1066 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 437

119B. Electric Face Equipment, (a) All electric face
equipment taken into gassy mines shall be permissible
equipment approved by the United States Bureau of Mines,
except that explosion-tested cable-reel locomotives and
shuttle cars may be used. Any such equipment in use or on
order prior to the effective date of this Act shall continue
to be used with the written permission of the Director of
the Bureau of Mines, it being the legislative intent that
the Director of the Bureau of Mines shall use all known
means to determine the safety and efficiency of said equip-
ment prior to permitting same to be used, provided, how-
ever, such written permission to use such equipment by the
Director of the Bureau of Mines shall not be required prior
to June 1, 1950. If, however, the Director of the Bureau of
Mines shall determine that any such equipment in use or
on order prior to the effective date of this Act shall be
unsafe, it shall be his duty to order such equipment either
replaced or altered to meet the requirements of this Section.

(b) Permissible junction or distribution boxes shall be
used for making multiple-power connections in working
places or other places where dangerous quantities of
methane may be present or may enter the air current or
power connections shall be made in intake air.

(c) Permissible equipment shall be maintained in a
good state of repair and in permissible condition. Explosion-
tested equipment shall be maintained in a good state of
repair and in explosion-tested condition.

(d) No electrically driven equipment shall be taken
into or operated in a working place where 1. 0 per cent or
more methane can be detected at any point not less than
12 inches from the roof, face, or rib.

In all face workings of gassy mines, inspections for
methane shall be made before electric equipment is taken
into or operated in face regions, and frequent tests shall
be made for methane while such equipment is operated in
face regions.

(e) Electric drills or other electrically operated rotat-
ing tools intended to be held in the hands shall have the
electric switch constructed so as to break the circuit when
the hand releases the switch or shall be equipped with
friction or safety clutches.

(f) Explosion-tested cable-reel locomotives in gassy
mines shall be equipped with 2-conductor trailing cables.

119C. Trailing Cables, (a) All new trailing cables
used on electric mine equip mines shall meet the United
States Bureau of Mines tests for flame-resistive qualities.