352.630 Telephone service or equivalent two-way communication facilities -- Locations -- Alarms. (1) Effective September 1, 2006, each licensed underground facility shall provide telephone service or equivalent two-way communications facilities, approved by the director or his authorized representative, between the surface of each landing of main shafts and slopes, and between the surface and each working section that is more than one hundred (100) feet from a portal. Implementation of telephone or equivalent two-way communications facilities shall be subject to the following provisions: (a) Telephones or equivalent two-way communications facilities provided at each working section shall be located not more than five hundred (500) feet outby the last open crosscut and not more than eight hundred (800) feet from the farthest point of penetration of the working faces on the section; (b) Primary telephone or two-way communications systems and lines shall be located in the intake air course or adjacent entry, but shall not be located in the beltway or return air courses unless approved by the director of the Division of Mine Safety in seams with coal heights twenty-six (26) inches or less; and (c) The incoming communication signal on the telephone or other approved two- way communications system shall activate an audible alarm that is distinguishable from the surrounding noise level and a visual alarm that can be seen by a miner regularly employed on the working section. (2) Effective September 1, 2006, each licensed underground facility shall have a telephone or equivalent two-way communications facility located on the surface within one thousand (1,000) feet of all main portals. The telephone or equivalent two-way communications system shall be installed in either a building or in a box- like structure designed to protect the communications equipment from damage by inclement weather. At least one (1) of these communications systems shall be at a location where a responsible person is available and authorized to respond to an emergency situation at all times when miners are working underground. The incoming communications signal on the telephone or other approved two-way communications system shall activate an audible alarm, distinguishable from the surrounding noise level and a visual alarm that can be seen by the responsible person stationed near the communications system. (3) Effective September 1, 2006, each licensed underground facility shall have a telephone or equivalent two-way communications system located on the surface which can be used to activate the licensed facilities emergency action plan required in KRS 352.640 and to comply with reporting requirements contained in KRS 352.180. The telephone or equivalent two-way communications system shall be installed in either a building or in a box-like structure designed to protect the communications equipment from damage by inclement weather. At least one (1) of the communications systems shall be at a location where a responsible person is available and authorized to respond at all times to an emergency situation when miners are working. The incoming communications signal on the telephone or other approved two-way communications system shall activate an audible alarm, distinguishable from the surrounding noise level and a visual alarm that can be seen by the responsible person stationed near the communications facility. Effective: June 24, 2015 History: Amended 2015 Ky. Acts ch. 87, sec. 36, effective June 24, 2015. -- Created 2006 Ky. Acts ch. 185, sec. 1, effective July 12, 2006.