CODE OF VIRGINIA

OPERATION OF EQUIPMENT (§ 45.1-161.147)

A. Operators of self-propelled haulage equipment shall face in the direction of
travel except when the equipment is being loaded and is under the boom of the
loading equipment.

B. Track haulage cars which require coupling and uncoupling shall be equipped
with automatic couplers or devices designed to allow coupling and uncoupling
without exposing miners between equipment. Specialty cars designed with safe
clearance when connecting to other cars are excluded from the provisions of this
subsection.

C. Persons operating self-propelled haulage equipment shall sound a warning
before starting such equipment and on approaching curves, sidetracks, doors,
curtains, manway crossings, or any other place where persons are or are likely
to be.

D. All rail equipment shall be operated at speeds which are safe for the
condition of the rail installation, grades and clearances encountered. When rail
equipment is being operated at normal safe speeds, a distance of 300 feet shall
be maintained from the rear of other rail equipment in operation except trailing
locomotives that are an integral part of the trip.

E. All persons shall stand in the clear during switching operations.

F. No two pieces of self-propelled mobile mining equipment traveling in opposite
directions inside a coal mine shall be allowed to pass each other while both are
in motion on the same haulage road unless a minimum of 24 inches is maintained
between the vehicles.

HISTORY: Code 1950, § 45-69.1; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, § 45.1-73; 1979, c.
315; 1983, c. 70; 1985, c. 302; 1994, c. 28; 1996, c. 774; 1999, c. 256; 2005,
c. 3.