Section 220.190 Slope and Shaft Sinking

Section 220

Section 220.190  Slope and

Shaft Sinking

a)         Slopes and Shafts; approval of plans.

Each operator of a coal mine shall comply with Subpart T,

Section 77.1900 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 30-Mineral Resources,

and any amendments, additions, and alterations which may be made with respect

to any Section of such subpart at any time subsequent to the filing of these

Surface Installation Health and Safety Rules (62 Ill. Adm. Code 220), in

preparing any slope and shaft sinking plan, and a copy of such approved plan

shall be furnished to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (Department)

for the approval of the Mining Board.

b)         Compliance with approved slope and shaft sinking plans.

Upon approval by the Mining Board of a slope or shaft sinking

plan, the operator shall adopt and comply with same.

c)         Preshift and onshift inspections; reports.

1)         Examinations of slope and shaft areas shall be made by a

certified shaft-slope examiner for hazardous conditions, including tests for

methane and oxygen deficiency:

A)        Within ninety (90) minutes before each shift;

B)        At least once (1) on any shift during which men are employed

inside any slope or shaft; and

C)        Both before and after blasting.

2)         The surface area surrounding each slope and shaft shall be

inspected by a certified person and all hazards in the vicinity shall be corrected

before men are permitted to enter the excavation.

3)         All hazards found during any preshift or onshift inspection

shall be corrected before men are allowed to enter, or continue to work in such

slope or shaft, except those persons necessary to correct those hazards.  If

hazardous conditions cannot be corrected, or excessive methane concentrations

cannot be diluted, the excavation shall be vacated and no person shall be

permitted to reenter the slope or shaft to continue excavation operation until

the hazardous condition has been corrected

llowed to enter, or continue to work in such

slope or shaft, except those persons necessary to correct those hazards.  If

hazardous conditions cannot be corrected, or excessive methane concentrations

cannot be diluted, the excavation shall be vacated and no person shall be

permitted to reenter the slope or shaft to continue excavation operation until

the hazardous condition has been corrected.

4)         No work shall be performed in any slope or shaft, no drilling

equipment shall be started, and no electrical equipment shall be energized if

the methane content in such slope or shaft is 1.0 volume per centum, or more.

5)         Nothing in this Section shall prevent the specific assignment

of persons in the slope or shaft for purpose of abating excessive methane

concentrations or any other hazardous condition.

6)         The results of all inspections conducted in accordance with

this Section shall be recorded daily in a book approved by the Department, and

shall be signed by the person making the inspection and shall be countersigned

after each examination by a certified shaft-slope supervisor.

d)         Methane and oxygen deficiency tests; approved devices.

Tests for oxygen deficiency shall be made with a permissible

flame safety lamp or other means approved by the Department, and tests for

methane shall be made with a methane detector approved by the Department, or a

flame safety lamp.

e)         Diesel powered equipment.

The use of diesel powered equipment underground in shaft and

slope sinking operations shall be prohibited

; approved devices.

Tests for oxygen deficiency shall be made with a permissible

flame safety lamp or other means approved by the Department, and tests for

methane shall be made with a methane detector approved by the Department, or a

flame safety lamp.

e)         Diesel powered equipment.

The use of diesel powered equipment underground in shaft and

slope sinking operations shall be prohibited.  This regulation shall prevail

until a final determination has been made by qualified doctors and scientists

that there are no injurious effects on workmen engaged in duties requiring the

use of diesel powered equipment in slopes and shafts, and until such time that

facts of the study currently being jointly conducted by the National Institute

for Occupational Health and Safety and the Mining Enforcement and Safety

Administration of the United States Department of the Interior are conclusive.

At the time when such studies are completed and conclusive with regard to the

potential of such injurious effects on workmen, the Mining Board shall

reconsider the advisability of the use of such equipment.

f)         Hoists and hoisting; minimum requirements; requirement of

compliance with existing statutes and rules.

1)         Hoists shall include all hoisting equipment used in the

transportation of persons and materials in shaft or slopes.  All Federal and

state statutes and rules applicable to the hoisting operations shall remain in

force and shall be complied with.

2)         Hoists employed in transporting persons and material in any

slope or shaft shall have rated capacities consistent with the loads to be

handled and the recommended safety factors of the ropes used in such hoists.

The rated capacity shall be posted within view of the hoist operator.

3)         The American National Standards Institute, "Specification

for the Use of Wire Ropes for Mines," M11.1-1960, shall apply in the use,

selection, installation, and maintenance of wire ropes

e rated capacities consistent with the loads to be

handled and the recommended safety factors of the ropes used in such hoists.

The rated capacity shall be posted within view of the hoist operator.

3)         The American National Standards Institute, "Specification

for the Use of Wire Ropes for Mines," M11.1-1960, shall apply in the use,

selection, installation, and maintenance of wire ropes.  The following static

load safety factors shall be used for selecting ropes to be used on hoists and

for determining when such ropes shall be removed from hoists:

Length

of rope in shaft (feet)

Minimum

factor of safety (new rope)

Minimum

factor of safety (remove)

500

or less

8

6.4

500

to 1,000

7

5.8

1,000

to 2,000

6

5.0

2,000

to 3,000

5

4.3

3,001

or more

4

3.6

4)         Each hoist employed in drilling, mucking, or other excavating

operations shall be equipped with an accurate and reliable indicator of the

position of the cage, platform, or bucket, which shall be installed in clear

view of the hoist operator.

5)         Hoist drive units shall be protected from the weather, and the

mechanism that operates the brakes shall be guarded to prevent material or

tools from accidentally fouling or jamming the brake system.

g)         Communications between shaft and slope bottoms and hoist operations.

1)         There shall be at least two (2) effective methods of signaling

approved by representatives of the Department, one of which shall be audible to

the hoistman at all times.  The signaling system in use shall effectively

notify all persons in all work areas of the shaft or slope being developed

wherever any equipment is moving up or down the slope or shaft. Signal codes

used shall be posted conspicuously at the entrance to the slope or shaft, in

the working areas of each slope or shaft, and in clear view of the hoistman

ll be audible to

the hoistman at all times.  The signaling system in use shall effectively

notify all persons in all work areas of the shaft or slope being developed

wherever any equipment is moving up or down the slope or shaft. Signal codes

used shall be posted conspicuously at the entrance to the slope or shaft, in

the working areas of each slope or shaft, and in clear view of the hoistman.

Only those persons designated by the operator shall be authorized to operate

the signal system in the slope or shaft and all persons in the slope or shaft

shall be made aware of who is in charge of signaling the hoistman at all times.

2)         Signaling systems used for communication between slopes and

shafts and the hoistman shall be tested daily.

h)         Hoist safeguards; general.

1)         Hoists used to transport persons shall be equipped with brakes

capable of stopping and holding the cage, bucket, platform, or other device

when fully loaded.  Such brakes shall be operated by the hoistman immediately

prior to transporting persons.  Conveyances shall not be lowered by the brakes

alone, except in an emergency.

2)         When persons are transported by a hoist or by the hoisting

operation a second person familiar with and qualified to stop the hoist shall

be in direct and constant attendance, except where the hoist is fully equipped

with overspeed, overwind, and automatic stop devices.

3)         Overwind devices shall be designed and installed to

automatically stop the cage, bucket, or platform before it contacts the head

sheave or other positive stopping obstacles under all conditions.  Overwind

devices shall be tested at the time of installation and prior to initial use by

raising the cage, bucket, or platform at maximum speed until the overwind

device is actuated.

i)          Hoists; inspection

es shall be designed and installed to

automatically stop the cage, bucket, or platform before it contacts the head

sheave or other positive stopping obstacles under all conditions.  Overwind

devices shall be tested at the time of installation and prior to initial use by

raising the cage, bucket, or platform at maximum speed until the overwind

device is actuated.

i)          Hoists; inspection.

1)         Hoists used to transport persons shall be inspected daily, and

each such inspection shall include examination of the headgear (headframe,

sheave wheels, etc.), ropes, connections, links and chains, signaling systems,

and other facilities.

2)         Prior to each working shift and before a hoist is returned to

service after it has been out of normal service for any reason, it shall be

operated by the hoistman through one (1) complete cycle of operation before any

persons or materials are permitted to be transported.

3)         The results of all inspections conducted in accordance with

this section shall be recorded after each inspection in a book approved by the

Department, and shall be signed by a person making the inspection and shall be

signed or countersigned daily by a certified shaft-slope supervisor required by

this Section of this Act.

j)          Hoist construction; general.

1)         Hoisting ropes shall be equipped with a spelter-filled socket,

wedge socket, or thimble with an adequate number of clamps properly spaced and

installed along the rope.

2)         Slope cars when used for transporting persons shall be

provided with two (2) bridle chains or cables connected securely to the rope at

least three (3) feet above the socket or at least three (3) feet above the last

rope clip if a thimble is used and which shall be securely fastened to the

slope car when transporting persons or material.

3)         Where hooks are used to attach cages or buckets to the socket

or thimble of a hoisting rope, they shall be self-closing

(2) bridle chains or cables connected securely to the rope at

least three (3) feet above the socket or at least three (3) feet above the last

rope clip if a thimble is used and which shall be securely fastened to the

slope car when transporting persons or material.

3)         Where hooks are used to attach cages or buckets to the socket

or thimble of a hoisting rope, they shall be self-closing.

4)         Hoisting ropes shall contain at least three (3) full turns on

the hoist drum when the rope is extended to its maximum working length.  At

least one (1) full turn of the hoist rope shall be placed around the drum shaft

or around the spoke of a free drum and both shall be fastened securely by means

of clamps.

5)         Platforms used for transporting persons shall be equipped with

a leveling indicator on the work deck.  The platform shall be maintained in a

level position at all times except when moving the platform.  Self-dumping

cages, platforms, or other devices used for transporting persons shall have a

locking device to prevent tilting when persons are transported.

6)         All suspended work decks in shafts shall be of such

construction to prevent overturning in the event of failure of one (1) of the

suspension cables.

k)         Hoist installations; use.

1)         Where persons are transported by means of a hoist and the

depth of the shaft exceeds fifty (50) feet, the hoist rope shall be suspended

from a substantial hoisting installation which shall be high enough to provide

working clearance between the bottom of the sheave and the top of the rope

attachment to the conveyance.

2)         Where persons are transported by means of a hoist and the

depth of the shaft exceeds one hundred (100) feet, temporary shaft guides and

guide attachments shall be installed to prevent the cage, platform, or bucket

from swinging unless the State Mining Board approves other means which will

provide no less than the same degree of protection to the miners

attachment to the conveyance.

2)         Where persons are transported by means of a hoist and the

depth of the shaft exceeds one hundred (100) feet, temporary shaft guides and

guide attachments shall be installed to prevent the cage, platform, or bucket

from swinging unless the State Mining Board approves other means which will

provide no less than the same degree of protection to the miners.

3)         Except for purpose of examination, all guides and guide

attachments installed in accordance with paragraph (k)(2) of this Section,

shall be maintained to a depth of not less than seventy-five (75) feet from the

working area where men are present.

4)         Where crossheads are used, the cage, platform, or bucket shall

not be hung more than ten (10) feet below the crosshead.

5)         Where men are required to embark or disembark over or within a

shaft, a loading platform shall be installed to insure safe footing.

6)         During the development of each slope or shaft, either a ladder

or independently powered auxiliary hoist shall be provided to permit persons to

escape quickly in the event of an emergency.  At all times where men are on the

bottom there shall be a means of access from the shaft bottom to the work deck

other than the hoist.  A chain ladder for this purpose will be acceptable.

7)         No person shall be permitted to ride the rim of any bucket or

on the top of a loaded bucket.

8)         The maximum number of persons permitted to ride the conveyance

at one time shall be posted conspicuously at the point of entrance to the shaft

or slope and on the conveyance.

9)         Persons shall not be permitted to ride on a cage, skip, or

bucket with tools or materials, except when necessary to handle equipment while

in transit.  Materials shall be secured to prevent shifting while being

hoisted

um number of persons permitted to ride the conveyance

at one time shall be posted conspicuously at the point of entrance to the shaft

or slope and on the conveyance.

9)         Persons shall not be permitted to ride on a cage, skip, or

bucket with tools or materials, except when necessary to handle equipment while

in transit.  Materials shall be secured to prevent shifting while being

hoisted.

10)       The speed of buckets transporting persons shall not exceed five

hundred (500) feet per minute and not more than two hundred (200) feet per

minute when within one hundred (100) feet of any stop, and less if required by

a representative of the Department.

11)       A notice of established speeds shall be posted in clear view of

the hoistman.

12)       Conveyances being lowered in a shaft in which persons are

working shall be stopped at least fifteen (15) feet above such persons and

shall be lowered further only after the hoistman has received a signal that all

persons who may be endangered by the conveyance are in the clear.

13)       No skip or bucket shall be raised or lowered in a slope or

shaft until it has been trimmed to prevent material from falling back down the

slope or shaft.

14)       Measures shall be taken to prevent material from falling back

into the shaft while buckets or other conveyances are being unloaded.

15)       Properly attached safety belts shall be worn by all persons

required to work in or over any shaft where there is a drop of ten (10) or more

feet, unless other acceptable means are provided to prevent such persons from

falling into the shaft.

l)          Hoist operator; qualified hoistman.

1)         Hoists shall be under the control of and operated by a person

possessing a certificate of competency as hoist operator issued in accordance

with Article 7 of the Illinois Coal Mining Act of 1953 as amended when persons

are being transported or are in a slope or shaft

ans are provided to prevent such persons from

falling into the shaft.

l)          Hoist operator; qualified hoistman.

1)         Hoists shall be under the control of and operated by a person

possessing a certificate of competency as hoist operator issued in accordance

with Article 7 of the Illinois Coal Mining Act of 1953 as amended when persons

are being transported or are in a slope or shaft.  On each shift where persons

are employed below the surface, there shall be an additional person so

certified present to operate the hoist in case of an emergency.

2)         While mines are under construction and a crane or other

similar mechanical contrivance is used as a means of raising or lowering men,

the operator of such is required to be certified as a hoisting engineer

(crane).

3)         While mines are under construction, hoisting engineers shall

not leave their station while persons are underground unless relieved by

another hoisting engineer.  Any malfunction in the hoist shall be communicated

to all employees underground immediately.

m)        Explosives and blasting; use of permissible explosives.

Only permissible explosives as defined in Article 20 of the

Illinois Coal Mining Act of 1953 as amended shall be used in sinking shafts and

slopes.

n)         Use of nonpermissible explosives; approved by the Department.

When the Department has determined that the use of

nonpermissible explosives will not pose a hazard to any person during the

development of a slope or shaft, he may, after written application by the

operator, approve the use of such explosives and issue a permit setting forth

the safeguards to be employed by the operator to protect the health and safety

of any person exposed to such blasting.

o)         Uses of nonpermissible shot-firing device.

A shot-firing device approved by the Department may be used

providing all persons are removed to a safe location on the surface prior to

the connection of the shooting cable to the blasting device

sue a permit setting forth

the safeguards to be employed by the operator to protect the health and safety

of any person exposed to such blasting.

o)         Uses of nonpermissible shot-firing device.

A shot-firing device approved by the Department may be used

providing all persons are removed to a safe location on the surface prior to

the connection of the shooting cable to the blasting device.

p)         Explosives and blasting; general.

1)         Light and power circuits shall be disconnected or removed from

the blasting area before charging and blasting.

2)         All explosive materials, detonators, and any other related

blasting material employed in the development of any slope or shaft shall be

stored, transported, carried, charged, and fired in accordance with the

provisions of Articles 20 and 28 of the Illinois Coal Mining Act of 1953 as

amended, and all shots shall be fired from the surface.

3)         All persons shall be removed from the slope or shaft prior to

blasting.

4)         Blasting areas in slopes or shafts shall be covered with mats

or other suitable material when the excavation is too shallow to retain blasted

material.

5)         Where it is impracticable to prepare primers in the blasting

area, only the number of primers needed for one (1) round of shots shall be

prepared and remain on the surface in an isolated area under the control of a

person qualified to perform such work, designated by the operator.  The primers

shall be carried into the shaft or slope in specially constructed, insulated,

covered containers by such a qualified person designated by the operator.

6)         No other development operation shall be conducted in a shaft

or at the face of a slope while drill holes are being charged and until after

all shots have been fired.

7)         The sides of the slope or shaft between the overhead platform

and the bottom where persons are working shall be examined after each blast and

loose material removed

ualified person designated by the operator.

6)         No other development operation shall be conducted in a shaft

or at the face of a slope while drill holes are being charged and until after

all shots have been fired.

7)         The sides of the slope or shaft between the overhead platform

and the bottom where persons are working shall be examined after each blast and

loose material removed.

8)         Loose rock and other material shall be removed from timbers

and platforms after each blast before persons are lowered to the shaft bottom.

9)         In cases where explosives are underground and drill holes are

being charged, all work shall be suspended and all persons removed from the

shaft or slope upon the approach and presence of an electrical storm and

persons shall not return until such danger has passed.

q)         Ventilation of slopes and shafts.

1)         All slopes and shafts shall be ventilated by mechanical

ventilation equipment during development.  Such equipment shall be examined

before each shift.  The quantity of air in the slope or shaft shall be measured

each shift by a certified slope-shaft examiner, and the results of such

examinations and measurements shall be recorded in a book approved by the

Department and shall be signed by the person making the examinations and

measurements, and countersigned daily by a certified shaft-slope supervisor.

2)         Ventilation fans shall be:

A)        Installed on the surface;

B)        Installed in noncombustible housing;

C)        Designed to permit the reversal of the air current, and located

in an area which will prevent a recirculation of air from the slope or shaft or

air contamination from any other source;

D)        Equipped with an automatic signal device designed to give an

alarm in the event the fan slows or stops which can be seen or heard by any

person on duty in the vicinity of the fan, except where fans are constantly attended;

E)        Offset not less than fifteen (15) feet from the shaft or slope;

and

F)         Eq

air from the slope or shaft or

air contamination from any other source;

D)        Equipped with an automatic signal device designed to give an

alarm in the event the fan slows or stops which can be seen or heard by any

person on duty in the vicinity of the fan, except where fans are constantly attended;

E)        Offset not less than fifteen (15) feet from the shaft or slope;

and

F)         Equipped with air ducts which are noncombustible and

maintained so as to prevent excessive leakage of air:

i)          Flexible ducts shall be constructed to permit ventilation by

either exhausting or blowing methods and when metal air ducts are used, they

shall be grounded effectively to remove static and other electrical charges;

and

ii)         Ducts shall extend as close to the bottom as necessary to

keep the face clear of dangerous and noxious gases.  Face as used in this

Section is where excavating is progressing or was last done.

3)         A qualified person, designated by the operator, shall be

assigned to maintain each ventilating system.

4)         The fan shall be operated a sufficient amount of time to clear

the air prior to entering the underground area of a shaft or slope by any

person and shall be operated continuously when persons are below the surface.

Any accidental stoppage or reduction in air flow shall be corrected immediately;

development work below the surface shall be stopped, all persons not needed to

make necessary corrections to the ventilation system shall be removed to the

surface within fifteen (15) minutes of the time the fan stopped or there was a

reduction in the air flow, and all persons shall not return to the shaft or

slope until an examination has been made by a certified shaft-slope examiner

and declared safe.

r)          Ladders and stairways.

1)         Substantial stairways or ladders shall be used during the

construction of all shafts where no mechanical means are provided for persons

to travel

the fan stopped or there was a

reduction in the air flow, and all persons shall not return to the shaft or

slope until an examination has been made by a certified shaft-slope examiner

and declared safe.

r)          Ladders and stairways.

1)         Substantial stairways or ladders shall be used during the

construction of all shafts where no mechanical means are provided for persons

to travel.

2)         Landings at intervals of not more than thirty (30) feet shall

be installed.

3)         Shaft ladders shall project three (3) feet above the collar of

the shaft, and shall be placed at least three (3) inches from the side of the

shaft.

s)         Electrical Equipment.

1)         Electric equipment employed below the collar of a slope or

shaft shall be permissible and shall be maintained in a permissible condition

in accordance with the provisions of the Illinois Coal Mining Act of 1953, as

amended and these rules.

2)         The insulation of all electric conductors employed below the

collar of any slope or shaft shall be of the flame-resistant type.

3)         Only permissible lamps, portable flood-lights, and lighting

equipment approved by the U.S. Bureau of Mines under Part 19, Part 20 and Part

26 of Chapter 1 (Bureau of Mines Schedules 6D, 10C, and 29A) or those listed by

Underwriter's Laboratories, Inc., for use in hazardous locations, shall be

employed below the collar of any slope or shaft.

t)          Storage and handling of combustible materials.

1)         Liquified and nonliquified compressed gas cylinders, oil,

gasoline, and other petroleum products shall not be stored within one hundred

1 (Bureau of Mines Schedules 6D, 10C, and 29A) or those listed by

Underwriter's Laboratories, Inc., for use in hazardous locations, shall be

employed below the collar of any slope or shaft.

t)          Storage and handling of combustible materials.

1)         Liquified and nonliquified compressed gas cylinders, oil,

gasoline, and other petroleum products shall not be stored within one hundred

(100) feet of any slope or shaft opening.

2)         Other combustible material and supplies shall not be stored

within twenty-five (25) feet of any slope, shaft opening, or fan.

3)         Pyritic slates, bony coal, culm, or other material capable of

spontaneous combustion shall not be used for fill or as surfacing material

within one hundred (100) feet of any slope or shaft opening.

4)         Areas surrounding the opening of each slope or shaft shall be

constructed to insure the drainage of flammable liquids away from the slope or

shaft in the event of spillage.

5)         Oily rags, wastes, waste paper, and other combustible material

disposed of within or in the vicinity of any slope or shaft opening shall be

stored in closed, noncombustible containers until removed from the area.

u)         Welding, cutting, and soldering; fire protection.

1)         One (1) portable fire extinguisher shall be provided where welding,

cutting, or soldering with arc or flame is performed.

2)         Welding, cutting, or soldering with arc or flame within or in

the vicinity of any slope or shaft, except where such operations are performed

in fireproof enclosures, shall be done under the supervision of a qualified

person who shall make a diligent search within or in the vicinity of the slope

or shaft for fire during and after such operations

dering with arc or flame is performed.

2)         Welding, cutting, or soldering with arc or flame within or in

the vicinity of any slope or shaft, except where such operations are performed

in fireproof enclosures, shall be done under the supervision of a qualified

person who shall make a diligent search within or in the vicinity of the slope

or shaft for fire during and after such operations.

3)         Before welding, cutting, or soldering is performed in any

slope or shaft designed to penetrate into any coal bed below the surface, an

examination for methane shall be made by a person qualified to conduct such

examination with a device approved by the Department for detecting methane.

Examinations for methane shall be made immediately before and periodically

during welding, cutting, or soldering and such work shall not be permitted to

commence or continue in air which contains 1.0 volume per centum or more of

methane.

4)         Noncombustible barriers shall be installed below welding,

cutting, or soldering operations in or over a shaft.

v)         Certificate of Competency; shaft-slope workers.

1)         Effective on and after May 1, 1978, no person shall be

employed or engaged underground at a shaft, slope, or underground construction

operation without having first obtained a Certificate of Competency from the

Miners' Examining Board as a Shaft-Slope Worker.  A person seeking a

Certificate of Competency as Shaft-Slope Worker must produce evidence

satisfactory to the Miners' Examining Board that he has had at least six (6)

months of experience working in shaft and slope construction; and within six

underground construction

operation without having first obtained a Certificate of Competency from the

Miners' Examining Board as a Shaft-Slope Worker.  A person seeking a

Certificate of Competency as Shaft-Slope Worker must produce evidence

satisfactory to the Miners' Examining Board that he has had at least six (6)

months of experience working in shaft and slope construction; and within six

(6) months after becoming eligible he shall appear before the Miners' Examining

Board and pass an examination as to his knowledge in the handling and use of

explosives, and shall have completed a course in first aid to the injured and

in mine rescue methods and in shaft ventilation; except that any such certified

shaft-slope worker may have up to three (3) persons working with him and under

his direction as apprentices, for the purpose of learning the business of

shaft, slope, and underground construction and becoming qualified to obtain

Certificates of Competency.

2)

The Miners' Examining Board shall hold an examination once

in each calendar month, and at such other times and at such places as the

Director

of the Office of Mines and Minerals

may designate.  The

Director

of the Office of Mines and Minerals

shall endeavor to

schedule examinations at places located most conveniently with reference to the

Districts in which coal is mined in the State of Illinois so that all persons

in such district or in this State, or who may wish to come into this State for

the purpose of engaging in mining, may be examined as to their competency and

qualifications.  Public notice of the examination shall be given through the

press or otherwise no less than 7 days in advance of such meeting, which notice

shall fix the time and place at which any examination under this Act is to be

held.

(Ill. Rev. Stat. 1991, ch. 96 1/2, par

may wish to come into this State for

the purpose of engaging in mining, may be examined as to their competency and

qualifications.  Public notice of the examination shall be given through the

press or otherwise no less than 7 days in advance of such meeting, which notice

shall fix the time and place at which any examination under this Act is to be

held.

(Ill. Rev. Stat. 1991, ch. 96 1/2, par. 806.)

3)         Each applicant for the certificate provided for in this

Section shall receive his certificate upon satisfactorily passing the

examination, without payment of fees, except that a fee of two dollars ($2.00)

shall be paid to the Department for additional copies of certificates.

w)        Certificate of Competency; shaft-slope examiners.

Effective on and after May 1, 1978, no person shall be

employed or engaged as a Shaft-Slope Examiner without having first obtained a

Certificate of Competency as a Shaft-Slope Examiner from the Mining Board.

Each applicant for a Certificate of Competency as a Shaft-Slope Examiner shall

produce evidence satisfactory to the Mining Board that he is of good repute,

temperate habits and that he has had at least two (2) years of shaft, slope or

underground construction experience.  He shall pass an examination as to his

experience in underground construction generating dangerous gases, his

practical and technological knowledge of the nature and properties of fire

damp, the laws of ventilation, the structures and use of safety lamps, and the

laws of this State relating to safeguards against fires from any source in

underground construction.  He shall also submit to the Mining Board

satisfactory evidence that he has completed a course of training in first aid

to the injured

his

practical and technological knowledge of the nature and properties of fire

damp, the laws of ventilation, the structures and use of safety lamps, and the

laws of this State relating to safeguards against fires from any source in

underground construction.  He shall also submit to the Mining Board

satisfactory evidence that he has completed a course of training in first aid

to the injured.  Persons who hold undergraduate degrees in Civil or Mining

Engineering from an accredited school, college, or university or, who have

graduated from and hold degrees in a mining engineering program approved by the

Mining Board are required to have one (1) year of underground experience in

shaft, slope, and underground construction to qualify for the examination for a

Certificate of Competency as a Shaft-Slope Examiner.

x)         Shaft-Slope Examiners; duties and responsibilities.

The Mining Board may designate functions to be performed by

certified shaft-slope examiners in addition to those already assigned to such

examiners by these rules.

y)         Certificate of Competency; shaft-slope supervisor.

Effective on and after May 1, 1978, it shall be unlawful for

the operator of any shaft, slope, or underground construction operation to have

in his service any person that directs the supervisory personnel each shift who

does not hold a Certificate of Competency from the Mining Board as a

Shaft-Slope Supervisor

iners by these rules.

y)         Certificate of Competency; shaft-slope supervisor.

Effective on and after May 1, 1978, it shall be unlawful for

the operator of any shaft, slope, or underground construction operation to have

in his service any person that directs the supervisory personnel each shift who

does not hold a Certificate of Competency from the Mining Board as a

Shaft-Slope Supervisor.  Each applicant for a Certificate of Competency as a

Shaft-Slope Supervisor shall produce evidence satisfactory to the Mining Board,

that he either has had at least three (3) years practical underground

experience in shaft, slope, or underground construction, or that he holds an

undergraduate degree from an accredited school, college, or university in Civil

or Mining Engineering or that he has graduated from and holds a degree in mining

engineering program approved by the Mining Board and has eighteen (18) months

experience in shaft, slope, and underground construction; that he has

satisfactorily completed a course in instruction in first aid to the injured

prescribed by the Department; and that he is a man of good repute and temperate

habits.  He shall also pass such examinations as to his experience in shaft and

slope sinking, underground construction, the management of men, his knowledge

of shaft and slope construction, machinery and appliances, the properties of

mine gases, the principles of ventilation, the legal duties and

responsibilities of Shaft-Slope Supervisor, and has acquired a Certificate of

Competency as a Shaft-Slope Examiner as prescribed by the rules.

z)         Shaft-Slope Supervisor; duties and responsibilities.

A Shaft-Slope Supervisor must be present in the shaft and

slope work areas at all times when work is in progress.  The Mining Board may

designate functions to be performed by the Shaft-Slope Supervisor in addition

to those already assigned to such supervisors by these rules

ency as a Shaft-Slope Examiner as prescribed by the rules.

z)         Shaft-Slope Supervisor; duties and responsibilities.

A Shaft-Slope Supervisor must be present in the shaft and

slope work areas at all times when work is in progress.  The Mining Board may

designate functions to be performed by the Shaft-Slope Supervisor in addition

to those already assigned to such supervisors by these rules.

aa)       Applicability of Certifications of Mine Managers, Mine

Examiners, and Miners to Shaft and Slope Functions.

Any person who holds a Certificate of Competency from the

Mining Board as Mine Manager or Mine Examiner, or who holds a Certificate of

Competency from the Miners' Examining Board as a Miner may be permitted to

perform the functions of a Shaft-Slope Supervisor, Shaft-Slope Examiner, or

Shaft-Slope Worker respectively, if such certificate holder is approved for

such shaft-slope functions by the Department.  Such certificate holders may

perform such functions only until such time as the next examination for

certification in the particular category is given.

bb)       Temporary Certificate of Competency as Shaft-Slope Examiner or

Shaft-Slope Supervisor.

Upon request by the State Mine Inspector of the district, the

Mining Board may issue a Temporary Certificate of Competency as Shaft-Slope

Examiner or Shaft-Slope Supervisor to any person having the knowledge and time

requirements set forth in subsection (w) and (y) above.  This temporary

certificate will be valid only until the first available examination or six

months, whichever is shorter.  The Mining Board may issue an extension of Temporary

Certificates of Competency as a Shaft-Slope Supervisor only to those persons

who take and pass the next Shaft-Slope Examiner examinations following the date

of their original temporary certification.

cc)       Application of the Coal Mining Act of 1953 as amended

nly until the first available examination or six

months, whichever is shorter.  The Mining Board may issue an extension of Temporary

Certificates of Competency as a Shaft-Slope Supervisor only to those persons

who take and pass the next Shaft-Slope Examiner examinations following the date

of their original temporary certification.

cc)       Application of the Coal Mining Act of 1953 as amended.

All the provisions of the Illinois Coal Mining Act of 1953 as

amended where applicable shall apply to shaft, slope, and underground

construction.

dd)      Certificate of competency-hoisting engineer (crane).

1)         In any mine under construction where a crane or other similar

mechanical contrivance is used as a means of raising or lowering persons, for

operation of which equipment an electrical hoisting engineer certificate is not

required under Section 7.02 of the Act, the Mining Board may grant a certificate

to operate such equipment to any person recommended to the Mining Board by the

State Mine Inspector of the district.  The applicant for such permit shall have

filed with the Mining Board satisfactory evidence that the applicant has had at

least one (1) year of experience in operating a crane or device of the type to

be certified and understands the handling and care of the same.  Such

application shall be accompanied by statements under oath from at least three

(3) persons who are mine managers, examiners, or miners certified by the Board,

who affirm from their personal knowledge of the applicant that the applicant is

a person of good repute and personal habits, and that the applicant has, from

their observation and in the judgment, a good knowledge of an experience in

handling devices of the type for which certification in sought

rom at least three

(3) persons who are mine managers, examiners, or miners certified by the Board,

who affirm from their personal knowledge of the applicant that the applicant is

a person of good repute and personal habits, and that the applicant has, from

their observation and in the judgment, a good knowledge of an experience in

handling devices of the type for which certification in sought.

2)         Such certificate shall apply only to the mine and device(s)

for which it is issued, and shall be valid for a period not to exceed one (1)

year, except such certificate may be renewed by the Mining Board from year to

year if the person holding same requests renewal, and certifies by sworn

statement, affirmed by the State Mine Inspector of the District, that the

circumstances and conditions relating to the holder's competency are the same

as when the certificate was originally issued, and that the person holding same

has operated the equipment for which he or she was certified satisfactorily

during the prior term of the certificate.

3)         Requests for renewal of certificates shall be submitted to the

Board at least thirty (30) days in advance of expiration.

4)         It shall be a violation of this Section for any person to

operate hoisting equipment described in paragraph (cc)(1) hereof, to raise or

lower men in mines under construction without current, valid certificate of the

Board.  This Section does not apply to operations expressly exempt from

certification under Section 7.03 or subject to Section 7.04 of the Act.

5)         A certificate issued hereunder is subject to revocation at any

time if the holder fails to exercise due care or attention to duty or otherwise

does not have the qualifications to hold the certificate.  A certificate is

subject to temporary suspension by a mine inspector if, in the judgement of

mine inspector, such suspension is required or advisable to assure the health

and safety of any person

certificate issued hereunder is subject to revocation at any

time if the holder fails to exercise due care or attention to duty or otherwise

does not have the qualifications to hold the certificate.  A certificate is

subject to temporary suspension by a mine inspector if, in the judgement of

mine inspector, such suspension is required or advisable to assure the health

and safety of any person.  In the event of such suspension, the holder is

entitled to a prompt hearing by the Board.  The Board may revoke a certificate

after notice and hearing as provided by Board rules.