Acts and Regulations

96-105 - Underground Mine

Section 224
Disposition versions

Full text
Hoist signal system
224(1)An employer shall ensure that a signalling system is installed at an underground mine by which signals may be exchanged between the tender of a shaft conveyance and the hoist operator for the purpose of controlling the hoist.
224(2)An employer shall ensure that the system referred to in subsection (1)
(a) is not operated in excess of one hundred and fifty volts,
(b) is supplied with power from a transformer that supplies no other load,
(c) where the primary voltage of the transformer exceeds 750 volts,
(i) has one conductor of the power supply grounded, or
(ii) has the conductors ungrounded if
(A) an isolating transformer with a 1 to 1 ratio supplies the power for the signal, and
(B) the circuit has a device to indicate a ground fault,
(d) has the non-current carrying metal parts of the signalling unit grounded unless the unit is mounted at least 2.4 m above the floor,
(e) except as provided in subsection (3), is capable of providing signals that are
(i) audible and clear,
(ii) separate for each shaft compartment, and
(iii) distinctive in sound in the hoist room for each compartment where the signals are audible from another hoist,
(f) is arranged so that the hoist operator can return a signal to the employee signalling,
(g) is installed at every working level, landing deck and any other necessary shaft location, and
(h) is approved, in writing, by an engineer or a competent person.
224(3)An employer shall ensure that the system referred to in subsection (1) is capable of providing a signal that is both audible and visible when installed on a multi-deck sinking stage.
224(4)An employer shall ensure that signalling systems using radio frequencies for transmitting signals are tested for hazards to electric blasting caps as specified in section 3.4 of CSA standard Z65-1966, “Radiation Hazards from Electronic Equipment”.