Skip to agency navigation
Skip to main content

Official Website

of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    The .gov means its official.

    Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you're on an official state website. 
    Guidelines Index

    Roof Bolting with Automated Temporary Roof Supports

    The ATRS system shall be maintained as approved and in proper working condition. A registered engineer shall certify each ATRS system. The certifications shall be available at the mine for review.

    1. A reflectorized warning device shall be conspicuously placed immediately outby each unsupported area and at all openings leading to the unsupported area so any person entering such area can observe it.
    2. The controls necessary to position and set the ATRS system shall be operated from under permanent supports.
    3. No person(s) shall be permitted inby permanent supports until the area is supported by pressurizing the ATRS against the mine roof. The maximum distance between the outby edge of the ATRS crossmember or rocker pads and the last row of permanent supports shall not exceed 5 feet.
    4. The ATRS system shall be placed and maintained firmly against the mine roof. Where the structure will not pressurize against the mine roof, crib blocks or other suitable blocking material may be installed between the structure and the mine roof. When the distance between the ATRS structure and the roof is excessive (over one block high), plan shall be devised and posted in writing on how the area will be supported or the approved temporary support plan using posts and jacks, will be used as per Section 241. If blocking is necessary, it will be positioned under supported roof in such a manner that no person will be under unsupported roof. However, where such roof conditions exceed 100 feet in length, extensions or longer hydraulic jack(s) shall be installed or incorporated into the ATRS structure to permit the structure to pressurize against the mine roof
    5. A remote probe shall be used for methane detection when the distance from the face to the nearest support exceeds feet.
    6. A check valve or equivalent protection shall be incorporated into the ATRS system to eliminate the danger of collapse through sudden loss of hydraulic fluid from a broken hose.
    7. If the bolter is de-energized for any reason, the ATRS system shall be re-pressurized prior to anyone proceeding inby permanent roof supports.
    8. Where extended cuts are bolted, a test hole shall be drilled in every intersection.
      1. The hole shall be a minimum of 4 feet deep or 1 foot deeper than the bolt length being installed (whichever is greater).
    9. Temporary supports when used in conjunction with the ATRS system will be installed only after the ATRS system has been pressurized against the mine roof in the work area.
    10. Boom mast jacks, where used, shall be pressurized against the mine roof during roofbolting operations. In cases where the jack will not reach the roof because of excessive height, it may be used with up to one block. This does not apply when the boom mast jack will pressurize against the ATRS system, a previously installed permanent support, or in adverse conditions as outlined in No. 4. Crossbars or planks may be installed with the use of the boom mast jacks after the ATRS crossmember is pressurized or they may be remotely installed by pressurizing them against the roof with the ATRS crossmember.
    11. The sequence of bolting with a dual boom roof bolter shall be shown on applicable drawing(s). However, the sequence may vary in certain circumstances such as installing roof bolts in roof mats, straps, crossbars, planks, cut-throughs, wide areas, the first turn-out of an intersection, and when the opposite bolter operator is experiencing mechanical or physical difficulties, as long as equal or greater protection is provided for the workers.
    12. For single boom roofbolters, the bolt installation sequence shall follow the attached drawing and the operator shall not advance inby the ATRS or the adjacent bolt in the row of bolts being installed unless otherwise specified in the approval. (Mirror Image Acceptable).
    13. When bolting with an approved ATRS single boom system, the right rear comer of the machine shall always be closer to the right rib than the right front corner. (Exception - when installing the bolt adjacent to the right rib).