HARRY HUGHES, Governor

1359

(a)  The Governor, with the advice of the Director,
concurred in by the Secretary, shall appoint from a list of
eligible persons established by the Secretary of Personnel,
at least three district mine inspectors, as authorized by
appropriation or other law. Before entering upon his duties,
each district inspector shall take the oath prescribed by
the Constitution. Each district inspector shall be
reimbursed for necessary traveling expenses upon the
presentation of monthly accounts properly supported by
vouchers approved by the Director within the allowance
provided in the State budget.

(b)  Each inspector shall be a citizen of the State,
who is at least 30 years old and has at least five years'
practical experience as a working employee in the
underground operations of coal mines in this State. He shall
have passed a first-grade mine foreman examination before
the examining board and obtained a certificate of
competency. In addition, the inspector shall satisfy the
Secretary of Personnel that he has theoretical and practical
knowledge of the working, ventilation, drainage, and
operation of bituminous coal mines and of all noxious and
explosive gases found in them, of the mining law of the
State, and is also suited for the duties required by this
position.

(c)  The bureau shall assign and reassign the district
mine inspector to or from a prescribed inspection territory
as necessary. The districts, covering the mining area of the
State, shall be divided and redivided, depending on the work
load of each inspector. Each inspector shall reside within
his assigned inspection territory. Each inspector shall
devote his entire time to the duties of this office, and may
not have an interest, direct or indirect, in any mining
operation or mining investment in this or any contiguous
state.

(d)  If a district mine inspector temporarily becomes
incapacitated, is suspended for cause, or receives a leave
of absence, the Director of the Bureau, subject to the rules
of the State Department of Personnel, temporarily may employ
a competent person to fill the office until the inspector
returns to duty. However, temporary employment may not
exceed 90 days. Any temporary employee shall be paid at the
rate of compensation allowed for the inspector.]

7-303.

(c) An applicant for a fire-boss certificate of
competence shall produce evidence satisfactory to the
examining authority that he is a resident of the State, and
at least 18 years of age. He shall furnish a verified
history of his experience in mining employment, showing in
detail the several mines in which he has worked, their
location, the particular employment followed during a period
of at least [one year] 3 YEARS, and, in particular, his
knowledge of and extent of experience with gaseous mines.