SECTION 460:15-1-23. Travelways requirements

(a)   Exits. There shall be a minimum of two exits to the surface from every mine. Each escapeway shall be properly marked and kept free of debris.

(b)   Belts. Belts may be used for man-trips provided that there is a minimum of eighteen (18) inches above the edge of the belt to the roof or roof supports and twenty-four (24) inches to the nearest obstruction along the side of the belt. Each belt must be equipped with a safety pull cord that will stop the belt. The loading and unloading points must be properly marked and illuminated and enough room to allow the employees adequate overhead and side clearance. Employees riding any belt shall maintain a minimum separation of five (5) feet. The loading and unloading shall be supervised by a qualified person designated by the superintendent. Belt man-trips shall not exceed three hundred fifty (350 feet per minute if the overhead clearance is greater than twenty four (24) inches.

(c)   Shafts. Shafts used for ingress and egress of mine personnel must be maintained in a safe and available condition.

(1)   Shafts less than seventy five (75) feet in vertical depth shall be equipped with safe and convenient stairs of which the angle of inclination shall not exceed forty-five (45) degrees. Landings shall not exceed twenty (20) feet in vertical rise and shall be constructed so that employees may pass comfortably from ladder to ladder and fully protected on all four sides to prevent employees from falling from ladders or landings.

(2)   Shafts with a vertical depth greater than seventy-five (75) feet must be equipped with a mechanical hoist and cage for the purpose of lowering and raising employees. All hoists shall be equipped with brakes sufficient to stop and hold the fully loaded cage. The hoists must have sufficient power to raise an unbalanced loaded cage.

(d)   Hoists.

(1)   All hoists shall be equipped with an accurate and reliable indicator showing the position of the cage at all times. The indicator must be in clear view of the hoisting engineer.

(A)   The hoisting drum shall have flanges extending at least four (4) inches above the rope when all the rope is on the drum.

(B)   Man-trip cages shall have bonnets extending over the space on which the employees stand and shall have steel or sheet iron on the sides extending not less than four (4) feet above the floor of the cage.

(C)   Each cage shall have overhead bars or chains so arranged that any person may have an easy and secure hand hold.

(D)   Cages shall be provided with approved safety devices capable of bringing the cage to a stop within a reasonable distance.

(E)   Safety devices on cages, such as ropes, fasteners, platforms, elevators, head sheaves and flanges, shall be inspected daily and recorded by a qualified person appointed by the superintendent.

(F)   The shaft top and bottom shall be properly illuminated.

(G)   There shall be two (2) approved methods of signaling from the shaft top and bottom and a continuous method of communication in the shaft.

(2)   The superintendent shall designate the number of persons that shall be lowered or hoisted on a cage at any one time and the number so designated shall be posted in a conspicuous place at the top and bottom of the shaft.

(A)   The hoisting rope shall be firmly clamped to the drum and shall have at least three (3) turns left on the drum when the cage is resting on the shaft bottom.

(B)   Hoisting ropes and attachments of ropes to cages shall have a safety factor of five (5) to one (1) as calculated by the American Standards Association formula.

(C)   Ropes shall be replaced as soon as there is evidence of undue weakness.

(D)   Hoists shall be operated only by qualified and certified personnel.

(E)   It shall be unlawful for any person to carry on a conversation with a hoisting engineer with a hoist is in operation.

(F)   A second hoisting engineer shall be available near the controls when a man-trip is being operated unless the hoist is equipped with overspeed, overwind, and automatic stop controls.

(3)   Any person operating a hoist must be certified by the Oklahoma Mining Commission as being qualified. The hoistman shall:

(A)   Keep a careful watch over his engine and all machinery.

(B)   Be familiar with the signal code.

(C)   Shall not operate the man-trip at a speed greater than the superintendent authorizes but not greater than six hundred (600) feet per minute.

(4)   The hoist shall be operated one (1) full cycle, if not operated within eight (8) hours, before any person shall be lowered or hoisted from the mine.

(5)   The hoistman shall be on duty continuously when any person is in the mine.

(6)   Man-trip shall not be operated while coupled with cars containing coal, supplies, or any materials. Man-trip cars shall be sufficient in number to avoid overcrowding and shall have adequate safety devices as approved by the mine inspector.