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

COAL MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH
GENERAL INSPECTION PROCEDURES HANDBOOK CHAPTER 3
failures, roof control plan requirements, and information obtained from the
miners installing the roof supports and the mine operator. Approved roof
control plans for the first panel in a longwall district are often unique.
Inspectors should review the roof control plans carefully and focus on
compliance with the plan requirements during inspection of longwalls.
Supplemental roof support materials and the tools and equipment necessary to
install them should be regularly examined during mandatory inspections to
assure that supplies have not been used, lost, or misplaced. These materials
must be available in sufficient quantity and in a readily accessible location to
support the roof if adverse roof conditions are encountered or a roof fall
accident occurs.
Inspection and Investigation Activities Related to Roof Control Plans and
Related Miner Training:
To reinforce inspection and documentation elements related to roof control
plans enforcement personnel shall conduct the specific activities below. These
activities are in addition to any other activities that are deemed necessary, as
part of their E01 Regular Safety and Health Inspections or during E20 Roof
Control Technical Investigations by roof control specialists.
1. All sections where retreat mining is occurring must be inspected at least
monthly. The inspection will be conducted by a roof control specialist, as
resources permit, or by a regular inspector at a minimum. This
requirement does not apply to longwall mining sections unless the mine
has a history of bounce conditions or deep cover related issues.
2. Discuss and question miners on current mining activities and conditions.
Ask them questions to determine their level of knowledge of the roof
control plan. Question the miners to determine whether their level of
knowledge and training with respect to the roof control plans is adequate,
focusing especially on training with respect to retreat mining activities.
These discussions should be documented.
3. All roof control plans are to be reviewed on a six month basis, and necessary
documentation of the plan reviews and evaluations, including MSHA Form
2000-204 (if applicable), must be included with the E01 inspection report or the
E20 investigation report.
Release 1 (February 2013) 3-62