1900 - Coalmininghistorypa.org

xc MINING LAWS OF PENNSYLVANIA. Off. Doc.
hoisting persons in mines-shall be provided with an indicator to show
the position of the cage, car or gun-boat in the shaft or slope.
Section 16. Over all shafts which are being sunk or shall hereafter
be sunk, a safe and substantial structure shall be erected to
sustain the sheaves or pulleys, at a height of not less than twenty
(20) feet above the tipping-place, and the top of such shaft shall be
arranged in such manner that no material can fall into the shaft while
the bucket is being emptied.
Section 17. The said structure shall be erected as soon as a substantial
foundation is obtained, and in no case shall a shaft be sunk
to a depth of more than fifty (50) feet without such structure.
Section 18.
If provision is made to land the bucket upon truck, the
said truck shall be constructed in such manner that material cannot
fall
into the shaft.
Section 19. All rock 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 th« 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.