coal trade bulletin - Clpdigital.org

THE COAL TRADE BULLETIN. 4.']
1 NEW RULES PROMULGATED BY PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT
OF MINES
Complete new rules for the anthracite mines,
effective January 1, 1914, were promulgated by
Chief of the Department of Mines of Pennsylvania
James E. Roderick, previous to that date. These
rules were sent to the general managers of the
different companies. The letter of transmission
and the rules follow:
Department of Mines,
Harrisburg, Pa., Dec. 20, 1913.
General Manager.
Dear Sir: You are aware that the department
of mines through its inspectors has constantly
endeavored to reduce accidents in and about the
anthracite coal mines, and I am pleased to say
that in this work the managers, superintendents
and foremen have heartily co-operated; but notwithstanding
our united and unremitting efforts,
accidents, fatal and otherwise, have occurred with
great frequency. Still hopeful, however, that
some means might be found by which the lives
of the mine workers could be better safeguarded,
I called a general meeting of the anthracite inspectors
at Wilkes-Barre on the 28th and 29th of
October, at which time there was a thorough discussion
of the causes of accidents inside and outside
the mines. The unanimous opinion was
that, to meet the existing conditions, additional
safeguards beyond the requirements of the present
law must be adopted.
The most prolific causes of accidents inside the
mines are. falls, cars, blasts, gas, falling into shafts
or slopes, suffocation and explosives. During the
first 11 months of the present year 510 lives were
lost inside the mines as against 463 for the first
11 months of 1912.
If accidents inside the mines are to be reduced.
and they should be reduced by one-half, special
care and attention must be given to the causes
above enumerated. In all mines, but especially
in mines where the pitch of the seam is less than
35 degrees, accidents from falls must be given the
greatest consideration.
I ask you in the interest of the safety of the
mine workers to put in practice the following suggestions:
TO REDUCE ACCIDENTS BY FALLS.
(a) That in addition to the work of the firebosses
or assistant foremen before the employes
enter the mine, as provided by law, you will order
that two daily inspections of every working place
(except in mines where breasts are being worked
full) be made by the mine foreman or an assistant
mine foreman, one between 7 a. m. and 12
noon, and one between 1 p. m. and 5 p. m., while
the men are or ought to be at work.
(bj That each mine shall be divided into districts
of suitable size and each district shall be
placed in charge of an assistant mine foreman.
IcJ That the mine foreman shall each day
enter plainly and sign with ink. in a book provided
for that purpose, a brief report, stating the
general conditions as to safety of the portion ot
the mine examined by him, describing briefly but
clearly, any dangerous conditions that may have
come under his observation and the methods
adopted to remove them.
(d) That each assistant mine foreman shall
each day enter plainly and sign with ink, in a
book provided for that purpose, a report stating
the general conditions as to safety of the working
places visited in the portion of the mine allotted
to him, describing briefly but clearly, any dangerous
conditions that may have come under his observation
and the methods adopted to remove
them.
(e) That the mine foreman shall read carefully
the daily report of such assistant mine foreman
not later than the following clay ancl shall
countersign the report with ink.
(f) That the mine foreman and assistant mine
foreman on their daily inspection tours shall see
that general rule 12 is being complied with, and
in addition see that props are properly placed and
fastened securely at top and bottom, so they can
not be displaced by flying coal unless broken, bin
if displaced or broken, they shall be replaced liefore
any other \vork is done.
TO REDUCE ACCIDENTS MY .MINE CARS.
(al That all gangways and main haulage roads
driven after January 1, 1914, where employes
travel and coal is hauled thereon, shall have a
clear space of two and one-half feet from the top
rail of the car to the rib, and also to the timber.
which shall be made and continued throughout
on the same side of the passageway, if, in the
judgment of the inspector, the conditions will permit;
and all such space shall be kept free from
obstructions. However, if it is found impracticable
by the inspector to provide such spaces, then
safety holes of ample dimensions shall be made
on the same side, and not more than 100 feet apart,
which shall be kept clear of obstructions anel
whitewashed.
(b) That the distance between props and top
rails of cars used in breasts shall not be less than
two feet and said space shall be kept free from
obstructions.