KRS 352.030: Number of persons permitted to work in same air current or split -

ventilation -- Repair.

(1) As many as sixty (60) persons may work in the same air current or split, and with

the approval of the mine inspector and the commissioner, as many as eighty (8 0)

persons may work in the same air current. Each active section in a mine shall be

ventilated by a separate split of intake air. Every mine, and all portions thereof, shall

be ventilated by one (1) or more currents of air, which shall contain not less tha n

nineteen and one -half percent (19.5%) of oxygen, nor any dangerous quantities of

flammable gas, nor any harmful amount of poisonous gases or dust, when the

current of air enters into each split. The ventilation shall be sufficient to prevent

methane accumulations, so far as practicable, and to keep the methane percentage in

the return of any split to not more than two percent (2%).

(2) The ventilating current shall be circulated through the haulageways, travelways, and

airways to reach all portions of the mine, except sealed sections; and it shall be

circulated through the entries and rooms around the ends of line brattice and along

pillar lines. It shall be conducted to the last breakthrough, or to the working faces if

required, by means of stoppings, che ck doors, curtains, and brattice that may be

necessary or required, in order to dilute, render harmless, and carry away the

noxious and dangerous gases, smoke, and dust liberated therein, and to supply a

sufficient quantity of ventilation for all emergenci es. The ventilating current in the

area of a mine's belt entries shall be directed to an air return before the ventilating

current reaches the face area, unless the department, under certain conditions issues

a permit for belt air to be used at the coal fa ce. The department shall render a final

written decision within sixty (60) calendar days of receipt of the permit application.

(3) When mine ventilation, formerly satisfactory and adequate, becomes deficient in

quality or quantity, the department shall have authority to order improvement of the

ventilation.

(4) No licensee, superintendent, or mine foreman shall permit any person to work at a

place where sufficient ventilation cannot be maintained, except persons employed to

make the places of employment saf e in compliance with the requirements of this

chapter, and while repair work necessary to comply with the requirements is in

progress no person shall be permitted to enter that part of the mine affected except

those actually employed in doing the repair wo rk. The repair work shall be done

under the constant supervision of a certified official designated by the mine

foreman.

(5) Each licensee shall adopt a plan which shall provide that when any mine fan stops,

immediate action shall be taken by the licensee or his agent:

(a) To withdraw all persons from the working sections;

(b) To cut off the power in the mine in a timely manner;

(c) To provide for restoration of power and resumption of work if ventilation is

restored within a reasonable period, of not more than fifteen (15) minutes, as

set forth in the plan after the working places and other active workings where

methane is likely to accumulate are reexamined by a certified person to

determine if methane in amounts of one percent (1%) or more exists therein;

and

(d) To provide for withdrawal of all persons from the mine if ventilation cannot

be restored within a reasonable time, of not more than fifteen (15) minutes.

The plan and revisions thereof approved by the commissioner or his authorized

representative shall be set out in printed form and a copy shall be furnished to the

commissioner or his authorized representative.