---
kind: "section"
citation: "30 U.S.C. § 867"
title: "30"
title_heading: "Mineral Lands and Mining"
number: "867"
heading: "Grounding of equipment"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/30/867"
units:
  - "Chapter 22 — Mine Safety and Health"
  - "Subchapter III — Interim Mandatory Safety Standards for Underground Coal Mines"
---

# §867. Grounding of equipment

- (a) **Metallic enclosed power conductors; metallic frames and other equipment; methods—** All metallic sheaths, armors, and conduits enclosing power conductors shall be electrically continuous throughout and shall be grounded by methods approved by an authorized representative of the [Secretary](/usc/30/802.md?p=a). Metallic frames, casings, and other enclosures of electric equipment that can become “alive” through failure of insulation or by contact with energized parts shall be grounded by methods approved by an authorized representative of the [Secretary](/usc/30/802.md?p=a). Methods other than grounding which provide no less effective protection may be permitted by the [Secretary](/usc/30/802.md?p=a) or his authorized representative.
- (b) **Frames of offtrack direct current machines; enclosures of related detached components—** The frames of all offtrack direct current machines and the enclosures of related detached components shall be effectively grounded, or otherwise maintained at no less safe voltages, by methods approved by an authorized representative of the [Secretary](/usc/30/802.md?p=a).
- (c) **Stationary high-voltage equipment powered by underground delta systems—** The frames of all stationary high-voltage equipment receiving power from ungrounded delta systems shall be grounded by methods approved by an authorized representative of the [Secretary](/usc/30/802.md?p=a).
- (d) **Repairs of high-voltage lines; exceptions—** High-voltage lines, both on the surface and underground, shall be deenergized and grounded before work is performed on them, except that repairs may be permitted, in the case of energized surface high-voltage lines, if such repairs are made by a [qualified person](/usc/30/878.md?p=b) in accordance with procedures and safeguards, including, but not limited to a requirement that the [operator](/usc/30/802.md?p=d) of such mine provide, test, and maintain protective devices in making such repairs, to be prescribed by the [Secretary](/usc/30/802.md?p=a) prior to the operative date of this subchapter.
- (e) **Deenergizing of underground power circuits on idle days; exceptions—** When not in use, power circuits underground shall be deenergized on idle days and idle shifts, except that rectifiers and transformers may remain energized.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 91–173, title III, § 307, Dec. 30, 1969, 83 Stat. 780.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

For the operative date of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (d), see section 509 of Pub. L. 91–173, set out as an Effective Date note under section 801 of this title.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section operative 90 days after Dec. 30, 1969, except to the extent an earlier date is specifically provided for in Pub. L. 91–173, see section 509 of Pub. L. 91–173, set out as a note under section 801 of this title.