check for grease gun
Check for bits
Check for leaks (water/hydraulic)
Check for spare water sprays
Check water gages on miner
Check magnetic methane spotter holder
Check cable pull ropes/straps
Not to exceed 70' during place change
Check cable strain clamp
Check conveyor dust flap
Check water pressure
Check remote functions
Check emergency stops on miner (2)
Right-side
Left-side
Check fire suppression (weekly check)
Check remote shut-down device
Check circuit breaker trip (CBT) (weekly check)
Start pump motor
Check remote operation - face lighting
Activate water sprays
Clean and change if necessary
Tram miner forward/backward
Have everyone out of Red Zones
Communicate intention to other miners
Check hydraulic functions
Have everyone out of Red Zones
Communicate intention to other miners
Raise and lower head
Swing tail left and right
Raise and lower pan
Raise and lower stabjack
Start ripper head and conveyor chain
Have everyone out of Red Zones
Communicate intention to other miners
Check slack in conveyor chain
Visual check at tail
Look for slack
Check water sprays
Check methane monitor
Look for failure indications
Observe count-down cycle
Check scrubber
Clean filter
Wash ductwork out
Backflush de-mister
4. Service continuous miner
De-energize breaker on the miner
Obtain grease and grease gun
Wear metacarpal gloves
Grease the machine
Start at tail fittings and move forward ending at pan
Five to ten pumps for each grease fitting
Refer to lube diagram
Check hydraulic fluid indicator (prior to de-energizing)
Fill everyday, watch for overflow
Check bits, inserts. lugs, pedestal
Dispose of worn bits properly
Place worn bits on continuous miner for removal
Replace tools onto miner
Conduct methane test
20-minute intervals
Energize continuous miner
Make sure area is clear and signal before starting
5. Dust Parameters Examination
Check water flow
Refer to methane and dust control plan for all dust parameter requirements
Check water psi
Water suppresses dust and also cools machine
Check number sprays operating
Check ventilation at face
Check local curtains
Report findings on dust parameter board
6. End of Shift
Check out
Put light on charge
Put detector on charge
Communicate with on-coming miner operator
7. Emergency/Abnormal Procedures
Methane detection
Erratic readings - notify maintenance
1% Methane
Monitor gives off warning signal
Shut machine down
Notify foreman
Flashing light @ 1.5% Methane
Double check with spotter
Use probe
De-energize at power source
2% Methane
Machine shuts down at @ 2%
De-energize all equipment and remove miners from section
Except for miners needed to ventilate
Observe potential loss of remote signal
Do not go up on side of machine
Make sure controls are in neutral position
Check PTO connection
Check transmitter antenna and connection
Disconnect PTO
Checkantenna connections
Check emergency stops
Check master switch and reset
Retreat out of red zone
Recyle remote start-up
Enter Sub-topic
Check to see if you have the right remote for the miner (color-coded) (old remotes only)
8. Shut down
Move miner to next cut, if possible
Lower all components to bottom
Note any maintenance issue
Relay to foreman
Write down conveyor hours
Put spotter on charge
Disconnect remote and place on machine
Park miner at least 15' from curtains
Make final ventilation check
De-energize miner at power center
Turn off water valve
Turn in cut times to foreman
9. Maintenance
Change bits
Add oil
Heavy oil - blue round cans
Hydraulic oil - square silver cans
Low oil indicator in master station (solid red light)
Check lights
Examine cables
Wash miner at least once per shift
Clean scrubber
Refer to Pre-Op Inspection
Grease machine
Grease fittings a minimum of five pumps or until grease is visible at bypass
Grease can/container disposal
Hazcom Program
Material Safety Data Sheets
10. Turning Crosscut
Cut nitch
Nitch should never exceed 10' in depth (measured from the rib line)
See plan
Refer to cut cycle
Position left side of miner as close to rib as you can get it
Mirror image for left v. right
Turn angle as sharp as possible until machine aligns with center line
Experienced Miner Operator should accompany new operator when turning crosscut initially
Take cut to allowed depth of roof control plan
All cut depths will be determined by roof conditions
Continuously monitor roof and rib conditions
Stop and correct developing hazards
Hole through (cutting through into adjacent entry)
Examine adjacent workplace
Check for roof support
Check for equipment or other personnel
Install danger sign or reflectors
11. Place Change
Follow tram procedures
See tramming
Look for obstacles in your path prior to place change
Pick up cable
See cable handling
Back outby last open crosscut
Tram into last open crosscut
Hang cable, if necessary
Examine new workplace
Take methane reading
Check ventilation
Roof/rib exam
Check reflectors
Quality check
Paint quality check
At next to last row of bolts
Tram miner into workplace
Check/change bits
Check sprays
Clean scrubber screens
At least two times per shift
Refer to P2 Handbook and see cut cycle sequence
12. Taking a Cut
Maintain constant visual of roof and rib surroundings at all times
Set up on center lines
Take first cut on curtain side
Turn sprays on
You must comply with approved plans
Drop pan on mine floor
Start up cutter head
Do not attempt to start cutter head when sumped against the coal
Position conveyor for shuttle car
If boom is up, shuttle car should pull under
Sump cutter head in
Sumping preference will vary with seam conditions
Start conveyor
Back up aprox. 1-1/2 feet to get roll/hump out of the bottom
Raise head as tramming forward
Repeat cycle until shuttle car is loaded
Follow cut cycles in ventilation plan
Trim corner on designated entries
Install reflectors/danger tag for unsupported roof
Install five reflectors to define Roof Control Red Zone to prepare for nitch cut
Install prior to cutting the nitch to prevent un-needed exposure
Cut nitch for crosscut in designated entry
Conduct methane exam at 20-minute intervals
Back miner up
Power down
Install magnetic holder
Place holder and spotter on cutter head
Travel outby miner
Tram to face
Obtain reading
Back miner out of cut
Power down
Remove magnetic holder
Advance line curtain as needed
Never advance any closer than 2nd row of undisturbed bolts
Refer to ventilation plan
Trim roof as you cut
Make the most efficient use of your time
Clean up cut as you advance
Hang reflector if necessary
See Tramming
Relay mining conditions to roof bolter operator
After loading last buggy, enter finish time
13. Tramming
up
Maintain communications with co-workers
Signal intent to other miners before starting up or moving miner
Inform shuttle car operators of last car
Stay out of Red Zone
Position yourself outby the tail
Maintain a distance of at least 5' from the cutter head or tail of the miner while tramming
Refer to roof control plan
Position yourself in a cross entry while miner trams by
Turn pump motor off before walking by the miner
Do not position yourself along side the miner at any time while tramming
Machine operator can position himself in open crosscut to tram machine by the crosscut into the heading
Change your location as the continuous miner moves
Cable Handling
Turn pump motor off before loading/unloading cable
Loop and drop cable
Don't drag around corners
Cable pulls cannot exceed distance of 70'
Move cable off roadway and hang as needed
Must have two persons to hang cable
Make sure you have enough slack to hang cable
Use rubber gloves, if necessary
Wet conditoins
High voltage have additional requirements
Do not fasten slings/pull straps to cutter head
Can attach to pan hook
Tram miner inby/outby
Stay behind tail of machine
Stay in front of cutter heads
Tramming outby