WV Underground Miner Study Guide
Exam and All Correct Answers 2026-
2027 Updated.
When should you don your SCSR? - Answer At the first sight or sign of smoke, fire or 50 ppm
CO
How often should you do a visual inspection of your SCSR? - Answer Everyday before going
underground
What is the minimum quantity of air flow required in all working faces? - Answer 3000 CFM
How should a man-trip be operated? - Answer Under full control at all time
What is the maximum speed a man-trip can be operated? - Answer 12 MPH
How many red hat (apprentice miners) can a black hat (certified miner) be in charge of at any
given time? - Answer One (1)
What is the purpose of a face line brattice or line curtain? - Answer It's a curtain hung from
the last open crosscut to direct air into the face to eliminate dust and gas build up in the area
On a belt conveyor that is not used for transportation of coal miners, at what distance are stop
and start controls required to be installed? - Answer At least every 1000 foot
What effect does the presence of small amounts of methane have on the explosibility of coal
dust? - Answer It increases the explosibility
. What is a check curtain? - Answer A temporary curtain erected to deflect air and can be
traveled through by mobile equipment and miners
Who is responsible for ensuring that the equipment is in safe and proper working order and
reporting when it is not? - Answer The equipment operator assigned to the equipment
What shall all belt conveyors be inspected for daily? - Answer Frozen rollers, roof falls, rib
rolls, mine gases, fires, and anything that may be a danger according to the WV mine laws
, . When can guarding be removed from belt heads? - Answer When power has been removed
from the belt head and it has been tagged and locked out from the power source
What record is required of miners entering or leaving the mine? - Answer The mines tracking
system and the check-in check-out board
What is the duty of equipment operators and helpers, relative to others in the vicinity, while the
equipment is in operation? - Answer They shall not permit other persons to remain near the
equipment • They shall keep themselves and others out of pinch point areas of the equipment
6. What protective devices should be used on gears, belts and revolving parts of machinery? -
Answer Properly installed guards and shields
. What precautions should be taken with machinery and equipment raised for repairs? - Answer
It should be securely blocked to prevent accidental falling
What examination shall be made before taking a machine inby the last open crosscut of a
working section? - Answer Methane gas examination inby the last open crosscut
How close to the face should a line curtain be hung? - Answer Not to exceed 10 feet
At what percentage of methane gas is equipment prohibited to operate in? - Answer 1.0% or
above
How often shall gas examinations be made in face areas where equipment is operating? -
Answer At least every 20 minutes
Where is the primary escape route located? - Answer In the intake airway
3. What shall the incoming communication signal activate on the working section? - Answer
An audible or visual alarm is activated on the mine phone
What is the purpose of a panic bar? - Answer To quickly de-energize a piece of equipment in
the event of an emergency
When are hoses and gauges from oxygen and acetylene tanks required to be disconnected while
underground? - Answer When not in use and when being transported
Exam and All Correct Answers 2026-
2027 Updated.
When should you don your SCSR? - Answer At the first sight or sign of smoke, fire or 50 ppm
CO
How often should you do a visual inspection of your SCSR? - Answer Everyday before going
underground
What is the minimum quantity of air flow required in all working faces? - Answer 3000 CFM
How should a man-trip be operated? - Answer Under full control at all time
What is the maximum speed a man-trip can be operated? - Answer 12 MPH
How many red hat (apprentice miners) can a black hat (certified miner) be in charge of at any
given time? - Answer One (1)
What is the purpose of a face line brattice or line curtain? - Answer It's a curtain hung from
the last open crosscut to direct air into the face to eliminate dust and gas build up in the area
On a belt conveyor that is not used for transportation of coal miners, at what distance are stop
and start controls required to be installed? - Answer At least every 1000 foot
What effect does the presence of small amounts of methane have on the explosibility of coal
dust? - Answer It increases the explosibility
. What is a check curtain? - Answer A temporary curtain erected to deflect air and can be
traveled through by mobile equipment and miners
Who is responsible for ensuring that the equipment is in safe and proper working order and
reporting when it is not? - Answer The equipment operator assigned to the equipment
What shall all belt conveyors be inspected for daily? - Answer Frozen rollers, roof falls, rib
rolls, mine gases, fires, and anything that may be a danger according to the WV mine laws
, . When can guarding be removed from belt heads? - Answer When power has been removed
from the belt head and it has been tagged and locked out from the power source
What record is required of miners entering or leaving the mine? - Answer The mines tracking
system and the check-in check-out board
What is the duty of equipment operators and helpers, relative to others in the vicinity, while the
equipment is in operation? - Answer They shall not permit other persons to remain near the
equipment • They shall keep themselves and others out of pinch point areas of the equipment
6. What protective devices should be used on gears, belts and revolving parts of machinery? -
Answer Properly installed guards and shields
. What precautions should be taken with machinery and equipment raised for repairs? - Answer
It should be securely blocked to prevent accidental falling
What examination shall be made before taking a machine inby the last open crosscut of a
working section? - Answer Methane gas examination inby the last open crosscut
How close to the face should a line curtain be hung? - Answer Not to exceed 10 feet
At what percentage of methane gas is equipment prohibited to operate in? - Answer 1.0% or
above
How often shall gas examinations be made in face areas where equipment is operating? -
Answer At least every 20 minutes
Where is the primary escape route located? - Answer In the intake airway
3. What shall the incoming communication signal activate on the working section? - Answer
An audible or visual alarm is activated on the mine phone
What is the purpose of a panic bar? - Answer To quickly de-energize a piece of equipment in
the event of an emergency
When are hoses and gauges from oxygen and acetylene tanks required to be disconnected while
underground? - Answer When not in use and when being transported
