1900 - Coalmininghistorypa.org

No. 11. MINING LAWS OP PENNSYLVANIA. cxxxvii
Kule 3. He shall see that the entries at such places where road
grades necessitate sprags or brakes to be applied or removed shall
have a clear level width of not less than two and one-half feet, between
the side of car and the rib to allow the driver to pass his trip
safely and keep clear of the cars there.
Rule 4. He shall direct that all miners undermine the coal properly
before blasting it and that blasting shall be done at only such
hours as he shall direct and shall order the miners to set sprags under
the coal, when necessary for safety while undermining at distances
not exceeding seven feet apart, and he shall not allow the improper
drawing of pillars.
Kule 5. In mines where fire damp is generated when the furnace
fire has been put out it shall not be relighted, except in his presence,
or that of his assistant under his instructions.
Rule 6. In case of accident to a ventilating fan or its machinery,
or the fan itself, whereby the ventilation of the mine would be
seriously interrupted, it shall be his duty to order the men to immediately
withdraw from the mine and not allow their return to
their work until the ventilation has been restored and the mine has
been thoroughly examined by him or his assistant and reported to be
safe.
Rule 7. He shall see that all dangerous places are properly fenced
off and proper danger signal boards so hung on such fencing, that
they may be plainly seen; he shall also travel all air roads and examine
all the accessible openings to old workings as often as is necessary
to insure their safety.
Rule 8.
He shall provide a book or sheet to be put in some convenient
place, or places, upon which shall be made a place for the
numbers used by the miners with space sufficient to each number,
so that the miners can write plainly the quantity of props, their approximate
length and the number of caps and other timbers which
they require, together with the date of the order. Said book or
sheets shall be preserved for thirty days from their date.
Duties of Fire Boss.
Rule 9. He shall enter the mine before the men have entered it,
and before proceeding to examine the same, he shall see that the air
current is traveling in its proper course, and if all seems right, he
shall proceed to examine the workings.
Rule 10. He shall not allow any person, except those duly authorized
to enter or remain in any part of the mine through which
a dangerous accumulation of gas is being passed in the ventilating
current from any oilier part of the mine.
Rule 11. He shall frequently examine the edge and accessible parts
of new falls and old gobs and air courses, and he shall report at once
any violation of this act to the mine foreman.