Report of the Bureau of Mines of the Department of Internal Affairs of ...

No. 10. MINING LAWS OP PENNSYLVANIA. Ixxxvii
peleiit
to uuderstand the regulations of any mine evolving explosive
gases: Provided, That this rule will not apply to a section of mine,
free from the said explosive gases.
Rule 57. Any superintendent or mine foreman who prevents the
footman from giving an empty car or cage to the number of men
designated in a former rule, shall, upon information by any person
engaged in tlie mines, given the mine inspector, be fined the sum of
fifty
dollars for each offense.
Rule 58. p]vcry person who fails to comply with any of the foregoing
rules or any of the provisions of this article, shall be guilty of
an offense against this act.
ARTICLE XIII.
Inquests.
Section 1. Whenever loss of life to a miner or other employe occurs
in or about a mine or colliery, notice thereof shall be given
promptly to the inspector of mines for the district in which the accident
occurred, by the mine foreman or outside foreman or other
person having immediate charge of the work at the time of the accident;
and when death results from personal injury such notice
shall be given promptly after the knowledge of death comes to
the said foreman or person in charge.
Section 2. Whenever loss of life occurs or whenever the lives of
persons employed in a mine or at a colliery are in danger from any
accident, the inspector of mines shall visit
the scene of the accident
as soon as possible thereafter and offer such suggestions, as in his
judgment shall be necessary, to protect the lives and secure the safety
of the persons employed. In case of death from such accident, and
after examination he finds it necessary that a coroner's inquest
shall be held, he shall notify the coroner to hold such inquest
without delay, and if no such inquest be held by the coroner within
twenty-four (24) hours after such notice, the inspector shall institute
a further and fuller examination of such accident, and for
this purpose he shall have power to compel the attendance of witnesses
at such examination and to administer oaths and affirmations
to persons testifying thereat. The inspector shall make a record of
all such investigations and accidents, which record shall be preserved
in his office. The costs of such investigation shall be paid
by the county in which the accident occurred in like manner as
costs of inquests held by coroners or justices of the peace are now
paid.
Section 3. An inquest held by the coroner upon the body of a person
killed by explosion or other accident, shall be adjourned by the
coroner if the inspector of mines be not present to watch the proceedings,
and the coroner in such case shall notify the inspector, in