1898 - Coalmininghistorypa.org

cxxiv MINING LAWS OF PENNSYLVANIA. Off. Doc.Section 2.The shaft or outlet, other than the main shatt or outletshall be separated from the main outlet and from the furnace shaftbj natural strata at all points b}^ a distance of not less than one hundredand fifty feet (except in all mines opened prior to June thirtieth,uiiL- tiiousand eight hundred and eighty-five, where such distancesmay be less, if in the judgment of the mine inspector one hundredand fifty feet is impracticable). If the mine be worked by drift, twoopenings exclusive of the furnace upcast shaft and not less thantliiity feet apart, shall be required (except in drift mines opened priorto June thirtieth, one thousand eight hundred and eighty-five, wherethe mine inspector of the district shall deem the same impracticable).Where the two openings shall not have been provided as requiredhereinbefore by this act, the mine inspector shall cause the secondtj be made without delay; and in no case shall furnace ventilationbe used where there is only one opening into the mine.allSection 3. Unless the mine inspector shall deem it impracticable,mines shall have at least two entries or other passage ways, oneof which shall lead from the main entrance and the other from theopening into the body of the mine, and said two passageways shallbe kept well drained and in a safe condition for persons to traveltherein, throughout their whole length so as to obtain, in cases ofemergency, a second way for egress from the w^orkings. No part ofsaid workings shall at any time be driven more than three hundredfeet in advance of the aforesaid passageways, except entries, airwaysor other narrow work, but should an opening to the surface beprovided from the interior of the mine, the passageways aforesaidmay be made and maintained therefrom into the working part ofthe mine, and this shall be deemed sufficient compliance with thfeprovisions of this act relative thereto; said two passageways shallb(; separated by pillars of coal or other strata of sufficient strengthand width.Section 4, Where necessary to secure access to the two passageway'srequired in section three of article two of this act in any slopemine where the coal seam inclines and has workings on both sidesof said slope,there shall be provided an overcast for the use of personsworking therein, the dimensions of which shall not be less thanfour feet wide and five feet high. Said overcast shall connect thewcrkings on both sides of said sloj)e and the intervening strata betweenthe slope and the overcast shall be of sufficient strength andthickness at all points for its purpose: Provided, That if said overcast be substantially constructed of masonry or other incombustiblematerial it shall be deemed sufficient.Section 5. When the opening or outlet, other than the main opening,is made and does not exceed seventy-five feet in veitical depth,it shall be set apart exclusively for the purpose of ingress to or egressfnim the mine by any person or persons employed therein it shall be