SAFETY IN MINES

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 118, 22 May 1925, Page 8

SAFETY IN MINES

NEW PRECAUTIONS

AMENDED REGULATIONS CONSOLIDATED

'A number of important new clauses have been inserted in the regulations under the Coal Mines Act. The regulations, which have been subjected to much amendment since they were originally drafted in 1915, have been consolidated, making them much more concise and more readable than before. An important alteration has been made in the provisions applying to the issue of underviewers and firemen »nd deputies' certificates. The. applicant is now required to furnish a medical certificate showing that his senses of sight and hearing are not defective; a certificate as to general conduct and sobriety; and a certificate showing that he- has had at last ono year's experience as a cpal-

hower. Mine managers must see that adequate safety appliances are always provided, and in case of accident, either above or below ground, notify the Inspector and the Workmen's Inspector, and within twenty-four hours supply written particulars of the mishap to the Inspector. The underviewer is to take similar precautions for safety in the mine and report at once any deficiencies in materials and appliances. If the mine is worked by a succession of shifts the foreman-deputy is not to leave the mine without conferring with his successor or with the responsible officer left in charge. No person other than a ba,nksman or onsetter is to give signals while men are feeing raised or lowered in the cages, and a system of signals is prescribed for use at all times in connection with winding in shafts. Additional detailed regulations are also made in regard to sinking. All horses underground are to be housed in properly constructed stables and stalls of adequate size, and special provisions are made for ventilation, sanitation, and the feeding of the animals.

INFLAMMABLE GAS. Should any person find himself in the ■presence of inflammable gas he is instructed not to throw away his lamp or attempt to blow it out, but to shelter it, hold it near the floor without jerkin" it, take it steadily into the fresh air, and extinguish the light in water. Men los-. ing their light are to proceed to the appointed station to have the lamp relighted and examined. The -underground use of apparatus for the relighting electrically of safety lamps is authorised, provided it shall not be used in any part of a mine where inflammable gas is likely to occur in quantity sufficient to be indi-' cative of danger.

FURTHER SAFETY MEASURES. Modifications of the additions to the old regulations are made in respect to ventilating fans, boiler attendants' duties. Pursuant to legislation passed last session, all stoppings between main intake and main return airways are within three years to he constructed of masonry or brickwork 9 inches or more in thickness, as required by the Inspector. Very important new, clauses have been added relating to railway sidings, consequent on a number of fatal accidents that have accurred in recent years. They provide for the efficient lighting of points, and rails to be kept clear of all materials, and impose certain prohibitions upon workers in regard to the working of trucks. No explosives are to be stored underground in any mine, and suitable places are to bo provided for their safe keeping: Explosives are to be taken underground in cartridges, and kept until U3e in a secure canister. Detailed directions are given in regard to blastiag. Applicants for licenses to prospect for coal, and for leases to win coal are obliged to furnish important lupplementary information not required to be stated, previously. The regulations came into force yesterday, ■ ' ■