Section 690-214 - Mine foreman's responsibilities for drainageThe following shall apply:
(1) The mine foreman shall see that the work areas are kept as free from water as practicable during working hours. Except for individuals necessary to correct the condition, individuals shall not enter an area with such accumulations.(2) Whenever any working place in a mine approaches within 50 feet of abandoned workings, as shown by surveys certified by a registered engineer or surveyor, or within 500 feet of any other abandoned workings of the mine, which cannot be inspected and which may contain dangerous accumulations of water or gas, or within 500 feet of any workings of an adjacent mine, a test drilling plan which provides for the safety of all individuals must be submitted by the operator to the department for approval. The department may increase the setback distances under this paragraph.(3) No mining may occur within the setback distances under paragraph (2) unless the department approves the test drilling plan and gives permission to proceed.(4) No water or gas from any portion of an abandoned mine, or from any idle portion of an active mine, and no borehole from the surface shall be tapped except under the immediate instruction and direction of the mine foreman with the use of approved gas detection equipment. It shall be unlawful to work or employ individuals to work in any portion of a bituminous coal mine in which a body of water is dammed or held back at a higher elevation in the same mine by natural or artificial means, unless approval is given in writing by the department.(5) The department shall not accept from an operator a six-month mine subsidence map as required by the act of April 27, 1966 (1st Sp.Sess. P.L. 31, No. 1), known as The Bituminous Mine Subsidence and Land Conservation Act, unless the map includes the information required by paragraphs (2), (3) and (4).2008, July 7, P.L. 654, No. 55, §214, effective in 180 days [ 1/5/2009].