Reports of the Inspectors of Mines of the anthracite coal regions of ...

Ex. Doc] Reports of the Inspectors of Mines. 125
approaches to where blasts are being fired must be carefully guarded. No
excuse can justify accidents from this cause.
Fall§ of Roof and Coal.
Rule 10.—The mine boss must insist upon the working places being
properly timbered by the workmen, so as to prevent the fearful loss of life
and serious accidents continually occurring from "falls of roof" and "falls
of coal, &c." No excuse for neglect or carelessness in this matter will
avail any one to save him from prosecution, after the promulgation of this
warning.
Rule 11 No miner should work himself, nor allow his laborer or helper
to work, in an}- place where he suspects danger. His first duty, always in
such cases, is to remove all cause of danger. He should draw down all
overhanging rock, bone, slate, or coal, which he suspects to be dangerous ;
and if he fails to draw it down, he should immediately stand a temporary
prop or props under it. If this simple rule is followed, many precious
lives will be saved, and much suffering will be avoided ; and where an ac-
cident shall hereafter occur through neglect in this matter, the party who
shall be found guilty of such neglect will be held to a strict accountabilit}^
Rule 12.—Xo man should attempt to work out, or bar down coal or roof,
with a pick, drill, or crow bar, where he is obliged to jump back after every
blow he strikes. The fact that he thus jumps back is positive proof that
he realizes the danger, and yet many lives have been sacrificed to the folly
of running such risks. There is always a safe way to work in all such
cases, and any man who cannot find that safe way is not competent to
mine coal.
Rule 13.—Every miner, the first thing upon entering his working place
in the morning, should examine evei'y part of the roof and coal, to make
sure that there is no loose rock, slate, bone, or coal hanging to endanger
the life and limbs of himself and laborers ; and if he finds a prop needed
he should stand it at once. Many lives have been lost by putting this off"
until a "blast has been fired," a " car loaded," and other inexcusable causes
of delay. And if the miner goes home leaving his laborer after him in the
mines, he should examine the working place carefully and make it abso-
lutely safe before leaving it. This should be done in all kinds of places,
whether the roof is considered safe or not.
Rule 14 When a mine boss gives an order to draw down a piece of
dangerous roof or coal, or gives an order to stand a prop or props, he
must insist upon his order being executed immediatel}^, for if he allows
procrastination and delay, and an accident should occur in such a case, he
will be held to a strict accountabilit}' for such accident.
Rule 15.— All reports of accidents are to be made direct to the inspector,
and in no case should such report be delayed by forwarding through the
general office. This is also the truth relative to air measui'ement reports.
Rule 16 Every foreman, or mine boss having men under his charge.