1898 - Coalmininghistorypa.org

No. 11. MINING LAWS OF PENNSYLVANIA. cxiprovided a traveling way having an average pitch of fifteen (15) degreesor less and not more than one thousand (1,000) feet in length.This, however, shall not prohibit the hoisting or lowering of twenty(20) persons at one time on slopes where two (2) or more loaded carsare regularly hoisted: Provided, That not less than thirty (30) workmenworking therein, make such request in writing, to the inspectorof the district, and if, in his judgment, the hoisting appliances inevery respect are of sufficient strength, he may comply with the requestof the workmen.Provided, That in any coal mine or colliery where the hoisting appliancesare not of sufficient strength to hoist or lower the numberof persons named, he shall have the power to reduce the numberof persons to be hoisted or lowered.Kule 18. An engineer placed in charge of an engine whereby personsare hoisted or lowered in any mine, shall be a sober and competentperson of not less than twenty-one (21) years of age.Rule 19. Every engineer shall work his engine slowly and withgreat care when any person is being lowered or hoisted in a shaft orslope and no one shall interfere with or intimidate him while in thedischarge of his duties.Rule 20. An engineer who has charge of the hoisting machineryby which persons are lowered or hoisted in a mine, shall be in constantattendance for that purpose during the whole time any personor persons are below ground, and he shall not allow any person orpersons,except such as may be deputed by the owner, operator orsuperintendent, to handle or meddle with the engine under his chargeor any part of its machinery.Rule 21. When any person is about to descend or ascend a shaftor slope, the headman or footman, as the case may be,shall informthe engineer by signal or otherwise of the fact, and the engineershall return a signal before moving or starting the engine. In theabsence of a headman or footman the person or persons about todescend or ascend shall give and receive^ the signals in the samemanner.Rule 22. The owner, operator or superintendent of a colliery shallplace a competent person to be called "outside foreman," in chargeofthe breaker and the outside work of such colliery and who shalldirect, and as far as practicable, see that the provisions of this actare complied with in respect to the breaker, outside machinery, ropes,cages and all other things pertaining to the outside work, unlessotherwise provided for in this act.Rule 23. In all coal breakers where the coal dust is so dense as tobe injurious to the health of persons employed therein, the owner,operator or superintendent of said breaker shall, upon the request ofthe inspector, immediately adopt measures for the removal of thedust, as far as practicable.