Pennsylvania Act 2024-9 — BITUMINOUS COAL MINE SAFETY ACT - SCHEDULE OF MAINTENANCE

Act text

Session of 2024

No. 2024-9

SB 115

AN ACT

Amending the act of July 7, 2008 (P.L.654, No.55), entitled "An act providing for bituminous coal mines; and making a repeal," in diesel-powered equipment, further providing for schedule of maintenance.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. Section 416 of the act of July 7, 2008 (P.L.654, No.55), known as the Bituminous Coal Mine Safety Act, is amended to read:

Section 416. Schedule of maintenance.

(a) Required maintenance.-- At intervals not exceeding 100 hours of engine operation, a qualified mechanic shall perform the following maintenance and make all necessary adjustments or repairs or remove the equipment from service:

(1) Wash or steam clean the equipment.

(2) Check for and remove any accumulations of coal, coal dust or other combustible materials.

(3) Check the equipment for damaged or missing components or other visible defects.

(4) Conduct electrical and safety component inspections.

(5) Replace engine oil and oil filter , unless a request is approved under subsection (b) .

(6) Check the transmission oil level and add oil, if necessary.

(7) Check hydraulic oil level and add oil, if necessary.

(8) Check the engine coolant level and add coolant, if necessary.

(9) Check all other fluid levels and add fluid, if necessary.

(10) Check for oil, coolant and other fluid leaks.

(11) Inspect the cooling fan, radiator and shroud. Remove any obstructions and make necessary repairs.

(12) Check all belts. Tighten or replace, if necessary.

(13) Check the battery and service as necessary.

(14) Check the automatic fire suppression system.

(15) Check the portable fire extinguisher.

(16) Check the lights.

(17) Check the warning devices.

(18) With the engine operating, check and replace or repair the following:

(i) Oil pressure.

(ii) Intake air restriction at full engine speed.

(iii) Exhaust gas restriction at full engine speed.

(iv) Exhaust flame arrestor.

(v) All gauges and controls.

(19) Conduct repeatable loaded engine-operating test in accordance with section 418.

(20) If the equipment is approved with a nondisposable diesel particulate filter, a smoke dot test of the filtered exhaust must be performed at this time. The results of the smoke dot test shall be recorded on the 100-hour emissions form. If the interpreted smoke dot number is greater than three, the technical advisory committee shall be notified and shall investigate to determine if the filter is functioning properly.

(21) Evaluate and interpret the results of all of the above tests and examinations and make all necessary repairs or remove the equipment from service.

(22) Comply with the recordkeeping requirements pursuant to section 414.

(b) Waiver.--Requests to extend the engine oil and oil filter replacement frequency to intervals not exceeding 200 hours shall be submitted by the operator for approval on a mine-specific basis as an amendment to the diesel-powered equipment package approved by the department under section 402. The following shall apply:

(1) The amendment shall include the recommendations made to the department by the task force established under section 350(d), submitted to the department on April 13, 2022, entitled "200 hour oil change interval," which may be amended by the task force or the advisory committee established under section 424.

(2) A qualified mechanic shall replace the engine oil and oil filter on diesel-powered equipment.

(3) The provisions of this subsection do not apply to permissible equipment.

Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.

APPROVED--The 15th day of April, A.D. 2024.

JOSH SHAPIRO