Safety Standards for the Use of Roof-Bolting Machines in Underground Mines

Résumé

Recent accidents in underground coal mines involving roof- bolting machines indicate the need to modify the design of such machines and require additional safety features. The accident history involving use of these machines prompted the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) to evaluate roof-bolting machines currently in use, primarily focusing on potential hazards to the machine operators during the drilling and roof-bolt installation procedures. As a result of the evaluation of accidents, MSHA is in the early stages of establishing design criteria and operating procedures for roof-bolting machines in underground mines. This notice seeks to obtain additional information and data on machine design, operating procedures, and miners' experiences with roof-bolting machines.