Program Policy Manual - VOLUME V - Mine Safety and Health ...

MSHA PROGRAM POLICY MANUAL VOLUME V
Where it is clear at a particular mine that self-propelled,
track-mounted, or rubber-tired equipment that is used to
transport miners is operating on grades so steep that the ratio
of the gear train is not sufficient to prevent movement of the
equipment when it is parked, inspectors should determine the
operator's method of preventing accidental movement. It should
be noted that devices which trap hydraulic fluid, such as the
"MICO Leverlock," are sometimes being used as parking brakes.
This type of device is not suitable for use as a parking brake
because pressure may be lost due to fluid leakage or contraction
when it cools, allowing the vehicle to move. If the operator
does not use a reliable method of preventing accidental movement
of parked equipment, then a notice to provide safeguard under
this section should be issued. Generally, the notice should
indicate that the operator shall take reliable precautions
against accidental movement of the affected equipment when it is
parked. Inspectors should allow operators flexibility in
providing the necessary precautions, while at the same time
making it clear what constitutes compliance with the safeguard
notice. Many manufacturers of mining equipment now have
available parking brake systems for personnel carriers.
Where an inspector determines that a safeguard notice is
necessary in order to address a transportation hazard, the
specific safeguard requirements are to be determined by the
inspector based on the actual, specific conditions or practices
that constitute a transportation hazard at that particular mine.
The inspector should document either in the notice or in the
inspector's notes the conditions which provide the basis for the
issuance of the safeguard notice. The safeguard notice should
also identify the nature of the hazard to which it is directed.
For example, if a notice to provide safeguards is issued to
require a specific minimum clearance distance between pieces of
haulage equipment, the safeguard should also include a statement
of the hazards that the clearance distance is intended to
prevent, such as injury to equipment operators from pieces of
rib coal which could be knocked loose or, if the area is a
walkway, injury to pedestrians by the equipment due to
insufficient clearance.
Service brakes and parking brakes on personnel carriers must be
maintained in an operative condition. Accordingly, such brakes
that have been allowed to deteriorate into an inoperative
condition constitute a violation of Section 75.1725. Emergency
and parking brakes that are not installed and maintained on
rubber-tired haulage equipment or parking brakes not installed
October 2003 (Release V-34) 129