1900 - Coalmininghistorypa.org

292 REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF MINES. Off. Doc.
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
First Bituminous Inspection
District. Henry Louttit, Inspector.
Monongahela, Pa., September 10, 1900.
To the Mine Foremen of the First Bituminous District:
Dear Sirs: Being desirous of having uniformity in the make-up of
the permanent Danger Signals and at the same time to remove, as far
as possible, any excuse on the plea of ignorance for passing the same;
to reach this end, I would recommend, that a board not less than 12
inches wide, extending the full
width of the entry, except a space
sufficient to allow it to swing—this board to be 3 feet above the
bottom; said board to be painted a deep red, with the words "STOP!
DANGER!'' in white letters; the letters to be the full width of
board. The reverse side being painted white, and the word "SAFE"
to be in black letters.
I would also suggest that a post be placed on either side of entry,
one of them on which to place hinges—the other so adjusted that the
Danger Board can be locked in place.
Yours truly,
HENRY LOUTTIT,
Inspector of Min^s.
Another matter which gives me much concern, is the filling up
of the entrances to the exhausted and abandoned workings of some
of the mines in this district, with slate and other refuse in such a
manner as to preclude the possibility of an examination of them
being made, and it is evident, beyond a reasonable doubt, that to
make conditions such as to prevent inspections being made is a dangerous
practice as well as a violation of the bituminous mining act
as it requires that worked out and abondoned places adjacent to
traveling ways, etc., be examined before each shift, and the other
places frequently. Such places would, if sealed up as stated, be
a reservoir for fire-damp to accumulate in, which by its presence
would be a standing menace to the safety of the mine.
To prevent, if possible, danger from this source, I sent a copy
of the following letter to each operator in the district.
Monongahela, Pa., July 31, 1900.
Dear Sirs: I wish to call your attention to a matter of great importance
in the operation of your mine. I have reference to the