Technical regulations "On requirements for the safety of coal and production processes for extraction, processing, storage and transportation"

Last updated: 21 February 2022

The Technical Regulations establish requirements for the safety of coal extraction, processing, storage and transportation. 

In accordance with paragraph 24, at coal mining and processing enterprises classified as hazardous for dust and gas explosions, a dust and gas regime must be established, which provides for the fulfilment of requirements that prevent the accumulation of methane and harmful gases, the occurrence of an explosion inside the equipment and the release of explosion products into the premises.

In accordance with paragraph 38, mines in which methane has been detected in at least one development are classified as dangerous in terms of gas and must be completely switched to gas mode. Control of methane concentration in coal mines should be carried out in all workings where methane is released or accumulated. In gas mines, where it is impossible to ensure the methane content in the air within the established norms by means of ventilation, degassing must be carried out (paragraph 39).

Paragraph 42 defines the air velocity during ventilation of mines. So, at mines of the III category for methane and above, in all coal mining operations and mixed faces, as well as those connected with the worked space and extinguished workings, the air velocity during ventilation should be at least 0.5 m/s.  

At coal processing plants (paragraph 69), the methane content in the indoor air should not exceed 2%.  

The requirements for the safety of coal storage and transportation determine that when using sheltered warehouses for coal hazardous by gas, it is necessary to carry out methane monitoring every shift in the underground part (paragraph 90).

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