1898 - Coalmininghistorypa.org

No. 11. MINING LAWS OF PENNSYLVANIA. cxlviiRule 3. He shall see that the entries at such places where roadgrades necessitate sprags or brakes to be applied or removed shallhave a clear level width of not less than two and one-half feet, betweenthe side of car and the rib to allow the driver to pass his tripsafely and keep clear of the cars there.Rule 4. He shall direct that all miners undermine the coal properlybefore blasting it and that blasting shall be done at only suchhours as he shall direct and shall order the miners to set sprags underthe coal, when necessary for safety while undermining at distancesnot exceeding seven feet apart, and he shall not allow the improperdrawing of pillars.Rule 5. In mines where fire damp is generated when the furnacefire has been put out it shall not be relighted, except in his presence,or that of his assistant under his instructions.Rule 6. In case of accident to a ventilating fan or its machinery,or the fan itself, whereby the ventilation of the mine would beseriously interrupted, it shall be his duty to order the men to immediatelywithdraw from the mine and not allow their return totheir work until the ventilation has been restored and the mine hasbeen thoroughly examined by him or his assistant and reported to besafe.Rule 7. He shall see that all dangerous places are properly fencedoff and proper danger signal boards so hung on such fencing, thatthey may be plainly seen; he shall also travel all air roads and examineall the accessible openings to old workings as often as is necessaryto insure their safety.Rule 8.He shall provide a book or sheet to be put in some convenientplace, or places, upon which shall be made a place for thenumbers used by the miners with space sufficient to each number,so that the miners can write plainly the quantity of props, their approximatelength and the number of caps and other timbers whichthey require, together with the date of the order. Said book orsheets shall be preserved for thirty days from their date.Duties of Fire Boss.Rule 9. He shall enter the mine before the men have entered it,and before proceeding to examine the same, he shall see that the aircurrent is traveling in its proper course, and if all seems right, heshall proceed to examine the workings.Rule 10. He shall not allow any person, except those duly authorizedto enter or remain in any part of the mine through whicha dangerous accumulation of gas isbeing passed in the ventilatingcurrent from any other part of the mine.Rule 11. Ho shall fre(iuently examine the edge and accessible partsof new falls and old gobs and air courses, and he shall report at onceany violation of this act to the mine foreman.