WEST VIRGINIA CODE
WVC 22 A- 2 - 10
§22A-2-10. Signals on haulways; lights at mouth and bottom of
shaft; operation of cages.
On all haulways, where hauling is done by machinery of any
kind, the mine foreman shall provide for a proper system of
signals, and a conspicuous light or approved trip reflector on
the rear of every trip or train of cars when in motion in a mine.
When hoisting or lowering of miners occurs in the morning before
daylight, or in the evening after darkness, at any mine operated
by shaft, the mine foreman shall provide and maintain at the
shaft mouth a light of stationary character, sufficient to show
the landing and all surrounding objects distinctly, and
sufficient light of a stationary character shall be located at
the bottom of the shaft so that persons coming to the bottom may
clearly discern the cages and other objects contiguous thereto.
The mine foreman shall require that no cages on which miners are
riding shall be lifted or lowered at a rate of speed greater than
one thousand feet per minute and that no mine cars, either empty
or loaded, shall be hoisted while miners are being lowered, and
no cage having an unstable self-dump platform shall be used for
the carrying of miners unless the same is provided with some
device by which it may be securely locked when miners are being
hoisted or lowered into the mine:
Provided, however, That during
the initial development of a mine, and only until the shafts are
joined, miners shall be permitted to ride cages with one empty
car which has been bolted or strapped to the cage.
Note: WV Code updated with legislation passed through the 2012 1st Special Session