1898 - Coalmininghistorypa.org

c MINING LAWS OP PENNSYLVANIA. Off. Doc.hoisting persons in mines shall be provided with an indicator to showthe position of the cage, car or gun-boat in the shaft or slope.Section 16. Over all shafts which are being sunk or shall hereafterbe sunk, a safe and substantial structure shall be erected tosustain the sheaves or pulleys, at a height of not less than twenty(20) feet above the tipping-placc, and the top of such shaft shall bearranged in such manner that no material can fall into the shaft whilethe bucket is being emptied.Section 17. The said structure shall be erected as soon as a substantialfoundation is obtained, and in no case shall a shaft be sunkto a depth of more than fifty (50) feet without such structure.Section 18.If provision is made to land the bucket upon truck, thesaid truck shall be constructed in such manner that material cannotfallinto 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 bucketor cage must be connected to the rope or chain by a safety hook, clevisor other safe attachment.Section 20. Such shafts shall be provided with guides and guideattachments applied in such manner as to prevent the bucket fromswinging while descending or ascending therein, and such guidesand guide attachments shall be maintained at a distance of not morethan seventy-five (75) feet from the bottom of such shaft, until itssinking shall have been completed, but this section shall not applyto shafts one hundred (100) feet or less in depth.Section 21. Where the strata are not safe every shaft shall be securelycased, 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 allloose material is swept down from the timbers before the workmendescend to their work.Second.After a suspension of work, and also after firing a blastin a shaft where explosive gases are evolved, the person in chargemust have the said shaft examined and tested with a safety lampbefore the workmen are allowed to descend.Third. Not more than four persons shall be lowered or hoisted inany shaft on a bucket at the same -time, and no person shall ride ona loaded bucket.Fourth. Whenever persons are employed on platforms in shaftsthe person in charge must see that the said platforms are properlyand safely constructed.Fifth. While shafts are being sunk all blasts therein must be explodedby an electric battery.Sixth. Eveiy person who fails to comply with or who violates theprovisions of this article shall be guilty of an offense against this act.