KRS 352.130: Safety and hoisting devices in shafts -- Certified hoistman.

(1) At every mine operated by shaft, there shall be an approved safety catch, and on all

cages used for lowering and hoisting persons there shall be a sufficient and

substantial overhead cover. At the top of each shaft a safety gate shall be provided.

An adequ ate brake, so adjusted that it may be operated by the engineer without

leaving his post at the levers, shall be attached to every drum or equivalent machine

used for lowering or raising persons at any shaft or slope, and in connection with

the hoisting eng ine an efficient indicator or dial, which will show the engineer the

positions of the cages in the shaft at any time, shall be used. An effective means of

communication from the bottom of the shaft or slope to the hoisting engineer shall

be provided.

(2) Cages and incline cars on which men are transported shall be raised or lowered at a

rate of speed consistent with the equipment and the physical conditions of the mine,

subject to the approval of the mine inspector.

(3) The hoisting rope, the safety catches , and the cage attachments shall be examined

daily by the mine foreman, or by some competent person designated by him, and

care shall be taken to keep them in good working condition at all times.

(4) No person shall ride on any cage when coal, slate, or si milar material is being

raised.

(5) No person shall enter a cage at the bottom to be raised to the top during the running

hours of the mine, or when leaving work at the close of the day's run, without first

being authorized by the bottom man or cager to do so, the bottom man or cager

having first signaled to the engineer that men are to be raised.

(6) At every underground landing where persons enter or leave the cage and where

persons must pass from one side of the shaft to the other there shall be a

passageway not less than three (3) feet wide and of suitable height, kept free from

obstruction and as dry as possible, around the shaft; and all employees when passing

from one side of the shaft to the other side shall use the passageway only.

(7) Hoisting ropes on all cages or trips shall be adequate in size to handle the load and

have a proper factor of safety. Ropes used to hoist or lower coal and other materials

shall have a factor of safety of not less than five (5) to one (1); ropes used to hoist or

lower men shall have a factor of safety of not less than ten (10) to one (1). Load

tests shall be made at least once each month and a record kept. The rope shall be

replaced as soon as there is evidence of possible failure.

(8) Any rope attached to a cage, man -car, or trip used for hoisting or lowering men

shall be provided with two (2) bridle chains or cables connected securely to the rope

at least three (3) feet above the socket or thimble and to the crosspiece of the cage

or to the man-car or trip.

(9) A certified hoistman shall be on the mine site of a shaft or slope mine when persons

are underground, including fire bosses and pumpers on idle shifts, except when

automatic, self-service facilities with all safety devices are provided.