Machinery and plant

• Pages: 22-24

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7. Machinery and plant

7.1. General provisions

7.1.1. All machinery and plant of whatever description or purpose used in

connection with the working of an opencast mine should be of good design, sound

construction, suitable material, adequate strength, free from patent defect, fitted with

appropriate protective safety devices and maintained in safe condition.

7.1.2. Small mines (as defined by national laws or regulations) which do not, as

individual mines, have sufficient resources to fulfil the requirements of this section of

the code should pool their resources or make such other arrangements as to comply

properly with the relevant requirements.

7.2. Mechanical apparatus

7.2.1.1. It should be the duty of the manager of an opencast mine to ensure that

the duly competent person he is required to appoint to be in charge of the plant prepares

and implements a scheme with respect to all the machinery at the mine of whatever

description or purpose.

7.2.1.2. This scheme should cover:

7.2.1.2.1. the examination and testing of all machinery before it is used after

installation, reinstallation or repair;

7.2.1.2.2. the systematic examination and testing of all machinery at the mine to

ensure proper maintenance thereof,

7.2.1.2.3. the intervals, which may differ for different mechanical apparatus used and

for parts of apparatus, within which all machinery must be examined and

tested;

7.2.1.2.4. the nature of the examination and testing to be carried out;

7.2.1.2.5. the manner in which the results of every examination and test made

pursuant to the scheme are to be recorded; and

7.2.1.2.6. the records of every examination or test should be kept for a period

specified by national laws and regulations.

7.2.1.3. A copy of the scheme should be kept at the office of the mine, and the

competent authority should request amendment where it appears necessary to secure the

proper maintenance of machinery and the safety of persons working thereon.

7.2.2. No one, except a competent person or persons acting under his close

personal supervision, should undertake any work on machinery and plant where

technical knowledge or experience is required.

7.2.3. A sufficient number of qualified persons for the proper performance of the

duties required by this section of the code should be appointed by the manager.