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Subchapter 17. Mine Safety Orders
Article 1. Definitions
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§6958. Definitions.


(a) The following definitions shall apply in the application of these Orders.

Approved. Approved by the Division of Occupational Safety and Health.

Berm. A pile or mount of material capable of restraining a vehicle.

Bulkhead. A tight partition or stopping in a mine.

Combustible. Capable of being ignited and consumed by fire. Wherever combustible substances or materials are mentioned in these Orders, flammable and extremely flammable substances and materials are included.

Competent Person. A person at least 21 years of age and having abilities and experience that fully qualify him for the duties he is assigned.

Division. The Division of Industrial Safety.

Extremely Flammable. Having a flash point of 20 degrees Fahrenheit or less, when tested by the Tagliabue open-cup method.

Face or Bank. The sides from the bottom or floor of a pit to the surface surrounding the pit. Where one or more benches or levels are used in a pit, each bench or level has a separate face.

Face--Underground. That part of any audit, tunnel, stope, or raise where excavating is progressing, or was last done.

Fire Resistant. Protected against fire by a covering at least one-half inch thick, of noncombustible materials, such as gunite, cement plaster, gypsum wallboard, asbestos, or other suitable material applied in a manner acceptable to the Division.

Fireproof. Fire resistant.

Fixed. The machine or device is fastened in place and is not moved about while being operated.

Flammable. Capable of being easily ignited or burning rapidly.

Flash Point. The particular temperature at which a material gives off flammable vapor in sufficient quantity to burn instantaneously at the approach of a flame or spark.

High Potential. More than 650 volts.

Highway. Any street, alley, or road, publicly or privately maintained and open to use for the public for purposes of vehicular travel.

Hoist--First Class. A hoist which is secured to a permanent, substantial foundation, and which is not intended to be moved from one location to another. It is used to lower and hoist men and materials.

Hoist--Material. A hoist for lifting, lowering, or pulling materials. It includes tugger-type and scraper hoists.

Jumbo. A mobile platform or series of platforms, usually on wheels, to provide work areas for men and the machines, tools, or materials being used.

Magazine. A building, other than the explosives manufacturing building, or other structures especially designed for the storage of explosives, or any cave or other structure adapted to the storage of explosives.

Man-Deck. An enclosed platform on a shaft conveyance for the transportation of employees.

Mineral. Any substance, organic or inorganic, found in nature as part of the earth and having sufficient value away from its natural location to be mined, quarried, or dug for its own sake or its own specific use.

Mine. An area of land from which minerals are extracted in non-liquid form.

Movable. The machine or device can be, and usually is, moved about in course of normal operations, but is too heavy to be carried. This includes self-propelled machines.

Permissible. Applied to any device, equipment, or appliance means that such device, equipment, or appliance is classed as permissible by the Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Portable. The machine or device can be, and usually is, carried about in the course of normal operation.

Public Conveyance. Any railroad car, street car, ferry, cab, bus, airplane, or other vehicle which is carrying passengers for hire.

Return Air Course. The air course through which the vitiated air of a mine is returned or conducted to the surface.

Return Air. The mine air or ventilation current that has passed through the active mine workings and is returning to the surface.

Railroad. Any railway or tramway which carries passengers for hire, on the particular line or branch in the vicinity where explosives are stored, or where explosives-manufacturing buildings are situated.

Secured or Securely Fastened. The device or object referred to is so anchored that it will not become accidentally detached, displaced, or removed under normal use and foreseen circumstances.

Shaft. A passageway to underground workings through which mining operations are conducted. A shaft is either vertical or inclined at an angle greater than 20 degrees from the horizontal.

A winze or raise in which men are hoisted or lowered shall be considered a shaft for the purpose of these Orders.

Shall and Should. Shall means mandatory and should means recommended.

Stope. An underground excavation resulting from actual mining of ore or waste, as distinguished from other excavations, such as drifts, crosscuts, raises, or winzes.

Substantially Constructed or Substantial Construction. Construction of such strength, material, and workmanship that the object will withstand all reasonable shock, wear, usage, and deterioration it was designed to withstand.

Timber. Wood, steel, concrete, or other materials used for bracing or supporting the ground.

Trackless Vehicle. A type of vehicle that does not run on railroad tracks.

Tramway. An aerial passenger tramway used to transport passengers by the use of overhead steel cables or by ropes supported in one or more spans.

Underground. Mines, tunnels or similar confined subterranean excavations.

NOTE

Authority cited: Sections 142.3 and 7997, Labor Code. Reference: Sections 142.3 and 7997, Labor Code.

HISTORY

1. Amendment of section and new Note filed 7-11-2003; operative 8-10-2003 (Register 2003, No. 28).

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