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Mines and Quarries Act 1954

Status:

This is the original version (as it was originally enacted).

  1. Introductory Text

  2. PART I General Duties of Mine and Quarry Owners

    1. 1.General duties of mine and quarry owners

  3. PART II Management and Control (Mines)

    1. Managers and Under-managers

      1. 2.Appointment, and general duties and powers, of mine managers

      2. 3.Rights of mine manager with respect to instructions given by or on behalf of owner

      3. 4.Qualifications of mine managers

      4. 5.Limitation on number of mines which a person may manage

      5. 6.Under-managers

      6. 7.Temporary appointments during vacancy in office of mine manager or under-manager

      7. 8.Daily supervision by mine managers and under-managers

      8. 9.Charge of mine when neither manager nor under-manager nor substitute is present

      9. 10.Duties of mine managers with respect to reading of reports, and c

    2. Surveyors

      1. 11.Surveyors

    3. Officials and Technicians

      1. 12.Deputies

      2. 13.Other officials, engineers, technicians, and c

      3. 14.Duty of mine manager to ensure that persons appointed by him understand their duties

    4. Provisions ancillary to foregoing Sections

      1. 15.Notification to district inspector of appointments by mine owners

      2. 16.Disqualification of contractors and their employees for appointment as managers, and c, of mines

    5. Plans

      1. 17.Keeping of plans

      2. 18.Furnishing of documents and information requisite for preparation of plans

      3. 19.Faulty plans

      4. 20.Transmission to inspector, and preservation, of plans of abandoned or disused mines, seams and veins

      5. 21.Geological map

  4. PART III Safety, Health and Welfare (Mines)

    1. Provisions for securing safe Ingress and Egress

      1. 22.Provision of shafts and outlets in coal, and c, mines

      2. 23.Communications between shafts and outlets in coal, and c, mines

      3. 24.Limitation on number of persons to be employed at coal, and c, mines in places with single exits

      4. 25.Limitation on number of persons to be employed at coal, and c, mines in shafts and outlets and their insets

      5. 26.Power to apply foregoing provisions of Part III to other mines

      6. 27.Power of inspector to require provision of additional ways out from working faces in coal mines

      7. 28.Provision of winding and haulage apparatus

      8. 29.Power to require provision of machinery, and c, for use in case of failure of winding or haulage apparatus

    2. Safety Precautions in connection with Shafts, &c, and Entrances to disused Workings

      1. 30.Securing of shafts and staple-pits

      2. 31.Safety precautions with respect to entrances to shafts, staple-pits and outlets

      3. 32.Prevention of fall of articles down shafts and staple-pits

      4. 33.Safety precautions with respect to entrances to unfit parts of mines

    3. Roads

      1. 34.General provisions with respect to construction and maintenance of roads

      2. 35.Height and width of travelling roads

      3. 36.Prohibition of use of vehicles and conveyors in roads not affording free movement

      4. 37.Transport rules

      5. 38.Power to require provision of travelling facilities

      6. 39.Provisions for securing safety of foot-passengers in transport roads

      7. 40.Provision of refuge holes

      8. 41.Safety measures relating to use of vehicles

    4. Provisions for securing safe operation of Winding and Rope Haulage Apparatus and Conveyors

      1. 42.Charge of winding and rope haulage apparatus when persons are carried

      2. 43.Charge of winding and rope haulage apparatus when persons are not carried

      3. 44.Charge of conveyors at working faces

      4. 45.Signalling in shafts and outlets

      5. 46.Signalling in roads

      6. 47.Power to exclude or modify five preceding sections in case of remotely controlled or automatic apparatus

    5. Support

      1. 48.Duty to secure safety of roads and working places

      2. 49.Systematic support in coal, shale and fireclay mines

      3. 50.Power to require systematic support in other mines

      4. 51.Supply of materials for support

      5. 52.Withdrawal of support

      6. 53.Duties of deputies in relation to support

      7. 54.Provisions as to support rules

    6. Ventilation

      1. 55.Duty to provide adequate ventilation

      2. 56.Avoidance of danger from gas in waste

      3. 57.Power of inspector to require improvement of ventilation

      4. 58.Provisions as to means of ventilation

      5. 59.Prevention of leakage of air between airways

      6. 60.Provision of barometers and other measuring instruments

    7. Lighting, Lamps and Contraband

      1. 61.Lighting

      2. 62.Permitted lights

      3. 63.Safety-lamps and lighting apparatus regulations

      4. 64.Prohibition of taking into mines safety-lamps not provided by owner or of approved type

      5. 65.Offences relating to safety-lamps

      6. 66.Prohibition of possession of smoking materials in certain mines and parts of mines

      7. 67.Prohibition of taking into certain mines and parts of mines of articles producing flames or sparks

    8. Electricity and Electrical Apparatus

      1. 68.Electricity and electrical apparatus

    9. Blasting Materials and Devices

      1. 69.Blasting materials and devices

    10. Fire Precautions and Provisions as to Rescue

      1. 70.Fire precautions in case of workings served by single intake airway

      2. 71.Provisions for introduction of compulsory use of approved brattice sheeting and conveyor belting

      3. 72.Fire-fighting and rescue operations

      4. 73.Means of escape from rooms in which there is special risk of fire, and c

    11. Dust Precautions

      1. 74.Dust precautions

    12. Precautions against external Dangers to Workings

      1. 75.Duty of mine owners and managers to seek evidence of proximity of disused workings, water-bearing strata, and c

      2. 76.Duty of mine owners and managers to ascertain thickness of strata between workings and surface water

      3. 77.General duty to take precautions against inrushes of gas, water, and c

      4. 78.Powers of inspectors with respect to danger from inrushes of gas, water, and c

    13. Duties of Officials and Workmen in Cases of Danger

      1. 79.Withdrawal of workmen in cases of danger

      2. 80.Duty of workmen to deal with, or report, danger

    14. Machinery and Apparatus

      1. 81.Construction, maintenance, and c., of machinery and apparatus

      2. 82.Fencing of exposed parts of machinery

      3. 83.Restrictions on use below ground of certain engines, and c

      4. 84.Air, gas and steam containers

      5. 85.Loading of cranes, and c

    15. Buildings, Structures, Means of Access, &c

      1. 86.Buildings and structures to be kept safe

      2. 87.Safe means of access and safe means of employment

    16. Training and Discipline

      1. 88.Restriction on doing of work by unskilled persons

      2. 89.Penalization of failure to observe safety directions, and c

      3. 90.Penalization of negligent acts or omissions and unauthorised removal, and c, of articles

    17. First Aid

      1. 91.First aid

    18. Medical Examinations and Prohibition of Heavy Work

      1. 92.Medical examination of young persons

      2. 93.Prohibition of heavy work by women and young persons

    19. General Welfare Provisions

      1. 94.Sanitary conveniences

      2. 95.Measures against vermin and insects

      3. 96.Welfare regulations

      4. 97.Supply of drinking water

  5. PART IV Management and Control (Quarries)

    1. 98.Appointment of quarry managers

    2. 99.General powers and duties of quarry managers

    3. 100.Power of quarry owner to exclude matters from manager's control

    4. 101.Rights of quarry manager with respect to instructions given by or on behalf of owner

    5. 102.Temporary appointments during vacancy in office of quarry manager

    6. 103.Supervision by quarry managers

    7. 104.Power to require qualified manager where certain quarrying operations are carried on

    8. 105.Duties of quarry managers and owners with respect to reading of reports, and c

    9. 106.Officials, and c

    10. 107.Notification to district inspector of appointments by quarry owners

  6. PART V Safety, Health and Welfare (Quarries)

    1. 108.Provisions for securing safe methods of working

    2. 109.Safe means of access to working places

    3. 110.Provisions relating to use of ropeways and vehicles

    4. 111.Lighting

    5. 112.Dust precautions

    6. 113.Withdrawal of workmen in cases of danger

    7. 114.Miscellaneous provisions for securing safety of persons employed

    8. 115.Application of certain provisions of Part III of this Act

  7. PART VI Notification and Investigation of Accidents and Diseases

    1. Notification

      1. 116.Notification of certain accidents

      2. 117.Power to extend to other dangerous occurrences provisions as to notification of accidents

      3. 118.Power to apply to diseases provisions as to notification of accidents

      4. 119.Inquest in case of death by accident

      5. 120.Site of accident or other dangerous occurrence to be left undisturbed

    2. Investigations

      1. 121.Power of Minister to require special report on accident or other dangerous occurrence

      2. 122.Power of Minister to direct public inquiry into accident or other dangerous occurrence

  8. PART VII Workmen's Inspections

    1. 123.Inspections of mines and quarries on behalf of workmen employed thereat

  9. PART VIII Employment of Women and Young Persons

    1. Prohibition of Employment below Ground

      1. 124.Prohibition of employment below ground in certain cases

    2. Hours of Work

      1. 125.Provisions as to hours worked by women and young persons

      2. 126.Periods of employment of females and of male young persons under sixteen

      3. 127.Periods of employment of male young persons over sixteen

      4. 128.Notice fixing periods of employment, and c

    3. Special Exceptions

      1. 129.Special temporary exception as respects coal mines in Durham, Northumberland and Warwick

      2. 130.Special exception for emergencies

    4. Miscellaneous Provisions

      1. 131.Register of women and young persons employed

      2. 132.Supplemental

  10. PART IX Records, Returns and Information

    1. 133.Form of official books and preservation and inspection of entries therein

    2. 134.Records of certain appointments

    3. 135.Provision of copies of this Act and other instruments

    4. 136.Posting of notices

    5. 137.Furnishing to workers of information with respect to this Act and orders and regulations thereunder

    6. 138.Periodical returns by owners

    7. 139.Notification of beginning and ending of certain mining and quarrying operations

    8. 140.Notification of change of ownership or name of mine or quarry

  11. PART X Regulations

    1. 141.Regulations

    2. 142.Procedure for making regulations

    3. 143.Variation, revocation, and c., of regulations

  12. PART XI Inspectors

    1. 144.Appointment and duties of inspectors

    2. 145.General powers of inspectors

    3. 146.Power of inspector to require remedy for immediate or apprehended danger

  13. PART XII Grant, Cancellation and Suspension of Certificates

    1. 147.Grant of certificates

    2. 148.The Mining Qualifications Board

    3. 149.Qualifications for grant of certificates

    4. 150.Cancellation or suspension of certificates

  14. PART XIII Fencing of Abandoned and Disused Mines and of Quarries

    1. 151.Fencing of abandoned and disused mines and of quarries

  15. PART XIV Offences, Penalties and Legal Proceedings

    1. 152.Offences

    2. 153.Accessories

    3. 154.Supplementary provisions as to offences

    4. 155.Penalty for offences for which no express penalty is provided

    5. 156.Defence available to person charged with offence not committed personally

    6. 157.Persons not to be under liability for contraventions which it was impracticable to avoid or prevent

    7. 158.Special defence available to mine under-managers with limited jurisdiction

    8. 159.Liability of owners for breaches of statutory duty by their servants

    9. 160.Liability of parents for unlawful employment of young persons

    10. 161.Forgery of certificates, false statements, and c

    11. 162.Removal or defacement of notices, and c

    12. 163.Prosecution of offences

    13. 164.Restriction on institution of certain proceedings

    14. 165.Duty to report results of proceedings against persons employed at mines or quarries

    15. 166.Liability of parents for unlawful employment of children

    16. 167.Application of fines

  16. PART XV Miscellaneous and General

    1. Supplementary Provisions

      1. 168.Division of mines

      2. 169.Demarcation of quarries

      3. 170.Provisions as to references upon notices served by inspectors

      4. 171.Provisions as to knowledge by officials, and c., of Welsh language

      5. 172.Power of Minister and inspectors to grant exemptions for limited period from commencement of this Act

      6. 173.Revocation and variation of orders and rules

      7. 174.Parliamentary control of orders, rules and regulations

      8. 175.Mode of service of notices under this Act

      9. 176.Provisions as to exemptions, and c

      10. 177.Fees for testing articles

      11. 178.Expenses and receipts

      12. 179.Application to the Crown

    2. Interpretation

      1. 180.Meaning of " mine " and " quarry "

      2. 181.Meaning of " owner "

      3. 182.General interpretation provisions

      4. 183.Application of Act to training mines

    3. Relationship of Factories Acts and this Act in case of certain premises

      1. 184.Relationship of Factories Acts and this Act in case of certain premises

    4. Repeals, Savings, Transitional Provisions, &c

      1. 185.Repeal, in part, of s. 2 of 46 and 47 Vict. c. 31

      2. 186.Repeal of s. 21 of 16 and 17 Geo. 5. c. 28

      3. 187.Application of Part XIV of this Act to enactments relating to checkweighing and hours of work below ground

      4. 188.Minor and consequential amendments of other enactments

      5. 189.General repeals

      6. 190.Power of Minister to provide for continuance in force of certain regulations and enactments

      7. 191.General savings

      8. 192.Saving for persons managing certain small mines at commencement of this Act

      9. 193.Saving for common law rights of workmen, and c

      10. 194.Commencement

      11. 195.Short title and extent

  17. SCHEDULES

    1. FIRST SCHEDULE

      Public Inquiries into Accidents, &c

      1. 1.A public inquiry which the Minister directs to be held...

      2. 2.The Minister may pay to the person appointed to hold...

      3. 3.The person appointed to hold the inquiry (hereafter in this...

      4. 4.The court shall, for the purposes of the inquiry, have...

      5. 5.A person attending as a witness before the court shall...

      6. 6.The court shall make a report to the Minister stating...

      7. 7.If a person— (a) without reasonable excuse (proof whereof shall...

      8. 8.In the application of this Schedule to Scotland, for references...

    2. SECOND SCHEDULE

      Procedure for Making Regulations

      1. PART I Procedure for making general regulations

        1. 1.Before the Minister makes any general regulations he shall publish...

        2. 2.Every objection so made must be in writing and must...

        3. 3.If there are no objections which the Minister is required...

        4. 4.The following provisions shall have effect where the Minister does...

        5. 5.Where, under the last foregoing paragraph, the Minister refers the...

        6. 6.In this Part of this Schedule— (a) the expression "...

      2. PART II Procedure for Making Special Regulations

        1. 7.Special regulations with respect to a mine or quarry shall...

        2. 8.An application for the making of special regulations must be...

        3. 9.Before the Minister makes any special regulations he shall publish...

        4. 10.Every objection so made must be in writing and must...

        5. 11.If there are no objections which the Minister is required...

        6. 12.The following provisions shall have effect where the Minister does...

        7. 13.Where, under the last foregoing paragraph, the Minister refers the...

      3. PART III Inquiries under Part I or II

        1. 14.The following provisions of this Part of this Schedule shall...

        2. 15.The inquiry shall be held by a competent person or...

        3. 16.There may be paid by the Minister to the person...

        4. 17.The inquiry shall be public and shall be held at...

        5. 18.Any of the following persons may appear at the inquiry...

        6. 19.The evidence of the witnesses at the inquiry may, if...

        7. 20.The person or persons holding the inquiry shall make a...

        8. 21.If it appears to the person holding the inquiry (or,...

        9. 22.Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Part of this...

        10. 23.Where any draft regulations referred for inquiry and report under...

    3. THIRD SCHEDULE

      Inquiries into Fitness of Holders of Certificates and Delivery up and Custody of Certificates in connection with Prosecutions and Inquiries

      1. PART I Inquiries into Fitness of Holders of Certificates

        1. 1.The tribunal holding an inquiry under section one hundred and...

        2. 2.The Minister may pay to the person or persons constituting...

        3. 3.The inquiry shall be public and shall be held at...

        4. 4.The Minister shall, before the beginning of the inquiry, furnish...

        5. 5.The said person may appear at the inquiry either in...

        6. 6.At the conclusion of the inquiry the tribunal shall send...

        7. 7.The tribunal shall, for the purposes of the inquiry, have...

        8. 8.A person attending as a witness before the tribunal shall...

        9. 9.The tribunal may make such orders as it thinks fit...

        10. 10.If a person— (a) without reasonable excuse (proof whereof shall...

      2. PART II Delivery up and Custody of Certificates in Connection with Prosecutions and Inquiries

        1. 11.The holder of any such certificate as is mentioned in...

        2. 12.A certificate so delivered up may be retained by the...

        3. 13.Where the court or tribunal cancels or suspends a certificate...

        4. 14.Where on an appeal (whether by way of case stated...

        5. 15.Where a certificate has been sent to the Minister under...

        6. 16.For the purposes of this Part of this Schedule, the...

      3. PART III Modifications of Parts I and II for the Purposes of their Application to Scotland

        1. 17.In the application of this Schedule to Scotland.—

    4. FOURTH SCHEDULE

      Minor and Consequential Amendments of Enactments

      1. The Coal Mines Regulation Act, 1887

        50 & 51 Vict. c. 58

      2. The Coal Mines (Check Weigher) Act, 1894

        57 & 58 Vict. c. 52

      3. The Coal Mines (Weighing of Minerals) Act, 1905

        5 Edw. 7. c. 9

      4. The Coal Mines Regulation Act, 1908

        8 Edw. 7. c. 57

      5. The Education Act, 1918

        8 & 9 Geo. 5. c. 39

      6. The Education (Scotland) Act, 1918

        8 & 9 Geo. 5. c. 48

      7. The Mining Industry Act, 1920

        10 & 11 Geo. 5. c. 50

      8. The Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children Act, 1920

        10 & 11 Geo. 5. c. 65

      9. The Mining Industry Act, 1926

        16 & 17 Geo. 5. c. 28

      10. The Petroleum (Production) Act, 1934

        24 & 25 Geo. 5. c. 36

      11. The Hours of Employment (Conventions) Act, 1936

        26 Geo. 5. & 1 Edw. 8. c. 22

      12. The Young Persons (Employment) Act, 1938

        1 & 2 Geo. 6. c. 69

    5. FIFTH SCHEDULE

      Enactments Repealed

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