At least ______ spare hoist rope suitable for each winding engine in use shall be kept in reserve in every mine, and shall be at all times ready for use at all times except when there are two (2) engines for the same shaft or when the Director has in writing granted exemption.

• A. One
• B. Two
• C. Three
• D. Zero

Answer: (A)

Having a spare hoist rope for each winding engine is about ensuring readiness and redundancy in the hoisting system. Keeping at least one spare rope on hand means you can replace a worn or damaged rope immediately, minimizing downtime and maintaining safe, continuous operation for the mine’s hoisting cycle.

The rule is that at least one spare rope suitable for each winding engine must be kept in reserve and ready for use at all times. This ensures you aren’t left waiting for a rope to be procured or repaired, which could jeopardize safe access and evacuation if an incident occurs or a rope fails.

There are only a couple of exceptions to this requirement: if there are two engines serving the same shaft, or if the Director has granted a written exemption. In those cases, the spare rope requirement does not apply in the same way, hence the standard one-spare rule remains the norm for single-engine shafts.

So, the reason one spare rope per winding engine is the best answer is that it provides immediateability to replace a rope and keep operations safe and continuous, without overstocking beyond what the regulation envisions.