Section 690-216 - Mine foreman's responsibilities for inspections and reportsThe following shall apply:
(1) In all mines, the mine foreman shall employ a sufficient number of assistants to ensure a visit to each employee during each shift, except mine officials and miners whose normal duties require travel throughout the mine, either by the mine foreman or his assistants.(2) The mine foreman shall, each day, enter plainly and sign in ink a report of the condition of the mine in a book provided for that purpose. The report shall clearly state any danger that may have come under his observation during the day or any danger reported by the assistant mine foreman or the mine examiners. The report shall also state whether or not a proper supply of material is on hand for the safe working of the mine and whether or not the requirements of law are complied with. The mine foreman shall also, once each week, enter plainly in ink in the book a true report of all weekly air measurements required by this act, designating the place, the area of each cut-through and entry separately, the velocity of the air in each cut-through and entry, the quantity of the air in each cut-through and entry and the number employed in each separate split of air, with the date when measurements were taken. The book shall at all times be kept in the mine office for examination by the department or any individual working in the mine in the presence of the superintendent or the mine foreman. The mine foreman shall also, each day, read carefully and countersign in ink all reports entered in the record book of the mine examiners.(3) When assistant mine foremen are employed, their duty shall be to assist the mine foreman in complying with the provisions of this act, and they shall be liable to the same penalties as the mine foreman for any violation of this act in parts or portions of the mine under their jurisdiction. At the end of each shift, each assistant mine foreman shall make a report in a book provided for that purpose, giving the general condition as to safety of the working places visited, and shall make a note of any unusual occurrence observed during the shift. The mine foreman shall read carefully the daily report of each assistant mine foreman and shall sign the report in ink daily. Where more than one portal is being used for the entrance of miners into a mine, the mine foreman may designate an assistant who holds a mine foreman certificate to sign the assistant mine foreman's and mine examiner's daily report books at each portal other than the main portal.(4) It shall be the duty of the mine foreman, assistant mine foreman or an authorized individual designated by the mine foreman to examine daily in a general way all electrical equipment and other machinery under his jurisdiction to see that it is in safe operating condition and make a report in the assistant mine foreman's daily report book. It shall be the duty of the mine electrician to make and sign a written report once each week in a record book provided for that purpose, stating the condition of electrical equipment and other machinery in the mine. The report shall be countersigned by the mine foreman.2008, July 7, P.L. 654, No. 55, §216, effective in 180 days [ 1/5/2009].