MSHA HANDBOOK SERIES - PH13-V-1 - Mine Safety and Health ...

COAL MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH
GENERAL INSPECTION PROCEDURES HANDBOOK CHAPTER 3
the mine operator is obtaining air quality and quantity readings at all locations
required by the standards and any approved plans. Additionally, the inspector
shall determine the direction and quantity of airflow, and test for the presence
of methane (CH4) and oxygen (O2) deficiency, at the following locations:
1. In the last open crosscut of each set of entries or rooms on each section;
2. Areas where mechanized mining equipment is being installed or removed;
3. On a longwall or shortwall, including areas where longwall or shortwall
equipment is being installed or removed, in the intake entry or entries at
the intake end of the longwall or shortwall. Approved ventilation plans for
the first panel in a longwall district and the start up of each successive
panel are often unique. Inspectors should review the ventilation plans
carefully and focus on compliance with the plan requirements during
inspection of longwalls;
4. At each end of the longwall or shortwall face at the locations specified in
the approved ventilation plan;
5. At the intake end of any pillar line;
6. Where air enters the mine at each main intake;
7. In each intake split that ventilates a working section;
8. In the return of each split of air that ventilates a working section,
immediately before it enters the main returns;
9. Where the air leaves the main returns;
10. The point immediately before the bleeder air enters a return;
11. In belt entries, air for each belt flight, belt air dumps, belt point feeds (for
compliance with applicable standards and approved plans);
12. At least once on every E01 inspection of mines approved to use belt air to
ventilate a working section at least 200 feet outby the tailpiece, but outby
the point at which point feeding of air into the belt entry occurs;
13. At the measurement points specified in the mine ventilation plan for
evaluating bleeders systems and worked-out areas, including where air
enters and leaves the worked-out areas;
14. In the entry nearest each set of seals, immediately after the air passes the
seals (airflow measurement not required);
15. In at least one location in each outby aircourse traveled during an
inspection day (tests for presence of oxygen and methane only); and
Release 1 (February 2013) 3-66