The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 1992

PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS

5.  ESSENTIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH REQUIREMENTS FOR MACHINERY INTENDED SOLELY FOR UNDERGROUND WORK

In addition to the essential safety and health requirements provided for in sections 1, 2, 3 and 4, machinery intended solely for underground work must be designed and constructed to meet the requirements below.

5.1. Risks due to lack of stability

• Powered roof supports must be so designed and constructed as to maintain a given direction when moving and not slip before and while they come under load and after the load has been removed. They must be equipped with anchorages for the top plates of the individual hydraulic props.

5.2. Movement

• Powered roof supports must allow for unhindered movement of exposed persons.

5.3. Lighting

• The requirements laid down in the third paragraph of section 1.1.4 do not apply.

5.4. Control devices

• The accelerator and brake controls for the movement of machinery running on rails must be manual. The deadman’s control may be foot-operated, however.

• The control devices of powered roof supports must be designed and laid out so that, during displacement operations, operators are sheltered by a support in place. The control devices must be protected against any accidental release.

5.5. Stopping

• Self-propelled machinery running on rails for use in underground work must be equipped with a deadman’s control acting on the circuit controlling the movement of the machinery.

5.6. Fire

• The second indent of 3.5.2 is mandatory in respect of machinery which comprise highly flammable parts.

• The braking system of machinery meant for use in underground working must be designed and constructed so as not to produce sparks or cause fires.

• Machinery with heat engines for use in underground working must be fitted only with internal combustion engines using fuel with a low vaporising pressure and which exclude any spark of electrical origin.

5.7. Emissions of dust, gases etc

• Exhaust gases from internal combustion engines must not be discharged upwards.