Rules of the State Inspectorate of the Republic of Uzbekistan on supervision of safe work in industry, mining and the domestic sector

These rules establish general requirements for safe work in coal mines. They address risk management and pose requirements for the use of certain equipment, materials and technologies. Mine workers are to be provided with personal protective equipment and trained for labor safety.

The rules establish requirements for mine ventilation and safety. In gas hazardous coal mines, automatic power cut-off systems are to be installed for methane concentrations of 1.3% (62). When exploring mines, the formation of voids behind the lining of the working is not to be allowed. In case of formation of voids, these must be filled, and in workings that are dangerous due to layered accumulations of methane, voids behind the lining must be plugged (158).

The rules describe requirements for the decommissioning and closure of coal mines. Decommissioned mine workings with access to the surface (vertical shafts, pits and wells with a diameter of 200 mm or more) must be completely covered with non-combustible materials and then covered with reinforced concrete shelves (314).

The rules require ventilation of underground workings and compliance with the dust and gas standards.  

In gas mines where it is impossible to ensure the content of methane in the air stays within the established norms by means of ventilation, degassing should be carried out (377).

The rules provide for the monitoring of mine atmosphere. Measuring stations (405) must be installed to monitor the main incoming and outgoing airflows of the mine. Control of methane concentrations in gas mines should be carried out in all workings where methane can be released or accumulated (407). The content of methane in the mine air must comply with given standards, which vary from 0.5% to 25% depending on the facilities’ location. The content of methane in the atmosphere of underground workings and pipelines must comply with the established standards (no more than 1%) (365).

The rules address industrial sanitation and environmental issues. After mining, the mine is subject to decommissioning and closure, which should ensure a reliable and safe condition of the surface above the workings (963).

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