Section 690-252 - Top person(a) Duties.--At every shaft or slope where individuals are lowered into or hoisted from a mine, a top person or trip rider, who shall be over 21 years of age, shall be designated by the superintendent. The top person shall: (1) Be on duty when individuals are being hoisted or lowered at the beginning and end of each shift.(2) Personally attend to the signals and see that the provisions of this act in respect to lowering and hoisting individuals in shafts or slopes are complied with. The trip rider may also perform this duty.(3) Not allow any tools to be placed on the same cage with persons or on either cage when persons are being lowered into the mine, except for the purpose of repairing the shaft or the machinery in the shaft. Individuals shall place their tools in containers or cars provided for that purpose, which containers or cars shall be lowered before or after the individuals have been lowered.(4) If located on a slope or incline plane, close the safety block or other device as soon as the cars have reached the landing in order to prevent any loose or runaway cars from descending the slope or incline plane, and in no case shall the safety block or other device be withdrawn until the cars are coupled to the rope or chain and the proper signal given.(5) Carefully inspect each day all the machinery in and about the headframe and the rope used, promptly report to the superintendent any defect discovered and securely attach the cars to the rope before lowering them down the incline.(6) Ring the alarm bell in case of an accident and, when necessary, immediately set free the drop logs or safety switch to act.(7) If located in a shaft, see that the springs or keeps for the cage rest upon and are kept in good working order.(8) When taking off the full car, see that no coal or other material falls down the shaft.(b) When top person not required--No top person shall be required for automatically operated cages or elevators.(c) Reporting of individuals crowding or pushing.--Any individual crowding or pushing to get on or off a cage, elevator or car, thereby endangering life, shall be reported by any individual to the superintendent, who in turn shall report the incident to the department for appropriate action.2008, July 7, P.L. 654, No. 55, §252, effective in 180 days [ 1/5/2009].