2023 Illinois Compiled Statutes › Chapter 225 - PROFESSIONS, OCCUPATIONS, AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS › 225 ILCS 705/ - Coal Mining Act. › Article 20 - Permissible Explosives And Regulations For Breaking Down Coal

(225 ILCS 705/Art. 20 heading)
ARTICLE 20.
PERMISSIBLE EXPLOSIVES AND REGULATIONS FOR BREAKING DOWN COAL.
(225 ILCS 705/20.01) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2001)
Sec. 20.01. 
		
		Black blasting powder shall not be used to break down coal on
shift.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/20.02) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2002)
Sec. 20.02. 
		
		The breaking down of coal with compressed air, or by some
mechanical or chemical-mechanical device which does not emit spark or
flame, while men are in a mine, is permitted.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/20.03) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2003)
Sec. 20.03. 
		
		All "permissible explosives" for use in breaking down coal in
the State of Illinois shall conform to the following specifications:
(a) All permissible explosives offered for sale in the State of Illinois
shall have printed on each cartridge and individual package the name of the
manufacturer, the registered trade mark, brand, grade and a statement that
it conforms in strength to that grade and brand established by the United
States Bureau of Mines.
(b) Each shipping case shall have marked on it the total weight of
explosives contained therein, and the average weight, length and diameter
of each stick contained therein.
(c) Each shipping case containing permissible explosives shall be marked
"Permissible Explosives."
(d) Each ingredient of a permissible explosive shall not vary more than
the permitted variation established by the United States Bureau of Mines.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/20.04) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2004)
Sec. 20.04. 
State Mine Inspectors, and the
accredited representatives of the coal operators and coal miners shall have
authority to sample explosives used for blasting purposes in coal mines in
the State of Illinois or kept on hand for sale or intended for shipment for
use in such mines, and for such purposes they may enter upon the premises
of any person, firm or corporation.
(Source: P.A. 96-328, eff. 8-11-09.)
(225 ILCS 705/20.05) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2005)
Sec. 20.05. 
If the State Mine Inspector or the
accredited representatives of the coal operators or coal miners shall
desire to have said sample tested for content, they shall send the same to
the United States Bureau of Mines for that purpose.
(Source: P.A. 96-328, eff. 8-11-09.)
(225 ILCS 705/20.06) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2006)
Sec. 20.06. 
		
		When such samples are intended to be tested for content, they
must be taken at the mill or warehouse of the manufacturer or
manufacturer's agent, or in the railroad car or other conveyance for
shipment at said mill or warehouse or the magazine at the mine, and said
samples shall be taken in accordance with the rules established by the
United States Bureau of Mines.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/20.07) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2007)
Sec. 20.07. 
		
		Explosives shall be stored in magazines constructed in
accordance with plans that shall be approved by the State Mine Inspector of
the district in which the mine is located.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/20.08) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2008)
Sec. 20.08. 
		
		Every magazine shall be provided with a wooden floor which shall
be kept free from grit and dirt. If more than one kind of explosive is kept
in the same magazine, the magazine shall be divided into rooms by
partitions and the different kinds of explosives shall be kept in different
rooms, but no detonators, or blasting caps, or any device containing
fulminating composition shall be kept in the same magazine with any
explosive. All detonators, blasting caps or any device containing
fulminating composition shall be kept separate in a safe and dry receptacle
apart from any other explosive.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/20.09) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2009)
Sec. 20.09. 
		
		Any person, firm or corporation changing any stamp, brand, or
specification denoting the contents of any package or cartridge shall be
subject to the penalties provided for herein.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/20.10) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2010)
Sec. 20.10. 
		
		The area surrounding magazines for not less than 25 feet in all
directions shall be kept free of rubbish, dry grass, or other materials of
a combustible nature.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/20.11) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2011)
Sec. 20.11. 
		
		If the magazines are illuminated electrically, the lamps shall
be of explosion-proof type, installed and wired so as to present minimum
fire and contact hazards.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/20.12) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2012)
Sec. 20.12. 
		Only non-metallic tools shall be used for opening containers. 
		Extraneous materials shall not be stored in an explosives or detonator
magazine.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/20.13) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2013)
Sec. 20.13. 
		
		Smoking, carrying smokers' articles, or open flame is prohibited
in or near any magazine.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/20.14) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2014)
Sec. 20.14. 
		
		Individual containers used to carry permissible explosives or
detonators shall be constructed of substantial non-conductive material.
When explosives or detonators are transported underground by locomotive,
rope, or shuttle car, they shall be in covered cars or in special
containers. The bodies and covers of special cars and the containers shall
be constructed of non-conductive material. Explosives or detonators shall
not be carried in the same car with tools.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/20.15) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2015)
Sec. 20.15. 
		
		If explosives and detonators are hauled in the same
explosives car or in the same special container, they shall be separated
by at least a 4 inch, substantially fastened, hardwood partition or the
equivalent. When quantities of explosives and detonators are transported
in special cars or in special containers in cars (not carried by
individual workers or man trips), they shall be hauled on a special trip
not connected to any other trip and shall not be hauled into or out of a
mine within five minutes preceding or following a man trip or any other
trip.
(Source: P.A. 81-992.)
(225 ILCS 705/20.16) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2016)
Sec. 20.16. 
		
		Explosives and detonators kept near the working faces shall be
stored in separate closed containers of substantial, non-conductive
material, located not less than 15 feet from rail or power lines.
Explosives and detonators shall be kept in their containers until removed
for use at the working faces.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/20.17) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2017)
Sec. 20.17. 
		
		Underground section boxes or magazines shall be of substantial
construction and placed in a crosscut or idle room neck at least 10 feet
from roadways or trolley wires and in a reasonably dry and well-rock-dusted
place.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/20.18) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2018)
Sec. 20.18. 
		
		When section boxes or magazines are used, the explosives and
detonators shall be kept in separate boxes or magazines.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/20.19) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2019)
Sec. 20.19. 
		
		Not more than a 48-hour supply of explosives, including any
surplus remaining from the previous day, shall be stored underground in
boxes or magazines.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/20.20) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2020)
Sec. 20.20. 
		
		No miner or other person shall alter or change any drill hole,
by increasing its depth, diameter or otherwise, after the same shall have
been approved by the driller and shooter or shot firer.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/20.21) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2021)
Sec. 20.21. 
		
		No driller and shooter or shot firer, whether voluntarily, or by
command or request of any person, shall fire any unlawful shot, or any shot
which in his judgment, from his inspection thereof is not a workmanlike,
proper and practical shot.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/20.22) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2022)
Sec. 20.22. 
		
		No person or persons shall order, command or induce by threat or
otherwise, any driller and shooter or shot firer to fire any unlawful shot,
or any shot which in his judgment, after due inspection, is not a
workmanlike, proper and practical shot.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/20.23) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2023)
Sec. 20.23. 
		
		No person shall drill or shoot a dead hole as hereinafter
defined. A "dead hole" is a hole where the width of the shot at the point
measured at right angles to the line of the hole is so great that the heel
is not of sufficient strength to at least balance the resistance at the
point. The heel means that part of the shot which lies outside of the
explosive.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/20.24) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2024)
Sec. 20.24. 
		
		Only wooden tamping bars or metal bars tipped with 5 inches of
copper shall be used when charging holes.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/20.25) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2025)
Sec. 20.25. 
		
		Leg wires of electric detonators shall be kept shunted or the
ends twisted together until ready to connect to the firing cable.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/20.26) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2026)
Sec. 20.26. 
		
		Adobe (mudcap) or other open, unconfined shots shall not be
fired in any mine.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/20.27) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2027)
Sec. 20.27. 
		
		Blasting cables shall be short-circuited at the battery end
until ready to attach to the blasting unit.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/20.28) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2028)
Sec. 20.28. 
		
		No person shall return to a missed shot, if lighted with fuse,
until 8 hours have elapsed from the time of lighting the same. Where
misfires occur with electric detonators, a waiting period of at least 5
minutes shall elapse before anyone returns to the shot. After such failure,
the blasting cable shall be disconnected from the source of power and the
battery end short-circuited before electric connections are examined.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/20.29) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2029)
Sec. 20.29. 
		
		Misfired explosives shall be removed only through the use of
copper-tipped or wooden tools.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/20.30) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2030)
Sec. 20.30. 
		
		The handling of a misfired shot shall be under the direct
supervision of the mine manager or a competent person designated by him.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/20.31) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2031)
Sec. 20.31. 
		
		No worker shall have at any time in the mine more than 25
pounds of permissible explosives. Nothing in this section shall be
construed to prevent the operator of any mine from taking into the mine,
when miners are not therein, a sufficient quantity of explosives for the
reasonable requirements of the mine for the next succeeding working day;
except that in mechanical loading mines a sufficient quantity of
explosives for the reasonable requirements of the mine for the next two
working days may be stored in and for each location.
(Source: P.A. 81-992.)
(225 ILCS 705/20.32) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2032)
Sec. 20.32. 
		
		In solid shooting, the width of the shot at the point, in seams
of coal 6 feet or less in height, shall not be greater than the height of
the coal and in seams of coal more than 6 feet in thickness, the width of
the shot at the point shall, in no case, be more than 6 feet.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/20.33) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2033)
Sec. 20.33. 
		
		In undercut coal, no hole shall be drilled "on the solid" for
any part of its length.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/20.34) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2034)
Sec. 20.34. 
		
		In no case shall more than one kind of explosive be used in the
same drill hole.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/20.35) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2035)
Sec. 20.35. 
		
		Every shot hole shall be tamped full from the explosive to the
mouth of the hole, and no coal dust or any material that is inflammable or
that may create a spark, whether the same is wet or dry, shall be used for
tamping.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/20.36) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2036)
Sec. 20.36. 
		
		Before firing a shot, the person firing the same shall see that
all persons are out of danger from the probable effect of such shot, and
shall take measures to prevent any one approaching by shouting "fire"
before lighting the same.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/20.37) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2037)
Sec. 20.37. 
		
		Not more than one shot shall be lighted at the same time in any
working place unless the firing is done by electricity or by fuses of such
length that the interval between the explosions of any two shots shall be
not less than one minute, and in no case shall any shot or shots be fired
or lighted which are termed depending or dependent shots, until after the
expiration of 10 minutes from the successful firing of the relieving shot
or shots. When successive shots are to be fired in any working place in
which the roof is broken or faulty, the smoke shall be allowed to clear
away and the roof examined and made secure between shots.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/20.38) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2038)
Sec. 20.38. 
		
		Where fuse is used in firing shots, the length of the fuse shall
not be less than 3 1/2 feet from the outside end of the charge, and no shot
shall be fired unless there is at least one foot of fuse protruding from
the mouth of the hole.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/20.39) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2039)
Sec. 20.39. 
		
		"CARDOX" shall not be fired "on shift", and while men are in the
mine.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/20.40) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2040)
Sec. 20.40. 
		
		If samples of permissible explosives when tested as provided for
in this Article shall be found not to comply with the provisions herein,
the person, firm or corporation guilty of violating the provisions of this
Act shall be prosecuted in accordance with the provision hereof.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/20.41) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2041)
Sec. 20.41. 
		
		Any person, firm or corporation who shall sell for use in the
coal mines in this State any permissible explosive not stamped as herein
required, or who shall knowingly sell for use in coal mines in this State
any permissible explosive which is untruthfully branded or stamped, and any
person, firm or corporation being a manufacturer of permissive explosives,
or the agent of any such manufacturer of permissible explosives, who shall
sell for use in any coal mine in this State any permissible explosive which
shall not conform to the requirements of this Act, shall be guilty of a
Class B misdemeanor.
(Source: P.A. 77-2718.)