IC 6557 Hazards to Underground Workers From Inflammable Surface Structures Near Mine Openings

Sections 120 and 121 of Article XI. Fire Control, of a proposed Mine Safety Law in preparation, to be used as desired and when approved by any State, contains these provisions: After the adoption of these regulations, no mine operator shall erect any nonfireproof structure within 50 feet of any mine entrance. or airway. Every operating mine having nonfireproof structures within 50 feet of any mine entrance or airway, except headframes necessary for hoisting, shall have such structures fireproofed or removed and replaced with fireproof structures within six months of the adoption of these regulations. Before reopening, mines idle at the time of the adoption of these regulations shall have all non- fireproof structures fireproofed, removed, or replaced with fire- proof structures as required by the foregoing sentence. Upon receipt of the written statement of a mine operator that the fireproofing of existing structures is impracticable, the chief mining engineer (of the State commission) shall satisfy himself as to the abouracy of the statement. If he concurs that fireproofing is impracticable, and if at the same time he holds the opinion that adequate protection can be provided otherwise by such procedure, he shall have authority to issue a written permit for the substitution of fireproof door at or near portals of mine openings and collars: of shafts. Such doors shall fit as nearly gas-tight as possible. and shall be installed in such a way that the mouths of mine open- ings can be closed readily from outside of structures. The effec- tiveness of such permit may be made contingent upon the operator's continued compliance with any additional precautions which are necessary in the chief mining engineer's opinion to protect the lives of miners.