Section 7955 Of Chapter 1. Tunnels And Mines From California Labor Code >> Division 5. >> Part 9. >> Chapter 1.
7955
. The division and the owner of a mine, if he is not the
operator of the mine, shall be notified before any initial mining
operation or construction may be started at any mines or tunnels. A
prejob safety conference shall be held with an authorized
representative of the division for all underground operations.
Representatives of the tunnel or mine owner, the employer, and
employees shall be included in the prejob safety conference.
The division shall classify all tunnels or underground mines
operating on the effective date of this section, or which commence
operation thereafter, as one of the classifications set forth in
subdivisions (a) to (d), inclusive. Such classification shall be made
prior to the request for bids on all public works projects, whenever
possible. This shall not, however, prevent the division from
reclassifying such mines or tunnels when conditions warrant it.
(a) Nongassy, which classification shall be applied to tunnels or
underground mines where there is little likelihood of encountering
gas during the construction of the tunnel or operation of an
underground mine. Such tunnels shall be constructed or underground
mines operated under regulations, rules, and orders developed by the
division and board and approved by the board. This subdivision shall
not prohibit the division chief or his representatives from
establishing any special orders that they feel are necessary for
safety.
(b) Potentially gassy, which classification shall be applied to
tunnels or underground mines where there exists a possibility gas
will be encountered.
(c) Gassy, which classification shall be applied to tunnels or
underground mines where it is likely gas will be encountered. Special
safety measures, including those set forth in Sections 7965 to 7976,
inclusive, those established by the division and board and adopted
by the board, or special orders written by the chief or his
representatives shall be observed in construction of gassy tunnels in
addition to regular rules, orders, special orders, or regulations.
(d) Extrahazardous, which classification may, when the division
finds that there is a serious danger to the safety of the employees,
be applied to tunnels or underground mines where gas or vapors have
caused an explosion or fire, where the likelihood of encountering
petroleum vapors exists, or where tests show, with normal
ventilation, a concentration of hydrocarbon petroleum vapors in
excess of 20 percent of the lower explosive limit within three inches
of the roof, face, floor, or walls of any open workings.
Construction in extrahazardous tunnels or operation in extrahazardous
underground mines shall conform to safety measures set forth in
Sections 7977 to 7985, inclusive, any rules, regulations, orders, or
special orders of the division, or any special rules, orders, or
regulations adopted by the board.
The division shall not be required to reclassify any tunnel or
underground mine that is shut down seasonally, when such tunnel or
underground mine is put back into operation in not less than six
months after date of the shutdown.