Ala. Admin. Code r. 480-3-3-.23

Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 10, July 31, 2024

Section 480-3-3-.23 - Lighting And Electric Installation

(1)Inspection Reports - At each mine where electricity is used underground, a systematic inspection of all wiring and equipment shall be made at regular intervals, at least once every month. A written or verbal report of each inspection shall be made by the mine electrician or inspector to the mine foreman. Equipment and circuits found to be defective shall be immediately removed from service until repaired.

(2)Marking Switches_- All electrical control switches shall be plainly marked, with the name of the machine which each controls.

(3)Insulated Platforms - At any place in the mine where it is necessary to manipulate or adjust "live" equipment operating at more than three hundred (300) volts, including switches, motor starters, or other controlling appliances, insulated platforms shall be provided and used.

(4)Installation and Grounding Electrical Equipment - The frames and bed plates of generators, transformers, compensators, rheostats, motors and switches shall be effectively grounded. All metallic covering and conduit shall also be grounded. Such grounded shall be to water pipe systems, bonded rail or artificial ground, with preference in the order named. Where trailing cables are used, it is recommended that such cables contain a separate wire to be used as a ground wire.

(a) The ground connection to metallic piping systems shall be made by means of an approved clamp firmly belted to the pipe after all rust and scale have been removed, or by means of a brass plug which has been tightly screwed into a pipe fitting or where the pipe is of sufficient thickness, screwed into a hole in the pipe itself, or by other equivalent means. The grounding conductor shall be attached to the clamp or to the plug by means of solder or by an approved solderless connector.

(b) If conduit, couplings, or fittings having protective coating of non-conducting material, such as enamel, are used, such coating shall be thoroughly removed from couplings, conduits and such surfaces of fittings where the conduit or ground clamp is secured, in order to obtain a good connection.

(c) All electrical switches located in wet places shall be mounted in weatherproof switch boxes or cabinets in accordance with standards approved by the Department, and shall be grounded.

(d) All permanent installations of underground lighting or power circuits shall be installed and maintained in accordance with standards approved by the Department. All wiring shall be strung on standard insulated supports, six and one-half feet (6-1/2) or more above the floor or travelways, or in the event this height is not available, the wiring shall be in conduit or properly guarded; provided that armored cable may be buried at least six (6") inches deep and markers installed not less than two hundred (200') feet apart, and closer where necessary to show changes in direction.

(e) Switchboards shall consist of a substantial framework of iron pipe or structural steel, on which shall be mounted a panel or panels of incombustible non-absorbent insulating material, or other material according to the standards of the Department, that is mechanically strong and has insulation qualities suitable for the voltages at which it is used. All switchboard mountings, instrument transformers and meter casings shall be grounded.

(f) Portable extension lamps shall be guarded by a heavy wire cage which completely incloses both lamp and socket, and shall be provided with a handle of insulating material to which both cage and socket are firmly attached and through which the wire supplying the current is carried. The socket shall be keyless and the lamp circuit shall be protected by a fuse. Extension lamps shall be wired with heavy flexible rubber insulated cord. It is recommended that low-voltage be used for portable extension lamps.

(5)Rules for Repair Works on Electrical Equipment - The following safety rules shall be complied with in all electrical work in and around mines:

1. Do not permit any work to be begun on any electrically operated machinery until the control switch has first been locked in the "off" position, and properly tagged by the person doing the work.

2. Do not change any wiring or connections while the circuit is "live" unless absolutely necessary. All electrical work, so far as it is possible to do so, shall be done on days when the mine is not in operation. Whenever circuits are opened for repairs, alterations, or examinations, the disconnecting switches or cut outs shall also be opened as an additional safeguard against accidental closing of the circuit or the circuit may be locked open and the wires short circuited or grounded. The workman responsible for having the circuit opened shall place on a controlling switch a tag bearing his name and a notice that the switch shall not be closed until the tag is removed. No person, shall be allowed to remove the tag.

(a) Circuits having in excess of five hundred (500) volts potential shall be carried inside metal conduit or metallic sheathing or other protective covering recommended by the manufacture. Such circuit, conduit or sheathing shall be electrically continuous and effectively grounded.

(6)Electrical Installation Requirements - Underground electrical stations shall be so constructed as to allow clearance for passing all electrical equipment where such passing is permitted. They shall be of fireproof construction, well-lighted, as dry as conditions permit, provided with a floor affording secure footing, and where feasible, ventilated by a separate air split.

(a) Underground transformer stations shall in addition be designed so that oil escaping from transformers will be retained within the station.

(b) Any transformers installed underground after the effective date of these rules, unless they contain nonflammable, non-explosive transformer fluid, shall be in a fireproof enclosure as near gas tight as possible, provided that such enclosure shall have openings for ventilation and provision shall be made for the automatic closing of such openings in case of fire within the enclosure.

(c) Switchboards shall be located as to allow a space of at least three (3') feet in front and in back of them.

(d) All underground electric stations shall be completely fenced or walled in and provided with a substantial good fitting door or gate.

(e) Danger signs shall be conspicuously placed at all such stations. All electric circuits entering any mine shall be protected by lightning arresters.

Author: Marcus Davis, Workers' Compensation Examiner.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 480-3-3-.23

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, § 25-2-13(2).