2006 Alabama Code - Chapter 9 — COAL MINE SAFETY.

Article 1 General Provisions.

• Section 25-9-1 — Short title; purpose of chapter.
• Section 25-9-2 — Definitions.
• Section 25-9-3 — Appointment of mine inspectors and other employees.
• Section 25-9-4 — Certain persons not to have interest in Alabama coal mines.
• Section 25-9-5 — Qualifications and residence of chief of division.
• Section 25-9-6 — Qualifications and residence of mine inspectors and head mine inspector.
• Section 25-9-7 — Duties of mine inspectors generally; accompanying of inspectors on inspections by representatives of miners; mine examination reports.
• Section 25-9-8 — Certificate of competency for fire bosses and mine foremen — Required.
• Section 25-9-9 — Certificate of competency for fire bosses and mine foremen — Board of examiners.
• Section 25-9-10 — Certificate of competency for fire bosses and mine foremen — Examinations; fees.
• Section 25-9-11 — Certificate of competency for fire bosses and mine foremen — Qualifications of applicants — Mine foreman.
• Section 25-9-12 — Certificate of competency for fire bosses and mine foremen — Qualifications of applicants — Fire boss.
• Section 25-9-13 — Certificate of competency for fire bosses and mine foremen — Replacement of lost certificates.
• Section 25-9-14 — Certificate of competency for fire bosses and mine foremen — Forged or counterfeit certificates; uttering false certificates; false statements or misrepresentations in applications.
• Section 25-9-15 — Certificate of competency for fire bosses and mine foremen - Suspension, cancellation, or revocation; voluntary surrender of certificate.
• Section 25-9-16 — Failure of fire boss to perform required duties.
• Section 25-9-17 — Persons authorized to act as fire boss; temporary fire boss or mine foreman.
• Section 25-9-18 — Qualifications of mine foremen in underground mines.
• Section 25-9-19 — Inspection of working places and abandoned areas of mines by foreman.
• Section 25-9-20 — Schedule of mine inspections.
• Section 25-9-21 — Instruments for measurement of air and gases in mines.
• Section 25-9-22 — Witnesses at proceedings under chapter generally.
• Section 25-9-23 — Expenses of executing subpoenas, attendance of witnesses and contempt proceedings.
• Section 25-9-24 — Reporting and correction of unsafe conditions.
• Section 25-9-26 — Persons not employees not to enter mines without consent of operator, etc.
• Section 25-9-27 — Entry into mine while intoxicated; transporting intoxicating liquor into mine.
• Section 25-9-28 — Solicitation of funds from employees for purposes of retaining or procuring employment, etc.
• Section 25-9-29 — Giving of orders requiring violation of chapter.
• Section 25-9-30 — Persons under 18 not to work in or about mines.

Article 2 Miscellaneous Safety Requirements.

• Section 25-9-40 — Use of protective clothing, etc.
• Section 25-9-41 — Checking systems.
• Section 25-9-42 — Shafts, mine openings and escapeways.

Article 3 Accidents and Disasters.

• Section 25-9-60 — Maintenance, etc., of first aid equipment; notice of and treatment of injuries.
• Section 25-9-61 — Reports and investigations of major accidents.
• Section 25-9-62 — Removal of large and dangerous accumulations of water in adjoining mines.
• Section 25-9-63 — Mine disasters.
• Section 25-9-64 — Establishment of mine rescue stations.
• Section 25-9-65 — Rescue crews — Training and employment; wages and workmen's compensation benefits.
• Section 25-9-66 — Rescue crews — Training; removal of crew members.
• Section 25-9-67 — Rescue crews — Qualifications; record of physical examination.
• Section 25-9-68 — Jurisdiction of chief in rescue and recovery work; consultation and guidance.
• Section 25-9-69 — Compensation for rescue work; workers' compensation benefits.
• Section 25-9-70 — Crews to be informed of existing conditions; applicability of federal regulations; assignments by chief.

Article 4 Mine Gases and Ventilation.

• Section 25-9-80 — Main fans.
• Section 25-9-81 — Use of methane detectors.
• Section 25-9-82 — Standards and procedures as to gases and air quality.
• Section 25-9-83 — Standards as to volume of air.
• Section 25-9-84 — Coursing of air.
• Section 25-9-85 — Sealing, testing, etc., of abandoned workings.
• Section 25-9-86 — Examinations for gases and other dangerous conditions.
• Section 25-9-87 — Use of flame safety lamps.
• Section 25-9-88 — Reports as to ventilation, gas content, reopening of mines, etc.
• Section 25-9-89 — Procedure when workings approaching inaccessible accumulations of gases or water.
• Section 25-9-90 — Duty of employees to report damage or unsafe conditions; correction of damage or unsafe conditions.
• Section 25-9-91 — Prohibited acts.

Article 5 Coal and Rock Dust.

• Section 25-9-110 — Accumulation of coal dust; methods for allaying dust at source.
• Section 25-9-111 — Rock dusting.

Article 6 Explosives and Blasting.

• Section 25-9-130 — Permissible explosives and blasting methods generally; use of black blasting powder; use of dynamite, etc.
• Section 25-9-131 — Surface storage of explosives and detonators.
• Section 25-9-132 — Underground transportation of explosives and detonators.
• Section 25-9-133 — Underground storage of explosives and detonators.
• Section 25-9-134 — Blasting practices and procedures generally.
• Section 25-9-135 — Blasting cables.
• Section 25-9-136 — Misfires.
• Section 25-9-137 — Report of premature explosions.

Article 7 Underground Fire Prevention and Control.

• Section 25-9-150 — Building of fires in mines; use of torches; welding and burning.
• Section 25-9-151 — Examinations for fire.
• Section 25-9-152 — Use, storage, etc., of oil, grease and lubricants; fire extinguishing equipment.
• Section 25-9-153 — Underground stables.
• Section 25-9-154 — Procedure upon discovery of fire.
• Section 25-9-155 — Operators to report fires; assistance, etc., of chief in extinguishing fires, etc.

Article 8 Electrical Equipment.

• Section 25-9-170 — Transformers, conversion equipment, etc.
• Section 25-9-171 — Power wires and circuits; signal and telephone wires; trolley and feeder wires.
• Section 25-9-172 — Grounding of frames, casings and other electrical equipment.
• Section 25-9-173 — Circuit breakers, etc.; insulating platforms.
• Section 25-9-174 — Telephones.
• Section 25-9-175 — Electric drills, etc.; trailing cables; cables for portable equipment.
• Section 25-9-176 — Electric lights.

Article 9 Roof Support.

• Section 25-9-190 — Testing and examination of roof, faces, ribs, etc.; correction of and precautions against unsafe conditions.
• Section 25-9-191 — Installation, etc., of timbering or other roof support systems.
• Section 25-9-192 — Maintenance of supply of timbers or other roof supports.

Article 10 Hoisting and Haulage.

• Section 25-9-210 — Hoist engineers; signal codes, etc.; safety features of cages, hoist engines, hoist ropes and hoist shafts; hoisting of tools, timber, animals, etc.
• Section 25-9-211 — Maintenance, etc., of mine locomotives and other haulage equipment.
• Section 25-9-212 — Construction, installation and maintenance of elements of track of haulage roads.
• Section 25-9-213 — Clearances, crossovers and shelter holes on haulage roads.
• Section 25-9-214 — Certain machinery prohibited underground.
• Section 25-9-215 — Safety devices and practices.
• Section 25-9-216 — Transportation of men.

Article 11 Operation and Maintenance of Machinery.

• Section 25-9-230 — Face equipment.
• Section 25-9-231 — Shop equipment, etc.
• Section 25-9-232 — Operation of machinery by repairmen.

Article 12 Surface Structures and Practices.

• Section 25-9-250 — Use of electrical equipment; maintenance, etc., in tipples and cleaning plants.
• Section 25-9-251 — Storage of flammable liquids in lamp houses.
• Section 25-9-252 — Maintenance, etc., of stairways, elevated platforms and runways.
• Section 25-9-253 — Housekeeping practices.
• Section 25-9-254 — Fire prevention in surface structures.

Article 13 Surface Mining Operations.

• Section 25-9-270 — Applicability of provisions.
• Section 25-9-271 — Maintenance, etc., of banks; overburden, etc., of open pits.
• Section 25-9-272 — Maintenance, etc., of means of access to pits.
• Section 25-9-273 — Operation, inspection and maintenance of shovels and draglines.
• Section 25-9-274 — Electrical equipment installations and inspections; grounding and insulation of electrical equipment; trailing cables.
• Section 25-9-275 — Guarding of exposed engines, wheels, etc.; safety of tools.
• Section 25-9-276 — "Blasting agent" and "explosives" defined; storage and transportation of blasting agents, explosives and detonators generally.
• Section 25-9-277 — Handling and use of explosives and detonators.
• Section 25-9-278 — Blasting practices and procedures generally.
• Section 25-9-279 — Electrical blasting practices and procedures.
• Section 25-9-280 — Handling of explosives during blasting operations; warnings, guards, etc.
• Section 25-9-281 — Safety devices and practices for compressed air receivers, etc.
• Section 25-9-282 — First aid equipment; training of personnel in first aid methods.
• Section 25-9-283 — Provision of sanitary toilets, potable drinking water and drinking cups or fountains.
• Section 25-9-284 — Increase in hazards of pit operations to be reported.

Article 14 Maps and Surveys.

• Section 25-9-300 — Map of mine — Required; contents; filing; examination, etc.
• Section 25-9-301 — Map of mine — Failure or refusal to furnish.
• Section 25-9-302 — Map of mine — Incomplete, inaccurate or imperfect maps.
• Section 25-9-303 — Intermediate surveys.
• Section 25-9-304 — Final survey.

Article 15 Boundaries and Adjacent Landowners.

• Section 25-9-320 — Distance of mine workings from boundary line of mine owner's coal rights.
• Section 25-9-321 — Survey of mine upon petition of adjacent landowner.
• Section 25-9-322 — Refusal to permit adjacent landowner or lessee to inspect mine.

Article 16 Scales and Weighing.

• Section 25-9-340 — Owners to provide scales at mines where miners paid by weight.
• Section 25-9-341 — Coal to be weighed and credited to miner.
• Section 25-9-342 — Miners may furnish check weighman to examine scales, etc.
• Section 25-9-343 — Testing of scales.
• Section 25-9-344 — Access to scales, etc.
• Section 25-9-345 — Failure of mine operators to weigh coal accurately and correctly.

Article 17 Enforcement.

• Section 25-9-360 — Suspension of compliance with chapter; compliance with and enforcement of chapter generally.
• Section 25-9-361 — Superintendent, mine foremen, etc., to comply with and ensure compliance with chapter.
• Section 25-9-362 — Employees, etc., to comply with chapter and rules, etc., of operators.
• Section 25-9-363 — Quarterly reports of mine operators.
• Section 25-9-364 — Posting of abstract of chapter at mines; defacing, etc., of abstract.
• Section 25-9-365 — Inspectors may order suspension of mine operations for violations imminently hazardous to workmen.
• Section 25-9-366 — Review by chief of orders of inspectors.
• Section 25-9-367 — Judicial review of orders suspending mine operations.
• Section 25-9-368 — Injunctions.
• Section 25-9-369 — Representation of department.
• Section 25-9-370 — Unlawful acts for which no other penalty provided.