Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 83.djvu/817

 83 STAT. ]

PUBLIC LAW 91-173-DEC. 30, 1969

789

been made between the two mine openings, and such connections shall be made as soon as possible. (3) When only one mine opening is available, owing to final mining of pillars, not more than twenty mmers shall be allowed in such mine at any one time, and the distance between the mine opening and working face shall not exceed five hundred feet. (4) In the case of all coal mines opened on or after the operative date of this title, and in the case of all new working sections opened on or after such date in mines opened prior to such date, the escapeway required by this section to be ventilated with intake air shall be separated from the belt and trolley haulage entries of the mine for the entire length of such entries to the beginning of each working section, except that the Secretary or his authorized representative may permit such separation to be extended for a greater or lesser distance so long as such extension does not pose a hazard to the miners. (g) After the operative date of this title, all structures erected on tu?es!nreproofing. the surface within one hundred feet of any mine opening shall be of ' fireproof construction. Unless structures existing on or prior to such date which are located within one hundred feet of any mine opening are of such construction, fire doors shall be erected at effective points in mine openings to prevent smoke or fire from outside sources endangering miners underground. These doors shall be tested at least monthly to insure effective operation. A record of such tests shall be kept in an area on the surface of the mine chosen by the operator to minimize the danger of destruction by fire or other hazard and shall be available for inspection by interested persons. (h) Adequate measures shall be taken to prevent methane and coal dust from accumulating in excessive concentrations in or on surface coal-handling facilities, but in no event shall methane be permitted to accumulate in concentrations in or on surface coal-handling facilities in excess of limits established for methane by the Secretary within one year after the operative date of this title. Where coal is dumped at or near air-intake openings, provisions shall be made to avoid dust from entering the mine. Training pro(i) Every operator of a coal mine shall provide a program, grams. approved by the Secretary, of training and retraining of both qualified and certified persons needed to carry out functions prescribed in this Act. (j) An authorized representative of the Secretary may require in any coal mine where the height of the coalbed permits that electric face equipment, including shuttle cars, be provided with substantially constructed canopies or cabs to protect the miners operating such equipment from roof falls and from rib and face rolls. (k) On and after the operative date of this title, the opening of any coal mine that is declared inactive by its operator or is permanently closed or abandoned for more than ninety days, shall be sealed by the operator in a manner prescribed by the Secretary, Openings of all other mines shall be adequately protected in a manner prescribed by the Secretary to prevent entrance by unauthorized persons. (1) The Secretary may require any operator to provide adequate facmties! facilities for the miners to change from the clothes worn underground, to provide for the storing of such clothes from shift to shift, and to provide sanitary and bathing facilities. Sanitary toilet facilities shall be provided in the active workings of the mine when such surface facilities are not readily accessible to the active workings. (m) Each operator shall make arrangements in advance for obtain- icarrslirtanrL!'^" ing emergency medical assistance and transportation for injured

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