[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: 30CFR75.213]

[Page 464]
 
                       TITLE 30--MINERAL RESOURCES
 
  CHAPTER I--MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
 
PART 75--MANDATORY SAFETY STANDARDS--UNDERGROUND COAL MINES--Table of Contents
 
                         Subpart C--Roof Support
 
Sec. 75.213  Roof support removal.

    (a)(1) All persons who perform the work of removing permanent roof 
supports shall be supervised by a management person experienced in 
removing roof supports.
    (2) Only persons with at least one year of underground mining 
experience shall perform permanent roof support removal work.
    (b) Prior to the removal of permanent roof supports, the person 
supervising roof support removal in accordance with paragraph (a)(1) of 
this section shall examine the roof conditions in the area where the 
supports are to be removed and designate each support to be removed.
    (c)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (g) of this section, prior to 
the removal of permanent supports, a row of temporary supports on no 
more than 5-foot centers or equivalent support shall be installed across 
the opening within 4 feet of the supports being removed. Additional 
supports shall be installed where necessary to assure safe removal.
    (2) Prior to the removal of roof bolts, temporary support shall be 
installed as close as practicable to each roof bolt being removed.
    (d) Temporary supports installed in accordance with this section 
shall not be removed unless--
    (1) Removal is done by persons who are in a remote location under 
supported roof; and
    (2) At least two rows of temporary supports, set across the opening 
on no more than 5-foot centers, are maintained between the miners and 
the unsupported area.
    (e) Each entrance to an area where supports have been removed shall 
be posted with a readily visible warning or a physical barrier shall be 
installed to impede travel into the area.
    (f) Except as provided in paragraph (g) of this section, permanent 
support shall not be removed where--
    (1) Roof bolt torque or tension measurements or the condition of 
conventional support indicate excessive loading;
    (2) Roof fractures are present;
    (3) There is any other indication that the roof is structurally 
weak; or
    (4) Pillar recovery has been conducted.
    (g) Permanent supports may be removed provided that:
    (1) Removal is done by persons who are in a remote location under 
supported roof; and
    (2) At least two rows of temporary supports, set across the opening 
on no more than 5-foot centers, are maintained between the miners and 
the unsupported area.
    (h) The provisions of this section do not apply to removal of 
conventional supports for starting crosscuts and pillar splits or lifts 
except that prior to the removal of these supports an examination of the 
roof conditions shall be made.

[55 FR 4595, Feb. 8, 1990]