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

GENERAL COAL MINE INSPECTION PROCEDURES AND
INSPECTION TRACKING SYSTEM HANDBOOK CHAPTER 5
A specialized tool may be required to collect dust samples from the roof, ribs and
suspended items in high areas. An example of such a tool is shown in Figure 5-5.
Figure 5-5
Wet locations will be bypassed with samples collected at bands from an adjacent
dry area. In large areas with wet conditions, a dust sample from the roof, ribs and
suspended items will be collected if possible. When wet areas dry out, band
samples may be taken as a part of the periodic outby sampling protocol.
Tests for methane must be made at each rock dust sample location with a properly
calibrated hand-held methane detector. The methane percentage measured will be
used to determine compliance with § 75.403 (concerning additional incombustible
content when methane is present in the ventilating current).
MSHA’s policy for the issuance of citations and orders where there are multiple
violations of the same standard which are observed in the course of an inspection
and which are all related to the same piece of equipment or to the same area of the
mine, such multiple violations should be treated as one violation, and one citation
should be issued. Separate citations shall be issued for: violations of separate
standards on one piece of equipment; violations of separate standards in a distinct
area of a mine; identical violations on separate pieces of equipment; and, identical
violations in distinct areas of a mine (MSHA Program Policy Manual, Vol. I).
Combine non-compliant mine dust samples on a single citation for each separate
aircourse, bleeder or worked-out area of the mine. The extent of the non-compliant
area sampled should be considered in assessing the gravity and the negligence of
the citation. Extensive or persistent § 75.403 violations indicate potential violations
Release 1 (February 2013) 5-17