2023 Illinois Compiled Statutes › Chapter 225 - PROFESSIONS, OCCUPATIONS, AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS › 225 ILCS 705/ - Coal Mining Act. › Article 29 - Telephone and Wireless Communication Systems

(225 ILCS 705/Art. 29 heading)
ARTICLE 29.
TELEPHONE AND WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS.
(Source: P.A. 94-1041, eff. 7-24-06.)
(225 ILCS 705/29.01) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2901)
Sec. 29.01. 
In all mines adequate telephone service or equivalent 2-way
communication facilities, including, but not limited to, 2-way text messages, shall be provided at the top and bottom of each
main shaft or slope, and from the bottoms to the working sections of the
mine. Text messaging communications systems used as communication facilities must be approved by the Department. If text messaging is used, pre-programmed text messages shall be capable of providing information to the surface necessary to determine the status of the miners and the conditions in the mine, as well as providing the necessary emergency response information to the miners.
(Source: P.A. 99-538, eff. 1-1-17.)
(225 ILCS 705/29.02) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2902)
Sec. 29.02. 
		
		Telephone lines, other than cables, shall be carried on
insulators, and where they cross power or trolley wires they shall be
insulated adequately.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/29.03) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2903)
Sec. 29.03. 
		All necessary repairs shall be made promptly.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/29.04) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2904)
Sec. 29.04. 
		
		Where telephone wires running from the top surface into the
mine are used for telephone service, said lines shall be equipped with
lightning arresters located above ground.
(Source: Laws 1955, p. 2012.)
(225 ILCS 705/29.05)
Sec. 29.05. Wireless emergency communication devices. A wireless emergency communication device approved by the Mining Board must be worn by each person underground.  The operator shall provide these devices. The wireless emergency communication device must, at a minimum, be capable of receiving emergency communications from the surface at any location throughout the mine.  Each operator must provide for the training of each underground employee in the use of the device and, annually, provide a refresher training course for all underground employees.  The operator must install in or around the mine any and all equipment necessary to transmit emergency communications from the surface to each wireless emergency communication device at any location throughout the mine.
An operator must submit for approval a plan concerning the implementation of the wireless emergency communication devices required under this Section to the Mining Board within 3 months after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly.
Any person who, without the authorization of the operator or the Mining Board, knowingly removes or attempts to remove any wireless emergency communication device or related equipment approved by the Mining Board from the mine or mine site with the intent to permanently deprive the operator of the device or equipment or who knowingly tampers with or attempts to tamper with the device or equipment is guilty of a Class 4 felony.
(Source: P.A. 94-1041, eff. 7-24-06.)
(225 ILCS 705/29.06)
Sec. 29.06. Wireless tracking devices. A wireless tracking device approved by the Mining Board must be worn by each person underground.  The operator shall provide these devices. The tracking device must be capable of providing real-time monitoring of the physical location of each person underground in the event of an accident or other emergency.  No person may discharge or discriminate against any underground employee based on information gathered by a wireless tracking device during non-emergency monitoring.  Each operator must provide for the training of each underground employee in the use of the device and provide refresher training courses for all underground employees during each calendar year.  The operator must install in or around the mine all equipment necessary to provide real-time emergency monitoring of the physical location of each person underground.
An operator must submit for approval a plan concerning the implementation of the wireless tracking devices required under this Section to the Mining Board within 3 months after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly.
Any person who, without the authorization of the operator or the Mining Board, knowingly removes or attempts to remove any wireless tracking device or related equipment approved by the Mining Board from a mine or mine site with the intent to permanently deprive the operator of the device or equipment or who knowingly tampers with or attempts to tamper with the device or equipment is guilty of a Class 4 felony.
(Source: P.A. 94-1041, eff. 7-24-06.)
(225 ILCS 705/29.07)
Sec. 29.07. Mine Technology Task Force; provision of rescue chambers and wireless devices.
(a) The Director shall establish a Mine Technology Task Force composed of representatives of an organization representing mine employees, coal operators, academia, and the communications industry.  Each group shall submit the name of its representative to the Director. The task force shall review and make recommendations to the Mining Board regarding the best available mine safety technologies, including, but not limited to, rescue chambers, wireless communications equipment, and wireless tracking devices for use in underground mines.  The task force shall submit its initial findings to the Mining Board within 3 months after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly.
(b) Rescue chambers, wireless emergency communications devices, and wireless tracking devices must be provided in each underground mine within 90 days after the equipment is approved by the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration.  To the extent that any of these devices have already been approved by the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration, the operator shall provide the equipment in each underground mine within 90 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly.
(c) A temporary waiver of the requirements of subsection (b) of this Section of up to 90 days may be issued by the Mining Board if (i) the mine operator submits to the Mining Board a receipt of the product order and (ii) the manufacturer has certified that the product will be delivered within 90 days of the product order.
(Source: P.A. 94-1041, eff. 7-24-06.)