The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1914-04-18

The history of mine inspection in
the State OF Nevada dates from March
gath. 1909. The law passed at that
time was a compromise measure as a
bitter fight was waged against the
original bill, the claim being made
that 1t would cause the closing down
OF many of the mines In the state.
The writer was appointed deputy In.
spector at that time and well remem-
bers the frowns with which he was
greeted on mis- first visit to many of
the mines. Noting this earnest anti
patty toward the office and fully real
izing that the success of the under
taking depended on the hearty CO
operation of all engaged In the mining
industry. decided to move cautiously.
The first aim was to show that bust
ness efficiency and the welfare OF the
employees go hand In hand, that the
expense of providing better working
facilities is more than returned by
the confidence the workman has in his
employer as 1t strengthens his energy
when he knows his employer has his
interests at heart and Is doing every
thing for his protection. 1t took some.
sAAhV w 60t uNNuaihtCd. bu dlttI ktt
ting acquainted soon learned that all
were imbued with the spirit of fair.
ness and that just and fair treatment,
with due regard to both sides OF all
questions. would soon remove the err.
roneous idea that 1t was the purpose
OF the office to tear down rather than
build up the great mining industry
Safety Of Life and Property.
After being elected to tho position
OF Inspector of mines we set about |
to have written into the law certain |
principles looking to the protection OF |
life and properly believing 1t better to
have them securely established and
not left to the within Of ever.changing
inspectors. This required careful |
study so as to avoid measures that |
might paralyze some of our low grade |
mines as such prohibitory laws would
work economic damage not only to
employers but also to employees and
the community In general, and this
OF course must be avoided II II could |
be done without In anyway sacrefic-
ing human life.
In our annual report we made many
recommendations and later incorporat.
ell them In Dlll and as evidence that
the minds of employer and employee
were crystalized on common oh.
ject, accident prevention, let me say
that bill passed without OPPOSITION and
by the unanimous vote of both branch
es OF our legislature and was immed-
lately signed by tie Governor. That
what has been accomplished may be
better understood let me briefly re-
view some OF the more important
provisions of the law. At least two
smoke helmets are required at all
mines working forty men, With these
helmets one can go into a mine filled
with smoke or the most deadly gases
ana stay for a period of two hours
without changing or refllling the oxy-
gen cylinders, Nevada has the dis
tinction Of being the first of the
metal states making this require.
ments. A uniform code Of singals !
has been provided thus enabling min.
ers and engineers passing from one ! ,
section OF the state to the other to
enter upon their duties under the
same conditions existing at their prev. !
ious place of employment. To curb ,
that great menace to the lives of min ,
ers known as miners consumption the :
law requires that all machines used r
IN dry and dusty slopes and raises !
shall be equipped with sprays, Also .
provides that chutes through which {
dry and dusty ore or waste Is drawn y
shall be equipped with sprays provid. $
ing water is available, this to be left I
TO the Judgment of the inspector of |,
mines. The law also provides for .
adequate ventilation. the life line of c
he miner. I
When repairs are being made In +
my compartment of shaft hosting @
'nly necessary to make such repairs
hall be done In that compartment. !,
This makes it possible for man TO q
work in a shaft with some degree of h
afety and not have to keep lodging =
! cage, One busily engaged might in j
moment of forgetfullness neglect !,
o dodge and be seriously injured, /,
The question of leaving a pillar of \
'round next to shaft, erecting non Is
Ire proof buildings over mouth of 5,
unnels or shafts, providing factor n
u safety for ropes and cables. leay. q
.aI ]