# The Coal and Other Mines (Metrication) Regulations 1978

S.I. 1978/1648 · made 15 November 1978

These Regulations amend—

PDFs: Printed copy https://openlegislation.uk/coal-and-other-mines-metrication-regulations-1978/pdf/uksi_19781648_en.pdf

## Introductory text

HEALTH AND SAFETY
MINES AND QUARRIES
Made 15th November 1978
Laid before Parliament 21st November 1978
Coming into Operation 12th December 1978
The Secretary of State, in exercise of the powers conferred on him by sections 15(1) and (3)(a), 49(1), (2) and (4) and 82(3)(a) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (“the 1974 Act”), as amended by section 116 of, and paragraphs 6 and 15 of Schedule 15 to, the Employment Protection Act 1975, and of all other powers enabling him in that behalf, and for the purpose of giving effect without modifications to proposals submitted to him by the Health and Safety Commission under section 11(2)(d) of the 1974 Act after the carrying out by the said Commission of consultations in accordance with section 50(3) of that Act, hereby makes the following Regulations:—

## 1 Citation, commencement and interpretation

(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Coal and Other Mines (Metrication) Regulations 1978 and shall come into operation on 12th December 1978.
(2) The Interpretation Act 1889 shall apply for the interpretation of these Regulations as it applies for the interpretation of an Act of Parliament.

## 2 Amendments to Instruments to substitute metric measurements for imperial measurements

(1) The provisions of the Instruments specified in column 1 of the Schedule to these Regulations shall be amended by substituting for the measurements set out opposite thereto in column 3 (and relating to the matters specified in column 2) of that Schedule the measurements set out in the corresponding entry in column 4 and the amendments shall apply as specified in column 5.
(2) Where under this Regulation a measurement is required to be substituted in any provision for a measurement which occurs more than once in that provision, the substitution shall be made in each place where it occurs.

## 3 Amendments to the Coal and other Mines (Working Plans) Rules 1956

The Coal and Other Mines (Working Plans) Rules 1956 shall have effect subject to the following amendments:—
(a) in Rule 4(1) after the word “level” there shall be inserted the words “from Ordnance Datum or”;
(b) in Rule 5(1)—
(i) for the words “ten thousand feet below” there shall be substituted “or, if it is used for the purposes of Rule 4,” and
(ii) at the end there shall be added the words “or Ordnance Datum, as the case may be”, and
(c) in Rule 12(b), before the word “assumed” there shall be inserted the words “Ordnance Datum or”

## Signature

Alexander Eadie
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Energy
15th November 1978
John Grant
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Employment
15th November 1978

## AMENDMENTS TO REGULATIONS

Column 1
Column 2
Column 3
Column 4
Column 5
Regulations to be amended
Subject matter of measurement(s)
Present Measurement
Substituted Measurement
Application of Amendment
The Coal and Other Mines (Managers and Officials) Regulations 1956, as amended
Regulation 10(1)
Scale of plans
six inches to a mile
1:10560
All cases
The Coal and Other Mines (Surveyors and Plans) Regulations 1956
Regulation 6(1)(a)
Extent of working to be covered by plans
three hundred feet
100 metres
Plans made after these Regulations come into operation
Regulation 8(1)
(a) Distance from boundary of working outside mine to be shown on plans
(a) three hundred and seventy-five feet
(a) 115 metres
(a) Plans made after these Regulations come into operation
(b) Depth of workings to be shown on plans
(b) one hundred and twenty feet
(b) 37 metres
(b) All cases
Regulation 10
Scale of Plans
six inches to one mile
1:10560
All cases
The Coal and Other Mines (General Duties and Conduct) Regulations 1956
Regulation 6(1)
Power of machinery which only certain persons may operate
ten horse-power
7.5 kilowatts
All cases
The Coal and Other Mines (Safety Lamps and Lighting) Regulations 1956
Regulation 9
Distance to be kept between safety lamp and equipment in use
two feet
600 millimetres
All cases
Regulation 17(3)
Distances from working face within which certain lighting not required
(a) one hundred and fifty feet
(b) nine hundred feet
(c) thirty feet
(a) 45 metres
(b) 275 metres
(c) 10 metres
(a), (b) and (c) All cases
Regulation 18(1)(a)
Distance from working face beyond which certain lights authorised
one hundred and fifty feet
45 metres
All cases
Regulation 18(1)(b)
Distance from working face beyond which certain lights authorised
nine hundred feet
275 metres
All cases
Regulation 18(1)(c)
Distances from working face beyond which certain lights authorised
(a) thirty feet
(b) three hundred feet
(a) 10 metres
(b) 90 metres
(a) and (b) All cases
Regulation 18(1)(d)
Distance from working face beyond which certain lights authorised
thirty feet
10 metres
All cases
Regulation 18(5)
Distance from working face within which only apparatus approved by the Health and Safety Executive may be used
nine hundred feet
275 metres
All cases
Regulation 23(c)
Distance from working face within which there is no need to whiten walls, etc.
three hundred feet
90 metres
All cases
The Coal and Other Mines (Electricity) Regulations 1956, as amended
Regulation 13(2)
Minimum permitted cross-sectional area of earthing conductor
0.022 square inches
14 square millimetres
All cases
Regulation 13(2)(a)
Maximum required cross-sectional area of earthing conductor used with certain flexible cable
0.01 square inches
6 square millimetres
All cases
Regulation 14(4)
Maximum distance between points at which metallic coverings of separate cables shall be bonded together
one hundred feet
30 metres
Systems brought into use after these Regulations come into operation
Regulation 20(2)(a)
Capacity of permitted battery for direct current signalling
three pint
1.7 litre
All cases
The Coal and Other Mines (Fire and Rescue) Regulations 1956
Regulation 12(1)
(a) Distance from entrance to mine within which central rescue station shall be situated
(a) fifteen miles
(a) 25 kilometres
(a) All cases
(b) Maximum distance from entrance to mine within which central rescue station may be situated with authority of an inspector
(b) twenty miles
(b) 32 kilometres
(b) All cases
Regulation 12(2)(b)
Distance of mine from central rescue station for exemption purposes
fifteen miles
25 kilometres
All cases
Regulation 14(3)
Distance from central rescue station within which rescue corps members may be permitted to reside by an inspector.
half a mile
1 kilometre
All cases
Regulation 16(1)(b)
Radius of Circle within which entrances to mines must lie to be treated together as one mine for the purposes of the Coal and Other Mines (Fire and Rescue) Regulations 1956
two miles
4 kilometres
Arrangements made after these Regulations come into operation
Regulation 23(b)
Minimum length of tubing required for smoke helmets, etc., provided at central rescue stations
one hundred and twenty feet
37 metres
Smoke helmets, etc., provided after these Regulations come into operation
Regulation 23(c)
Capacity of cylinders for reviving apparatus provided at central rescue stations
twenty cubic feet
600 litres
All cases
Regulation 24(a)
Required length of tubing for smoke helmets, etc., provided at certain mines
one hundred and twenty feet
37 metres
Smoke helmets, etc., provided after these Regulations come into operation
Regulation 24(b)
Capacity of cylinders for reviving apparatus provided at certain mines
twenty cubic feet
600 litres
All cases
Regulation 35(2)
(a) Minimum height of passage through which rescue team permitted to go, unless it is necessary to do so in an attempt to save life
(a) two feet
(a) 600 millimetres
(a) and (b) All cases
(b) Minimum width of passage through which rescue team permitted to go, unless it is necessary to do so in an attempt to save life
(b) three feet
(b) 1 metre
The Coal and Other Mines (Locomotives) Regulations 1956
Regulation 3(3)
Distance from working face at and beyond which in certain circumstances an unapproved locomotive may run
nine hundred feet
275 metres
All cases
Regulation 5(2)
(a) Maximum power of locomotive not required to have certain indicators
(a) twenty-five horse-power
(a) 20 kilowatts
(a) and (b) Locomotives brought into use after these Regulations come into operation
(b) Maximum speed of locomotive not required to have certain indicators
(b) eight miles per hour
(b) 13 kilometres per hour
(c) Certain indicators
(c) mileage
(c) distance
(c) All cases
Regulation 5(3)
Effective range of headlight
two hundred feet
60 metres
All cases
Regulation 6(1)(b)
Measure of weight of rails
weight per yard
weight per metre
All cases
Regulation 6(1)(c)(i)
(a) Maximum weight of locomotive in certain mines for the purposes of this provision
(a) three and one-half tons
(a) 3.5 tonnes
(a) and (b) All cases
(b) Maximum distance between centres of sleepers in track in certain mines
(b) three feet
(b) 1 metre
Regulation 6(1)(c)(ii)
Maximum distance between centres of sleepers in track in mines other than those referred to in Regulation 6(1)(c)(i)
two feet nine inches
840 millimetres
All cases
Regulation 6(2)
Weight of rail
weight per yard
weight per metre
All cases
Regulation 6(2)(a)
(a) Maximum weight of locomotive in certain circumstances
(a) five tons
(a) 5 tonnes
(a) All cases
(b) Minimum weight of rail in such circumstances
(b) twenty-eight pounds
(b) 15 kilograms
(b) Rails laid after these Regulations come into operation
Regulation 6(2)(b)
(a) Maximum weight of locomotive in certain circumstances
(a) three and one-half tons
(a) 3.5 tonnes
(a) All cases
(b) Minimum weight of rail in such circumstances
(b) twenty-four pounds
(b) 10 kilograms
(b) Rails laid after these Regulations come into operation
Regulation 6(2)(c)
(a) Minimum weight of rail in circumstances other than those referred to in Regulation 6(2)(a) and (b)
(a) forty pounds
(a) 19 kilograms
(a) All cases
(b) (c) and (d) measurements used for alternative calculation of minimum weight of rail
(b) ten pounds
(c) five pounds
(d) ton
(b) 5 kilograms
(c) 2.5 kilograms
(d) tonne
(b) and (c) Rails laid after these Regulations come into operation
(d) All cases
Regulation 6(3)
Minimum clearance between locomotives or other vehicles which may pass each other
one foot
300 millimetres
All cases
Regulation 7(2)(a)
Minimum vertical clearance for locomotives with covered cabs
one foot
300 millimetres
All cases
Regulation 7(2)(b)
Minimum vertical clearance for locomotives without covered cabs in certain circumstances
one foot
300 millimetres
All cases
Regulation 7(3)
(a) Minimum horizontal clearance for locomotives in any length of road
(a) two feet
(a) 600 millimetres
(a) and (b) All cases
(b) Minimum horizontal clearance required in certain circumstances
(b) one foot
(b) 300 millimetres
Regulation 13(1)
Distance from working face beyond which determinations of fire-damp content are not required in certain circumstances
nine hundred feet
275 metres
All cases
Regulation 21(2)(b)
Distance from working face within which a locomotive may move a single vehicle otherwise than by hauling from in front
twelve hundred feet
360 metres
All cases
Regulation 21(3)
(a) Minimum distance of visibility of white light attached to vehicle being moved by a locomotive otherwise than by hauling from in front
(a) two hundred feet
(a) 60 metres
(a) and (b) All cases
(b) Distance from working face within which the provisions of Regulation 21(3) do not apply to a single vehicle moved by a locomotive
(b) twelve hundred feet
(b) 360 metres
Regulation 22
(a) Minimum distance of visibility of red light attached to the rear of a train or of a locomotive not attached to a vehicle
(a) two hundred feet
(a) 60 metres
(a) and (b) All cases
(b) Distance from working face within which the provisions of Regulation 22 do not apply in certain mines
(b) twelve hundred feet
(b) 360 metres
Regulation 26(5)
Distance from filling station within which smoking and the use of certain lamps is prohibited
ten yards
ten metres
All cases
Regulation 32(5)
Distance from charging station within which smoking and the use of certain lamps is prohibited
thirty feet
10 metres
All cases
The Coal and Other Mines (Sidings) Regulations 1956
Regulation 1
Minimum gauge of Railway line
four feet eight and one-half inches
1.432 metres
All cases
Regulation 4(b)
Maximum length of pointed wooden sprags provided in relation to every railway line
three feet
900 millimetres
Sprags provided after these Regulations come into operation
Regulation 16
Minimum width of space required to be left between two vehicles stationary on one track of rails
fifteen feet
5 metres
All cases
Regulation 20
Distance from railway within which, if material stacked, certain precautions must be taken
three feet
1 metre
All cases
Regulation 20(b)
Maximum length of material which may be stacked alongside a railway line without the provision of adequate spaces or recesses
sixty feet
20 metres
All cases
The Coal and Other Mines (Working Plans) Rules 1956
Rule 4(1)
Maximum horizontal intervals at which variations in level to be shown on certain plans
three hundred feet
100 metres
Plans and sections of workings made after these Regulations come into operation
Rule 5(1)(a)
Maximum intervals at which vertical variations to be shown where gradient does not exceed 1:3
fifty feet
15 metres
Plans and sections of workings made after these Regulations come into operation
Rule 5(1)(b)
Vertical variations to be shown where gradient exceeds 1:3
(a) ten feet
(b) fifty feet
(c) one hundred and fifty feet
(a) 5 metres
(b) 15 metres
(c) 50 metres
(a), (b) and (c)
Plans and sections of workings made after these Regulations come into operation
Rule 5(2)
Maximum change in level of floor workings shown in any new plan required to show only direction and rate of dip of seam
fifty feet
15 metres
Plans and sections of workings made after these Regulations come into operation
Rule 8
(a) Distance from workings within which, where there is evidence of danger to the workings, plans shall show certain particulars
(a) one hundred and fifty feet
(a) 45 metres
(a) and (b)
Plans and sections of workings made after these Regulations come into operation
(b) Distance from boundary of mine within which, where there is evidence of danger to the workings of that mine, plans shall show certain particulars
(b) three hundred and seventy-five feet
(b) 115 metres
Plans and sections of workings made after these Regulations come into operation
The Coal Mines (Cardox and Hydrox) Regulations 1956
Regulation 19(1)
Distance from shot hole within which tests for inflammable gas required
thirty feet
10 metres
All cases
Regulation 21(1)
Minimum length of cable to be used for firing shots
sixty feet
20 metres
All cases
The Stratified Ironstone Shale and Fireclay Mines (Explosives) Regulations 1956
Regulation 10(1)
Maximum weight of explosive permitted in a canister below ground
five pounds
2.25 kilograms
All cases
Regulation 19(1)
Minimum permitted difference between the diameter of a drill and the diameter of a cartridge to be inserted in the shothole being drilled
one-eighth of an inch
3 millimetres
All cases
Regulation 21(4)
Distance from charged shot hole within which no person shall charge a shot hole in a long-wall working
ninety feet
25 metres
All cases
Regulation 28(2)(a)
Minimum length of cable for shot firing when a single shot is being fired otherwise than in a shaft in the course of being sunk
sixty feet
20 metres
All cases
Regulation 28(2)(b)
Minimum length of cable for shot firing when round of shots being fired otherwise than in a shaft in the course of being sunk
two hundred and ten feet
65 metres
All cases
Regulation 28(2)(c)
Minimum length of cable for shot firing when a single shot or a round of shots is being fired in a shaft in the course of being sunk
six hundred feet
180 metres
All cases
Regulation 29(1)
(a) Minimum length of fuse for firing a single shot
(a) three feet
(a) 1 metre
(a) and (b) All cases
(b) Minimum length of fuse for firing any shot in a round
(b) four feet
(b) 1.2 metres
Regulation 29(2)
Length of working face within which not more than one person shall charge or fire shots by means of a fuse
one hundred and fifty feet
45 metres
All cases
Regulation 29(3)
(a) Minimum length of a working face beyond which more than one person may charge a shot hole
(a) and (b) one hundred and fifty feet
(a) and (b) 45 metres
(a) and (b) All cases
(b) Distance between charged shot holes within which certain precautions must be taken before shot is fired
Regulation 29(5)(a)
Distance from shot hole within which no naked lights or person smoking permitted when shot is to be fired by means of a fuse
four feet
1.2 metres
All cases
Regulation 45
Distance from waste below ground within which only certain explosive may be used
fifteen feet
5 metres
All cases
Regulation 49(3)(a)(ii)
Distance from shot hole within which tests for inflammable gas required
thirty feet
10 metres
All cases
Regulation 54(1)
Distance from place where shot to be fired with horse killing apparatus within which tests for inflammable gas required
thirty feet
10 metres
All cases
Regulation 56(1) (in the definition of “safety fuse”)
Rate of burning of fuse
each foot
each 300 millimetres
All cases
The Coal and Other Mines (Shafts, Outlets and Roads) Regulations 1960, as amended
Regulation 6
Maximum vertical distance between the top of the shaft or outlet and the lowest entrance to the shaft or outlet, before certain apparatus need be provided
one hundred and fifty feet
45 metres
Shafts sunk or outlets made after these Regulations come into operation
Regulation 8
Minimum diameter of drum shaft
ten inches
254 millimetres
All cases
Regulation 11(1)
Speed which winding apparatus capable of exceeding
twelve feet per second
4 metres per second
All cases
Regulation 11(1)(a)
Maximum speed of landing for descending cage, etc.
five feet per second
1.5 metres per second
Automatic contrivances provided after these Regulations come into operation
Regulation 14
(a) Maximum distance between top of and lowest entrance to a shaft or staple pit before guides need be provided
(a) one hundred and fifty feet
(a) 45 metres
(a) Shafts or staple pits sunk after these Regulations come into operation
(b) Maximum depth of shaft or staple pit in the course of being sunk before guides need be provided
(b) three hundred feet
(b) 90 metres
(b) Shafts or staple pits commenced after these Regulations come into operation
Regulation 19(3)
Intervals at which a length of rope used for carrying persons or loads through a shaft shall be cleaned and examined
three hundred feet
90 metres
All cases
Regulation 27(2)
Maximum average weight of output of mineral per working day for certain purposes
one hundred tons
100 tonnes
All cases
Regulation 40(a)
Maximum distance between highest and lowest entrances to a staple pit before effective means of transmitting certain signals required
fifty feet
15 metres
Staple pits sunk after these Regulations come into operation
Regulation 57(a)
(a) Minimum width of clear space between vehicles and side of transport road if persons are to pass on foot along that road
(a) two feet
(a) 600 millimetres
(a) and (b) All cases
(b) Maximum speed of vehicles in transport road if persons are to pass on foot along that road
(b) ten miles per hour
(b) 4.5 metres per second
Regulation 57(b)
(a) In certain mines, maximum speed of vehicles in transport road if persons are to pass on foot along that road
(a) three miles per hour
(a) 1.4 metres per second
(a) and (b) All cases
(b) Maximum distance of certain gradient in transport road if persons are to pass on foot along that road
(b) three hundred feet
(b) 90 metres
Regulation 58
(a) Minimum width of clear space between vehicles standing on any rails and the side of the road nearest to those rails at any place where vehicles coupled or uncoupled
(a) two feet
(a) 600 millimetres
(a) and (b) All cases
(b) Minimum width of clear space between vehicles standing on parallel lines of rails if Regulation 58 not to apply
(b) three feet
(b) 900 millimetres
Regulation 59(1)(a)
In relation to the provision of refuge holes in roads in which certain vehicles run—
(a) Minimum width of clear space between vehicles and the side of the road
(a) two feet
(a) 600 millimetres
(a), (b) and (c) All cases
(b) Maximum speed of vehicles
(b) three miles per hour
(b) 1.4 metres per second
(c) Maximum intervals between refuge holes
(c) sixty feet
(c) 20 metres
Regulation 59(1)(b)
Maximum intervals between refuge holes in roads where certain vehicles run in all cases except that mentioned in Regulation 59(1)(a)
thirty feet
10 metres
All cases
Regulation 59(2)(a)(i)
In relation to the provision of refuge holes in roads in which a locomotive runs—
(a) Maximum radius of the curve of such roads
(a) one hundred feet
(a) 30 metres
(a) Parts of roads made after these Regulations come into operation
(b) Maximum intervals between refuge holes
(b) sixty feet
(b) 20 metres
(b) All cases
Regulation 59(2)(a)(ii)
In relation to the provision of refuge holes in roads in which a locomotive runs—
(a) Minimum radius of the curve of such roads
(a) one hundred feet
(a) 30 metres
(a) and (b) Parts of roads made after these Regulations come into operation
(b) Maximum radius of the curve of such roads
(b) two hundred feet
(b) 60 metres
(c) Maximum intervals between refuge holes
(c) ninety feet
(c) 28 metres
(c) All cases
Regulation 59(2)(a)(iii)
In relation to the provision of refuge holes in roads in which a locomotive runs—
(a) Minimum radius of the curve of such roads
(a) two hundred feet
(a) 60 metres
(a), (b) and (c) Parts of roads made after these Regulations come into operation
(b) Maximum radius of the curve of such roads
(b) three hundred feet
(b) 90 metres
(c) Maximum intervals between refuge holes
(c) one hundred and fifty feet
(c) 45 metres
Regulation 59(2)(b)(i)
In relation to the provision of refuge holes in roads in which a locomotive runs, the maximum intervals between refuge holes where the gradient does not exceed 1:80
three hundred feet
90 metres
Parts of roads made after these Regulations come into operation
Regulation 59(2)(b)(ii)
In relation to the provision of refuge holes in roads in which a locomotive runs, the maximum intervals between refuge holes where the gradient exceeds 1:80 but does not exceed 1:50
one hundred and eighty feet
55 metres
All cases
Regulation 59(2)(b)(iii)
In relation to the provision of refuge holes in which a locomotive runs, the maximum intervals between refuge holes where the gradient exceeds 1:50 but does not exceed 1:30
one hundred and twenty feet
37 metres
All cases
Regulation 59(2)(b)(iv)
In relation to the provision of refuge holes in roads in which a locomotive runs, the maximum intervals between refuge holes where the gradient exceeds 1:30
sixty feet
20 metres
All cases
Regulation 59(2)(d)
In relation to the provision of refuge holes in roads in which a locomotive runs, the maximum intervals between refuge holes in the case of any part of a road not mentioned in Regulation 59(2)(a), (b) or (c)
three hundred feet
90 metres
Parts of roads made after Regulations come into operation
Regulation 59(4)
In relation to the provision of refuge holes in roads in which vehicles are moved by animals, the maximum intervals between refuge holes
seventy five feet
23 metres
All cases
Regulation 59(5)(a)
Width of refuge holes
three feet
1 metre
Refuge holes made after these Regulations come into operation
Regulation 59(5)(b)
Minimum depth of refuge holes
four feet
1.2 metres
All cases
Regulation 59(5)(c)
Minimum height of refuge holes
six feet
1.8 metres
All cases
Regulation 59(6)
Minimum width of clear space between vehicles in a road and one side of that road on which side of the road refuge holes shall be situated
two feet
600 millimetres
All cases
Regulation 59(8)(b)
Minimum distance around aperture of refuge hole required to be whitewashed
one foot
300 millimetres
All cases
Regulation 61
Speed above which persons prohibited from riding on a set, etc., of vehicles for certain purposes
three miles per hour
1.4 metres per second
All cases
Regulation 67(1)
(a) Minimum length of rope to be cut when that rope re-capped if used in certain haulage apparatus
(a) six feet
(a) 2 metres
(a) All cases
(b), (c) and (d) Maximum lengths of rope to be cut if re-capping done within certain periods
(b) three feet
(c) four feet
(d) five feet
(b) 1 metre
(c) 1.2 metres
(d) 1.5 metres
(b), (c) and (d) All cases
Regulation 68(a)
(a) Melting point of metal used for capping
(a) 570° Fahrenheit
(a) 300°C
(a) and (b) All cases
(b) Maximum temperature of metal used for capping when poured into socket of capel
(b) 685° Fahrenheit
(b) 365°C
Regulation 68(c)(i)
(a) Minimum temperature of socket of capel if that capel made of steel
(a) 212° Fahrenheit
(a) 100°C
(a) and (b) All cases
(b) Maximum temperature of socket of capel if that capel made of steel
(b) 400° Fahrenheit
(b) 205°C
Regulation 68(c)(ii)
Temperature of socket of capel
212° Fahrenheit
100°C
All cases
Regulation 78(a)
Height above point to which kibble is being lowered at which person lowering kibble shall stop kibble until certain signal received
eighteen feet
6 metres
All cases
Regulation 78(b)
Height above point from which kibble is being raised at which person raising kibble shall stop kibble until certain signal received
four feet
1.2 metres
All cases
Regulation 80(1)
Maximum distance of road along which vehicles may be moved before telephonic communication need be provided
three thousand feet
900 metres
Shafts sunk and unwalkable outlets made after these Regulations come into operation
The Coal Mines (Explosives) Regulations 1961
Regulation 2(1) definition of “safety fuse”
Length of fuse to be used in calculations of rate of burning
three feet
900 millimetres
All cases
Regulation 7(3)(c)
Distance from road within which only permitted explosives and detonators may be used
thirty feet
10 metres
All cases
Regulation 19(1)
Maximum weight of explosive permitted in a canister below ground
five pounds
2.25 kilograms
All cases
Regulation 28(1)
Minimum permitted difference between the diameter of a drill and the diameter of a cartridge
one-eighth of an inch
3 millimetres
All cases
Regulation 30(3)
Distance from charged shot hole within which persons shall not charge another shot hole
ninety feet
25 metres
All cases
Regulation 37(3)(a)
Minimum length of cable to be used when firing a single shot otherwise than in a shaft in the course of being sunk
sixty feet
20 metres
All cases
Regulation 37(3)(b)
Minimum length of cable to be used when firing a round of shots in coal
one hundred and fifty feet
45 metres
All cases
Regulation 37(3)(c)
Minimum length of cable to be used when firing a round of six shots or less in stone
two hundred and ten feet
65 metres
All cases
Regulation 37(3)(d)
Minimum length of cable to be used when firing a round of more than six shots in a ripping
three hundred feet
90 metres
All cases
Regulation 37(3)(e)
Minimum length of cable to be used when firing a round of more than six shots in a cross measure drift or any shot in a shaft in the course of being sunk
six hundred feet
180 metres
All cases
Regulation 38(1)
(a) Minimum length of fuse to be used when firing single shots;
(a) three feet
(a) 1 metre
(a) and (b) All cases
(b) Minimum length of fuse to be used when firing any shot in a round
(b) four feet
(b) 1.2 metres
Regulation 38(2)
Length of working face within which not more than one person shall fire shots by means of a fuse
one hundred and fifty feet
45 metres
All cases
Regulation 38(3)
(a) Length of working face
(a) and (b) one hundred and fifty feet
(a) and (b) 45 metres
(a) and (b) All cases
(b) Distance from another charged shot hole within which a shot-firer shall not fire any shot by fuse unless he is satisfied that no other shot firer is about to fire that other shot
Regulation 38(5)(a)
Distance from shot hole, explosive or detonator within which a shot firer shall satisfy himself that there is no naked light, etc., when he is to fire a shot
four feet
1.2 metres
All cases
Regulation 44(1)
Distance from face beyond which a shot firer may prime cartridges to be used in firing a round of shots in a cross measure drift
one hundred and fifty feet
45 metres
All cases
Regulation 48(a)
Minimum thickness of a seam of coal in a cross measure drift in which a delay detonator is permitted only in certain circumstances
twelve inches
300 millimetres
All cases
Regulation 48(b)
In relation to the use of a delay detonator in a cross measure drift
(a) Thickness of waste in which the face of any such cross measure drift situated
(a) twelve inches
(a) 300 millimetres
(a) and (b) All cases
(b) Distance from waste within which face of any such cross measure drift is known to have approached
(b) fifteen feet
(b) 5 metres
Regulation 48(b)(ii)(A)
Distance from the face of cross measure drift within which dust can be raised
three hundred feet
90 metres
All cases
Regulation 50(5)(b)(i)
Distance from certain shot holes within which tests for gas required
thirty feet
10 metres
All cases
Regulation 50(6)(a)(ii)
In relation to a longwall face
(a) Distance to be used in determining where tests for gas required
(a) and (c) sixty feet
(a) and (c) 20 metres
(a), (b) and (c) All cases
(b) Distance from shot hole within which tests for gas required if the shot hole is beyond a certain distance from the face
(b) thirty feet
(b) 10 metres
(c) Distance from a shot hole within which tests for gas required if shot hole is within a certain distance from the face
Regulation 52(1)
Maximum width of break in coal or in a ripping which is not required to be marked
one-eighth of an inch
3 millimetres
All cases
Regulation 52(2)
Width of break in coal or in ripping which person testing with a break detector is satisfied is not exceeded
one-eighth of an inch
3 millimetres
All cases
Regulation 54(2)(b)(iii)
(a) Maximum and (b) minimum distances between a ripping and coal face which determine whether a delay detonator may be used
(a) four hundred and fifty feet
(a) 135 metres
(a) and (b) All cases
(b) eighteen feet
(b) 6 metres
Regulation 55(a)
Distance from coal face in a safety lamp mine within which it is not permitted to charge a shot hole unless certain precautions taken
three hundred feet
90 metres
All cases
Regulation 55(b)
Distance from coal face in a safety lamp mine within which it is not permitted to charge any shot hole in a roof ripping unless a sheathed explosive is used
sixty feet
20 metres
All cases
Regulation 63(2)(a)
In relation to miss-fires distance from the shot hole within which the relieving shot hole within which the relieving shot hole shall not be drilled
twelve inches
300 millimetres
All cases
The Coal and Other Mines (First Aid) Regulations 1962
Regulation 4(1)(a)(ii)
Minimum floor area of first aid room
one hundred and fifty square feet
14 square metres
First aid rooms provided after these Regulations come into operation
Regulation 4(3)(g)
Weight of packets of sterilized cotton wool provided in first aid rooms
half ounce
15 grams
All cases
Regulation 6(4)(b)
Weight of packets of sterilized cotton wool provided in first aid boxes
half ounce
15 grams
All cases
The Coal and Other Mines (Mechanics and Electricians) Regulations 1965
Regulation 11(4)(b)
Distance from working face beyond which a lamp-holder must be made dead by certain persons before removal or insertion of a lamp
nine hundred feet
275 metres
All cases
Regulation 15(2)(b)(i)
In relation to the qualification of mechanical engineers or mechanics for appointment at certain mines
(a) Power which prime mover capable of exceeding
(a) ten horse-power
(a) 7.5 kilowatts
(a) and (b) All cases
(b) Distance from the working face at or within which such a prime mover used
(b) thirty feet
(b) 10 metres
Regulation 15(2)(b)(ii)
In relation to the qualification of electrical engineers or electricians, the distance from the working face at or within which an electric motor was used
thirty feet
10 metres
All cases
Regulation 15(3)(d)(i)
In relation to the qualification of mechanical engineers or mechanics for appointment at mines of stratified ironstone
(a) Power which prime mover capable of exceeding;
(a) ten horse-power
(a) 7.5 kilowatts
(a) and (b) All cases
(b) Distance from working face at or within which such a prime mover used
(b) thirty feet
(b) 10 metres
Regulation 15(3)(d)(ii)
In relation to the qualification of electrical engineers or electricians for appointment at mines of stratified ironstone, distance from the working face at or within which an electric motor was used
thirty feet
10 metres
All cases
Regulation 16(1)(b)(i)
In relation to the qualification of supervisory mechanics for appointment at certain mines
(a) Power which prime mover capable of exceeding
(a) ten horse-power
(a) 7.5 kilowatts
(a) and (b) All cases
(b) Distance from working face at or within such a prime mover used
(b) thirty feet
(b) 10 metres
Regulation 16(2)(b)
In relation to the qualification of supervisory electricians for appointment at certain mines, distance from the working face at or within which an electric motor was used
thirty feet
10 metres
All cases
Regulation 18(1)(a)
In relation to exceptions from Regulations 15 and 16 applying to certain persons
(a) power which prime mover capable of exceeding
(a) ten horse-power
(a) 7.5 kilowatts
(a) and (b) All cases
(b) Distance from working face at or within which such prime movers or, as the case may be, electric motors were used
(b) thirty feet
(b) 10 metres
The Coal and Other Mines (Training) Regulations 1967
Regulation 2(1) definition of “work for coal production”
Distance from face at which coal is got
thirty feet
10 metres
All cases

## Explanatory note

These Regulations amend—
(i) the Coal and Other Mines (Managers and Officials) Regulations 1956,
(ii) the Coal and Other Mines (Surveyors and Plans) Regulations 1956,
(iii) the Coal and Other Mines (General Duties and Conduct) Regulations 1956,
(iv) the Coal and Other Mines (Safety Lamps and Lighting) Regulations 1956,
(v) the Coal and Other Mines (Electricity) Regulations 1956,
(vi) the Coal and Other Mines (Fire and Rescue) Regulations 1956,
(vii) the Coal and Other Mines (Locomotives) Regulations 1956,
(viii) the Coal and Other Mines (Sidings) Regulations 1956,
(ix) the Coal and Other Mines (Working Plans) Rules 1956,
(x) the Coal Mines (Cardox and Hydrox) Regulations 1956,
(xi) the Stratified Ironstone Shale and Fireclay Mines (Explosives) Regulations 1956,
(xii) the Coal and Other Mines (Shafts, Outlets and Roads) Regulations 1960,
(xiii) the Coal Mines (Explosives) Regulations 1961,
(xiv) the Coal and Other Mines (First Aid) Regulations 1962,
(xv) the Coal and Other Mines (Mechanics and Electricians) Regulations 1965, and
(xvi) the Coal and Other Mines (Training) Regulations 1967,
by substituting for the measurements expressed in imperial units, measurements expressed in metric units so as to preserve the effect of the various provisions except to the extent necessary to obtain amounts expressed in convenient and suitable terms.
In addition Regulation 3 of the Regulations amends the Coal and Other Mines (Working Plans) Rules 1956 to allow the use of Ordnance Datum as well as an assumed level below Ordnance Datum as had hitherto been the case.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1978/1648 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/coal-and-other-mines-metrication-regulations-1978
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.