The investigation of this petition found that it is possible for the petitioner to provide an underground emergency hoist facility between the 1000 and 1300 levels. The distance between the levels is 326 feet. The availability of the emergency hoist would not diminish the miners' safety and would, in fact, enhance their safety by making the emergency egress faster and easier. Miners would not be required to climb a tedious, extended ladderway, but in the event of an emergency could be transported in an emergency hoist. Emergencies such as fires, inundations, and massive ground falls are historically associated with underground mining disasters and have occurred where no potential was thought to exist.
Prompt egress is the most critical factor to the saving of lives in many emergency situations.
During one of these emergencies, a ladderway 326 feet in length, could slow miners' egress and result in the miners becoming indefinitely or fatally entrapped, if the primary escapeway were to become unavailable. If a hearing is requested, the request shall contain a concise summary of position on the issues of fact or law desired to be raised by the party requesting the hearing, including specific objections to the Proposed Decision and Order. A party other than the petitioner who has requested a hearing shall also comment upon all issues of fact or law presented in the petition. Any party to this action requesting a hearing may indicate a desired hearing site. If no request for a hearing is filed within 30 days after service thereof, this Proposed Decision and Order will become final and must be posted by the operator on the mine bulletin board at the mine.