R 408.41463 Emergency provisions; plans; equipment; rescue crews.

Rule 1463. (1) The employer shall develop a plan to evacuate a tunnel in an emergency and the procedures to carry out the plan shall be made known to the employees and to the rescue team. (2) An employer shall ensure that rescue teams are familiar with conditions at the jobsite. (3) On jobsites where 25 or more employees work underground at 1 time, an employer shall provide, or make arrangements in advance with locally available rescue services to provide, at least 2 5-person rescue teams. One of the teams shall be on the jobsite or within 1/2 hour of travel time from the entry point and the other team shall be within 2 hours of travel time from the entry point. (4) On jobsites where fewer than 25 employees work underground at 1 time, an employer shall provide, or make arrangements in advance with locally available rescue services to provide, at least 1 5-person rescue team. The team shall either be on the jobsite or be within 1/2 hour of travel time from the entry point. (5) On jobsites where flammable or noxious gases are encountered or anticipated in hazardous quantities, rescue team members shall practice donning and using self- contained breathing apparatus monthly. (6) An emergency hoisting facility, such as a mud box or a crane, shall be readily available at a shaft that is used as a means of egress, unless a hoisting means is provided that is independent of an electrical power failure. The hoisting means shall be designed so that the load hoist drum is powered in both directions of rotation and so that the brake is automatically applied upon power release or failure. (7) An employer shall provide an escape-only respirator that is a self-contained breathing apparatus with a minimum of a 5 minute air supply. Respirators shall be approved by the national institute for occupational safety and health as prescribed in the provisions of 42 C.F.R. Public Health Service, Part 84 “Approval of Respiratory Protective Devices,” as adopted in R 408.41410. Respirators shall be used in accordance with Occupational Health Standard Part 451 “Respiratory Protection,” as referenced in R 408.41410. Escape-only respirators shall be immediately available for each employee at work stations in underground areas where employees might be trapped by smoke or gas. (8) Escape-only respirator that is a self-contained breathing apparatus shall be maintained in good operating condition. Employees shall be trained in its use. (9) The employer shall maintain a rescue crew for each shift of all underground operations. The rescue crew shall be trained in rescue procedures, the use and limitations of a breathing apparatus, and the use of fire fighting equipment. The crews shall be retrained at least once each year. Local fire and police personnel may be used as rescue teams for tunnel operations. If local personnel are to be used, then the employer shall arrange for assistance before the start of the project. (10) The employer shall provide the following minimum rescue equipment at the top of the shaft: (a) Four units of 1/2-hour-rated, self-contained breathing apparatus. (b) Four additional units of 1/2-hour-rated air bottles. (c) Four bureau of mines flashlights or lanterns with additional batteries for each light. The flashlights shall be as prescribed in part 20 of subchapter B of the provisions of 30 C.F.R., Mineral Resources, Parts 1-199 “Mine Safety and Health Administration, Department of Labor,” as adopted in R 408.41410. (d) Two 2A-10BC fire extinguishers. (e) One stretcher, wire basket type or equivalent with slings attached. (f) One fire blanket. (g) One 10-ton hand hydraulic rescue kit. (h) One first aid kit as prescribed in Construction Safety Standard Part 1 “General Rules,” as referenced in R 408.41410. (11) At least 1 employee shall be on duty above ground when an employee is working underground. The primary duty of the employee who is above ground shall be to secure immediate aid for an employee who is underground in case of an emergency.