Birmingham state herald., 1897-02-24
or apy. bos phdsf -the -Rge of 12 years t9

Governor may QlScnd.Ee a mine Inspector at any time upon the fling of a written complaint substantlated by sufficient proof for unlairness, unfitness, incom- potency or malfeasance, and appoint his successor for the unexpired term.
 Sec 29. Be it further enacted. That when by reason of any explosion or acci- dent in any mine in this state, or the ma chinery connected herewith, loss of life or serious personal injury shall occur, 1t shall be the duty of the person having charge of such mine to give notice there- of forthwith to the chief inspector or mines or any inspector, and 1t shall be the duty of the chief mine inspector or any inspector upon being notified of any fatal accident as herein provided, to lmmedl- ately repair to the scene Of the accident and make such suggestions as may ap- pear necessary to secure the safety or any persons who. may be endangered The said mine inspector shall proceed to investigate and ascertain the cause of the accident and make a record thereof which he shall keep on file, and to enable them to make the investigation, he shall have the power to compel the attendance Of persons to testify.
 Sec. 30. Be 1t further enacted, That any person or persons whosoever, who shall Intentionally or carelessly injure any shaft, safety lamp, instrument, air course or brattice, or obstruct or throw open air ways or take matches for any pur- pose or pipes or other smokers articles beyond any station inside of which safety lamps are used, or injure any part of the machinery, or open a door in the mine and not close it again immediately, or open any door which opening is forbidden or use any oil in lamps not known to be the best miners oil, or disobey any or ders given in carrying out the provisions of this act, or do any other act whatso- ever whereby the lives or health of per sons or the security of the mines or ma chinery is endangered, shall be deemed guilty of misdemeanor and may be punished in the manner provided for in this act.
 Sec. 31. Be it further enacted, That the inspectors of mines shall biennially, prior to the assembling of the general assem- ply, make a written report to the Cover nor, stating the condition of the mining interests in this state, with such sugges- tions and information as may be of in- terest to the mining industry, and said report to be printed on the order of the governor.
 Sec. 32. Be it further enacted. That for the purpose of making known the rules and provisions of this act to all persons employed in or about the mines to which this act applies, an abstract of the act and rules shall be posted up in legible characters in some conspicuous place or places at or near the mines where they may be conveniently read by the per
  come obliterated or destroyed the owner, operator or superintendent shall cause them to be renewed with all reasonable dispatch. Any person who pulls down, injures or defaces such abstract of the acts or rules when up in pursuance of the provisions of this act shall be guilty of an offense against this act.
 Sec. 33. Be it further enacted, That no unauthorized person shall enter the mine without permission from the superinden- dent or mine foreman.
 Rule 2. All employees shall inform the mine foreman or his assistant of the un- safe condition of any working place, hauling roads or travelling ways, or of damages to doors, brattices or stoppings, or of Instructions in the air passages when known to him.
 Rule g. Every workman employed in the mine shall examine the working place before commencing work, and after any stoppage of work during the shift, he shall repeat the examination.
 Sec. 34. Be it further enacted, That no contract heretofore made and now exist ing between the owners or operators or mines (that is, employers shall be affect ed, changed or violated by provision of this act.
 Sec. 35. Be it further enacted, That for the purpose of defraying the expenses or the inspectors as provided under this act, the sum of nine hundred dollars shall be, and the same is hereby appropriated out of any money in the state treasury; sad appropriation shall be paid to the chief inspector of mines on his application, showing to the state auditor the amounts necessary to be expended Tor the actuai expenses of the board of inspectors, quarterly.
 Sec. 36. Be it further enacted, That the mine inspectors shall give their whole time and attention to the duties Of their offices It shall be the duty of mine i9-
 o,x.;,, ,11 f1n irano in state at least every three months, to see that all requirements of this act are strictly observed and carried out, in spectors shall particularly examine the works and ma achinery belonging to any mine, examine into the state or the mines as to ventilation. circulation and cofdition of air, drainage and general security; they shall make record Of all examina tions of mines, showing the date when made, the condition in which the mines are found, the extent to which the laws relating to mines and mining are observed or violated the progress made in the improvements and security Of life and health sought to be secured by the provisions of this act. number Of accl- dents, injuries received or deaths Tn ana about the mines, the number Of persons employed in or by each mine, together with all such other facts and information of public interest concerning the condl- ton of mines development and progress of mining in this state. as he may think useful and proper and so much thereof as may be of public interest, to be includ- ed in his biennial report
 Sec. 37. Be it further enacted, That in case of any controversy or disagreement between inspectors and the owner or operator of any mines. or the persons working therein, or in case of conditions of emergency requiring counsel, the chief mine operator may call on the board of examine,.s for such assistance and coun- sel as may be necessary. Should the mine inspector find any of the provisions of this act violated or not complied with by the owner or lessee or agent in charge of any mines he shall immediately mo- tify such owner, lessee or agent in charge of such neglect or violation, un- less the same is within a reasonable time rectified, or the provisions of this act are fully complied with he shall in- stitute a prosecution. The inspector shall exercise a sound discretion in en- forcement of provisions of this act and if in any respect, which is not provided against by, or may result from any rigid enforcement of any expressed provisions of this act, the inspector finds any mat ter, things or practice in or connected with any such mines to be dangerous or