Safe Access

30 CFR 56.11001 and 57.11001

30 CFR 77.205(a)

 

56/57.11001

Safe means of access shall be provided and maintained to all working places.

 

77.205(a)

 

(a)   Safe means of access shall be provided and maintained to all working places.

 

There is no MSHA policy for these standards.

 

These standards require that safe access be provided to any place in or about a mine where work is being performed.

 

Issues to Consider in Determining Compliance:

·        Is permanent or temporary access provided to all working places?

·        Are miners climbing the equipment or machinery to access work places?

·        Are fall-of-person hazards created by a lack of a stairway, ladder, ramp, etc.?

·        Are handholds provided, if necessary?

·        Are crossovers or crossunders provided where needed?

 

Other issues covered by related standards:

·        Are inclined walkways of non-skid material or provided with cleats?

(56.11009 or 57.11009 – walkways along conveyors)

(77.205(c) - inclined travelways will have nonskid material or be equipped with cleats)

 

·        Is a safety belt and lanyard used where a fall of person hazard exists?

(56.15005 or 57.15005 - safety belts and lines)

(77.1710(g) – safety belts and lines)

 

·        Does rock spillage, discarded materials, or liquids present hazards for slipping or tripping? 

(56.20003 or 57.20003 – housekeeping)

(77.205(b) – travelways, platforms, and other means of access will be free of all extraneous material)

 

·        Are scaffolds of substantial construction and are handrails installed?

(56.11027 or 57.11027 - scaffolds and work platforms)

(77.405(c) – work not allowed on or from elevated equipment in a raised position until it has been blocked)

·        Does snow and/or ice on a walkway or travelway present a slipping hazard? 

(56.11016, 57.11016, or 77.205(d)  - snow and ice on walkways and travelways)

 

·        Does the travel or access way require a handrail and/or a toeboard?

(77.204 – openings will be protected by railings, barriers, covers, or other protective devices)

(77.205(e) – crossovers, elevated walkways, elevated ramps and stairways will have handrails and toe-boards, where necessary)

 

·        Are crossovers, elevated walkways, elevated ramps and stairways substantially constructed and maintained?

(56.11002 or 57.11002 - handrails and toeboards)

(77.205(e) – crossovers, elevated walkways, elevated ramps and stairways will have handrails and toe-boards, where necessary)

 

·        Does an access ladder have broken or missing rungs?

·        Are ladders substantially constructed and properly maintained? 

(56.11003 or 57.11003 - construction and maintenance of ladders)

            (77.206 – construction, installation, and maintenance of ladders)

 

·        Are persons protected where there is a danger of falling into water?

(56.15020 or 57.15020 – life jackets or belts to be worn where there is a danger of falling into water)

(77.1710(h) – lifejackets or belts to be worn where there is a danger of falling into water)