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

MSHA PROGRAM POLICY MANUAL VOLUME V
1. Drilling a small hole in the shell of the cable coupling
so as to accommodate a padlock;
2. Chaining the cable coupler to the power center with a
short cable and padlock; and
3. Placing the cable couplers or fuse nips inside a box
equipped with a padlock.
The person doing the work shall keep the key to the padlock in
his/her possession to insure that the circuit or cable will not
be inadvertently energized while he or she is in contact with the
conductors.
In every instance, the padlock shall be removed by the person who
installed it if the person is present in the mine. If the person
who installed the padlock is not present, the operator or the
operator's agent (a responsible official) must designate a person
to remove the padlock.
"Suitably tagged" means that a sign with wording such as "Danger,
Repairs in Progress," shall be attached to the locked
disconnecting device.
Disconnecting Devices Installed On-Board Mine Equipment
When disconnecting devices are installed on-board mine equipment,
they may be used to meet the requirements of 30 CFR 75.509,
75.511 and 75.1725(c), provided the disconnecting devices are
safety constructed, designed, and installed on the equipment as
required by 30 CFR 75.520.
To meet the requirements of 30 CFR 75.509, 75.511, and
75.1725(c), disconnecting devices must function so as to provide
positive visual confirmation that the equipment or circuit is
deenergized. The worker must be able to easily see the power
disconnect blades or contacts to determine, without any doubt,
that the equipment or circuit is deenergized.
To meet the requirements of 30 CFR 75.520, disconnecting device
enclosures must be explosion-proof and installed in a location on
the machine that will not be hazardous to the machine operator or
diminish visibility. In addition, the enclosure housing the
disconnecting device must be the first enclosure on-board the
machine that the trailing cable enters. The covers of
disconnecting device enclosures must be provided with interlock
switches so that miners cannot be exposed to energized parts when
February 2003 (Release V-33) 60