45.1-161.152 - Transporting miners by belts. - Virginia Statutes

§ 45.1-161.152. Transporting miners by belts.

A. When belts are used for transporting miners, such belts shall be free ofloose materials, and a minimum clearance of at least eighteen inches shall bemaintained between the belt and the roof or crossbars, projecting equipment,cap pieces, overhead cables, wiring, and other objects. Belts used fortransporting miners shall be equipped with emergency stop cords for theirentire length.

B. The belt speed shall not exceed (i) 250 feet per minute while miners arebeing transported where the clearance between the belt and overhead roof orprojections is between eighteen inches and twenty-four inches and (ii) 300feet per minute where the overhead clearance is twenty-four inches or more.The use of conveyor belts to transport miners shall be prohibited if theclearance between the belt and overhead is less than eighteen inches. Suchbelt shall be stopped while miners are boarding or leaving.

C. The space between miners riding on a belt line shall be not less than fivefeet.

D. Adequate clearance and proper illumination shall be provided where minersboard or leave conveyor belts.

(Code 1950, § 45-69.2; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, § 45.1-74; 1985, c. 296;1994, c. 28; 1996, c. 774; 1999, c. 256.)