Ground Support Use
30 CFR 57.3360, 75.202
and 77.1000
30 CFR §57.3360 Ground
support use (Underground Only)
Ground support shall be used where ground conditions, or mining experience in
similar ground conditions in the mine, indicate that it is necessary. When ground support is necessary, the
support system shall be designed, installed, and maintained to control the
ground in places where persons work or travel in performing their assigned
tasks. Damaged, loosened, or dislodged
timber use for ground support which creates a hazard to persons shall be
repaired or replaced prior to any work or travel in the affected area.
This standard requires that
ground support be installed in areas where necessary or in areas where similar
ground conditions indicate that it is necessary. Support is to be designed, installed, and maintained to control
the affected ground where persons work or travel. Damaged, loosened, or dislodged timber that creates a hazard
shall be repaired or replaced prior to work or travel in the affected area.
There is no
MSHA policy for this standard.
30 CFR § 77.1000 Highwalls,
pits and spoil banks; plans
Each operator shall establish and follow a ground control plan for the safe
control of all highwalls, pits and spoil banks to be developed after June 30,
1971, which shall be consistent with prudent engineering design and will insure
safe working conditions. The mining methods employed by the operator shall be
selected to insure highwall and spoil bank stability
There is no MSHA policy for
this standard.
30 CFR § 75.202 Protection from falls of roof, face and ribs
(a) The roof, face and ribs of areas where persons work or travel shall be
supported or otherwise controlled to protect persons from hazards related to
falls of the roof, face or ribs and coal or rock bursts.
(b) No person shall work or
travel under unsupported roof unless in accordance with this subpart.
There is no MSHA policy for
this standard.
Other relevant MSHA standards:
56.3200 and 57.3200
Correction of hazardous conditions
56.3201 and 57.3201 Location for performing scaling
56.3202 and 57.3202 Scaling tools
56.3203 and 57.3203 Rock fixtures
56.3401 and 57.3401 Examination of ground conditions
57.3461 Rock bursts
75.203 Mining methods
75.204 Roof bolting
75.205 Installation of roof support using mining
machines with integral roof bolters
75.206 Conventional roof support
75.207 Pillar recovery
75.208 Warning devices
75.210 Manual installation of temporary support
75.211
Roof testing and scaling
75.212 Rehabilitation of areas with unsupported
roof
75.213 Roof support removal
75.214 Supplemental support materials, equipment
and tools
77.1004 Ground control; inspection
and maintenance; general
77.1005 Scaling highwalls; general
77.1006 Highwalls; men working
Issues to
Consider in Determining Compliance:
•
Do miners work or travel in the area?
•
Will ground support be installed in areas
of the mine with similar ground conditions?
•
Is the support system designed to control
the ground?
•
Is the system controlling the ground?
•
Is the system appropriately maintained?
»
If the support is composed of wood, are
any timbers dislodged, broken, or damaged?
