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

MSHA PROGRAM POLICY MANUAL VOLUME V
PART 77 MANDATORY SAFETY STANDARDS - SURFACE COAL MINES
AND SURFACE WORK AREAS OF UNDERGROUND COAL MINES
Subpart C Surface Installations
77.100 Demonstration of Ability to Test for Methane
andfor Oxygen Deficiency
The demonstration of ability requirement of 30 CFR 77.100
applies when an applicant works at a surface area of an
underground mine or a surface mine where there is a need for
competence in testing for methane and/or oxygen deficiency.
Locations where such tests are required include:
Tests for Methane
77.201-1 structures, enclosures, or other facilities where
coal is handled or stored;
77.211(b) tunnels located below stockpiles, surge piles, and
coal storage silos;
77.1112(b) areas where welding, cutting, or soldering will
take place and that are likely to contain methane;
77.1916(c) any slope or shaft designed to penetrate into any
coalbed below the surface and where welding,
cutting, or soldering is to be performed;
Tests for Oxygen Deficiency and Methane
77.1501(c) the collar of auger holes when the auger hole
penetrates an abandoned or mined out area of an
underground mine; and
77.1901(a) slope and shaft areas.
Applicants for temporary certification who work at mines where
one or more of the above standards has application are required
to demonstrate their ability to competently perform the
prescribed test to an MSHA inspector or training specialist.
Where none of the circumstances or conditions described by the
above standards are present, persons working at such mines and
applying for temporary certification are not required to
demonstrate their ability to perform methane or oxygen
deficiency tests. MSHA inspectors will determine whether a
demonstration of ability is necessary on a mine-by-mine basis.
A temporary certification under 30 CFR 77.100 applies only to
the mine where the miner is employed at the time the temporary
certification is granted.
February 2003 (Release V-33) 161