Indiana Code - Labor and Safety - Title 22, Section 22-10-7-6

Breakthroughs; location

Sec. 6. (a) Breakthroughs shall be made in each room at least
every sixty (60) feet (which dimension shall be the lineal distance
along the rib of the block of coal between breakthroughs).
Breakthroughs shall be made in each entry at least every eighty (80)
feet (which dimension shall be the lineal distance along the rib of the
block of coal between breakthroughs). When undercut or sheared, or
undercut and sheared, the entry and breakthrough, or the room and
breakthrough may be advanced concurrently, but the rooms and
entries shall not be advanced more than two (2) cuts until the last
breakthrough shall have been completed. With the approval of the
director, greater distances than specified in this section may be
allowed. Any operator of a mine desiring such alterations shall file
a written request to do so with the director together with a map of the
mining and ventilating system for which approval and permission is
asked, attached to the application, and the maps shall be a part of the
records in the office of the director.

(b) Breakthroughs between intake and return air courses shall be
closed, except the three (3) nearest the face; breakthroughs between
rooms shall be closed where necessary to provide adequate
ventilation at the working face.
(c) Where possible, a breakthrough shall be provided at or near
the face of each entry or room before the working place is
abandoned.
(d) Entries or rooms shall not be started off any entry beyond the
last open breakthrough. However, room necks and entries not to
exceed two (2) cuts in depth may be turned off an entry beyond the
last open breakthrough if such room necks or entries are kept free of
accumulations of methane by use of line brattice or other adequate
means.
(e) On entries other than room entries, stopping in breakthroughs
between intake and return airways shall be built of solid, substantial,
incombustible material.
(f) Stopping shall be reasonably airtight.
(Formerly: Acts 1955, c.168, s.54; Acts 1971, P.L.358, SEC.8.) As
amended by P.L.231-1983, SEC.15; P.L.2-1995, SEC.85;
P.L.165-1997, SEC.6.

Last modified: May 27, 2006