2023 Illinois Compiled Statutes › Chapter 225 - PROFESSIONS, OCCUPATIONS, AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS › 225 ILCS 705/ - Coal Mining Act. › Article 7 - Hoisting Engineer And Hoisting

(225 ILCS 705/Art. 7 heading)
ARTICLE 7.
HOISTING ENGINEER AND HOISTING.
(225 ILCS 705/7.02) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 702)
Sec. 7.02. 
Each applicant for a certificate of competency as electrical
hoisting engineer shall produce evidence satisfactory to the Mining Board
that he is a citizen of the United States or lawfully admitted for permanent residence, at least 21 years of age, that
he has had two years' experience with electrical hoisting equipment, or
has completed a training course in operation and maintenance of electrical
hoisting machinery approved by the Mining Board and is of good repute and
temperate habits. He shall pass an examination as to his practical and technical
knowledge of the construction of same, the care and adjustment of electrical
hoisting engines, the management and efficiency of electric pumps, ropes
and winding apparatus and as to his knowledge of the laws of this State
in relation to signals and the hoisting and lowering of men at mines.
(Source: P.A. 101-541, eff. 8-23-19.)
(225 ILCS 705/7.03) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 703)
Sec. 7.03. 
		
		It shall be unlawful for the operator of any mine to permit any
person who does not hold a certificate of competency as hoisting engineer
issued by the Mining Board to hoist or lower men, or to have charge of the
hoisting engine when men are underground. No certified engineer shall be
required for automatically operated cages or platforms. Provided, at any
slope mine where the angle of the slope is not more than twenty degrees and
men are not lowered into and/or hoisted out of the mine by hoisting
equipment, and there is ample room in the slope and it would be practicable
in the event of an accident to remove an injured person from the mine, no
hoisting engineer holding a certificate of competency issued by the Mining
Board shall be required.
(Source: Laws 1957, p. 2413.)
(225 ILCS 705/7.04) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 704)
Sec. 7.04. 
The Mining Board may grant a permit to operate a second motion
engine, or internal combustion engine, at any mine employing not more than
10 men, to any person recommended to the Mining Board by the State Mine
Inspector of the district. The applicant for such permit shall have filed
with the Mining Board satisfactory evidence that he is a citizen of the
United States or lawfully admitted for permanent residence, that he has had at least one year of experience in operating
a steam engine, steam boiler, or internal combustion engine and understands
the handling and care of the same. Such application shall be accompanied by
a statement from at least three persons who will testify from their
personal knowledge of the applicant that he is a man of good repute and
personal habits, and that he has, in their judgment, a knowledge of and
experience in handling boilers and engines as required in this section.
Such permit shall apply only to the mine for which it was issued, and for a
period not to exceed one year, except such permit, when it expires, may be
renewed by the Mining Board from year to year if the person holding same
requests renewal, and certifies by sworn statement that all the
circumstances and conditions are the same as when said permit was
originally issued.
(Source: P.A. 101-541, eff. 8-23-19.)
(225 ILCS 705/7.05) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 705)
Sec. 7.05. 
		
		The certificate of any hoisting engineer may be cancelled and
revoked by the Mining Board upon notice and hearing as hereinafter
provided, if it shall be established in the judgment of said Mining Board
that the holder thereof has obtained said certificate by fraud or
misrepresentation of his experience or has become unworthy to hold said
certificate by reason of violation of the law, intemperate habits,
incapacity, abuse of authority or for any other cause. However, any person
against whom charges or complaints are made hereunder shall have the right
to appear before the Mining Board and defend himself against said charges,
and he shall have 15 days' notice in writing of such charges previous to
such hearing. The Mining Board, in its discretion, may suspend the
certificate of any person charged as aforesaid, pending such hearing, but
said hearing shall not be unreasonably deferred.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/7.06) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 706)
Sec. 7.06. 
		
		Whenever the hoisting or lowering of men occurs before daylight
or after dark, or when the landing at which men take or leave the cage is
at all obscured by steam or otherwise, there must always be maintained at
such landing a light sufficient to show the landing and surrounding objects
distinctly. Likewise, as long as there are men underground in any mine the
operator shall maintain a good and sufficient light at the bottom of the
shaft thereof, so that persons coming to the bottom may clearly discern the
cage and objects in the vicinity.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/7.07) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 707)
Sec. 7.07. 
		
		In connection with every hoisting engine used for hoisting or
lowering of men there shall be provided a good and sufficient brake on the
drum, so adjusted that it may be operated by the engineer without leaving
his post at the levers.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/7.08) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 708)
Sec. 7.08. 
		
		Every hoisting drum shall be provided with flanges attached to
the sides of the drum, with a distance when the whole rope is wound on the
drum of not less than 4 inches between the outer layer of rope and the
greatest diameter of the flange.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/7.09) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 709)
Sec. 7.09. 
		
		One end of each hoisting rope shall be well secured on the drum,
and at least three laps of the same shall remain on the drum when the cage
is at rest at the lowest caging place in the shaft. The lower end of each
rope shall be securely fastened to the cage by suitable clamps or sockets
and chains.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/7.10) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 710)
Sec. 7.10. 
		
		An index dial or indicator that plainly shows the engineer at all
times the true position of the cages in the shaft shall be placed in clear
view of the engineer.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/7.11) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 711)
Sec. 7.11. 
		
		At the beginning of each shift and after the mine has been idle,
the hoisting engineer shall operate the cages up and down the shaft at
least one round trip before hoisting or lowering men. A similar procedure
shall be following in slope mines, except that an attendant may ride the
trip.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/7.12) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 712)
Sec. 7.12. 
		
		At every mine where men are hoisted and lowered by machinery
there shall be provided means of signaling to and from the bottom man, the
top man and the engineer. The signal system shall consist of a tube, or
tubes, or wire encased in wood or iron pipes, through which signals shall
be communicated by electricity, compressed air or other pneumatic devices
or by ringing a bell. When compressed air or other pneumatic devices are
used for signaling, provision must be made to prevent signal from repeating
or reversing.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/7.13) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 713)
Sec. 7.13. 
		The following signals shall be used at all the mines.
1.  From the bottom to the top: One ring or whistle shall signify to
hoist coal or the empty cage, and also to stop either when in motion.
2.  Two rings or whistles shall signify to lower cage.
3.  Three rings or whistles shall signify that men are coming up or
going down; when return signal is received from the engineer the men
shall get on the cage and the proper signal to hoist or lower shall be
given.
4.  Four rings or whistles shall signify to hoist slowly, implying
danger.
5.  Five rings or whistles shall signify accident in the mine and a
call for a stretcher.
6. Six rings or whistles shall signify hold cage perfectly still
until signaled otherwise.
7. From top to bottom, one ring or whistle shall signify: All ready,
get on cage.
8. Two rings or whistles shall signify: Send away empty cage.
However, the operator of any mine may, with the consent of the State
Mine Inspector, add to the code of signals. The code of signals in use
at any mine shall be conspicuously posted at the top and at the bottom
of the shaft, and in the engine room at some point in front of the
engineer when standing at his post.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/7.14) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 714)
Sec. 7.14. 
		Where a hoisting engineer is required by law, he shall:
1.  Be in constant attendance at his engine, or boilers, at all times
when there are workers underground. When it is the duty of the engineer
to attend to the boilers, means for signaling from the shaft bottom to
the boiler room shall be provided.
2.  Not permit anyone except duly authorized persons to enter the
engine room; nor converse with any person while his engine is in
operation, or while his attention is occupied with the signals.
3.  Thoroughly understand the established code of signals, and when
he has the signal that men are on the cage he shall not operate his
engine to exceed the rate of speed provided in Section 7.18 except as
permitted by the State Mine Inspector.
4. Not permit anyone to handle, except in the official discharge of
duty, any machinery under his charge; nor permit anyone who is not a
certified engineer to operate his engine, except for the purpose of
teaching an apprentice to operate the engine, and then only in his
presence and when men are not on the cage.
(Source: P.A. 81-992.)
(225 ILCS 705/7.15) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 715)
Sec. 7.15. 
		
		The hoisting engineer or some other properly authorized employee
shall:
1.  Keep a careful watch over the engines, boilers, pumps, ropes, and
winding apparatus.
2.  Be certain the boilers are properly supplied with water, cleaned, and
inspected at frequent intervals.
3.  Be certain the steam pressure does not exceed the limit established
by the boiler inspector, frequently open the try cocks and the safety
valves, and not increase the weights on the safety valves.
4.  Be certain the steam and water gauges are kept in good order. If any
of the pumps, valves, or gauges become deranged or fail to act he shall
immediately report the fact to the proper authorities.
5. Make a daily inspection of the hoisting equipment.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/7.16) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 716)
Sec. 7.16. 
		
		No person shall handle or disturb any part of the hoisting
machinery without proper authority.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/7.17) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 717)
Sec. 7.17. 
		
		At every shaft where men are hoisted or lowered by machinery, the
operator shall station a competent man at the top and at the bottom of the
shaft who shall attend to signals, and be empowered to preserve order and
enforce the rules governing the carriage of men on cages. The top man and
bottom man shall be at their respective posts of duty a sufficient length
of time before hoisting of coal begins in the morning and after the
hoisting of coal ceases for the day, to properly perform their duties as
provided for in this Section.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/7.18) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 718)
Sec. 7.18. 
		
		Cages on which men are riding shall not be lifted nor lowered at
a rate of speed greater than 600 feet per minute, except with the written
consent of the State Mine Inspector. No person shall carry any tools,
timber or other materials with him on any cage in motion, except for use in
repairing the shaft and no one shall ride on a cage containing either a
loaded or empty car.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/7.19) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 719)
Sec. 7.19. 
		
		Every boiler shall be provided with a glass water gauge and not
less than three try cocks and also a steam gauge, except that where two or
more boilers are equipped with a steam drum properly connected with the
boilers to indicate the steam pressure and without any valves between the
boilers and the steam drum, the steam gauge may be placed in the steam
drum. A steam gauge shall be attached to the steam pipe in the engine
house, and the steam gauges shall be placed in such a position that the
engineer and the fireman can readily see what pressure is being carried.
The steam gauges shall be kept in good order and adjusted, and be tested as
often as every six months.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/7.20) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 720)
Sec. 7.20. 
		
		On boilers connected with one another by what is known as
headerlines, all valve connections thereto shall be closed and securely
fastened while the boiler or boilers are being washed, cleaned, or repaired
for the protection of the person so engaged.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/7.21) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 721)
Sec. 7.21. 
		
		Every boiler shall be provided with a safety valve with weights
or springs properly adjusted except that where two or more boilers are
equipped with a steam drum properly connected with the boilers to indicate
the steam pressure and without any valves between the boilers and the steam
drum, the safety valve may be placed in the steam drum.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/7.22) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 722)
Sec. 7.22. 
		
		All boilers used in generating steam in and about coal mines or
in sinking shafts shall be kept in good order. The operator of every coal
mine where steam boilers are in use, shall have the boilers thoroughly
examined by a competent boilermaker, or other qualified person, not an
employee of the operator, as often as once in every 6 months, and oftener
if the State Mine Inspector so requires in writing. The result of every
such inspection shall be reported on suitable blanks to the State Mine
Inspector.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)