§ 30-3-501 — Ventilation regulations generally; quantity of air required; record of measurements

(a) The operator shall provide and maintain, at all times,
for all persons in every working place, a good and sufficient
amount of ventilation circulating an adequate quantity of fresh
air sufficient to dilute and render harmless any noxious gases
or powder smoke that may be present.
(b) The number of men on a split shall be no more than the
ventilation system can support. Where dust or fumes in harmful
quantities result from mining, milling or processing operations,
some mechanical or other means which will alleviate this
condition shall be used wherever and whenever practical. The
operator shall furnish and encourage the use of personal
protective devices for alleviating harmful effects of dust and
fumes. Each person shall use the devices furnished by the
operator.
(c) The quantity of air reaching the last open crosscut in
any pair or set of entries shall not be less than nine thousand
(9,000) cubic feet a minute. However, the quantity of air
reaching the last open crosscut in any pair or set of entries in
pillar sections may be less than nine thousand (9,000) cubic
feet of air a minute, if at least nine thousand (9,000) cubic
feet of air a minute is being delivered to the intake end of the
pillar line. In any underground mine, the operator shall
provide on the surface or underground a fan or other mechanical
means for producing and controlling air circulation within the
mine.
(d) The air current at working faces shall under any
condition have a sufficient volume and velocity to dilute and
carry away smoke from blasting and any flammable or harmful
gases.
(e) At least once each week, the mine foreman or other
certified persons designated by him, shall measure the volume of
air near the main intake or main return, the amount passing
through the last open crosscut of entries, and the volume of air
in each split. A record of these measurements shall be kept in a
book on the surface and shall be open for inspection by
interested persons.
(f) The main-intake and main-return air currents in mines
shall be in separate openings.
(g) All slopes or entries in coal mines shall be driven in
sets of two (2) or more.
(h) In gassy mines haulage roads shall be in intake air.
(j) Battery-charging stations and transformer stations
containing liquid-filled transformers shall be well ventilated
by separate splits of air conducted through vents to the return
air courses and returning direct to the surface.
(k) Changes in ventilation that materially affect the main
air current or any split thereof shall be made when the mine is
idle and with no men in the mine, other than those engaged in
changing the ventilation.
(m) In gassy mines air that has passed through abandoned
sections or that has been used to ventilate pillar lines shall
not be reused to ventilate live workings.
(n) The inspector shall establish by rule ventilation
requirements for mines and associated surface facilities. The
rules may be generally applicable to all mines or promulgated
for specific types of mines or mining operation and may:
(i) Establish minimum and maximum volumes of air
required for specified areas of mines;
(ii) Specify the means for ventilation, including the
use, installation and operation of main mine fans, booster fans,
blower fans, exhausting and other fans, and associated equipment
including warning and monitoring devices;
(iii) Specify the use, placement and construction of
crosscuts, doors and line brattice needed to provide
ventilation;
(iv) Specify personal protective devices to be used
to alleviate the effects of dust and harmful gases;
(v) Specify areas of the mine and times for
monitoring, and training requirements for persons monitoring
ventilation and associated equipment or providing ventilation in
accordance with this act or rules adopted under this act;
(vi) Establish appropriate procedures for making
changes in ventilation;
(vii) Specify required actions in response to hazards
due to inadequate ventilation, including the existence of
specified levels of dust or gases; and
(viii) Require recordkeeping in accordance with
applicable federal law.