67 FR 11001, Mar. 11, 2002, unless otherwise noted.
Sections 75.814 through 75.822 of this part are electrical safety standards that apply to high-voltage longwall circuits and equipment. All other existing standards in 30 CFR must also apply to these longwall circuits and equipment where appropriate.
(a) High-voltage circuits must be protected against short circuits, overloads, ground faults, and undervoltages by circuit-interrupting devices of adequate interrupting capacity as follows:
(1) Current settings of short-circuit protective devices must not exceed the setting specified in approval documentation, or seventy-five percent of the minimum available phase-to-phase short-circuit current, whichever is less.
(2) Time-delay settings of short-circuit protective devices used to protect any cable extending from the section power center to a motor-starter enclosure must not exceed the settings specified in approval documentation, or 0.25-second, whichever is less. Time delay settings of short-circuit protective devices used to protect motor and shearer circuits must not exceed the settings specified in approval documentation, or 3 cycles, whichever is less.
(3) Ground-fault currents must be limited by a neutral grounding resistor to not more than—
(i) 6.5 amperes when the nominal voltage of the power circuit is 2,400 volts or less; or
(ii) 3.75 amperes when the nominal voltage of the power circuit exceeds 2,400 volts.
(4) High-voltage circuits extending from the section power center must be provided with—
(i) Ground-fault protection set to cause deenergization at not more than 40 percent of the current rating of the neutral grounding resistor;
(ii) A backup ground-fault detection device to cause deenergization when a ground fault occurs with the neutral grounding resistor open; and
(iii) Thermal protection for the grounding resistor that will deenergize the longwall power center if the resistor is subjected to a sustained ground fault. The thermal protection must operate at either 50 percent of the maximum temperature rise of the grounding resistor, or 150 °C (302 °F), whichever is less, and must open the ground-wire monitor circuit for the high-voltage circuit supplying the section power center. The thermal protection must not be dependent upon control power and may consist of a current transformer and overcurrent relay.
(5) High-voltage motor and shearer circuits must be provided with instantaneous ground-fault protection set at not more than 0.125-ampere.
(6) Time-delay settings of ground-fault protective devices used to provide coordination with the instantaneous ground-fault protection of motor and shearer circuits must not exceed 0.25-second.
(7) Undervoltage protection must be provided by a device which operates on loss of voltage to cause and maintain the interruption of power to a circuit to prevent automatic restarting of the equipment.
(b) Current transformers used for the ground-fault protection specified in paragraphs (a)(4)(i) and (5) of this section must be single window-type and must be installed to encircle all three phase conductors. Equipment safety grounding conductors must not pass through or be connected in series with ground-fault current transformers.
(c) Each ground-fault current device specified in paragraphs (a)(4)(i) and (5) of this section must be provided with a test circuit that will inject a primary current of 50 percent or less of the current rating of the grounding resistor through the current transformer and cause each corresponding circuit-interrupting device to open.
(d) Circuit-interrupting devices must not reclose automatically.
(e) Where two or more high-voltage cables are used to supply power to a common bus in a high-voltage enclosure, each cable must be provided with ground-wire monitoring. The ground-wire monitoring circuits must cause deenergization of each cable when either the ground-monitor or grounding conductor(s) of any cable become severed or open. On or after May 10, 2002, parallel connected cables on newly installed longwalls must be protected as follows:
(1) When one circuit-interrupting device is used to protect parallel connected cables, the circuit-interrupting device must be electrically interlocked with the cables so that the device will open when any cable is disconnected; or
(2) When two or more parallel circuit-interrupting devices are used to protect parallel connected cables, the circuit-interrupting devices must be mechanically and electrically interlocked. Mechanical interlocking must cause all devices to open simultaneously and electrical interlocking must cause all devices to open when any cable is disconnected.
(a) The section power center must be equipped with a main disconnecting device installed to deenergize all cables extending to longwall equipment when the device is in the “open” position. See Figures I-1 and I-2 in Appendix A to this subpart I.
(b) Disconnecting devices for motor-starter enclosures must be maintained in accordance with the approval requirements of paragraph (f) of § 18.53 of part 18 of this chapter. The compartment for the disconnect device must be provided with a caution label to warn miners against entering the compartment before deenergizing the incoming high-voltage circuits to the compartment.
(c) Disconnecting devices must be rated for the maximum phase-to-phase voltage of the circuit in which they are installed, and for the full-load current of the circuit that is supplied power through the device.
(d) Each disconnecting device must be designed and installed so that—
(1) Visual observation determines that the contacts are open without removing any cover;
(2) All load power conductors can be grounded when the device is in the “open” position; and
(3) The device can be locked in the “open” position.
(e) Disconnecting devices, except those installed in explosion-proof enclosures, must be capable of interrupting the full-load current of the circuit or designed and installed to cause the current to be interrupted automatically prior to the opening of the contacts of the device. Disconnecting devices installed in explosion-proof enclosures must be maintained in accordance with the approval requirements of paragraph (f)(2)(iv) of § 18.53 of part 18 of this chapter.
(a) High-voltage cables must be guarded at the following locations:
(1) Where persons regularly work or travel over or under the cables.
(2) Where the cables leave cable handling or support systems to extend to electric components.
(b) Guarding must minimize the possibility of miners contacting the cables and protect the cables from damage. The guarding must be made of grounded metal or nonconductive flame-resistant material.
Longwall mining equipment must be provided with cable-handling and support systems that are constructed, installed and maintained to minimize the possibility of miners contacting the cables and to protect the high-voltage cables from damage.
(a) Energized high-voltage cables must not be handled except when motor or shearer cables need to be trained. When cables need to be trained, high-voltage insulated gloves, mitts, hooks, tongs, slings, aprons, or other personal protective equipment capable of providing protection against shock hazard must be used to prevent direct contact with the cable.
(b) High-voltage insulated gloves, sleeves, and other insulated personal protective equipment must—
(1) Have a voltage rating of at least Class 1 (7,500 volts) that meets or exceeds ASTM F496-97, “Standard Specification for In-Service Care of Insulating Gloves and Sleeves” (1997).
(2) Be examined before each use for visible signs of damage;
(3) Be removed from the underground area of the mine or destroyed when damaged or defective; and
(4) Be electrically tested every 6 months in accordance with publication ASTM F496-97. ASTM F496-97 (Standard Specification for In-Service Care of Insulating Gloves and Sleeves, 1997) is incorporated by reference and may be inspected at any MSHA Coal Mine Safety and Health District Office, or at MSHA's Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20210; 202-693-9440; and at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. In addition, copies of the document can be purchased from the American Society for Testing and Materials, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, P.O. Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959; 610-832-9500; http://www.astm.org. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
[67 FR 11001, Mar. 11, 2002, as amended at 67 FR 38386, June 4, 2002; 71 FR 16668, Apr. 3, 2006; 80 FR 52992, Sept. 2, 2015; 91 FR 9448, Feb. 26, 2026]
Compartment separation and cover interlock switches for motor-starter enclosures must be maintained in accordance with the approval requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) of § 18.53 of part 18 of this chapter.
(a) Electrical work on all circuits and equipment associated with high-voltage longwalls must be performed only by persons qualified under § 75.153 to perform electrical work on all circuits and equipment.
(b) Prior to performing electrical work, except for troubleshooting and testing of energized circuits and equipment as provided for in paragraph (d) of this section, a qualified person must do the following:
(1) Deenergize the circuit or equipment with a circuit-interrupting device.
(2) Open the circuit disconnecting device. On high-voltage circuits, ground the power conductors until work on the circuit is completed.
(3) Lock out the disconnecting device with a padlock. When more than one qualified person is performing work, each person must install an individual padlock.
(4) Tag the disconnecting device to identify each person working and the circuit or equipment on which work is being performed.
(c) Each padlock and tag must be removed only by the person who installed them, except that, if that person is unavailable at the mine, the lock and tag may be removed by a person authorized by the operator, provided—
(1) The authorized person is qualified under paragraph (a) of this section; and
(2) The operator ensures that the person who installed the lock and tag is aware of the removal before that person resumes work on the affected circuit or equipment.
(d) Troubleshooting and testing of energized circuits must be performed only—
(1) On low- and medium-voltage circuits;
(2) When the purpose of troubleshooting and testing is to determine voltages and currents; and
(3) By persons qualified to perform electrical work and who wear protective gloves on circuits that exceed 40 volts in accordance with the following table:
| Circuit voltage | Type of glove required |
|---|---|
| Greater than 120 volts (nominal) (not intrinsically safe) | Rubber insulating gloves with leather protectors. |
| 40 volts to 120 volts (nominal) (both intrinsically safe and non-intrinsically safe) | Either rubber insulating gloves with leather protectors or dry work gloves. |
| Greater than 120 volts (nominal) (intrinsically safe) | Either rubber insulating gloves with leather protectors or dry work gloves. |
(4) Rubber insulating gloves must be rated at least for the nominal voltage of the circuit when the voltage of the circuit exceeds 120 volts nominal and is not intrinsically safe.
(e) Before troubleshooting and testing a low- or medium-voltage circuit contained in a compartment with a high-voltage circuit, the high-voltage circuit must be deenergized, disconnected, grounded, locked out and tagged in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section.
(f) Prior to the installation or removal of conveyor belt structure, high-voltage cables extending from the section power center to longwall equipment and located in the belt entries must be:
(1) Deenergized; or
(2) Guarded in accordance with § 75.816 of this part, at the location where the belt structure is being installed or removed; or
(3) Located at least 6.5 feet above the mine floor.
(a) At least once every 7 days, a person qualified in accordance with § 75.153 to perform electrical work on all circuits and equipment must test and examine each unit of high-voltage longwall equipment and circuits to determine that electrical protection, equipment grounding, permissibility, cable insulation, and control devices are being properly maintained to prevent fire, electrical shock, ignition, or operational hazards from existing on the equipment. Tests must include activating the ground-fault test circuit as required by § 75.814(c).
(b) Each ground-wire monitor and associated circuits must be examined and tested at least once each 30 days to verify proper operation and that it will cause the corresponding circuit-interrupting device to open.
(c) When examinations or tests of equipment reveal a fire, electrical shock, ignition, or operational hazard, the equipment must be removed from service immediately or repaired immediately.
(d) At the completion of examinations and tests required by this section, the person who makes the examinations and tests must certify by signature and date that they have been conducted. A record must be made of any unsafe condition found and any corrective action taken. Certifications and records must be kept for at least one year and must be made available for inspection by authorized representatives of the Secretary and representatives of miners.
In addition to the high-voltage cable design specifications in § 75.804 of this part, high-voltage cables for use on longwalls may be a type SHD cable with a center ground-check conductor no smaller than a No. 16 AWG stranded conductor. The cables must be MSHA accepted as flame-resistant under part 18 or approved under subpart K of part 7.
Sections 75.823 through 75.834 of this part are electrical safety standards applicable to 2,400 volt continuous mining machines and circuits. A “qualified person” as used in these sections means a person meeting the requirements of § 75.153. Other standards in 30 CFR apply to these circuits and equipment where appropriate.
[75 FR 17549, Apr. 6, 2010]
(a) Trailing cable protection. The trailing cable extending to the high-voltage continuous mining machine must be protected by a circuit-interrupting device of adequate interrupting capacity and voltage that provides short-circuit, overload, ground-fault, and under-voltage protection as follows:
(1) Short-circuit protection.
(i) The current setting of the device must be the setting specified in the approval documentation or 75 percent of the minimum available phase-to-phase short-circuit current, whichever is less; and
(ii) The time-delay setting must not exceed 0.050 seconds.
(2) Ground-fault protection.
(i) Neutral grounding resistors must limit the ground-fault current to no more than 0.5 ampere.
(ii) Ground-fault devices must cause de-energization of the circuit extending to the continuous mining machine at not more than 0.125 ampere. The time-delay of the device must not exceed 0.050 seconds.
(iii) Look-ahead circuits must detect a ground-fault condition and prevent the circuit-interrupting device from closing as long as the ground-fault condition exists.
(iv) Backup ground-fault devices must cause de-energization of the circuit extending to the continuous mining machine at not more than 40 percent of the voltage developed across the neutral grounding resistor when a ground fault occurs with the neutral grounding resistor open. The time-delay setting of the backup device must not exceed 0.25 seconds.
(v) Thermal devices must detect a sustained ground-fault current in the neutral grounding resistor and must de-energize the incoming power. The device must operate at either 50 percent of the maximum temperature rise of the neutral grounding resistor or 302 °F (150 °C), whichever is less. Thermal protection must not be dependent on control power and may consist of a current transformer and over-current relay in the neutral grounding resistor circuit.
(vi) A single window-type current transformer that encircles all three-phase conductors must be used to activate the ground-fault device protecting the continuous mining machine. Equipment grounding conductors must not pass through the current transformer.
(vii) A test circuit for the ground-fault device must be provided. The test circuit must inject no more than 50 percent of the current rating of the neutral grounding resistor through the current transformer. When the test circuit is activated, the circuit-interrupting device must open.
(3) Under-voltage protection. The under-voltage device must operate on a loss of voltage, de-energize the circuit, and prevent the equipment from automatically restarting.
(b) Re-closing. Circuit-interrupting devices must not re-close automatically.
(c) Onboard Power Circuits. When a grounded-phase indicator light circuit is used and it indicates a grounded-phase fault, the following corrective actions must be taken:
(1) The machine must be moved immediately to a location with a properly supported roof; and
(2) The grounded-phase condition must be located and corrected prior to placing the continuous mining machine back into operation.
[75 FR 17549, Apr. 6, 2010]
(a) Main disconnecting switch. The power center supplying high voltage power to the continuous mining machine must be equipped with a main disconnecting switch that, when in the open position, de-energizes input to all power transformers.
(b) Trailing cable disconnecting device. In addition to the main disconnecting switch required in paragraph (a) of this section, the power center must be equipped with a disconnecting device for each circuit that supplies power to a high-voltage continuous mining machine. A disconnecting device is defined as a disconnecting switch or a cable coupler.
(c) Disconnecting switches. Each disconnecting switch must be labeled to clearly identify the circuit it disconnects, and be designed and installed as follows:
(1) Rated for the maximum phase-to-phase voltage of the circuit;
(2) Rated for the full-load current of the circuit that is supplied power through the device.
(3) Allow for visual observation, without removing any covers, to verify that the contacts are open;
(4) Ground all power conductors on the load side when the switch is in the “open and grounded” position;
(5) Can only be locked out in the “open and grounded” position; and
(6) Safely interrupts the full-load current of the circuit or causes the current to be interrupted automatically before the disconnecting switch opens.
(d) Barriers and covers. All compartments that provide access to high-voltage circuits must have barriers and/or covers to prevent miners from contacting energized high-voltage circuits.
(e) Main disconnecting switch and control circuit interlocking. The control circuit must be interlocked with the main disconnecting switch in the power center so that:
(1) When the main disconnecting switch is in the “open” position, the control circuit can only be powered through an auxiliary switch in the “test” position; and
(2) When the main disconnecting switch is in the “closed” position, the control circuit can only be powered through an auxiliary switch in the “normal” position.
(f) Interlocks. Each cover or removable barrier providing access to high-voltage circuits must be equipped with at least two interlock switches. Except when the auxiliary switch is on the “test” position, removal of any cover or barrier that exposes energized high-voltage circuits must cause the interlock switches to automatically de-energize the incoming circuit to the power center.
(g) Emergency stop switch. The power center must be equipped with an externally accessible emergency stop switch hard-wired into the incoming ground-wire monitor circuit that de-energizes the incoming high-voltage in the event of an emergency.
(h) Grounding stick. The power center must be equipped with a grounding stick to be used prior to performing electrical work to assure that high-voltage capacitors are discharged and circuits are de-energized. The power center must have a label readily identifying the location of the grounding stick. The grounding stick must be stored in a dry location.
(i) Caution label. All compartments providing access to energized high-voltage conductors and parts must display a caution label to warn miners against entering the compartments before de-energizing incoming high-voltage circuits.
[75 FR 17549, Apr. 6, 2010]
High-voltage trailing cables must:
(a) Meet existing trailing cable requirements and the approval requirements of the high-voltage continuous mining machine; and
(b) Meet existing ground-check conductor requirements (§ 75.804) or have a stranded center ground-check conductor not smaller than a No. 16 A.W.G.
[75 FR 17549, Apr. 6, 2010]
(a) Guarding.
(1) The high-voltage cable must be guarded in the following locations:
(i) From the power center cable coupler for a distance of 10 feet inby the power center;
(ii) From the entrance gland for a distance of 10 feet outby the last strain clamp on the continuous mining machine; and,
(iii) At any location where the cable could be damaged by moving equipment.
(2) Guarding must be constructed using nonconductive flame-resistant material or grounded metal.
(b) Suspended cables and cable crossovers. When equipment must cross any portion of the cable, the cable must be either:
(1) Suspended from the mine roof; or
(2) Protected by a cable crossover having the following specifications:
(i) A minimum length of 33 inches;
(ii) A minimum width of 17 inches;
(iii) A minimum height of 3 inches;
(iv) A minimum cable placement area of two and one half-inches (21⁄2″) high by four and one-quarter inches (41⁄4″) wide;
(v) Made of nonconductive material;
(vi) Made of material with a distinctive color. The color black must not be used; and
(vii) Made of material that has a minimum compressive strength of 6,400 pounds per square inch (psi).
[75 FR 17549, Apr. 6, 2010]
The trailing cable must be de-energized prior to being pulled by any equipment other than the continuous mining machine. The cable manufacturer's recommended pulling procedures must be followed when pulling the trailing cable with equipment other than the continuous mining machine.
[75 FR 17549, Apr. 6, 2010]
(a) Conditions of use. Tramming the continuous mining machine in and out of the mine and from section to section must be done in accordance with movement requirements of high-voltage power centers and portable transformers (§ 75.812) and as follows:
(1) The power source must not be located in areas where permissible equipment is required;
(2) The continuous mining machine must not be used for mining or cutting purposes, unless a power center is used in accordance with §§ 75.823 through 75.828 and §§ 75.830 through 75.833;
(3) Low-, medium-, and high-voltage cables must comply with §§ 75.600-1, 75.907, and 75.826, as applicable; and
(4) The energized high-voltage cable must be mechanically secured onboard the continuous mining machine. This provision applies only when using the power sources specified in paragraphs (c)(2) and (c)(3) of this section.
(b) Testing prior to tramming. Prior to tramming the continuous mining machine,
(1) A qualified person must activate the ground-fault and ground-wire monitor test circuits of the power sources specified in paragraph (c) of this section to assure that the corresponding circuit-interrupting device opens the circuit. Corrective actions and recordkeeping resulting from these tests must be in accordance with §§ 75.832(f) and (g).
(2) Where applicable, a person designated by the mine operator must activate the test circuit for the grounded-phase detection circuit on the continuous mining machine to assure that the detection circuit is functioning properly. Corrective actions resulting from this test must be in accordance with § 75.832(f).
(c) Power sources. In addition to the power center specified in § 75.825, the following power sources may be used to tram the continuous mining machine.
(1) Medium-voltage power source. A medium-voltage power source is a source that supplies 995 volts through a trailing cable (See Figure 1 of this section) to the continuous mining machine. The medium-voltage power source must—
(i) Not be used to back-feed the high-voltage circuits of the continuous mining machine; and
(ii) Meet all applicable requirements for medium-voltage circuits in 30 CFR 75.
(2) Step-up transformer. A step-up transformer is a transformer that steps up the low or medium voltage to high voltage (See Figure 2 in this section) and must meet the following requirements:
(i) The trailing cable supplying low or medium voltage to the step-up transformer must meet the applicable requirements of 30 CFR part 75;
(ii) The high-voltage circuit output of the step-up transformer supplying power to the continuous mining machine must meet the applicable provisions of § 75.824;
(iii) The step-up transformer enclosure must be—
(A) Securely mounted to minimize vibration on:
(1) The continuous mining machine; or
(2) A sled/cart that must be connected to the continuous mining machine by a tow-bar and be in close proximity to the mining machine.
(B) Grounded as follows:
(1) Connected to the incoming ground conductor of the low- or medium-voltage trailing cable;
(2) Bonded by a No. 1/0 A.W.G. or larger external grounding conductor to the continuous mining machine frame; and
(3) Bonded by a No. 1/0 A.W.G. or larger external grounding conductor to the metallic shell of each cable coupler.
(C) Equipped with:
(1) At least two interlock switches for each of the enclosure covers; and
(2) An external emergency stop switch to remove input power to the step-up transformer.
[75 FR 17549, Apr. 6, 2010]
(a) Splices and repairs.
(1) Splicing means the mechanical joining of one or more severed conductors in a single length of a cable including the replacement of: Insulation, semi-conductive tape, metallic shielding, and the outer jacket(s).
(2) Repair means to fix damage to any component of the cable other than the conductor.
(3) Splices and repairs to high-voltage trailing cables must be made:
(i) Only by a qualified person trained in the proper methods of splicing and repairing high-voltage trailing cables;
(ii) In a workman-like manner;
(iii) In accordance with § 75.810; and
(iv) Using only MSHA-approved high-voltage kits that include instructions for outer-jacket repairs and splices.
(b) Splicing limitations.
(1) Splicing of the high-voltage trailing cable within 35 feet of the continuous mining machine is prohibited.
(2) Only four (4) splices will be allowed at any one time for the portion of the trailing cable that extends from the continuous miner outby for a distance of 300 feet.
[75 FR 17549, Apr. 6, 2010]
(a) Trailing cable and continuous mining machine electrical work procedures. Prior to performing electrical work, other than troubleshooting and testing, on the high-voltage trailing cable or the continuous mining machine, a qualified person must de-energize the power center and follow procedures specified in paragraph (1) or (2):
(1) If a trailing cable disconnecting switch is provided:
(i) Open and ground the power conductors, lock out and tag the disconnecting switch; and
(ii) Lock out and tag the plug to the power receptacle.
(2) If a trailing cable disconnecting switch is not provided and a cable coupler is used as a disconnecting device:
(i) Remove the plug from the power receptacle and connect it to the grounding receptacle;
(ii) Lock out and tag the plug to the grounding receptacle; and
(iii) Place a dust cover over the power receptacle.
(b) Troubleshooting and testing the trailing cable. During troubleshooting and testing, the de-energized high-voltage cable may be disconnected from the power center only for that period of time necessary to locate the defective condition. Prior to troubleshooting and testing trailing cables, a qualified person must perform the following:
(1) If a trailing cable disconnecting switch is provided:
(i) Open and ground power conductors and lock out and tag the disconnecting switch;
(ii) Disconnect the plug from the power receptacle;
(iii) Lock out and tag the plug; and
(iv) Place a dust cover over the power receptacle.
(2) If a trailing cable disconnecting switch is not provided and a cable coupler is used as a disconnecting device:
(i) Remove the plug from the power receptacle and connect it to the grounding receptacle to ground the power conductors;
(ii) Remove the plug from the grounding receptacle and install a lock and tag on the plug; and
(iii) Place a dust cover over the power receptacle.
(c) Troubleshooting and testing limitations. Troubleshooting and testing energized circuits must be performed only:
(1) On low- and medium-voltage circuits;
(2) When the purpose of troubleshooting and testing is to determine voltages and currents;
(3) By qualified persons; and
(4) When using protective gloves in accordance with the following table:
| Circuit voltage | Type of glove required |
|---|---|
| Greater than 120 volts (nominal) (not intrinsically safe) | Rubber insulating gloves with leather protectors. |
| 40 volts to 120 volts (nominal) (both intrinsically safe and non-intrinsically safe) | Either rubber insulating gloves with leather protectors or dry work gloves. |
| Greater than 120 volts (nominal) (intrinsically safe) | Either rubber insulating gloves with leather protectors or dry work gloves. |
(d) Power center electrical work procedures. Before any work is performed inside any compartment of the power center, except for troubleshooting and testing energized circuits as specified in paragraph (c) of this section, a qualified person must:
(1) De-energize affected circuits;
(2) Open the corresponding disconnecting switch, lock it out, and tag it to assure the circuit is isolated;
(3) Visually verify that the contacts of the disconnecting switch are open and grounded; and
(4) Discharge all high-voltage capacitors and circuits.
(e) Locking out and tagging responsibilities.
(1) When more than one qualified person is performing electrical work, including troubleshooting and testing, each person must install an individual lock and tag. Each lock and tag must be removed only by the persons who installed them.
(2) If the person who installed the lock and tag is unavailable, the lock and tag may be removed by a person authorized by the operator, provided that:
(i) The authorized person is a qualified person; and
(ii) The mine operator assures that the person who installed the lock and tag is aware that the lock and tag have been removed.
[75 FR 17549, Apr. 6, 2010]
(a) Continuous mining machine examination. At least once every 7 days, a qualified person must examine each high-voltage continuous mining machine to verify that electrical protection, equipment grounding, permissibility, cable insulation, and control devices are properly installed and maintained.
(b) Ground-fault test circuit. At least once every 7 days, and prior to tramming the high-voltage continuous mining machine, a qualified person must activate the ground-fault test circuit to verify that it will cause the corresponding circuit-interrupting device to open.
(c) Ground-wire monitor test. At least once every 7 days, and prior to tramming the high-voltage continuous mining machine, a qualified person must examine and test each high-voltage continuous mining machine ground-wire monitor circuit to verify that it will cause the corresponding circuit-interrupting device to open.
(d) Trailing cable inspections.
(1) Once each day during the shift that the continuous mining machine is first energized, a qualified person must de-energize and inspect the entire length of the high-voltage trailing cable from the power center to the continuous mining machine. The inspection must include examination of the outer jacket repairs and splices for damage, and assure guarding is provided where required.
(2) At the beginning of each shift that the continuous mining machine is energized, a person designated by the mine operator must de-energize and visually inspect the high-voltage trailing cable for damage to the outer jacket. This inspection must be conducted from the continuous mining machine to the following locations:
(i) The last open crosscut;
(ii) Within 150 feet of the working place during retreat or second mining; or
(iii) Up to 150 feet from the continuous mining machine when the machine is used in outby areas.
(e) Grounded-phase detection test. When a grounded-phase test circuit is provided on a high-voltage continuous mining machine, a person designated by the mine operator must activate the test circuit at the beginning of each production shift to assure that the detection circuit is functioning properly.
(f) Corrective action. When examinations or tests of equipment reveal a risk of fire, electrical shock, ignition, or operational hazard, the equipment must be immediately removed from service or repaired.
(g) Record of tests.
(1) At the completion of examinations and tests required under paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this section, the person conducting the examinations and tests must:
(i) Certify by signature and date that the examinations and tests have been conducted.
(ii) Make a record of any unsafe condition found.
(2) Any corrective action(s) must be recorded by the person taking the corrective action.
(3) The record must be countersigned by the mine foreman or equivalent mine official by the end of the mine foreman's or the equivalent mine official's next regularly scheduled working shift.
(4) Records must be maintained in a secure book that is not susceptible to alteration or electronically in a computer system so as to be secure and not susceptible to alteration.
(5) Certifications and records must be kept for at least 1 year and must be made available for inspection by authorized representatives of the Secretary and representatives of miners.
[75 FR 17549, Apr. 6, 2010]
(a) Cable handling.
(1) Miners must not handle energized trailing cables unless they are wearing high-voltage insulating gloves, which include the rubber gloves and leather outer protector gloves, or are using insulated cable handling tools that meet the requirements of paragraph (c) or (d) of this section.
(2) Miners must not handle energized high-voltage cables with any parts of their bodies except by hand in accordance with paragraph (1) above.
(b) Availability. Each mine operator must make high-voltage insulating gloves or insulated cable handling tools available to miners handling energized high-voltage trailing cables.
(c) High-voltage insulating gloves. High-voltage insulating gloves must meet the following requirements:
(1) The rubber gloves must be designed and maintained to have a voltage rating of at least Class 1 (7,500 volts) and tested every 30 days in accordance with publication ASTM F496-02a, “Standard Specification for In-Service Care of Insulating Gloves and Sleeves” (2002). The Director of the Federal Register approved this incorporation by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 522(a) and 1 CFR part 51. ASTM F496-02a may be obtained from the American Society for Testing and Materials, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, P.O. Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, call 610-832-9500 or go to http://www.astm.org. ASTM F496-02a is available for inspection at any MSHA Coal Mine Safety and Health District Office, at the MSHA Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20210; 202-693-9440; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
(2) The rubber glove portion must be air-tested at the beginning of each shift to assure its effectiveness.
(3) Both the leather protector and rubber insulating gloves must be visually examined before each use for signs of damage or defects.
(4) Damaged rubber gloves must be removed from the underground area of the mine or destroyed. Leather protectors must be maintained in good condition or replaced.
(d) Insulated cable handling tools. Insulated cable handling tools must be:
(1) Rated and properly maintained to withstand at least 7,500 volts;
(2) Designed and manufactured for cable handling;
(3) Visually examined before each use for signs of damage or defects; and
(4) Removed from the underground area of the mine or destroyed if damaged or defective.
[75 FR 17549, Apr. 6, 2010, as amended at 80 FR 52992, Sept. 2, 2015; 91 FR 9448, Feb. 26, 2026]
In addition to existing part 48 task training, hazard training, training for qualified persons under existing § 75.153, and annual refresher training, the following specialized training shall be provided and specified in the part 48 plan:
(a) Training for miners who perform maintenance on high-voltage continuous mining machines in high-voltage safety, testing, and repair and maintenance procedures.
(b) Training for personnel who work in the vicinity of high-voltage continuous mining machines in safety procedures and precautions for moving the high-voltage machines or the trailing cables.
[75 FR 17549, Apr. 6, 2010]
[67 FR 11001, Mar. 11, 2002; 67 FR 18823, Apr. 17, 2002]