HARRY HUGHES, Governor

1377

fumes, and smoke. If damaged, it shall be repaired promptly.

(2)  Space Between Brattice and Rib. The space
between the line brattice and the rib shall be large enough
to permit the flow of a sufficient volume of air to keep the
working face clear of flammable and noxious gases.

(3)  Construction of Brattice. Flame-resistive
material shall be used in the construction of line brattice.

(j) (1) Posting Warnings; Sealing or Ventilating. The
entrance to any abandoned working shall be posted to warn
any unauthorized person against entering the territory.
Every abandoned working shall be sealed or ventilated.

(2)  Manner of Sealing. Where the practice is to
seal an abandoned working, it shall be done in a substantial
manner with incombustible material. In every sealed area,
one or more of the seals shall be fitted with a pipe and cap
or valve to permit the gas behind the seal to be sampled and
provide a means of determining any existing hydrostatic
pressure.

(3)  Reusing Air in Gassy Mines. In gassy mines,
air that passes through or by abandoned sections or
ventilates pillar lines may not be reused to ventilate live
face workings. Mines that cannot comply with this
requirement, on July 1, 1973, may continue to operate until
future mine development and ventilation can be changed to
permit compliance with this section.

(k) (1) Detection Lamps — In General. At least two
permissible flame safety lamps in proper working condition
shall be kept available at each mine for use by an
authorized person. Only a permissible flame safety lamp,
permissible methane detector, or air sampling and analysis
may be used to determine the presence of methane in mine
air.

(2)  Same — In Gassy Mine. In a gassy mine, any
mine official whose regular duty requires him to inspect a
working place shall possess, when underground, a permissible
flame safety lamp in safe working condition, for the
detection of methane and oxygen deficiency.

(3)  Fire Bosses — Examinations. A fire boss
shall examine the mine before other workers are permitted to
enter. He shall begin his examination in the first working
place in his assigned territory not more than four hours
before the first shift enters the mine. However, any
certified official or other competent person designated by
the mine foreman may make this examination in multiple-shift
operations within four hours of the entrance of the next or
succeeding shift, but in a mine in which gas has not been
found, the examination need be made only before the first
shift enters the mine.