The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, MAY 28th, 1925. SAFETY IN MINES.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 May 1925, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, MAY 28th, 1925. SAFETY IN MINES.

A xti mu Kit of important new clauses have been inserted in the regulations under the Coal Alines Act. The regulations, which have been subjected to much amendment since they were originally drafted in 1915, have been consolidated, making them much more loncise and more readable than before. An important alteration has been , made in the provisions applying to the issue of underviewers and firemen and 1 leputies’ certificates. The applicant is ■ low required'to furnish a medical ter- . ificate shewing that his senses of sight , md hearing are not defective: a eer- ; ificate as to general conduct and sob- c iety; and a certificate showing that he v ins had at least one year’s experience I i ns a coal-hewer. Mine managers must t

see that adequate safety appliances are always provided, anil in case of accident. either above or below ground, notify the inapt- tor anil the workmen's inspector, and within twenty-four hours supply written particulars of the mishap to the inspector. The underviewer is to take similar pro ant ions lor safety iu the mine and report at once any deficiencies i:, materials and ap-pliaic-es. If the mine is worked by a succession cf shifts, tip, foreman-deputy is 11.1 t to leave the mine without conferring with Ids sue< essur or with the responsible ofiicer left in charge. .Vo person other than a. luiuksmall oi- onsetter is In gi\e signals while men are being raised of lowered in the rages, Hlld a system i I .signals is proscribed lor use at all limes in connexion with winding in shafts. Additional detailed l egal, lions are ai-o made in regard to sinking. All horses underground are I 1 be housed in pr. perly-constrin-ted stables and stalls of adequate size, and Special provisions are tuudo for vioitiiali.in. saiiitatioii. mid the feeding of the animals. Should any person find himself in the presence of inflammable gas he is instructed nq Pi throw away his lamp, or attempt to blow it out, but to shelter it. ledd it near the th-e.r without jerking it. lake it steadily into the flesh «ir. ah I extinguish the light in water. .Men losing their light are to proceed to the appoihtod station to have the lamp leiiahUhl .liul examined- The iihdet ground use of apt paratus for tlie relighting, electrically of safety lamps is authorised, provided it shall ti it he used m any part of a mine where iullammahle gas is likely to occur in quantity sufficient to lc indicative of danger. Modifications of the additions to the lld regulations are made in respect to ventilating fans mid boiler attendants' duties, l’ursunnt to legislation passed last session, all stoppings between main intake mid main return airways arc within throe years to lie constructed of masonry or brickwork nine incites or more in thickness, as required by the in.speitor. Very important hew clauses have been added relating to railway sidings, consequent on a number of fatal accidents that have occurred in recent years. They provide for the efficient lighting of points, and rails to lie kept clear of all materials, and impose tertain prohibitions upon workers in regard to the woi’kiilg of trucks. No explosives are to he stored underground in any mine, and suitable places nil* to he provided for their safe keeping. Explosives are to he taken underground in cartridges, and kept until used in a secure canister. Detailed directions tire given ili regard to blasting. Applicants for licenses to prospect for coal, and for leases to win coal, are obliged to furnish important supplementary information not required to he stated previously. The regulations came into force last Friday.