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

No. 10. MINING LAWS OF PENNSYLVANIA. Ixxi
Section 19.
All roek and coal from shafts as they are being sunk,
shall not be raised except in a bucket or on a cage, and such bucket
or cage must be connected to the rope or chain by a safety hook, clevis
or other safe attachment.
Section 20. Such shafts shall be provided with guides and guide
attachments applied in such manner as to prevent the bucket from
swinging while descending or ascending therein, and such guides
and guide attachments shall be maintained at a distance of not more
than seventy-five (75) feet from the bottom of such shaft, until its
sinking shall have been completed, but this section shall not apply
to shafts one hundred (100) feet or less in depth.
Section 21. Where the strata are not safe every shaft shall be securely
cased, lined or otherwise made secure.
Section 22. The following rules shall be observed, as far as practicable,
in every shaft to which this act applies.
First. After each and every blast the chargeman must see that all
loose material is swept down from the timbers before the workmen
descend to their work.
Second. After a suspension of work, and also after firing a blast
in a shaft where explosive gases are evolved, the person in charge
must have the said shaft examined and tested with a safety lamp
before the workmen are allowed to descend.
Third. Not more than four persons shall be lowered or hoisted in
any shaft on a bucket at the same time, and no person shall ride on
a loaded bucket.
Fourth. Whenever persons are employed on platforms in shafts
the person in charge must see that the said platforms are properly
and safely constructed.
Fifth. While shafts are being sunk all blasts therein must be exploded
by an electric battery.
Sixth. Every person who fails to comply with or who violates the
provisions of this article shall be guilty of an offense against this act.
ARTICLE V.
Boilers and Connections, Machinery, &c.
Section 1. All boilers used for generating steam in and about
mines and collieries shall be kept in good order, and the owner,
operator or superintendent shall have them examined and inspected
by a qualified person as often as once in six months, and oftener if
needed. The result of such examination, under oath, shall be certified
in writing to the inspector for the district within thirty (30)
days thereafter.
Section 2. It shall not be lawful to place any boiler or boilers, for
the purpose of generating steam, under nor nearer than one hundred
(lOOj feet to any coal breaker or other structure in which persons