The Coal and Other Mines (Locomotives) Order 1956

PART IIIRoads and tracks

Construction of tracks

6.—(1) Subject to the provisions of regulation eight the manager of every mine in which any locomotive runs shall ensure that no locomotive runs in any length of road otherwise than on a track of rails being a track—

(a)which is ballasted and where necessary drained;

(b)having rails of a weight per yard of rail not less than that specified in paragraph (2) of this regulation;

(c)so constructed that the distance between the centres of any adjacent sleepers does not exceed—

(i)in a length of road in a mine of stratified ironstone or shale in which no locomotive exceeding three and one half tons in weight runs, three feet;

(ii)in any other length of road, two feet nine inches;

(d)having every rail joint secured by suitable fishplates with at least four bolts; and

(e)so constructed that every curve thereon is sufficiently gradual to enable any locomotive which runs thereon to do so in safety and has where necessary a raised outer rail or check rail or both of them.

(2) The minimum weight per yard of rail shall be—

(a)in the case of rail in a mine of coal or fireclay on which no locomotive exceeding five tons in weight runs, and which is used only for the carrying of loads other than persons or minerals, twenty-eight pounds;

(b)in the case of rail in a mine of stratified ironstone or shale on which no locomotive exceeding three and one half tons in weight runs, twenty-four pounds;

(c)in the case of any other rail, forty pounds or, if the weight calculated as follows be greater, ten pounds with an addition of five pounds for each ton of the greatest weight on one pair of wheels of the heaviest locomotive which runs thereon.

(3) The manager of every mine in which any locomotive runs shall ensure that no locomotive runs and no vehicle is drawn by a locomotive at any place at which it may pass another locomotive or vehicle on an adjacent track unless those tracks are so laid that taking into account any swing of either locomotive or vehicle there is a clearance not less than one foot between any parts of them.

Minimum clearances

7.—(1) Subject to the provisions of regulation eight the manager of every mine in which any locomotive runs shall ensure that no locomotive runs in any length of road therein which is not throughout of such height and width as to comply with the following provisions of this regulation taking into account any swing of the locomotive.

(2) The height of any such length of road shall be such that—

(a)in the case of a locomotive with a covered cab, there is as regards any part of the locomotive a vertical clearance not less than one foot; or

(b)in the case of a locomotive without a covered cab running in a mine of stratified ironstone or shale in a length of road in which any locomotive ran, or for the running in which any locomotive was required to be delivered under a contract made, before the first day of May, nineteen hundred and forty-nine, there is as regards any part of the locomotive a vertical clearance not less than one foot; or

(c)in the case of any other locomotive, the driver can stand upright on any part of the floor of the cab.

(3) The width of any such length of road shall be such that as regards any part of a locomotive there is a horizontal clearance not less than two feet:

Provided that, at a side on which refuge holes are not provided of a length of road in which there are not more than two tracks of rails, a horizontal clearance exceeding one foot shall not be required.

Exemptions

8.  An inspector, if he is satisfied that the application of any provision of either of the two last preceding regulations is not requisite for safety in relation to any mine or part thereof, may by notice served on the manager of that mine exempt it or a part thereof from that provision.

Gradients

9.  The manager of every mine shall ensure that no locomotive runs therein on a gradient exceeding 1:15.

Inspections of rails and tracks

10.—(1) Without prejudice to the provisions of the Coal and Other Mines (Managers and Officials) Regulations, 1956(1), with regard to the functions of deputies in districts assigned to them and with regard to the inspection of places outside deputies' districts, the manager of every mine in which any locomotive runs shall secure that a competent person (who may be the deputy or person assigned to make such inspection) is appointed by him to be in charge of every length of road in which a locomotive runs.

(2) At intervals not exceeding twenty-four hours the person for the time being in charge of any such length of road shall inspect or supervise the inspection of that length to ascertain the condition thereof as regards—

(a)the state of the track and its freedom from obstructions, and

(b)the maintenance of the requisite height and width of the road,

and upon the completion of such an inspection shall forthwith record and sign a full and accurate report thereof in a book provided by the owner of the mine for the purpose.