SECTION 45.1-161.135. Clearance on haulage roads  

A. Track haulage roads in entries, rooms, and crosscuts shall have a continuous clearance on one side of at least 24 inches from the farthest projection of moving traffic. The clearance shall be kept free of any obstruction to a height permitted by the height of the coal seam. When not possible to maintain such clearance, close clearance signs shall be posted inby and outby the affected area.

B. Track haulage roads in entries, rooms, and crosscuts shall have a continuous clearance, on the side opposite the clearance required by subsection A, of at least six inches from the farthest projection of moving traffic. When not possible to maintain such clearance, close clearance signs shall be posted inby and outby the affected area.

C. Haulage roads where trolley lines are used shall have the clearance required by subsection A on the side of the track opposite the trolley lines. This requirement shall not apply where the trolley lines are 6 1/2 feet or more above the rail.

D. The clearance space on all track haulage roads shall be kept free of loose rock, loose coal, supplies, and other loose materials. If the clearance space exceeds 24 inches, not more than 24 inches of the clearance space shall be required to be kept free of such materials.

E. All parallel tracks shall be installed so as to provide a clearance of at least 24 inches between the outermost projections of passing traffic.

F. Ample clearance shall be provided (i) at conveyor loading heads, (ii) at conveyor control panels, and (iii) along conveyor lines.

G. Belt conveyors shall be equipped with control switches to automatically stop the driving motor in the event the belt is stopped by slipping on the driving pulley, by breakage or other accident.

Code 1950, §§ 45-14.1, 45-69.5; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, §§ 45.1-71, 45.1-89; 1974, c. 323; 1978, c. 118; 1984, c. 590; 1985, c. 500; 1994, c. 28 ; 1996, c. 28 ; 1999, c. 28 ; 2005, c. 28 .