1900 - Coalmininghistorypa.org

cxvi MINING LAWS OF PENNSYLVANIA. Off. Doc.
head covering to protect those persons when using the same, and
shall provide also for each said cage or carriage a safety catch approved
by the mine inspector. And the said operator or superintendent
shall see that flanges, with a clearance of not less than four
inches, when the whole of the rope is wound on the drum, are attached
to the sides of the drum of every machine that is used for
lowering and hoisting persons in and out of the mine, and also that
adequate brakes are attached to the drum. At all shafts safety
gales, to be approved by the mine inspector of the district shall be so
placed as to prevent persons from falling into the shaft.
Section 2. The main coupling chain attached to the socket of the
wire rope shall be made of the best quality of iron and shall be
tested by weights or otherwise to the satisfaction of the mine inspector
of the district where the mine is located, and bridle chains
shall be attached to the main hoisting rope above the socket, from
the top cross-piece of the carriage or cage, so that no single chain
shall be used for lowering or hoisting persons into or out of the
mines.
Section 3. No greater number of persons shall be lowered or
hoisted at any one time than may be permitted by the mine inspector
of the district, and notice of the number so allowed to be lowered or
hoisted at any one time shall
be kept posted up by the operator or
superintendent in conspicuous places at the top and bottom of the
shaft, and the aforesaid notice shall be signed by the mine inspectoi
uf the district.
Section 4. All machinery about mines from which any accident
would be liable to occur shall be properly fenced off by suitable
guard railing.
ARTICLE IV.
Section 1. The operator or superintendent of every bituminous
coal mine, whether shaft, slope or d.ift,
shall provide and hereafter
maintain ample means of ventilation for ^he circulation of air through
thf main-entries, cross-entries and all other working places to an extent
that will dilute, carry off and render harmless the noxious or
dangerous gases, generated in the mine, affording not less than one
hundred cubic feet per minute for each and every person employed
therein; but in a mine where fire damp has been detected the minimum
shall be one hundred and fifty cubic feet per minute for each
person employed therein, and as much more in either case as one or
more of the mine inspectors may deem requisite.
Section 2. After May thirtieth, one thousand eight hundred and
ninety-four, not more than sixty-five persons shall be permitted to
work in the same air current: Provided, That a larger number, not
exceeding one hundred, may be allowed by the mine inspector where,