Ohio Revised Code
Chapter 1567 | Mine Equipment; Safety Provisions
Section 1567.55 | Report of Coal Seam Fire - Covering of Exposed Surface to Prevent Fire.

Effective: June 14, 2000
Latest Legislation: House Bill 601 - 123rd General Assembly
The operator of any coal mine or the owner of land bearing natural coal deposits immediately upon learning of a fire in any coal seam upon the operator's or owner's property shall report the fire to the chief of the division of mineral resources management.
When a coal seam fire is reported to the chief, the chief shall immediately investigate such fire. In the event of a fire in any outcrop of a coal seam or in an abandoned mine, the chief shall extinguish such fire, and the chief may employ such persons and purchase such materials as are necessary to extinguish such fire. Persons so employed shall serve at the pleasure of the chief and their employment shall not be governed by civil service laws, rules, or regulations. Materials purchased for immediate use in extinguishing a fire shall be emergency purchases and shall be paid for out of state funds appropriated for such purpose upon vouchers issued by the chief certifying to the emergency nature of the purchase, notwithstanding the fact that there has been no compliance with other laws governing the making of purchases by the state.
Whenever, after August 26, 1949, the surface of a natural deposit of coal is exposed by mining operations, the chief may order the owner, lessee, or agent of the mine at which such exposure occurs to cover such exposed surface with earth or other noncombustible material if, in the judgment of the chief, such covering is necessary to prevent a fire in the coal that would endanger life or property. Such order shall be in writing and shall fix a reasonable time for compliance therewith. No operator of a mine shall refuse or neglect to comply with such order for a period of fifteen days after the expiration of the time fixed in such order for compliance therewith. Each period of fifteen days after the expiration of the time fixed in such order for compliance therewith, during which any such operator refuses or neglects to comply with such order, constitutes a separate offense.

Structure Ohio Revised Code

Ohio Revised Code

Title 15 | Conservation of Natural Resources

Chapter 1567 | Mine Equipment; Safety Provisions

Section 1567.01 | Chapter Does Not Apply to Chapter 1514 Activities.

Section 1567.02 | Use of Present Machinery Lawful - Replacement of Appliances and Machinery.

Section 1567.03 | Prohibited Acts.

Section 1567.04 | Machine Runners and Helpers.

Section 1567.05 | Trespassing.

Section 1567.06 | Examination of Mine Generating Firedamp - Posting or Report.

Section 1567.07 | Entry Beyond Danger Signal.

Section 1567.08 | Book of Reports of Mine Condition and Air Measurements.

Section 1567.09 | Ventilation of Mines.

Section 1567.10 | Ventilating Fans.

Section 1567.11 | Booster and Blower Fans.

Section 1567.12 | Accident to Ventilating Fan.

Section 1567.13 | Supervision of Ventilating Apparatus and Airways.

Section 1567.14 | Entry Into Mine After Interruption of Ventilation.

Section 1567.15 | Closing of Ventilating Doors.

Section 1567.16 | Electrical System - Prohibited Activities.

Section 1567.17 | Rules for Use of Direct Current.

Section 1567.18 | Rules for Use of Alternating Current.

Section 1567.19 | Grounding of Machines and Armored Cable Using Alternating Current.

Section 1567.20 | Electrical Equipment to Be Grounded.

Section 1567.21 | Employment of Shot Firers.

Section 1567.22 | Use of Black Powder.

Section 1567.23 | Handling Explosives in Mines.

Section 1567.24 | Conveyance of Explosives.

Section 1567.25 | Explosives to Be Protected From Contact With Fire.

Section 1567.26 | Explosives and Tools on Cages or Stairways.

Section 1567.27 | Use of Squibs and Fuses - Tamping.

Section 1567.30 | Firing of Shots - Appointed Times.

Section 1567.31 | Drill Holes.

Section 1567.32 | Misfired Shots.

Section 1567.33 | Examination After Each Blast.

Section 1567.34 | Solid Shooting.

Section 1567.35 | Use of Gasoline, Naphtha, Kerosene, Fuel Oil or Gas Engine.

Section 1567.36 | Fire Extinguishers.

Section 1567.38 | Use of Locomotive and Haulage Equipment.

Section 1567.39 | Lights and Signals for Locomotives and Cars - Riding on Locomotive - Protection Against Runaway or Self-Propelled Equipment.

Section 1567.40 | Riding on Haulage Trips.

Section 1567.41 | Operation of Trolley Ahead of Locomotive.

Section 1567.42 | Riding on Locomotive or Cars.

Section 1567.43 | Signal Light.

Section 1567.44 | Handling Cars.

Section 1567.45 | Limitation on Number of Persons in Cage or Elevator - Hoisting Equipment Safety Examination.

Section 1567.46 | Windlass Required.

Section 1567.47 | Qualifications of Persons in Charge of Hoisting Engine.

Section 1567.48 | Safe Appliances for Ingress and Egress in Shaft.

Section 1567.49 | Lowering and Hoisting of Persons by Vertical Shaft.

Section 1567.50 | Regulations for Speaking Tube, Cages, and Safety Gate.

Section 1567.51 | Signal Code.

Section 1567.52 | Additions to Code of Signals - Posting.

Section 1567.53 | Emergency Signal in Vertical Shaft.

Section 1567.54 | Adequate Fire Protection - Firefighting Equipment.

Section 1567.55 | Report of Coal Seam Fire - Covering of Exposed Surface to Prevent Fire.

Section 1567.57 | Two-Way Communication System.

Section 1567.58 | Lights in Mines.

Section 1567.59 | Flame Safety Lamps.

Section 1567.60 | Recording Pressure Gauge.

Section 1567.61 | First Aid and Emergency Medical Equipment - Report of Arrangements for Emergency Medical Assistance and Transportation.

Section 1567.62 | Obstruction of Airway.

Section 1567.63 | Use of Traveling Ways - Loitering Prohibited.

Section 1567.64 | Operator to Provide Tag Lines or Tie-Off Lines for Miners.

Section 1567.65 | Prohibition Against Smoking or Carrying Smoking Materials.

Section 1567.66 | Prohibition Against Intoxicants.

Section 1567.67 | Protective Clothing.

Section 1567.68 | Safety Provisions for Machinery and Equipment.

Section 1567.681 | Fire Detection Devices Required on Conveyor Belts.

Section 1567.69 | Longwall Mining Plans or Revisions - Contents.

Section 1567.70 | Plan for Recovery of Longwall Roof Support - Approval by Chief.

Section 1567.71 | Two-Way Communication Facilities.

Section 1567.72 | De-Energizing Electrical Power on Longwall Working Face Conveyor.

Section 1567.73 | Installation of Methane Monitors.

Section 1567.74 | Safety Requirements for Longwall Working Face.

Section 1567.75 | Cutting and Welding.

Section 1567.76 | Maintenance of Hydraulic Lines and Roof Support Units.

Section 1567.77 | First Aid Equipment.

Section 1567.78 | Maintaining Accessible Tailgate Travel Route.

Section 1567.79 | Instruction on Hazards.

Section 1567.99 | Penalty.