Mining Laws of Ohio, 1921 Part 3

[=Copy of map to be filed with chief inspector.=] The owner, lessee or agent of a mine shall keep at the office thereof, open to the inspection of the chief inspector of mines, and the district inspector of mines, a copy of the latest map of such mine, with any addition thereto, and shall furnish a copy thereto to the chief inspector of mines at his office. (Sec. 904, 917, 935, 936; Penalty, Sec. 976.)

=Precaution when approaching abandoned mine.=

Sec. 938. Whenever any working place of a mine approaches within one hundred feet of the abandoned workings of another mine, as indicated by an accurate survey, or while driving any working place within a distance of one hundred feet thereof, and such abandoned, mine cannot be explored, or when same contains fire-damp, or water which may inundate such working place, the mine-foreman shall not permit such working place to be advanced until a drill hole has been extended not less than twelve feet in the center of such working place, and a flank hole not less than twelve feet extended on each rib, starting at the working place after taking out each cut or crossing. Whenever the limits of the workings of an abandoned mine are not known by actual survey, the above rule shall apply whenever any working place approaches within one hundred and fifty feet of the supposed limits of such abandoned mine. In addition to the precautions provided for in this act when approaching or working parallel with such an abandoned mine, the owner, lessee or agent shall, upon the demand of the chief inspector or district inspector of mines, provide competent shot firers to do the shot firing in all the working places advancing or running parallel with such abandoned mine; the shot firing to be done when all other workmen are out of the mine. The chief inspector or district inspector of mines shall order shot firers at any mine when in their judgment the safety of property or employes require same. (103 O.L. 500.)

Sec. 939. [=Notice must be sent to chief inspector in certain cases.=] The owner, lessee or agent of a mine shall give notice to the chief inspector of mines in the following cases: When a change occurs in the name of the mine, in the name of the owner, lessee or agent thereof, or in the officers of an incorporated company owning or operating such mine; when a working is commenced for the opening of a new shaft, slope or mine; when a mine is abandoned, or the working thereof discontinued; when the working of a mine is commenced, after an abandonment or discontinuance thereof for a period of more than three months; when the pillars of a mine are about to be removed or robbed; when a squeeze, crush, or fire occurs, or a dangerous body of gas is found, or any cause or change that may seem to affect the safety of persons employed therein.

(Sec. 940; Penalty, Sec. 976.)

Sec. 940. [=Notice of accidents.=] The owner, lessee or agent of a mine at which loss of life occurs by accident, shall give notice thereof, by telegram, forthwith, to the office of the chief inspector of mines, and to the coroner of the county in which such accident occurs; and, within twenty-four hours next after loss of life or personal injury has occurred, the owner, lessee or agent of the mine shall send to the chief inspector of mines a report in writing, of the accident, specifying the character and cause thereof, the names of the persons killed or injured, and the nature of the injuries. If a personal injury thereafter results in the death of the person injured, as soon as such death comes to his knowledge, the owner, lessee or agent shall give notice thereof forthwith, in writing, to the chief inspector of mines, and to the coroner of the county in which such accident occurred. (Sec. 907, 921, 934, 951; Penalty, Sec. 976.)

[=Return of owner, lessee or agent.=] The owner, lessee or agent of a mine, shall, on or before the thirty-first day of January of each year, send to the office of the chief inspector of mines, upon blanks furnished by him, a correct return, specifying with respect to the year ending on the preceding thirty-first of December, the quant.i.ty of coal mined, and the number of persons ordinarily employed at, in, and around such mine, distinguishing the persons below and above ground, and give such other information as required by such blanks. (Penalty, Sec. 976.)

Sec. 941. [=Test weights to be provided.=] The owner, lessee or agent of a coal mine, at which the earnings of ten or more persons depend upon the weights of coal mined, shall provide and keep accessible for the purpose of testing the weigh scales as provided elsewhere in this act, the following standard test weights, properly sealed: Where the coal mined is weighed upon hopper or pan scales, two standard test weights of fifty pounds each; where the coal mined is weighed upon railroad track scales, ten standard test weights of fifty pounds each. (Sec. 910.)

[=Owner, lessee or agent shall provide safety lamps.=] The owner, lessee or agent of a mine generating fire-damp, so as to be detected by a safety lamp, shall keep on hand in proper condition for use, not less than four approved safety lamps, and upon request of the district inspector of mines, shall provide such additional safety lamps as in his judgment may be required to meet any probable emergency.

[=Owner, lessee or agent shall provide shields on mining machines.=]

The owner, lessee or agent of a mine, shall provide and maintain a sufficient shield on each mining machine used in such mine, as may be authorized by the chief inspector of mines, or the district inspector of mines, for the protection of those employed in operating same. (Sec. 957; Penalty, Sec. 976.)

=SIGNAL CODE.=

Sec. 942. [=Signals at mines, how conducted; devices to be used.=]

At each mine operated by shaft, the means of signaling to and from the bottom man, the top man, and the engineer shall consist of a tube, or tubes, or wire encased in wood or iron pipes, through which signals shall be communicated by electricity, compressed air, or other devices. The following signals are provided for use at mines where signals are required:

=SIGNAL CODE.=

=From the Bottom to the Top.=

[=One ring or whistle.=] One ring or whistle from the bottom to the top shall signify to hoist coal or the empty cage, and also to stop either when in motion.

[=Two rings or whistles.=] Two rings or whistles shall signify to lower cage.

[=Three rings or whistles.=] Three rings or whistles shall signify that men are coming up; when return signal is received from the engineer, men will get on the cage, and cager shall ring or whistle one to start.

[=Four rings or whistles.=] Four rings or whistles shall signify to hoist slowly, implying danger.

[=Five rings or whistles.=] Five rings or whistles shall signify accident in the mine and a call for a stretcher.

=From the Top to the Bottom.=

[=One ring or whistle.=] One ring or whistle from the top to the bottom shall signify: All ready, get on cage.

[=Two rings or whistles.=] Two rings or whistles shall signify: Send away empty cage.

[=Addition to code, when allowed; code must be posted at top and bottom.=] Provided, that the management of any mine, may, with the consent of the district inspector of mines, add to this code of signals in his discretion, for the purpose of increasing its efficiency, or of promoting the safety of the men in said mine, but whatever code may be established and in use at any mine must be furnished by the mining department, conspicuously posted at the top and at the bottom and in the engine room, for the information and instruction of all persons concerned.

[=Emergency signal in shafts.=] At each mine where persons are hoisted in a vertical shaft, an emergency signal shall be provided in such manner that persons can give signals from the cage, in the event that cage is stopped between the top and bottom landings.

(Sec. 929; Penalty, Sec. 976.)

Sec. 943. [=Lights in mines.=] The owner, lessee or agent of each mine shall provide an enclosed lard or signal oil lamp or lantern or incandescent electric light at such point or points in the mine as may be necessary for the proper safety of persons, especially at the top of extreme grades. No open light shall be used for fixed or stationary purposes; no open torches or lamps larger than the lamps provided for in this act for use as open lights, and no coal oil or kerosene lamp or lanterns, shall be used in a mine. This, however, shall not prevent the use of a torch or blow-torch for mechanical purposes other than illumination. (Sec. 961.)

[=Light or signal on locomotives and trains.=] The owner, lessee or agent of a mine at which locomotives are used for hauling the coal, shall keep a light on the front end of the locomotive when it is in use, and when the locomotive is run ahead of the trip, and the trip-rider is not required to ride the rear car of the trip, a signal, light or marker, approved by the district inspector of mines, shall be carried on the rear end of the trip to indicate when the trip has pa.s.sed. Cars shall not be pushed ahead of the locomotive where it can be avoided, and when cars are run ahead of the locomotive a light shall be carried on the front end of the trip and the cars shall not be moved at a speed greater than four miles per hour. When rope haulage is used, an enclosed light shall be carried on the front end of each train so hauled. When a mechanical haulage trip pa.s.ses through an automatic door having no attendant other than persons in charge of such trip, the trip-rider shall be required to ride the rear car of the trip while pa.s.sing though such door, and see that it closes after the trip pa.s.ses through. (Sec.

923, 958; Penalty, Sec. 976.)

Sec. 944. [=Employment of minors.=] The owner, lessee or agent of a mine shall not employ, or permit to work therein, any boy under fourteen years of age; nor employ, or permit to work therein, any boy under fifteen years of age during a term of the public schools, in the district in which he resides. (Sec. 912, 953.) (See Child Labor Law, Sec. 13002, page ----).

"The provisions of Section 912, 944 and 953 G.C. do not permit the employment of children under 16 years of age in, about or in connection with any mine. Such employment is governed by the provisions of Section 13002 G.C."

Opinion No. 885 office of the Attorney General, State of Ohio, December 21, 1917.

[=Removal of combustible matter.=] Whenever an entry or air-way becomes so dry that the air becomes charged with dust, the owner, lessee or agent shall cause such entry or air-way to be sprinkled, and all acc.u.mulated matter, explosive in its nature, shall be removed from the mine. (Sec. 956.)

[=Quant.i.ty of oil in mine restricted.=] No oil shall be taken into or stored in a mine except as may be required to be opened for use within two days thereafter; and in no case shall more than two barrels of oil be kept at any one place, and not more than ten barrels of oil shall be had in a mine at any one time. All waste oil and empty barrels shall be promptly removed from the mine. (Sec.

974, 975.)

[=Location of boilers at mine.=] The permanent boilers used for generating steam, and the buildings containing the boilers, shall not be nearer than sixty feet to any mine opening or to a building or inflammable structure connected with or surrounding such opening.

(Penalty, Sec. 976.)

Sec. 945. [=Relating to underground stables.=] The owner, lessee or agent of a coal mine at which the live stock is kept underground, shall observe the following: The stable or stall shall be separated from the main inlet and main outlet air-courses by not less than twenty feet of solid strata or a solid wall of brick or masonry not less than twelve inches in thickness, except at two doors not more than five feet wide, which shall be made of steel plate not less than one-quarter inch in thickness and hinged to the solid strata or masonry without the use of wood; the ventilation for the stable shall be taken from main inlet air-course by a by-pa.s.s or separate split and returned to the main outlet air-course so that the air pa.s.sing the stables will not enter the inward working places of the mine, and arranged so that the by-pa.s.s or split can readily be closed at both inlet and outlet sides of the stable by steel doors hinged to the solid strata or masonry without the use of wood; the construction of the stable inside shall be free from pine or light lumber; shall be of brick or masonry as much as practicable, and any timber used shall be of hardwood of a cross section not less than three by six inches; no hay or straw shall be taken into the mine or stable unless same be compressed into compact bales, and then only from time to time in such quant.i.ties as will be required for two days' use; no greater quant.i.ty of hay or straw shall be stored in the mine or stable, and when such is taken into the mine it shall be taken inside the stable at once; the lights used in the stable shall be incandescent electric lamps, placed so that same will not be injured by the stock or by persons required to enter the stable, or lanterns of railroad type suitable for using lard or signal oil, and only such oil shall be used therein; all refuse and waste shall be promptly removed from the stable and the mine, and shall not be allowed to acc.u.mulate. Stables constructed underground after the pa.s.sage and approval of this act, shall be located not nearer than one hundred and fifty feet of any opening to the mine used as a means of ingress or egress. (Sec. 955, 960; Penalty, Sec. 976.)