45.1-161.287 - Ground control.
§ 45.1-161.287. Ground control.
A. All surface coal mining operations shall establish and follow a groundcontrol plan approved by the Chief to ensure the safety of workers and othersaffected by the operations. The ground control plan shall be consistent withprudent engineering design. Mining methods shall ensure wall and bankstability, including benching, to obtain a safe overall slope. The groundcontrol plan shall also ensure the safety of persons (i) in residences orother occupied buildings, (ii) working or traveling on any roadway, and (iii)in any other area where persons congregate, work, or travel that may beaffected by blasting or falling, sliding, or other uncontrolled movement ofmaterial. The plan shall identify how residents or occupants of otherbuildings located down the slope from active workings will be notified whenground disturbing activities will take place above them and what actions willbe taken to protect such residents or occupants from ground control failuresduring the work.
B. Scaling and removal of loose hazardous material from the tops of pits andhighwalls, banks, walls and benches shall be completed to assure a safe workarea.
C. Employees and other persons, except those involved in correction of thecondition, shall be restricted from areas where hazardous highwall or pitconditions exist.
D. Unless required for the purpose of repairs, all persons shall berestricted from areas between equipment and walls, benches, or banks if theequipment may hinder their escape from falling or sliding material. Specialprecautions shall be taken when persons are required to perform such repairs.
(1994, c. 28; 2005, c. 3.)