Section 690-212 - Mine foreman's responsibility for working place safetyThe following shall apply:
(1) The mine foreman or assistant mine foreman shall direct and see that every working place is properly secured and shall see that no individual is directed or permitted to work in an unsafe place, unless it be for the purpose of making it safe. The mine foreman shall see that workmen are provided with sufficient roof support materials delivered to their working place or places. When timbers are used for roof support, they shall be cut square on both ends and as near as practicable to proper length.(2) Every workman in need of roof support materials shall notify the mine foreman or the assistant mine foreman of the fact at least one day in advance, stating that roof support materials are required. In case of emergency, roof support materials may be ordered immediately upon the discovery of danger. If, for any reason, the necessary roof support materials cannot be supplied when required, the mine foreman or assistant mine foreman shall instruct the workmen to vacate the place until the material needed is supplied.(3) The mine foreman or assistant mine foreman shall direct and see that, as the miners advance in their excavation, all dangerous and doubtful pieces of coal, slate and rock are taken down or immediately carefully secured against falling on the workmen. Any workman who neglects to carry out or disobeys the instructions of the mine foreman or assistant mine foreman, in regard to securing his working place, shall be suspended or discharged by the mine foreman, and, if such negligence or disobedience results in serious injury or loss of life to any individual, the mine foreman shall report the name of that workman to the department for prosecution under the requirements of this act.(4) The mine foreman shall give prompt attention to the removal of all dangers reported to him by his assistants, the mine examiner or any other individual working in the mine, and, in case it is impracticable to immediately remove the danger, he shall notify every individual whose safety is threatened to remain away from the area of the mine where the dangerous conditions exist.(5) The mine foreman, his assistant or the mine examiner shall, once each week, travel and examine all the air courses and openings that give access to old workings or falls and make a record in ink of the condition of all places in the book provided for that purpose.(6) It shall be the duty of the mine foreman to see that approved gas detection devices are used when and where required by this act. No approved gas detection device shall be entrusted to any individual for use in a mine until the individual has given satisfactory evidence to the mine foreman that he understands the proper use of the device and the danger of tampering with the device. The transportation of tools into and out of the mine shall be under the direction of the mine foreman or an assistant mine foreman.(7) Instructions shall be given by the mine foreman, assistant mine foreman, mine examiner or other authorized individual, as to when, where and how roof supports shall be placed in order to avoid accidents from falls and to mine coal with safety to themselves and others. In addition, the mine foreman or assistant mine foreman shall give special care and attention to drawing pillars, particularly when falls are thereby being made.2008, July 7, P.L. 654, No. 55, §212, effective in 180 days [ 1/5/2009].