SAFETY IN MINIS

Hokitika Guardian, 11 October 1927, Page 3

SAFETY IN MINIS

SPECIAL ACCIDENT PROVISIONS. WELLINGTON, Oct. 7. For . every mine which has underground workings two separate outlets communicating with each other must be prJvided for the purpose of affording separate means of ingress and egress, according to a provision in the Mining Act Amendment Bill introduced in the House to-day by the Minister of Minos, the Hon G. J. Anderson The provision will not apply to mines in which not more than twenty men are employed in one shift. The Minister may exempt any mine on the ground that its prospects do not warrant restriction of working of the mine by the provision of a second outlet. Mine owners will be liable to a fine of £lO for each day during which a breach is committed. The section of the principal Act concerning the action to be taken after the occurrence of an accident is cinsiderably amended. The Act of last year provided that after an accident in a mine, except for the sole purpose of saving life or preventing further injury, no portion of the mine should be interferred with till inspected by a coroner’s jury, inspector or person appointed by the Minister. ’The amending paragraph states: “Where loss of life or serious personal injury has immediately resulted from ail accident, the place where the accident occurred shall be left as it was immediately after the accident until the expiration of at least three days after sending to an inspector telegraphic notice, or until inspection of the place by an inspector, unless compliance with this provision would tend to increase or continue a danger or would seriously' impede the working of the mine.”

The detaching hook in connection with the winding shaft is to bo tested every four months instead of every three. The Bill provides that the master of a dredge working in a deep or swift flowing stream shall hold a Class A. certificate, otherwise Class B. will suffice. No uncertificated deputy dredge master may act for more than fourteen days without the inspector’s consent. Anyone continuously employed as a dredge master on the coming into force of the Act is entitled to a B certificate.