(a) Generally. — The method of mining followed in any coal mine may not expose the miner to unusual dangers from roof falls, and the MSHA-approved plan shall serve as the state-approved plan: Provided, That the MSHA-approved plan shall comply with all provisions of state mining law as set forth in this code or code of state rules.
(b) Roadways, intersections, and arches. — The width of roadways shall not exceed 16 feet unless additional support is added cross sectional. During the development of intersections, the roof between the tangents of the arches in the entry or room shall be supported with artificial roof supports prior to the development of such intersections. All areas where the arch is broken shall be considered as having unsupported roof and such roof should have artificial roof supports installed prior to any other work being performed in the area.
(c) Examinations and corrections. — Where miners are exposed to danger from falls of roof, face and ribs, the operator shall examine and test the roof, face and ribs before any work or machine is started, and as frequently thereafter as may be necessary to insure safety. When dangerous conditions are found, they shall be corrected immediately. A probe or probes for methane detectors shall be provided on each working section other than longwall sections and sections mined solely with continuous miners with integral roof bolters.
(d) Roof bolt recovery. — Roof bolts shall not be recovered where complete extraction of pillars is attempted, where adjacent to clay veins or at the locations of other irregularities, whether natural or otherwise, that induce abnormal hazards. Where roof bolt recovery is permitted, it shall be conducted only in accordance with methods prescribed in the approved roof control plan, and shall be conducted by experienced miners and only where adequate temporary support is provided.
Structure West Virginia Code
Chapter 22A. Miners' Health, Safety and Training
§22A-2-2. Submittal of Detailed Ventilation Plan to Director
§22A-2-4. Ventilation of Mines in General
§22A-2-5. Unused and Abandoned Parts of Mine
§22A-2-7. When Underground Mine Foreman-Fire Boss Required; Assistants; Certification
§22A-2-9. Slopes, Incline Planes and Haulage Roads
§22A-2-10. Signals on Haulways; Lights at Mouth and Bottom of Shaft; Operation of Cages
§22A-2-13. Daily Inspection of Working Places; Records
§22A-2-14. Safety Inspections; Removal of Gases
§22A-2-16. Examinations of Reports of Fire Bosses
§22A-2-17. Ascertainment, Record and Removal of All Dangers
§22A-2-18. Duty of Mine Foreman to Notify Operator When Unable to Comply With Law; Duty of Operator
§22A-2-19. Death or Resignation of Mine Foreman; Successor
§22A-2-21. Fire Bosses to Have No Superior Officers
§22A-2-22. Unlawful to Enter Mine Until Fire Boss Reports It Safe; Exceptions
§22A-2-23. Authority of Fire Boss to Perform Other Duties
§22A-2-24. Control of Coal Dust; Rock Dusting
§22A-2-25. Roof Control Programs and Plans; Refusal to Work Under Unsupported Roof
§22A-2-26. Roof Support; Specific Requirements
§22A-2-27. Canopies or Cabs; Electric Face Equipment
§22A-2-28. Equipment to Conform With Height of Seam
§22A-2-29. Use of Authorized Explosives; Storage or Use of Unauthorized Explosives
§22A-2-30. Surface Magazines for Explosives
§22A-2-31. Transportation of Explosives
§22A-2-32. Underground Storage of Explosives
§22A-2-33. Preparation of Shots; Blasting Practices
§22A-2-34. Misfires of Explosives
§22A-2-35. Other Blasting Devices
§22A-2-36. Hoisting Machinery; Telephones; Safety Devices; Hoisting Engineers and Drum Runners
§22A-2-37. Haulage Roads and Equipment; Shelter Holes; Prohibited Practices; Signals; Inspection
§22A-2-38. Transportation of Miners by Cars; Self-Propelled Equipment; Belts
§22A-2-39. Belt Conveyor; Installation; Maintenance; Examination of Belt Conveyors and Belt Entries
§22A-2-41. Bonding Track Used as Power Conductor
§22A-2-42. Telephone Service or Communication Facilities
§22A-2-43. Actions to Detect and Respond to Excess Methane
§22A-2-43a. Operation of Cutting and Mining Machines; Repair and Maintenance of Same
§22A-2-44. Hand-Held Electric Drills and Rotating Tools; Trailing Cables
§22A-2-45. Installation of Lighting
§22A-2-46. Welding and Cutting
§22A-2-47. Responsibility for Care and Maintenance of Face Equipment
§22A-2-48. When Respiratory Equipment to Be Worn; Control of Dust
§22A-2-49. Safeguards for Mechanical Equipment
§22A-2-52. Storage of Flammable Liquids in Lamphouse
§22A-2-53. Smoking in and Around Surface Structures
§22A-2-53a. Railroad Cars; Dumping Areas; Other Surface Areas
§22A-2-53b. Haulage or Surface Areas
§22A-2-53c. Ramps; Tipples; Cleaning Plants; Other Surface Areas
§22A-2-54. Duties of Persons Subject to Article; Rules and Regulations of Operators
§22A-2-55. Protective Equipment and Clothing
§22A-2-57. No Act Permitted Endangering Security of Mine; Search for Intoxicants, Matches, etc.
§22A-2-59. First-Aid Equipment
§22A-2-61. Coal Storage Bins; Recovery Tunnels; Coal Storage Piles
§22A-2-62. Thermal Coal Dryers and Plants
§22A-2-64. Sealing Permanently Closed or Abandoned Mines
§22A-2-65. Mining Close to Abandoned Workings
§22A-2-66. Accident; Notice; Investigation by Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training
§22A-2-67. Written Report of Accident
§22A-2-68. Preservation of Evidence Following Accident or Disaster
§22A-2-71. Right of Miner to Refuse to Operate Unsafe Equipment; Procedure; Discrimination
§22A-2-71a. Right of Miner to Refuse to Work in an Unsafe Area or Unsafe Manner
§22A-2-72. Long Wall and Short Wall Mining
§22A-2-74. Control of Respirable Dust
§22A-2-75. Coal Operators -- Procedure Before Operating Near Oil and Gas Wells
§22A-2-76. Reopening Old or Abandoned Mines
§22A-2-77. Quarterly Report by Operator of Mine; Exception as to Certain Inactive Mines
§22A-2-78. Examinations to Determine Compliance With Permits