Oklahoma Administrative Code
Title 460 - Department of Mines
Chapter 15 - Underground Coal and Asphalt
Subchapter 1 - General Standards
Section 460:15-1-14 - Mine rescue teams
Universal Citation: OK Admin Code 460:15-1-14
Current through Vol. 41, No. 13, March 15, 2024
(a) Teams. Every mine shall have or have access to two (2) mine rescue teams.
(1) Each team shall consist of five (5)
members and one alternate.
(2) Each
rescue team shall be fully qualified, trained and equipped.
(3) Each member of the team must be an
underground miner with a minimum of one year experience in the past five (5)
years. Miners who are employed on the surface, but work regularly underground
shall be considered qualified.
(4)
Each member of a rescue team shall have a physical examination by a licensed
medical doctor within sixty (60) days prior to training. Each member must be
physically fit to perform strenuous work under abnormal conditions. Additional
physical examinations must be taken annually. The examination physician must
fill out form MSHA 5000-3.
(b) Physical requirements.
(1) Corrective eyeglasses may be worn
provided a secure seal may be obtained with a face piece.
(2) If any physical or health problem exists
which could cause harm to the rescue team member or the team while doing rescue
work, the physician shall notify the team member and the mine operator in
writing of his findings.
(c) Alternative teams.
(1) The operator of an underground mine may
contract with another operator to do their rescue work providing the mine is
small - the total underground employment of the operator's mine and surrounding
mines within two (2) hours ground travel time is less than thirty-six
(36).
(2) The operator shall submit
the following information to the Oklahoma Department of Mines and for the
alternate rescue team:
(A) The number of
miners employed underground on each shift.
(B) The distance from the two nearest miner
rescue stations.
(C) The total
underground employment of all mines within two hours ground travel
time.
(D) The operators mine fire,
ground and roof control history.
(E) The operator's established escape and
evacuation plan.
(F) The name and
availability of the nearest airport.
(G) A map or plan showing nearest town, all
highways, and the routes to the mine.
(H) Transportation from the airport to the
mine.
(d) Equipment and maintenance. Each mine rescue station shall be equipped with the following:
(1) Twelve (12)
self-contained breathing apparatuses with a minimum of two (2) hour
capacity.
(2) Adequate supply of
oxygen or compressed liquid air that will sustain each team for a minimum of
six (6) hours while doing rescue work.
(3) Twelve (12) cap lamps and a charging
rack.
(4) Two (2) gas detectors
appropriate to the kinds of gases at the mine.
(5) A portable approved communication system
at least 1000 feet in length.
(6)
Two (2) flame safety lamps or oxygen detectors.
(7) Adequate spare parts for repairs and a
method of checking each unit.
(e) Equipment check. All rescue equipment must be checked, at least monthly but not to exceed thirty (30) days by a qualified person.
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Oklahoma may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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