1378

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 418

(4)  Same — Testing, etc. The fire boss shall
visit every live working place in the mine to test with a
permissible flame safety lamp for methane, noxious gas, and
oxygen deficiency. He shall examine seals and doors, test
and inspect the roof, face, and rib conditions on active
roadways and travelways, approaches to abandoned workings,
and examine accessible falls in any active section for
explosive gas and any other hazard. He shall assure that the
air is traveling in its regular course in each split. The
fire boss shall record his initials and the date at or near
the face of each place examined.

(5)  Same — Erection of Danger Signs. If the
fire boss or any other official finds any dangerous
condition, the place shall be marked with a DANGER sign. No
one except an authorized person may cross the DANGER sign
and then only to correct the dangerous condition.

(6)  Same -- Reports. On completion of his
examination, the fire boss shall report to a proper official
on the surface or report at a designated underground station
any defect found, before the men enter the mine or pass the
designated station.

(7)  Same — Records. The fire boss shall record
the result of his inspection in a book, kept on the surface
for this purpose. A similar record may also be kept at any
designated station underground. The record shall be made as
soon as possible after the inspection is completed.

(8)  Abandoned Sections; Examinations During
Shifts. A certified foreman or fire boss shall inspect any
idle and abandoned section for gas and any other dangerous
condition immediately before any other worker is permitted
to enter or work in the place. Each working place shall be
examined by a certified official for any hazard at least
once during each shift while the workers are in the mine, or
more often if necessary for safety. In a gassy mine the
examination shall include tests with a permissible flame
safety lamp for methane, noxious gas, and oxygen deficiency.
Any dangerous condition found shall be corrected promptly.

(9)  Examination of Pillar Workings in Gassy
Mines. In gassy mines, each pillar working shall be examined
for explosive gas and any other danger before a fall is
made. If methane is found in an amount that can be detected
with a permissible flame safety lamp, the fall may not be
made until the gas is removed or other precautions taken to
safeguard every employee.

(10)  Air Samples. At least once each week, air
samples shall be collected for analysis or testing. The mine
foreman or other competent person designated by him shall
test for methane in every mine with a permissible methane
indicator or a permissible flame safety lamp in the return
of each split immediately out by the last working place, in
the main return, pillar falls, seals, abandoned workings,