Part 16 - Mine Shafts and Hoists

DEFINITIONS

16.01

In this part, the following definitions apply:

RAISING

16.02

Compartments in raises

16.03

i.one that is as close as practicable to the final drive of the motor,

ii.each capable of stopping and holding the climber with its maximum rated load, and

iii.arranged to permit independent testing,

16.04

16.05

Reaching workers

(a) before the raise climber is first used at the raise and daily thereafter when in use, and

(b) during every major overhaul of the raise climber.

(a) before the raise climber is first put into service, and

(b) during every major overhaul of the raise climber, and

(c) not less frequently than once for every 4,000 hours of use.

(a) the findings of each examination,

(b) a record of any repairs and modifications, and the signature of the person performing such examinations, repairs and modifications, and

(c) the signature of the supervisor authorizing the repairs and modifications.

STOPING

16.06

Second exit

16.07

Pulling chutes

(a) the pulling area in the stope shall be marked by signs, or persons working in the vicinity shall be notified, and

(b) as pulling proceeds, proper precautions shall be taken to ascertain that the broken material is settling freely.

VENTILATION AND HEATING

16.08

Fan structures

16.09

Ventilation provided

(a) effectively barricaded to prevent inadvertent entry, and

(b) posted with signs to warn that entry is prohibited.

16.10

Development heading ventilation

SHAFT-SINKING

16.11

Casing, lining

16.12

Material on conveyance

16.13

(a) when tools or material are being loaded into or unloaded from the bucket or skip at the collar or other points of service of the shaft, except when the bucket or skip is unloaded by a dumping arrangement as provided in subsection (1), and

(b) when people are loaded or unloaded, except where a safety crosshead fills the compartment at the collar or other points of service.

(a) crosshead and bucket are descending together from the bucket-dumping position,

(b) the service doors are in or out of the shaft compartment, and

(c) the dump doors are in or out of the shaft compartment.

(a) lands on at least two chairs when at the bottom stop,

(b) is attached to a safety device that stops the bucket if the crosshead jams, and

(c) encloses the bucket unless the bucket is barrel-shaped and the shaft compartment is tightly lined.

SHAFT AND HOISTING OPERATIONS

16.14

Conveyance provided for workers

(a) unless it has been certified by the manufacturer or a professional engineer for its safe operation, including

(b) if it is known to be defective or be in an unacceptable state of repair, except for the purposes of correcting the defect.

16.15

Shaft sumps

(a) the hoisting compartments shall be protected by a substantial gate that is kept closed except when the hoisting conveyance is being loaded or unloaded at such point, and

(b) the clearance beneath any gate shall be kept to a minimum.

16.16

(a) designed by a professional engineer, and

(b) built and used in accordance with the design and instructions.

MINE HOISTING PLANT

16.17

Design, installation

(a) shall be obtained from the board upon receipt of certification obtained from a professional engineer, and

(b) may be cancelled if the mine hoisting plant is not installed, maintained and operated incompliance with the Workers' Safety and Compensation Act and these Regulations, the instructions of a professional engineer and the specifications of the manufacturer.

16.18

Application for permits

i.where the clear floor area of a deck of a shaft conveyance is 1.86 sq. m (20 sq. ft.) or less, there shall be at least 0.20 sq. m (2 sq. ft.) for each person,

ii.where the clear floor area of a deck of a shaft conveyance is more than 1.86 sq. m (20 sq. ft.) and less than 4.64 sq. m (50 sq. ft.), there shall be at least 0.15 sq. m (1.6 sq. ft.) for each person, and

iii.where the clear floor area of a deck of a shaft conveyance is 4.64 sq. m (50 sq. ft.) or more, there shall be at least 0.14 sq. m (1.5 sq. ft.) for each person, and

i.Electrical Hoisting Equipment Record Book,

ii.Hoisting Machinery Record Book,

iii.Hoist Operator's Log Book,

iv.Rope Record Book, and

v.Shaft Inspection Record Book.

16.19

16.20

16.21

Intermediate shaft obstruction

(a) they shall be positively latched out of the shaft compartments when not in use, and

(b) dual lights shall be installed to indicate to the hoist operator whether such doors are in or out of the shaft compartment.

16.22

Hoist brakes

(a) stop and hold the drum when the shaft conveyance or counterweight is operating at its maximum load,

(b) be designed and installed to be tested independently, and

(c) be designed to apply normal braking effort before a linkage or brake piston reaches a limit of travel.

(a) apply directly to the drum, and

(b) apply automatically when

(a) the brakes are applied by control levers that are pulled, unless the brake and power control are on a common lever, and

(b) any brake weights installed to provide auxiliary braking force can be readily tested for freedom of movement.

(a) normally used for the transport of workers, and

(b) operating in the normal full-speed zone.

(a) the clutch can be disengaged only when the brake of the drum is fully applied, and

(b) the clutch is fully engaged before the brake of the drum can be released.

16.23

Rope to drum ratios

(a) 60 to 1, where the nominal rope diameter is 0.0254 m (1 in.) or less, or

(b) 80 to 1, where the nominal rope diameter is greater than 0.0254 m (1 in.).

(a) 48 to 1, where the nominal rope diameter is 0.0254 m (1 in.) or less, or

(b) 60 to 1, where the nominal rope diameter is greater than 0.0254 m (1 in.).

(a) 80 to 1, for stranded ropes, or

(b) 100 to 1, for locked coil ropes.

16.24

Rope on drum

(a) more than three layers of rope where the drum has helical or spiral grooving or does not have grooving,

(b) more than four layers of rope if the drum has parallel and half-pitch grooving, and

(c) less than three dead turns of the rope on the drum.

(a) grooves that properly fit the rope, unless the hoist is being used for shaft-sinking or preliminary development work during shaft-sinking, in which case the drum may be smooth, and

(b) flanges of sufficient height to contain all the rope and strong enough to withstand any loading by the rope.

(a) coils properly across the face of the drum,

(b) winds smoothly from one layer to another, and

(c) winds without cutting into the rope layer beneath.

16.25

Depth indicators

(a) of a shaft conveyance and counterweight, if any,

(b) in an inclined shaft, of a change in gradient that requires a reduction in hoist speed,

(c) at which the overwind, underwind and track limit devices are set to operate,

(d) of any intermediate shaft obstruction,

(e) of the limits of normal travel for the shaft conveyance and counterweight, if any, and

(f) of any collar doors, dump doors, and crosshead landing chairs.

(a) protect against an overwind,

(b) protect against an underwind, except during shaft-sinking,

(c) indicate the air or steam pressure for the hoist operator, and

(d) permit the air or steam supply to the hoist engine to be readily shut off by the hoist operator.

(a) the engine is non-reversing,

(b) the exhaust restraining valve is fail-safe,

(c) the piping system is strong enough to withstand the air or steam pressures,

(d) the compression has sufficient braking capacity to stop the hoist carrying its maximum load,

(e) the normal speed of the hoist is less than 2.5 metres per second (8 ft. per sec.), and

(f) specifications and arrangement of the hoist have been submitted to and accepted by the board.

(a) the maximum rated load,

(b) the diameter of rope for which it was designed,

(c) the breaking strength of the rope for which it was designed, and

(d) the maximum amount of groove wear that is permitted on the sheave.

(a) loaded above the maximum rated load, or

(b) used other than in compliance with the certificate.

(a) be made of materials that safely withstand the ambient temperatures,

(b) be fitted with a groove to fit the rope being used, and

(c) bear a serial number and the date of its manufacture.

(a) before being put into service in a particular location,

(b) after installation, and

(c) at a regular frequency as recommended by a competent person in such testing.

16.26

Shaft rope test

(a) a 2.5 m (8 ft.) representative sample has been tested for its breaking strength, percentage elongation at failure and torsion test results on individual wire through destructive test, and

(b) a Certificate of Test has been issued by the a laboratory capable of measuring the breaking strength, percentage elongation at failure and torsion test results on the individual wires with the information required under subsection (1)(a).

(a) within the first six months of service and thereafter at an interval of not longer than six months,

(b) at an interval of less than six months if the extrapolated loss of breaking strength from earlier tests is expected to be greater than 10 percent before the next regular test,

(c) at an interval of four months if the rope has been in service for longer than 24 months, and

(d) and a test results record book shall be kept with all test results recorded in it and a copy of the test results shall be submitted to the board within 28 days, and where the loss of strength is more than 7.5 percent, within 14 days.

ROPE ATTACHMENTS

16.27

Closed-type

(a) in sound condition, and

(b) certified at least once every six years of use as being in sound condition by a qualified person or by the manufacturer.

(a) two test trips of the conveyance or counterweight shall be made through the working part of the shaft while the conveyance or counterweight is carrying the maximum load,

(b) upon the completion of the test trips the attachments shall be examined, and necessary adjustments made, and

(c) the person or persons involved in the examination shall keep a record of the examinations, findings and adjustments in the Hoisting Machinery Record Book.

SKIPS AND CAGES

16.28

i.stop and hold a skip or cage if the support rope or attachment should break, and

ii.are tested in accordance with subsection (b), (c), and (d) prior to the first use to transport workers and prior to returning to service after repairs,

i.the cage or skip shall carry a weight equal to its maximum permitted load,

ii.the cage or skip shall travel at a speed equal to normal hoisting speed when transporting persons, and

iii.the guides on which the test is made shall be representative of those in the shaft,

i.the skip or cage decelerates to a stop within one and three times the rate of gravity,

ii.the safety dogs and mechanisms are not damaged,

iii.the safety dogs engage the guides constantly during deceleration, and

iv.a calculation shows that the safety dogs will stop the cage or skip when it is carrying its maximum material load, and

i.such tests shall consist of releasing the empty conveyance suddenly in some suitable manner from rest, so that the safety catches have the opportunity to grip the guides, and

ii.where the safety catches do not act satisfactorily, the cage or other shaft conveyance shall not be used for lowering or raising workers until the safety catches have been repaired and tested and shown to operate satisfactorily.

16.29

i.are at least 1.5 m (5 ft.) high,

ii.are mounted and arranged so they cannot be opened outward from the cage,

iii.have devices for positive latching in the closed positions,

iv.are built of solid materials, except for a viewing window,

v.are so arranged that they may be closed at all times that persons or materials, except rolling stock, are being transported in the cage,

vi.are mounted so as to provide only enough clearance at the floor to permit free closing or opening, and

vii.are of adequate strength to withstand normal shock loads,

16.30

i.to the dump position, and

ii.to the skip loading pocket, unless the controls for loading the skip with ore or waste have been made inoperative,

i.arranged to fall clear and remain clear of the shaft compartment when the cage is lifted off the chairs,

ii.operable only from the outside of the cage, and

iii.so arranged as not to distort the cage, and

ELECTRIC HOISTS

16.31

Safety circuit

(a) is fail-safe,

(b) has a protective electrical circuit operating at a nominal potential not exceeding 250 volts, and

(c) when interrupted, operates to

(a) there is a failure of power supply to the hoist electrical system that may affect safe operation,

(b) there is an overload on the hoist motors of a magnitude and duration exceeding normal,

(c) there is a short circuit in the hoist electrical system, or

(d) a prescribed safety device has operated or activated.

(a) manually operable,

(b) located within easy reach of the hoist operator when at the controls,

(c) readily recognizable, and

(d) readily operable.

(a) an overwind, and

(b) an underwind, except during shaft-sinking, and

(c) approaching the limits of travel at an excessive speed, or

(d) operating or being operated at an overspeed in excess of that for which the hoisting plant was designed and intended.

(a) operate to interrupt the safety circuit when activated,

(b) be driven directly by the drum,

(c) be protected from the loss of motion,

(d) prevent the paying out of excess rope during shaft-sinking, and

(e) be set to stop the hoist before a shaft conveyance, counterweight and their attachments make contact with a fixed part of a mine shaft or headframe.

16.32

i.excessive slip between the drum and a hoisting rope or ropes occurs,

ii.a violent swing or large rise in the loop of a balance rope occurs, or

iii.a shaft conveyance and counterweight approaches the collar of a mine shaft at excessive speed,

16.33

i.manually operable only, and

ii.able to restrict the hoist operation to slow speed,

SAFETY EXAMINATIONS AND CERTIFICATES

16.34

Electric hoist examination

(a) hoist motors,

(b) hoist controls,

(c) electrical safety devices, and

(d) signalling devices.

(a) at least once each week, review the entries made in the Electrical Hoisting Equipment Record Book during the preceding week,

(b) ascertain that the examinations prescribed in subsection (1) have been made and all necessary work has been done to make them operate safety, and

(c) upon completion of each review required by (a), certify in the Electrical Hoisting Equipment Record Book that (a) and (b) have been done.

16.35

Mine hoisting plant examination

(a) the exterior of each hoisting and tail rope to detect the presence of kinks or other damage and to note the appearance of the rope dressings, and

(b) the safety catches of the shaft conveyance for any defects.

(a) any conveyance safety mechanisms for proper adjustment and freedom of movement,

(b) any head, deflection or idler sheaves, their shafting and bearer and sole plates,

(c) the attachments of each shaft rope,

(d) the attachments on any shaft conveyance or counterweight,

(e )any shaft conveyance, counterweight, and work platform,

(f) the hoist parts, brakes, brake-clutch interlocks, and depth indicators,

(g) any hoisting equipment being used shaft-sinking, and

(h) any auxiliary brake operating weights to assure their freedom of movement and holding capacity.

(a) the shaft ropes to determine the

(b) the hoisting ropes for the number and location of broken wires, and

(c) the friction treads of a friction hoist.

(a) the hoisting rope of a drum hoist contained within the attachments at the drum and at the drum spout, and

(b) the hoisting rope of a friction hoist contained within the attachments at the shaft conveyance or counterweight in accordance with an established procedure.

(a) the bolt-locking devices, foundation bolts and all bolts critical to hoist safety, and

(b) the bails, suspension gear and structure of the shaft conveyance and counterweight.

16.36

Hoisting ropes cleaned

(a) be cleaned when necessary,

(b) be dressed with lubricant at least once each month to maintain a good coating, and

(c) have a record kept of the cleaning and dressing in the Hoisting Machinery Record Book, with the entry dated and signed by the supervisor in charge of the work.

(a) hoist shafting, brake pins and linkages, and

(b) structural parts, attachment pins, and draw-bars of a shaft conveyance and counterweight.

(a) before initial use of the parts, and

(b) at regular intervals that are no greater than

(a) dated and signed by the worker performing the examination, servicing, or repairs, and

(b) countersigned by the supervisor in charge of the mechanical parts of the hoisting plant.

(a) at least once each week, review the entries made in the Hoisting Machinery Record Book during the preceding week,

(b) ascertain that the examinations required by this section have been made and all necessary work done to correct the situation if required, and

(c) upon completion of the review required by (a), certify in the Hoisting Machinery Record Book that (a) and (b) have been done.

16.37

Mine shaft examination

(a) the mine shaft at least once every week,

(a) the entries shall be dated and signed by the worker performing the examination, servicing or repairs, and

(b) the entries shall be countersigned by the supervisor in charge of the mine shaft and headframe.

16.38

(a) the maximum rope pull,

(b) the maximum suspended load, and

(c) the maximum unbalanced load in the case of a friction hoist.

(a) rated load, as certified by a professional engineer, and

(b) serial number, date of manufacture and name of the manufacturer.

(a) the weight of the conveyance or counterweight,

(b) the rated load,

(c) any impact load,

(d) any dynamic load,

(e) stress concentration factors,

(f) corrosion,

(g) metal fatigue, and

(h) dissimilar materials.

(a) safe footing, and

(b) overhead protection, except when changing shaft guides.

COMMUNICATION

16.39

Voice communication

(a) the collar of the shaft, including the collar of an internal shaft,

(b) the landing stations in use in a shaft,

(c) the hoist room for the shaft, including the hoist room for an internal shaft,

(d) an underground refuge station, and

(e) an attended place on surface.

16.40

Signal code

3-bell signal

(a) move the hoisting conveyance within a period of five seconds after receiving a signal indicating movement, and

(b) move the hoisting conveyance before receiving another complete signal if the operator is unable to act within one minute of receiving any complete signal.

HOIST OPERATORS

16.41

Medical certificate

(a) holds a current Hoist Operator's Medical Certificate, and

(c) is under the direct supervision of a competent person if the worker is being trained to operate the hoist.

(b) obtain a Hoist Operator's Medical Certificate certifying fitness to operate a hoist.

(b) renewed every 12 months after its date of issue.

(a) the working condition of

(b) any instructions given to the operator affecting hoist operations,

(c) any unusual circumstances in connection with the operation of the hoist,

(d) the results of any tests prescribed by these Regulations,

(e) any trial trips,

(f) any inadvertent stoppages, and

(g) the operator's actual starting and finishing time.

(a) review and countersign all entries in the Hoist Operator's Log Book for the preceding two shifts, and

(b) sign in the Hoist Operator's Log Book for his or her period of duty.

16.42

i.the satisfactory working conditions of the hoist brakes, and

ii.the holding capacity of any friction clutch, in accordance with a procedure established for the hoist.

i.through the working part of a shaft, if there has been a stoppage in hoisting for a period exceeding two hours, and

ii.below any part of a shaft that has been under repair, after the repairs have been completed.

16.43

i.a signal for chairing has been made and returned, or

ii.special arrangements have been made to operate a cage with a car in balance from that location, and

i.a shaft inspection or a trial run through the affected part has been made,

ii.any obstructions have been removed, and

iii.any damage affecting safe operation has been repaired.

16.44

Notice regarding distraction

(a) an intermediate shaft obstruction,

(b) an emergency, or

(c) an inadvertent hoist stoppage.

(a) give signals,

(b) be in charge of a shaft conveyance,

(c) maintain discipline amongst persons riding in a shaft conveyance,

(d) enforce the load limits for the shaft conveyance, and

(e) notify the hoist operator of heavy loads or irregular shaped loads on or under the shaft conveyance.

16.45

Transporting people

i.such materials are carried on another deck,

ii.the materials are adequately stored,

iii.the doors of the top deck are closed,

iv.the combined load does not exceed 85 percent of the material load limit of the conveyance, and

v.the scheduled trips for workers have been completed.

i.protected by guards,

ii.secured, and

iii.the combined load does not exceed 85 percent of the material load limit of the conveyance,