1370

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 418

(b)  The provisions of this subtitle governing hoisting
or haulage apply where hoists are used for handling persons
in underground slopes, pitching beds, or on slopes among two
or more beds. A permissible trip light shall be used on the
rear of trips pulled, or pushed by a locomotive, on the
rope-end car of trips pulled up slopes, and on the front of
trips lowered into slopes or pushed. Trip lights need not be
used during gathering operations at working faces.

(c)  Pushing a car on a main haulage road is
prohibited, except if necessary to push it from sidetracks
to a producing entry, or to clear switches and sidetracks,
and on the approach to a cage.

(d)  Back-poling is prohibited except at a place where
the trolley pole cannot be reversed or when going up an
extremely steep grade at a very slow speed.

(e)  No person, except a motorman and trip rider, may
ride on a locomotive unless authorized by the mine foreman.
A person may not ride on a loaded car or between cars on any
trip, except that the trip rider shall ride only the front
or rear end of the trip. Motormen and brakemen may not get
on or off cars, trips, or locomotives while in motion.
However, a brakeman may get on or off the rear end of a
slowly moving trip to throw a switch or close a door.]

[7-421.

(a)  Any trip and any traffic equipment shall come to a
complete stop before couplings are made by hand, unless a
coupling hook is used. Standing cars on any track, unless
held effectively by brakes, shall be properly blocked or
spragged. Cars shall be secured effectively at working
faces.

(b)  There shall be a positive-acting stopblock, at or
above the knuckle, and a derail on slopes and planes having
a knuckle. On entries going to the rise, a positive
stopblock or derail shall be placed by the switch of the
first active working place. On entries going to the dip, a
positive-acting stopblock or derail shall be placed by the
switch to the first active working place, and a stopblock
shall be placed by the switch of the last active working
place.

(c)  If coal is not being loaded, but persons are
working at a room or entry face, a positive-acting stopblock
or derail shall be placed across the room or entry track, or
the room switch shall be kept closed to prevent cars from
being inadvertently pushed from or running into the place

(d)  Slides, skids, or other adequate means shall be
used on descending trips on grades if the locomotive is not
adequate to control the trip. If feasible, a drag shall be
used on ascending trips. Materials being hauled inside the
mine shall be loaded and protected so there is no danger to