Metalliferous Mines Regulations, 1961 - Directorate General of ...

Provided that the Chief Inspector may, by an order in writing prohibit the use of any rope or type of rope or
bar, link, chain or other attachment where, in his opinion such use is unsafe.
(b)A single-linked chain shall not be used, except for the short coupling chain attached to
a cage or other means of conveyance. Such singlelinked chain shall be attached to the
safety hook through a distribution plate or other approved appliance.
(c)Where safety-chains are used, their length shall be such tat if the kingbolt breaks, the shock to the cage
or other means of conveyance is as slight as possible.
(d) The attachment between the rope and the cage or other means of conveyance shall be of such type and
be maintained in such manner as to obviate accidental disconnection.
(e) In case of a doubt, as to the fitness of any rope, bar, link, chain or other attachment used or intended for
use, it shall be referred to the Chief Inspector for decision.
(2)(a) Except, in a sinking shaft less than 30 metres in depth, every winding rope shall be made of cold
drawn steel wire, and the gauge of the wires used in the construction of such rope shall be suited to the
diameter of the drums, pulleys and sheaves of the winding installation.
(b) In any shaft, including a shaft in course of being sunk, where persons are lowered or raised and where
guides are not provided, no rope other than a rope of non-spinning type shall be used.
(c) No rope which has been spliced shall be used for winding purposes.
(d) No winding rope shall be used or continued in use, if its safety factor (i.e. the ratio between breaking
load on the rope at any point and the maximum static load on it when the cage or other means of
conveyance is at the lowest working point) is or becomes –
(i)less than 10 in the case of a shaft not exceeding 300 metres in depth;
(ii) less than 9 in the case of a shaft exceeding 300 metres but not exceeding 500 metres in depth;
(iii) less than 8 in the case of a shaft exceeding 500 metres but not exceeding 700 metres in depth;
(iv) less than 7 in the case of a shaft exceeding 700 metres but not exceeding 1000 metres in depth;
(v) less than 6 in the case of a shaft e xceeding 1000 metres but not exceeding 1500 metres in depth;
(3)(a) For every rope in use or intended for use, a certificate showing its breaking load, quality,
construction and diameter (obtained from the manufacturer or supplier) and a history of it use, including a
record of diameters of the drums, sheaves and pulleys used in conjunction with the rope, shall be kept in a
bound paged book kept for the purpose. All entries therein shall be made and signed by the engineer or
other competent person, and shall be countersigned and dated by the manager.
(b) If in the case of a new rope a test certificate as to the amount of its breaking load is not available, it shall
not be used unless a portion thereof, not less than three metres in length, has been cut off and tested in a
laboratory, institution or test house approved by the Central Government for the purpose.
(4) No winding rope which has been in use for more than three and half year shall be used for winding
purposes :
Provided that where the Regional Inspector is satisfied that due to sparing use any such rope is in good
condition even after the expiry of the said period, he may, by an order writing and subject to such
conditions as he may specify therein, allow the use of such rope for a longer period. Every application for
permission to use a rope after the period of three and a half years aforesaid shall be accompanied by a copy
of the entries, in respect of the rope, in the book kept for the purpose under sub-regulation (3), and also by a
certificate as to the strength of the rope, obtained in the manner laid down in clause (b) of the sub-