A. The hoisting rope on any cage or trip shall be adequate in size to handle the load. A rope that is used to hoist or lower coal and other materials shall have a factor of safety of at least five to one. A rope that is used to hoist or lower miners shall have a factor of safety of at least 10 to one.
B. Each hoisting rope shall have at least three full turns remaining on the drum when extended to its maximum working length. The rope shall make at least one full turn on the drum shaft, or around the spoke of the drum in the case of a free drum, and be fastened securely by means of clamps.
C. Each hoisting rope shall be fastened to its load by (i) a spelter-filled socket or (ii) a thimble and an adequate number of clamps that are properly spaced and installed.
D. Any cage, mancar, or trip used for hoisting or lowering miners with a single rope shall be provided with two bridle chains or wire ropes connected securely to the rope at least three feet above the socket or thimble and clamps and to the crosspiece of the cage or to the mancar or trip. Multiple hoisting ropes installed pursuant to subsection C may be used in lieu of two bridle chains.
E. If equipment or supplies are being hoisted or lowered in the slope, safety chains or wire ropes shall be provided and connected securely to the hoist rope. In addition, visible or audible warning devices shall be installed in the slope where they may be seen or heard by any miner approaching the slope track entry from any access.
Code 1950, § 45-68.4; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, §§ 45.1-68, 45.1-89.1; 1972, c. 784; 1978, c. 729; 1983, c. 111; 1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.154; 2005, c. 3; 2011, cc. 826, 862; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
Structure Code of Virginia
Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy
Chapter 7 - Requirements Applicable to Underground Coal Mines; Mine Construction
§ 45.2-701. Regulations governing conditions and practices at underground coal mines
§ 45.2-702. Standards for regulations
§ 45.2-703. Duties of mine foreman
§ 45.2-704. Employment and duties of top persons; plan for excavation of shaft or slope
§ 45.2-705. Employment of inexperienced underground miners
§ 45.2-706. Employment of authorized persons
§ 45.2-707. Mining in proximity to gas or oil wells
§ 45.2-708. Mining in proximity to an abandoned area
§ 45.2-709. Roof, face, and ribs to be secure
§ 45.2-710. Roof control plans
§ 45.2-711. Instruction of miners
§ 45.2-713. Automated temporary roof support systems
§ 45.2-714. Supplies of materials for supports
§ 45.2-715. Examination and testing of roof, face, and ribs
§ 45.2-716. Mapping of roof falls
§ 45.2-718. Removal of supports
§ 45.2-719. Surface storage of explosives and detonators
§ 45.2-720. Underground transportation of explosives and detonators
§ 45.2-721. Underground storage of explosives and detonators
§ 45.2-722. Blasting practices; penalty
§ 45.2-725. Explosives and blasting practices in shaft and slope operations
§ 45.2-727. Separation of openings
§ 45.2-728. Number of miners in openings
§ 45.2-729. Maintenance of mine openings
§ 45.2-730. Signs, life lines, and equipment
§ 45.2-731. Examination of escapeways
§ 45.2-732. Longwall escape routes and plan
§ 45.2-735. Hoisting equipment
§ 45.2-738. Shaft and slope conditions
§ 45.2-739. Signaling; signal code
§ 45.2-740. Inspections of hoisting equipment
§ 45.2-741. Hoisting engineers
§ 45.2-742. Operations of hoisting equipment
§ 45.2-743. Maintenance of hoisting equipment
§ 45.2-745. Track switches and rails
§ 45.2-746. Clearance on haulage roads
§ 45.2-747. Conveyor crossings
§ 45.2-749. Refuge from moving traffic
§ 45.2-750. Inspection of underground equipment
§ 45.2-751. Maintenance of equipment
§ 45.2-752. Self-propelled equipment
§ 45.2-754. Transportation of material
§ 45.2-758. Operation of equipment
§ 45.2-760. Availability of mantrips
§ 45.2-762. Mantrip loading and unloading areas
§ 45.2-763. Transporting miners by conveyor belt
§ 45.2-764. Housekeeping; noxious fumes
§ 45.2-766. Flammable or combustible materials
§ 45.2-767. Hazardous crane operations
§ 45.2-768. Controlling dust at the surface
§ 45.2-769. Scaffolding and overhead protection
§ 45.2-770. Welding and cutting
§ 45.2-771. Fire prevention and fire control