Home Table of Contents

§ 690-343. Longwall electrical work

Purdon's Pennsylvania Statutes and Consolidated StatutesTitle 52 P.S. Mines and MiningEffective: January 5, 2009

Purdon's Pennsylvania Statutes and Consolidated Statutes
Title 52 P.S. Mines and Mining (Refs & Annos)
Chapter 12. Bituminous Coal Mine Safety Act of 2008 (Refs & Annos)
Chapter 3. Electrical Equipment
Effective: January 5, 2009
52 P.S. § 690-343
§ 690-343. Longwall electrical work
Currentness
(a) Qualified workers.--Electrical work on all circuits and equipment associated with high-voltage longwalls shall be performed by MSHA-qualified persons.
(b) Procedures for work on circuits and equipment.--Except for troubleshooting and testing of energized circuits and equipment as provided under subsection (d), prior to performing electrical work, a qualified individual shall do the following:
(1) De-energize the circuit or equipment with a circuit-interrupting device.
(2) Open the circuit-disconnecting device. On high-voltage circuits, ground the power conductors until work on the circuit is completed.
(3) Lock out the disconnecting device with a padlock. When more than one qualified individual is performing work, each individual shall install an individual padlock.
(4) Tag the disconnecting device to identify each individual working and the circuit or equipment on which work is being performed.
(c) Restrictions relating to low-voltage, medium-voltage or high-voltage distribution circuits or equipment.--No electrical work shall be performed on low-voltage, medium-voltage or high-voltage distribution circuits or equipment, except by a qualified individual or an individual trained to perform electrical work and to maintain electrical equipment under the direct supervision of a qualified individual. Disconnecting devices shall be locked out and suitably tagged by the individuals who perform the work, except that, in cases where locking out is not possible, the devices shall be opened and suitably tagged by individuals performing the work. Locks or tags shall be removed only by the individuals who installed them or, if such individuals are unavailable, by individuals authorized by the operator or his agent.
(d) Troubleshooting and testing of energized circuits.--Troubleshooting and testing of energized circuits must be performed only:
(1) On low-voltage and medium-voltage circuits.
(2) When the purpose of troubleshooting and testing is to determine voltages and currents.
(3) By an individual qualified to perform electrical work and who wears protective gloves. Rubber-insulating gloves shall be rated at least for the nominal voltage of the circuit when the voltage of the circuit exceeds 120 volts nominal and is not intrinsically safe.
(e) Troubleshooting and testing of multiple voltage circuits.--Before troubleshooting and testing a low-voltage or medium-voltage circuit contained in a compartment with a high-voltage circuit, the high-voltage circuit must be de-energized, disconnected, grounded, locked out and tagged in accordance with subsection (b).
(f) Conveyor belt structures.--Prior to the installation or removal of a conveyor belt structure, high-voltage cables extending from the section power center to the longwall equipment and located in the belt entries shall be:
(1) deenergized; or
(2) guarded in accordance with section 338,1 at the location where the belt structure is being installed or removed.

Credits

2008, July 7, P.L. 654, No. 55, § 343, effective in 180 days [Jan. 5, 2009].

Footnotes

1
52 P.S. § 690-338.
52 P.S. § 690-343, PA ST 52 P.S. § 690-343
Current through Act 13 of the 2024 Regular Session. Some statute sections may be more current, see credits for details.
End of Document