[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 30, Volume 1]
[Revised as of July 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 30CFR57.3203]

[Page 319-320]
 
                       TITLE 30--MINERAL RESOURCES
 
  CHAPTER I--MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
 
PART 57--SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS--UNDERGROUND METAL AND NONMETAL MINES--Table of Contents
 
                        Subpart B--Ground Control
 
Sec. 57.3203  Rock fixtures.

    (a) For rock bolts and accessories addressed in ASTM F432-95, 
``Standard Specification for Roof and Rock Bolts and Accessories,'' the 
mine operator shall--
    (1) Obtain a manufacturer's certification that the material was 
manufactured and tested in accordance with the specifications of ASTM 
F432-95; and
    (2) Make this certification available to an authorized 
representative of the Secretary and to the representative of miners.
    (b) Fixtures and accessories not addressed in ASTM F432-95 may be 
used for ground support provided they--
    (1) Have been successful in supporting the ground in an area with

[[Page 320]]

similar strata, opening dimensions and ground stresses in any mine; or
    (2) Have been tested and shown to be effective in supporting ground 
in an area of the affected mine which has similar strata, opening 
dimensions, and ground stresses as the area where the fixtures are 
expected to be used. During the test process, access to the test area 
shall be limited to persons necessary to conduct the test.
    (c) Bearing plates shall be used with fixtures when necessary for 
effective ground support.
    (d) The diameter of finishing bits shall be within a tolerance of 
plus or minus 0.030 inch of the manufacturer's recommended hole diameter 
for the anchor used. When separate finishing bits are used, they shall 
be distinguishable from other bits.
    (e) Damaged or deteriorated cartridges of grouting material shall 
not be used.
    (f) When rock bolts tensioned by torquing are used as a means of 
ground support,
    (1) Selected tension level shall be--
    (i) At least 50 percent of either the yield point of the bolt or 
anchorage capacity of the rock, whichever is less; and
    (ii) No greater than the yield point of the bolt or anchorage 
capacity of the rock.
    (2) The torque of the first bolt, every tenth bolt, and the last 
bolt installed in each work area during the shift shall be accurately 
determined immediately after installation. If the torque of any fixture 
tested does not fall within the installation torque range, corrective 
action shall be taken.
    (g) When grouted fixtures can be tested by applying torque, the 
first fixture installed in each work place shall be tested to withstand 
150 foot-pounds of torque. Should it rotate in the hole, a second 
fixture shall be tested in the same manner. If the second fixture also 
turns, corrective action shall be taken.
    (h) When other tensioned and nontensioned fixtures are used, test 
methods shall be established and used to verify their effectiveness.
    (i) The mine operator shall certify that tests were conducted and 
make the certification available to an authorized representative of the 
Secretary.

[51 FR 36198, Oct. 8, 1986, as amended at 51 FR 36804, Oct. 16, 1986; 63 
FR 20030, Apr. 22, 1998]

                  Scaling and Support--Underground Only