1898 - Coalmininghistorypa.org

cxvi MINING LAWS OF PENNSYLVANIA. Off. Doc.petent to understand the regulations of any mine evolving explosivegases: Provided, That this rule will not apply to a section of mine,free from the said explosive gases.Rule 57. Any superintendent or mine foreman who prevents thefootman from giving an empty car or cage to the number of mendesignated in a former rule, shall, upon information by any personengaged in the mines, given the mine inspector, be fined the sum offifty dollars for each offense.Rule 58. Every person who fails to comply with any of the foregoingrules or any of the provisions of this article, shall be guilty ofan offense against this act.ARTICLE XIII.Inquests.Section 1. Whenever loss of life to a miner or other employe occursin or about a mine or colliery, notice thereof shall be givenpromptly to the inspector of mines for the district in which the accidentoccurred, by the mine foreman or outside foreman or otherperson having immediate charge of the work at the time of the accident;and when death results from personal injury such noticeshall be given promptly after the knowledge of death comes tothe said foreman or person in charge.Section 2. Whenever loss of life occurs or whenever the lives ofpersons employed in a mine or at a colliery are in danger from anyaccident, the inspector of mines shall visitthe scene of the accidentas soon as possible thereafter and offer such suggestions, as in hisjudgment shall be necessary, to protect the lives and secure the safetyof the persons employed. In case of deatli from such accident, andafter examination he finds it necessary that a coroner's inquestshall be held, he shall notify the coroner to hold such inquestwithout delay, and if no such inquest be held by the coroner withintwenty-four (24) hours after such notice, the inspector shall institutea further and fuller examination of such accident, and forthis purpose he shall have power to compel the attendance of witnessesat such examination and to administer oaths and aflBrmationsto persons testifying thereat. The inspector shall make a record ofall such investigations and accidents, which record shall be preservedin his office. The costs of such investigation shall be paidby the county in which the accident occurred in like manner ascosts of inquests held by coroners or justices of the peace are nowpaid.Section 3. An inquest held by the coroner upon the body of a personkilled by explosion or other accident, shall be adjourned by thecoroner if the inspector of mines be not present to watch the proceedings,and the coroner in such ease shall notify the inspector, io