Ss. 22-25 rep. by SR 1998/375
Ss. 26, 27 rep. by SR 1980/333
(1)Every shaft and unwalkable outlet for the time being provided at a mine of coal, stratified ironstone, shale or fireclay for affording to persons employed below ground therein means of ingress and egress shall be provided with apparatus for carrying persons between the top of the shaft and the entrances therefrom to the workings and between those entrances themselves or, as the case may be, for carrying persons between the surface entrance to the outlet and the entrances therefrom to the workings and between those entrances themselves, being apparatus which complies with such requirements, if any, of regulations as it appears to the Ministry requisite or expedient to impose for securing the safety of persons when being carried by means thereof and whose use is confined to the shaft or outlet, save where[F1 the Executive] in any particular case, by notice served on the manager of the mine, consents to its use not being so confined.
(2)Every shaft and unwalkable outlet for the time being provided at a mine other than of coal, stratified ironstone, shale or fireclay for affording to persons employed below ground therein means of ingress and egress, being a shaft or outlet in the case of which the relevant distance exceeds[F2 45 metres], shall be provided with apparatus for carrying persons between the top of the shaft and the entrances therefrom to the workings and between those entrances themselves or, as the case may be, for carrying persons between the surface entrance to the outlet and the entrances therefrom to the workings and between those entrances themselves, being apparatus which complies with such requirements, if any, of regulations as it appears to the Ministry requisite or expedient to impose for securing the safety of persons when being carried by means thereof, and whose use is confined to the shaft or outlet, save where[F1 the Executive] in any particular case, by notice served on the manager of the mine, consents to its use not being so confined; but[F1 the Executive] may by notice served on the manager of any such mine as is mentioned in the foregoing provisions of this subsection exempt from those provisions a shaft or outlet provided at that mine.
For the purposes of this subsection the expression “relevant distance” means, in the case of a shaft, the distance between the top of the shaft and the bottom of the lowest entrance to the shaft provided for affording to persons access to the shaft and, in the case of an outlet, the distance between the point at which the outlet reaches the surface and the underground entrance provided for affording to persons access to the outlet which is furthest from that point.
(3)All apparatus provided in pursuance of this section shall be properly maintained and, when not in use, kept constantly available for use.
S.29 rep. by SR 1980/333
(1)Every mine shaft and staple-pit shall, save in so far as the natural conditions of the strata through which it passes render it unnecessary (either as to the whole or as to any part thereof) so to make it, be made secure, and shall be kept secure.
(2)In any prosecution for a contravention of subsection (1) with respect to a shaft or staple-pit, it shall be a defence to prove that at the time of the alleged contravention no insecure part of that shaft or staple-pit was in use or was the site of any operations in progress by way of driving or extending the shaft or staple-pit.
(3)Subsection (1) shall apply to unwalkable outlets at a mine as it applies to mine shafts.
(1)The surface entrance to every mine shaft and every other entrance thereto (whether above or below ground), and every entrance to every staple-pit, shall be provided with an efficient enclosure or barrier so designed and constructed as to prevent any person from accidentally falling down the shaft or staple-pit or accidentally coming into contact with a moving part of any winding apparatus with which the shaft or staple-pit is provided.
(2)Every enclosure or barrier provided in pursuance of subsection (1) shall be properly maintained and, where an enclosure or barrier so provided or any part thereof is removable or openable, the enclosure, barrier or part shall be kept securely in position or, as the case may be, securely closed save in so far as its removal or opening is necessary for the purpose of the use of the shaft or staple-pit in connection with which it is provided, the doing of work in the shaft or staple-pit or the inspection of, or of anything in, the shaft or staple-pit.
Subs.(3) rep. by SR 1980/333
(4)For the purposes of this section so much of any superstructure provided at the top of a shaft as forms an extension thereof shall be deemed to form part of the shaft.
(5)This section shall not apply to a shaft or outlet of, or staple-pit in, an abandoned mine or a mine which has not been worked for a period of twelve months, but, save as aforesaid, shall apply as well to shafts, outlets and staple-pits which are not in use as to shafts, outlets and staple-pits which are in use.
S.32 rep. by SR 1980/333
Ss. 33-35 rep. by SR 1998/375
(1)The manager of a mine—
(a)shall not permit vehicles to run in any road therein unless neither the vehicles nor their loads, nor (if the vehicles run as part of rope haulage apparatus) the ropes to which they are attached, rub against the roof or sides of the road, anything supporting the roof and sides of the road or either of them or anything in the road not provided for the purpose of controlling the vehicles or (in the case of vehicles which run as part of rope haulage apparatus) the ropes to which they are attached;
(b)shall not permit a conveyor to be operated in any road therein unless neither the conveyor nor its load rubs against the roof or sides of the road, anything supporting the roof and sides of the road or either of them or anything in the road.
(2)In any prosecution for a contravention of this section with respect to the running of vehicles or the operation of a conveyor in a road in a mine on any occasion, it shall be a defence to prove either—
(a)that the sole purpose for which the vehicles were being run or the conveyor was being operated on that occasion was to facilitate the carrying out to the road of repairs the purpose of the carrying out whereof was to enable the manager of the mine, without contravention of this section, to permit vehicles to run or a conveyor to be operated in that road; or
(b)that—
(i)the fact that rubbing occurred on that occasion was due to a sudden decrease of the height or width of the road which it was impracticable to prevent; and
(ii)there was no reasonable ground for apprehending that the running of the vehicles or the operation of the conveyor, as the case may be, on that occasion would result in bodily injury to persons using the road; and
(iii)no avoidable delay was incurred in taking the steps necessary to complete the carrying out to the road, at the place where rubbing occurred, of such repairs as aforesaid.
(1)The manager of every mine shall have power to make rules (hereafter in this Act referred to as “transport rules” ) with respect to the use of vehicles and conveyors in the mine and the conditions under which they may be so used and generally for securing the safe operation in the mine of vehicles and conveyors and the avoidance of bodily injury being caused to persons by reason of the running thereof, and in particular, but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing words,—
(a)specifying a standard height and width with respect to each length of road in the mine in which vehicles run or conveyors are operated;
(b)specifying the maximum loads (by reference to weight, dimensions, number or other criterion) that may be carried in vehicles in any length of road in the mine and the maximum number of vehicles (according as to whether they are loaded or unloaded) that may be coupled together to run as a set or train in any length of road in the mine;
(c)specifying the maximum speeds at which vehicles may run in any length of road in the mine; and
(d)prohibiting the conveyance in roads in the mine of persons in vehicles or on conveyors except in such circumstances and in accordance with such conditions, if any, as may be specified in the rules and specifying precautions to be observed when persons are so conveyed.
(2)The exercise by the manager of a mine of the power conferred by subsection (1) shall be obligatory for the purpose mentioned in paragraph ( a) of that subsection and also for the purposes mentioned in paragraphs ( b) to ( d) thereof save in so far as an exercise of that power for those purposes could, having regard to the circumstances of the mine, serve no object, and regulations may render an exercise of that power obligatory for any other purpose for which it may be exercised.
(3)The power conferred by subsection (1) to specify by transport rules standard heights and widths with respect to lengths of road may, as respects any particular length of road, be so exercised as either to specify a standard height and width to be applicable without exception throughout that length of road or to specify a standard height and width to be applicable throughout that length of road but subject to exceptions (as regards height or width, or both) for such places therein as may be specified in the rules.
(4)Transport rules having effect with respect to a mine may impose duties and prohibitions on persons employed thereat and, without prejudice to the generality of section 17(5) of the Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 [1954 c.33] , may make different provision with respect to different roads or classes of roads, different lengths of road or lengths of road of different classes and different classes of vehicles, conveyors and loads.
(5)It shall be the duty of the manager of every mine—
(a)so to frame such of the provisions of transport rules as have effect by virtue of paragraph ( a) of subsection (1) as to secure that, as regards any length of road in the mine to which the provisions relate, the specified standard width is not less than such as is sufficient to permit of the provision of such amount of space as may be calculated to secure the safety of persons who work in or pass through that length of road while vehicles are running or conveyors are being operated therein; and
(b)so to frame such of the provisions of transport rules as have effect by virtue of paragraph ( b) or ( c) of that subsection as to secure that each maximum thereby specified is such as will, in his opinion, afford a reasonable margin of safety.
(6)It shall be the duty of the manager of every mine—
(a)to take, with respect to every length of road therein with respect to which a standard height and width is specified by provisions of transport rules having effect by virtue of paragraph ( a) of subsection (1), such steps as are appropriate for securing that the height and width of that length of road throughout are at all times not less than the standard height and width so specified, save, so far as regards any such place therein as is specified in the rules by virtue of subsection (3), in so far as that height and width are, or either of them is, by virtue of that subsection, inapplicable;
(b)to secure that all other provisions of transport rules relating to the mine are executed and enforced.
(7)A transport rule which is inconsistent with the provisions of any regulations shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be of no effect.
(8)If an inspector reports to[F3 the Executive] that he is of opinion with respect to a mine that provision ought to be made by transport rules having effect with respect to the mine for any matter for which provision is not for the time being made by such rules or that different provision ought to be made by such rules for any matter for which provision is for the time being made by such rules,[F3 the Executive] may serve on the manager of the mine a notice specifying the matter for which provision or, as the case may be, different provision ought to be made as aforesaid and the nature of the provision that ought to be made, and requiring the manager, before the expiration of such period beginning with the day on which the notice becomes operative as may be specified therein, to exercise the power conferred on him by subsection (1) in accordance with the tenor of the notice.
The provisions of Part XIII with respect to references upon notices served by[F3 the Executive] shall apply to a notice served under this subsection.
(9)A copy of all transport rules for the time being in force with respect to a mine shall be kept at the office at the mine or at such other place as may be approved by[F3 the Executive], and notices containing a summary of so much of any such rules as affect any person shall be kept posted at suitable places in the mine in such characters and in such positions as to be easily seen and read by him.
(10)A document purporting to be certified by the manager of a mine to be a true copy of any transport rules for the time being in force with respect to the mine shall be receivable in evidence and shall, unless the contrary is proved, be deemed to be such a copy.
F3SR 1999/150
S.38 rep by SR 1980/333
(1)The following provisions shall have effect with respect to every length of road in a mine, being a length in which run vehicles moved otherwise than by hand (whether or not vehicles moved by that means also run therein):—
(a)during any period during which vehicles are moving in that length of road otherwise than by that means, no person employed at the mine (other than an authorised person) shall, except in accordance with the provisions of regulations in that behalf, pass on foot along that length of road or any part thereof unless the movement of vehicles in that length of road, other than vehicles moved by that means, is specially stopped for the purpose of allowing him to do so;
(b)if that length of road is used at the beginning or end, or at the beginning and end, of a shift by not less than ten persons for the purpose of walking to or from their working places in the mine, it shall be the duty of the manager of the mine to fix a period or periods for the purpose of enabling them to do so in safety, and no person shall cause or permit a vehicle (whether loaded or not) to move, otherwise than by that means, in that length of road during a period fixed in pursuance of the foregoing provisions of this paragraph;
but—
…F4[F5 the Executive] may, by notice served on the manager of a particular mine, exempt from the provisions of either or both of those paragraphs any such length of road as aforesaid in that mine; and
in any prosecution instituted in respect of a person's passing along a length of road or part thereof in contravention of paragraph (a), it shall be a defence to prove that that person had reasonable cause to believe that it might be necessary for repairs to be carried out forthwith in that length of road and was so passing for the purpose of verifying his belief and of ascertaining the nature or extent of the repairs which he believed it might be necessary to carry out.
(2)Except with the written permission of the manager of a mine, no person shall, otherwise than in such circumstances and in accordance with such conditions, if any, as may be specified in transport rules having effect with respect to the mine, accompany on foot below ground in the mine a vehicle which is moving as part of any rope haulage apparatus.
(3)For the purposes of paragraph ( a) of subsection (1) the expression “authorised person” means, in relation to a length of road in a mine,—
(a)an official of the mine;
(b)a person employed in connection with the running of vehicles in that length of road;
(c)a person engaged in or in connection with, the carrying out in that length of road of repairs which it is necessary to carry out forthwith; or
(d)a person engaged in carrying out, by virtue of the provisions of this Act relating to workmen's inspections or of any such agreement as is mentioned in those provisions, an inspection at the mine.
(1)Subject to any exceptions for which provision may be made by regulations, the manager of a mine shall not permit vehicles (not being vehicles moved by hand) to run in any length of road in the mine unless there are provided in that length of road (except in so much, if any, of it as is within[F6 23 metres] of a working face served by it), at intervals not greater than such as may be prescribed and in the prescribed positions, refuge holes each of which is of such dimensions as may be prescribed and complies with such other requirements as may be prescribed.
(2)Every refuge hole for the time being provided in a length of road in a mine for the purpose of enabling the manager of the mine, without contravention of subsection (1), to permit vehicles to run in that length of road shall be kept free from obstruction.
(3)In this section the expression “working face” does not include a place in a road at which ripping or work of repair is in progress.
F6SR 1991/239
(1)So long as vehicles are used in a mine, there shall be provided, maintained and used, either in the mine or on the vehicles or both in the mine and on the vehicles, such safety devices as are necessary to prevent the occurrence of accidents likely to cause bodily injury to persons, being accidents caused by vehicles so used running away; and every device provided in pursuance of this subsection shall be of a kind designed to assume automatically the position in which it operates for the purpose for which it is designed, save in a case where there is good reason for not providing a device of that kind.
(2)In addition to the provision, in pursuance of subsection (1), of such safety devices as are therein mentioned, there shall be taken, as respects a person who, otherwise than as a matter of routine, is at work at a place in a mine through which vehicles are running or are accustomed to run, such steps as are necessary to protect him from bodily injury in the event of a vehicle's running away while he is at work at that place.
(1)No mechanically or gravity operated winding apparatus with which a mine shaft or staple-pit is provided and no mechanically or gravity operated rope haulage apparatus at a mine shall be operated on any occasion when persons are carried by means thereof except by a competentF7. . . person who has attained the age of twenty-two years appointed by the manager of the mine to operate it on such an occasion; and accordingly it shall be the duty of the manager of every mine to appoint such number, if any, of competentF7. . . persons as may be sufficient to secure compliance with the foregoing provisions of this subsection.
(2)It shall be the duty of the manager of every mine to and from which persons gain ingress and egress by being carried through a shaft or unwalkable outlet by means of mechanically or gravity operated winding or rope haulage apparatus, or in which persons gain access to a part thereof by being carried through a staple-pit by means of mechanically or gravity operated winding apparatus, to make, and to secure the efficient carrying out of, arrangements whereby, so long as any person is below ground in the mine who it is intended should come out through that shaft, outlet or staple-pit, a person appointed under this section is in attendance at the mine for the purpose of operating the apparatus aforesaid provided for carrying persons through that shaft or outlet or, as the case may be, that staple-pit.
(3)[F8the Executive] may serve on the manager of a mine a notice requiring him to secure that, at such times as may be specified in the notice, a person who, in pursuance of arrangements made under subsection (2), is in attendance at the mine is not charged with the duty of operating more than one set of mechanically or gravity operated winding or rope haulage apparatus.
(4)…F9, no person appointed under this section shall be employed at a mine of coal, stratified ironstone, shale or fireclay for more than eight hours in any day on which his duties consist of, or include, the operation, when persons are carried by means thereof, of mechanically or gravity operated winding apparatus with which a shaft is provided, …F9.
(1)No mechanically or gravity operated winding apparatus with which a mine shaft or staple-pit is provided shall be operated on an occasion when no persons are carried by means thereof except by, or under the constant supervision of, a competentF10. . . person who has attained the age of twenty-one years.
(2)No mechanically or gravity operated rope haulage apparatus at a mine shall be operated on any such occasion as aforesaid except by, or under the constant supervision of, a competentF10. . . person who has attained the age of eighteen years.
No conveyor shall be operated along a working face in a mine except by, or under the constant supervision of, a competentF11. . . person who has attained the age of eighteen years.
(1)There shall be provided and maintained—
(a)in connection with every mine shaft provided with winding apparatus, being a shaft in the case of which the distance between the highest and lowest entrances thereto for the time being in use exceeds[F12 15 metres], effective means of transmitting audible and visible signals from each entrance to the shaft for the time being in use to the place at which the winding apparatus is operated;
(b)in connection with every unwalkable outlet at a mine, being an outlet which is provided with rope haulage apparatus and in the case of which the distance between the terminal surface entrance thereto and the terminal underground entrance thereto exceeds[F12 15 metres], effective means of transmitting audible and visible signals from each entrance to the outlet for the time being in use to the place at which the haulage apparatus is operated;
…
F13Subs.(2) rep. by SR 1980/333
(3)For the purposes of this section—
(a)so much of any superstructure provided at the top of a mine shaft as forms an extension thereof shall be deemed to form part of the shaft, and so much of a line of rails running through an outlet as lies between the point at which the outlet reaches the surface and the surface terminus of the line shall be deemed to form part of the outlet;
(b)the expression “entrance” , in relation to an outlet, includes any place at which vehicles stop for the purpose of loading or unloading; and
(c)the expressions “terminal surface entrance” and “terminal underground entrance” , in relation to an outlet, mean, respectively, the surface entrance thereto or, if there is more than one, that one for the time being in use which is furthest from the point at which the outlet reaches the surface and the underground entrance thereto for the time being in use which is furthest from that point.
Where rope haulage apparatus or a conveyor is installed in a road in a mine or is so installed at a mine as to permit of its operation in a road therein, then, if the length of the part of that road through which vehicles can move as part of that apparatus or, as the case may be, through which loads can be carried by means of that conveyor, exceeds[F14 25 metres], there shall be provided and maintained effective means of transmitting signals from every point throughout that part of that road, to the place at which the apparatus or, as the case may be, the conveyor is operated.
F14SR 1991/239
S.47 rep. by SR 1980/333
(1)It shall be the duty of the manager of every mine to take, with respect to every road and working place in the mine, such steps by way of controlling movement of the strata in the mine and supporting the roof and sides of the road or working place as may be necessary for keeping the road or working place secure; but nothing in this subsection shall require the taking of such steps as aforesaid with respect to a road or part of a road which is, or is comprised in, a part of the mine every entrance to which is for the time being provided, in pursuance of[F15 regulation 8 of the Mines (Safety of Exit) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998], with such an enclosure or barrier as is therein mentioned.
(2)It shall be the duty of the manager of every mine to take such steps as may be necessary for securing that he is at all material times in possession of all information relevant for determining the nature and extent of any steps which it is requisite for him to take in order to discharge efficiently the duty imposed on him by subsection (1).
F15SR 1998/375
(1)Subject to the provisions of this section, in every mine of coal, shale or fireclay there shall be provided and maintained systematic support for the roof and sides of—
(a)every place where any mineral is worked;
(b)every roadhead;
(c)every junction of two or more lengths of road through any one of which vehicles or a conveyor run or runs; and
(d)every length of road in which persons work otherwise than occasionally or for short periods.
Subs.(2)(3) rep. by SR 1980/333
(4)Regulations may provide for exempting from the foregoing provisions of this section any prescribed class of mines of coal, shale or fireclay or any prescribed classes of places where mineral is worked, roadheads, junctions or lengths of road in such mines or any class thereof, and[F16 the Executive] may, by notice served on the manager of a particular mine of coal, shale or fireclay, exempt from those provisions that mine or any such place as aforesaid, roadhead, junction or length of road therein.
(5)For the purposes of this section references to provision and maintenance of systematic support shall, as respects any mine, be construed as references to provision and maintenance of support in accordance with a system specified in rules to be made by the manager of the mine, being a system consistent with the proper control of movement of the strata in the mine.
(6)Nothing in this section shall be construed as preventing a workman in a mine of coal, shale or fireclay from setting in his working place, in addition to supports set therein in pursuance of a requirement imposed by or by virtue of this section, any support which he has reason to believe it is necessary to set therein for the purpose of securing the safety of himself or another.
F16SR 1999/150
S.50 rep. by SR 1980/333
(1)…F17, no materials shall be used for the support of the roof or sides of any place in a mine other than materials provided by the owner of the mine.
Subs. (2) rep. by 1988 NI 7
(3)It shall be the duty of the manager of every mine to secure that a sufficient supply of suitable materials for support is at all times readily available, for use at the place where he is actually working, to a workman who needs them, and—
(a)where a sufficient supply of such materials is not readily available, for use at the place where he is actually working, to a workman who needs them, he shall withdraw to a place of safety and forthwith report to an official of the mine that, by reason of the premises, he has done so; and
(b)where it appears to the person for the time being in charge of a part of a mine that such a supply is not available as aforesaid to a workman employed in that part of the mine, the said person shall cause the workman to withdraw as aforesaid;
and where, on any occasion, a workman has, in pursuance of paragraph ( a) or ( b), withdrawn from the place where he was actually working, the person for the time being in charge of the part of the mine in which that place is situate shall not permit the workman to return to it thereafter until that person is satisfied that such a supply of materials as aforesaid will be readily available, for use at that place, to that workman when he needs them.
F17SR 1980/333
(1)No person shall withdraw support from the roof or sides of any place in a mine otherwise than by a method or device by which he does so from a position of safety.
(2)Where it is part of the system of work at a place in a mine to withdraw from the waste or from under the roof adjoining the waste support provided in compliance with a requirement to provide it imposed by or by virtue of section 49 or 50, no person shall, at that place, otherwise than in accordance with a system specified in rules to be made by the manager of the mine, withdraw as aforesaid support so provided.
It shall be the duty of every person employed at a mine who is appointed for the purpose of fulfilling any requirements imposed with respect to the mine by virtue of section 12(1)( a) to ensure to the best of his ability that all such rules made under or by virtue of any of the foregoing provisions of this Act relating to support as have effect with respect to the mine are executed and enforced and that there are duly set any supports which appear to him to be necessary in addition to those set in pursuance of the requirements imposed by or by virtue of the said provisions.
(1)Rules made under or by virtue of any of the foregoing provisions of this Act relating to support are hereafter in this Act referred to as “support rules” .
(2)Support rules with respect to a mine shall comply with such requirements with respect to the form thereof and the matters to be specified therein as may be prescribed, and may impose upon persons employed at the mine such duties and prohibitions as it appears to the manager of the mine requisite or expedient to impose on them for securing compliance with any requirement imposed by or by virtue of the foregoing provisions of this Part relating to support.
(3)If, with respect to any support rules for the time being in force with respect to a mine, an inspector reports to[F18 the Executive] that he is of opinion that the rules require modification in any particular,[F18 the Executive] may serve on the manager of the mine a notice specifying the rules and the particular in which they require modification and the nature of the modification that ought to be made, and requiring the manager, before the expiration of such period beginning with the date on which the notice becomes operative as may be specified therein, to modify the rules in accordance with the tenor of the notice.
The provisions of Part XIII with respect to references upon notices served by[F18 the Executive] shall apply to a notice served under this subsection.
(4)A support rule which is inconsistent with the provisions of any regulation shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be of no effect.
(5)A copy of all support rules for the time being in force with respect to a mine shall be kept at the office at the mine or at such other place as may be approved by[F18 the Executive] and where, by virtue of paragraph ( d) of subsection (1) of section 12, districts are delimited in a mine for the purpose of the discharge of their duties by persons appointed for the purpose of fulfilling the requirements imposed with respect to the mine by virtue of paragraph ( a) of that subsection, a copy of so much of the said rules as relates to each district shall be supplied by the manager of the mine to the person so appointed who is in charge of the district and shall be kept posted at the entrance to the district in such characters and in such a position as to be easily seen and read by the persons employed in the district.
(6)It shall be the duty of the manager of every mine with respect to which support rules are for the time being in force to supply to every person employed at the mine whose duties consist of, or include, the setting of supports in accordance with a system specified in the rules, a document explaining either verbally or diagrammatically, or partly in the one way and partly in the other the effect of the rules so far as they concern him.
(7)A document purporting to be certified by the manager of a mine to be a true copy of any support rules for the time being in force with respect to the mine shall be receivable in evidence and shall, unless the contrary is proved, be deemed to be such a copy.
F18SR 1999/150
(1)It shall be the duty of the manager of every mine to take such steps as are necessary for securing that there is constantly produced in all parts of the mine below ground ventilation adequate for the following purposes, namely,—
(a)diluting gases that are inflammable or noxious so as to render them harmless and removing them; and
(b)providing air containing a sufficiency of oxygen.
(2)Without prejudice to the general application of subsection (1),—
(a)ventilation produced in a part of a mine shall be deemed for the purposes of that subsection not to be adequate for the purpose of diluting carbon dioxide so as to render it harmless unless the amount thereof in the general body of the air in that part of the mine is not more than one and a quarter per cent. by volume or, if a smaller percentage by volume is prescribed, that smaller percentage;
(b)ventilation produced in a part of a mine shall be deemed for the purposes of that subsection not to be adequate for the purpose of providing air containing a sufficiency of oxygen unless the amount of oxygen in the general body of the air in that part of the mine is not less than nineteen per cent. by volume;
…
F19(3)In the discharge of the duty imposed on him by subsection (1), the manager of a mine shall have regard to the desirability of securing (consistently with the discharge of that duty) the maintenance in the mine of working conditions that are reasonable so far as regards the temperature and humidity of the atmosphere and the amount of dust therein.
(4)Nothing in subsection (1) shall be construed as requiring the production of ventilation—
(a)in a part of a mine which is stopped off in a prescribed manner or in such other manner as may be approved by[F20 the Executive] by notice served on the manager of the mine or is stowed up;
(b)in any waste; or
(c)in any such other part of a mine as may be prescribed.
(5)Where, in any part of a mine required by the foregoing provisions of this section to be ventilated, the ventilation is interrupted or ceases to be adequate for the purposes mentioned in subsection (1), it shall be the duty of the manager of the mine to secure that, until the ventilation is restored, access to that part of the mine is so restricted as to prevent from entering it any person not authorised to do so and no person is permitted to remain in or pass through it except for the purpose of restoring the ventilation or in a case of emergency.
(1)This section applies to waste other than—
(a)waste which is—
(i)stopped off in a prescribed manner or in such other manner as may be approved by[F21 the Executive] by notice served on the manager of the mine in which it is contained; or
(ii)stowed up; or
(b)waste, other than as aforesaid, with respect to which it is known that there is therein—
(i)no inflammable gas; and
(ii)either no noxious gas or no noxious gas in a dangerous concentration.
(2)It shall be the duty of the manager of every mine which contains any waste to which this section applies to secure either—
(a)that there is constantly produced in that waste ventilation adequate for the purposes mentioned in section 55(1); or
(b)that appropriate steps are taken for the purpose of minimising dangerous emissions from that waste of inflammable or noxious gas.
(3)Subsection (2) of section 55 shall, with any requisite modifications, apply for the purposes of subsection (2)( a) as it applies for the purposes of subsection (1) of that section.
F21SR 1999/150
S.57 rep. by SR 1980/333
(1)Unless, in all parts of a mine that are required by section 55 to be ventilated, ventilation adequate for the purposes specified in subsection (1) of that section is provided wholly by natural means, there shall be provided and maintained on the surface of the mine mechanically operated apparatus capable of producing in all those parts of the mine an amount of ventilation sufficient (apart from any ventilation produced by any mechanically operated apparatus below ground) to enable all the persons who are below ground in the mine at any one time to leave it safely; and any apparatus provided in pursuance of this subsection shall, if it is not normally used to produce ventilation, be used once at least in each week and be kept constantly available for use.
(2)Where (whether in pursuance of subsection (1) or not) there is provided on the surface of a mine of coal mechanically operated apparatus for producing ventilation below ground in the mine, then, unless that apparatus is so designed or adapted, and is so installed, as to permit of its operation both by way of forcing air into, and by way of exhausting air from, the mine, there shall be provided in association with that apparatus, maintained and kept constantly available for use, adequate means for reversing the direction of flow of the ventilation produced by that apparatus.
(3)Subject to subsection (4), regulations may—
(a)exempt any prescribed class of mines from the provisions of subsection (1);
(b)exempt any prescribed class of mines of coal from the provisions of subsection (2);
and[F22 the Executive] may, by notice served on the manager of a particular mine other than of coal, exempt the mine from the provisions of subsection (1) and may, by notice served on the manager of a particular mine of coal, exempt the mine from the provisions of either or both of those subsections.
(4)No exemption shall be granted by regulations made by virtue of subsection (3) unless the Ministry is satisfied that no persons employed in mines of the class to which the regulations apply will be exposed to undue risk in consequence of the granting of the exemption; and no exemption shall be granted under that subsection by[F22 the Executive] in the case of a particular mine unless an inspector reports to[F22 the Executive] that he is satisfied that no persons employed in that mine will be exposed to undue risk in consequence of the granting of the exemption.
(5)It shall not be lawful to use a fire for ventilation in a mine or, except with the consent of[F22 the Executive], given by notice served on the manager of the mine, to release in a mine compressed air for the purpose thereby of diluting or removing inflammable or noxious gas.
F22SR 1999/150
(1)Where, of any two lengths of different passages in a mine of coal, stratified ironstone, shale or fireclay, one is made after the commencement of this Act (whatever the date of the making of, or of any part of, the other), then, unless there is (without any steps being taken for the purpose of minimising the leakage of air between them) no, or no appreciable, leakage of air between them, it shall not be lawful to use one as, or as part of, an intake airway and the other as, or as part of, a return airway unless such steps are taken as are necessary for the purpose of minimising the leakage of air between them.
(2)Nothing in subsection (1) shall render unlawful the use as, or as part of, an airway of so much of any passage in a mine as lies within the relevant distance from a working face to which air is supplied or from which air is drawn off through that airway.
(3)For the purposes of subsection (2)—
(a)the expression “relevant distance” means, in relation to a working face in a mine,[F23 150 metres] (measured from any point on that face in a straight line on any plane) or such other distance, so measured (whether greater or less than four hundred and fifty feet), as may, in any particular case, be determined by[F24 the Executive] by notice served on the manager of the mine; and
(b)the expression “working face” does not include a place in a road at which ripping or work of repair is in progress.
(1)At every mine of coal or fireclay and at every mine other than of coal or fireclay, being either a safety-lamp mine or a mine (other than a safety-lamp mine) containing any waste to which section 56 applies, there shall be provided in a conspicuous place and in such a position as to be easily seen and read by the persons employed at the mine a barometer which shall, in such cases as may be prescribed, be of the prescribed kind.
Subs.(2) rep. by SR 1980/333
(3)Every instrument provided at a mine in pursuance of, …F25, the foregoing provisions of this section shall be properly maintained, …F25.
F25SR 1980/333
(1)It shall be the duty of the manager of every mine—
(a)to secure the provision of—
(i)suitable and sufficient lighting (whether natural or artificial) in every part of the mine above ground in or through which persons work or pass (account being taken, where lamps are normally carried by persons who work in or pass through any such part, of the amount of light emitted by those lamps);
(ii)suitable and sufficient artificial lighting in every part of the mine below ground in or through which persons work or pass, other than a part in which the installation of artificial lighting is inadvisable for reasons of safety or is unnecessary because of the amount of light emitted by lamps normally carried by persons who work in or pass through it or for any other reason;
(b)to secure that all apparatus installed at the mine for producing artificial lighting thereat is properly maintained.
(2)Provision may be made by regulations for requiring the provision and maintenance, at such places at a mine as may be prescribed, of such lights as may be prescribed; but nothing in regulations having effect by virtue of this subsection shall be construed as being in derogation of the general obligation imposed by subsection (1).
(1)Subject to the provisions of this section, no lamps or lights other than permitted lights shall be allowed or used below ground in a mine of coal first opened on or after the date of the commencement of this Act.
(2)Subject to the provisions of this section, no lamps or lights other than permitted lights shall be allowed or used below ground in a mine (whether of coal or of any other mineral) first opened before the said date, being either—
(a)a mine in the case of which, immediately before that date, the use below ground therein of lamps or lights, other than locked safety-lamps or some other means of lighting the use of which below ground therein was authorised by or under the enactments repealed by this Act, was unlawful or would have been unlawful but for an exemption then in force; or
(b)a mine (other than as aforesaid) in the case of which locked safety-lamps were being used below ground therein immediately before that date otherwise than by way of temporary precaution.
(3)Subject to the provisions of this section, no lamps or lights other than permitted lights shall, in the case of a mine (whether of coal or of any other mineral) first opened before the said date (not being a mine to which subsection (2) applies) or of a mine other than of coal first opened on or after the said date, be allowed or used below ground after—
(a)the occurrence in any part of the mine below ground of an ignition or explosion of gas naturally present in the mine (whether or not causing death or bodily injury); or
(b)the introduction of the use, in any part of the mine below ground, of locked safety-lamps otherwise than by way of temporary precaution; or
Para.(c) rep. by SR 1980/333
Subs.(4) rep. by SR 1980/333
(5)If an inspector reports to[F26 the Executive] that he is satisfied with respect to a mine or a part of a mine that, by reason of the special character of the mine or part, compliance with the requirements of the foregoing provisions of this section is unnecessary,[F26 the Executive], by notice served on the manager of the mine, exempt the mine or part from those provisions; but no exemption from the said provisions of a part of a mine of coal shall be granted after the expiration of the period of five years beginning with the commencement of this Act or shall be granted or renewed before the expiration of that period otherwise than so as to expire not later than the expiration of that period.
F26SR 1999/150
S.63 rep. by SR 1980/333
(1)No person shall take or use below ground in a mine a safety-lamp other than one provided by the owner of the mine.
(2)No person shall take or use below ground in a mine a safety-lamp other than one[F27 conforming with the provisions of regulation 19(2)(a) to (d) of the Electricity at Work Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1991 or] of a type for the time being approved by[F28 the Executive]
(a)for use in mines generally, in mines of a class to which that mine belongs or in that mine; and
(b)for use by all persons or persons of a class to which that person belongs.
(1)A person who damages, destroys or loses or suffers to be damaged, destroyed or lost a safety-lamp given out to him at a mine shall be guilty of an offence.
(2)In any proceedings taken against a person in respect of an offence under subsection (1) with respect to a safety-lamp, it shall be a defence for him to prove that he took reasonable steps for the care and preservation of the lamp and that, immediately after the occurrence of the damage, destruction or loss, as the case may be, he notified an official of the mine of its occurrence.
(3)A person who tampers with a safety-lamp given out to him at a mine shall be guilty of an offence.
(1)A person who takes or has in his possession below ground in a safety-lamp mine or takes into, or has in his possession in, a safety-lamp part of a mine, any cigar or cigarette, any pipe or other contrivance for smoking or any match or mechanical lighter, shall be guilty of an offence.
(2)It shall be the duty of the manager of every safety-lamp mine and of every mine containing a safety-lamp part—
(a)to make, and to ensure the efficient carrying out of, arrangements whereby all persons employed below ground in the mine or, as the case may be, employed in the safety-lamp part thereof or such of those persons as may be selected in accordance with a system approved by[F29 the Executive] by notice served on the manager of the mine, and any articles which they have with them, and all other persons and any articles which they have with them, will, for the purpose of ascertaining whether any of them has in his possession any such article as is mentioned in subsection (1), be searched in the authorised manner immediately before, or (if that is impracticable) immediately after, they go below ground in the mine on any occasion or, as the case may be, enter the safety-lamp part thereof on any occasion; and
(b)to secure that, at any time when the said arrangements are not in operation, no person goes below ground in the mine or as the case may be, enters the safety-lamp part thereof;
and the manager of every safety-lamp mine and of every mine containing a safety-lamp part may, at any time when a person is below ground in the mine or is in the safety-lamp part thereof, as the case may be, cause him and any article which he has with him to be searched in the authorised manner for the purpose of ascertaining whether he has in his possession any such article as is mentioned in subsection (1).
(3)Where, upon a search made in pursuance of this section, a person who is about to go below ground in a safety-lamp mine or to enter a safety-lamp part of a mine is found to have in his possession any such article as is mentioned in subsection (1), he shall be guilty of an offence.
(4)Without prejudice to the institution of proceedings against a person for an offence under this section, any such article as is mentioned in subsection (1) which is found upon any search made at a mine in pursuance of this section may be seized by the person making the search and dealt with in such manner as may be directed by the manager of the mine.
(5)No person shall, in pursuance of this section, search any other person on any occasion unless he has previously given on that occasion an opportunity to some two other persons to search himself and, if searched by them, has not been found to have in his possession any such article as is mentioned in subsection (1).
(6)A person who on any occasion refuses to allow himself or an article which he has with him to be searched in pursuance of this section shall be guilty of an offence and, without prejudice to the institution of proceedings against him in respect of the offence, if the refusal occurs before he goes below ground in a mine shall not be allowed to go below ground in it on that occasion and, if the refusal occurs when he is in a mine, shall not be allowed to remain in it on that occasion.
(7)It shall be the duty of the manager of every safety-lamp mine and of every mine containing a safety-lamp part to secure that, at or near every place where searches are carried out under arrangements made in pursuance of subsection (2)( a), notices warning persons of their liability under subsection (1) are kept posted in such characters and in such positions as to be easily seen and read by persons liable to be searched.
(8)In this section the expression “mechanical lighter” means a mechanical, chemical or electrical contrivance designed or adapted primarily for the purpose of igniting tobacco and the expression “authorised manner” means such manner as may be specified in an order made by the Ministry.
F29SR 1999/150
(1)Subject to the provisions of this section, no article designed or adapted to produce an unprotected flame or an unprotected spark shall be taken or used below ground in a safety-lamp mine or taken into, or used in, a safety-lamp part of a mine.
(2)Nothing in subsection (1) shall be construed as prohibiting—
(a)the taking into, or use in, a mine or part of a mine of any article in accordance with this Act or regulations;
(b)the taking into, or use in, a mine of any class or part of a mine of any class of an article of a description authorised by order of the Ministry to be used in a mine of that class;
(c)the taking into, or use in, a mine or part of a mine of an article of a description authorised in writing by[F30 the Executive] to be used in that mine or, as the case may be, that part of that mine.
F30SR 1999/150
S.68 rep. by SR 1980/333
Subs.(1)(2) rep. by SR 1980/333
(3)No blasting material or device shall be taken or used below ground in a mine other than material or a device provided by the owner of the mine.
(4)In this section the expression “blasting materials and devices” means explosives and any articles designed for the purpose of breaking up or loosening minerals by means of explosion, the expansion of gas, the change of a substance from one physical state to another or a chemical reaction not constituting combustion.
S. 70 rep. by SR 1998/375
Ss.71,72 rep. by SR 1980/333
It shall not be lawful for a person to be employed at a mine in a room, chamber, or similar confined space in which, owing to the nature of any machinery or apparatus installed therein or of any materials stored therein, there is a risk of the outbreak of a dangerous fire or the escape of steam in substantial quantity or of noxious gas in a dangerous concentration, unless either such steps are taken (whether by the provision of two or more exits or otherwise) as are necessary for the purpose of minimising the risk of his being trapped therein in any such event or the circumstances in which he is employed are themselves such as to minimise the risk of his being so trapped.
[F31(1)It shall be the duty of the manager of every mine to ensure that, in connection with the getting, dressing and transporting of minerals below ground in the mine, the giving off of any dust that is inflammable is minimised.]
(2)Where, in connection with the carrying on of any operations or process below ground in a mine or in a building on the surface of a mine, there is given off any dust that is inflammableF31. . . , it shall be the duty of the manager of the mine to ensure—
(a)that the entry of the dust into the air or its accumulation in any place in circumstances in which its accumulation in that place might be dangerous or harmful is minimised by means of steps in that behalf taken as near as possible to the point of origin of the dust;
(b)that any of the dust which enters the air is trapped or so dispersed as to render it harmless; and
(c)that any of the dust which is not prevented from accumulating in a place in circumstances in which its accumulation in that place might be dangerous or harmful is either systematically cleaned up and removed to a place where it cannot be dangerous or harmful or treated in manner approved by[F32 the Executive] for the purpose of rendering it harmless.
Subs.(3) rep. by SR 1980/333
(1)In the case of every mine, the owner thereof and the manager thereof shall each be charged with the duty—
(a)of taking such steps as may be necessary for securing that he is at all material times in possession of all information which indicates or tends to indicate the presence or absence, in the vicinity of any workings carried on or proposed to be carried on in the mine, of—
(i)any disused workings (whether mine workings or not);
(ii)any rock or stratum containing or likely to contain water (whether dispersed or in natural cavities);
(iii)any peat, moss, sand, gravel, silt or other material that is likely to flow when wet; and
(b)of taking such steps as may be necessary for the purpose of substantiating any such information which comes into his possession (whether in consequence of the discharge of the duty imposed upon him by paragraph ( a) or not).
(2)In the case of every mine, the owner thereof and the manager thereof shall each be charged with the duty—
(a)forthwith after any such information as is mentioned in paragraph ( a) of subsection (1) comes into his possession (whether in consequence of the discharge of the duty imposed upon him by that paragraph or not), of furnishing to the other particulars of the information; and
(b)forthwith after taking any steps in discharge of the duty imposed upon him by paragraph ( b) of subsection (1), of furnishing to the other particulars of the steps taken and of any conclusion reached as a result of taking them.
(1)It shall be the duty both of the owner and of the manager of every mine to take, with respect to any workings carried on or proposed to be carried on in the mine in the vicinity of the sea, a lake or river or any other body of surface water (whether accumulated naturally or artificially) such steps as may be necessary for ascertaining the total thickness of the strata lying between the workings and the surface water.
(2)In the case of every mine, the owner thereof and the manager thereof shall each be charged with the duty, forthwith after obtaining any information in consequence of the discharge of the duty imposed upon him by subsection (1), of furnishing to the other particulars of the information obtained.
It shall be the duty of the manager of every mine to take, with respect to every working in the mine, such steps as may be necessary to prevent any inrush into the working of gas from disused workings (whether mine workings or not) or of water or material that flows when wet (whether from disused workings or from any other source).
S.78 rep. by SR 1980/333
(1)Where inflammable gas is present at a place below ground in a mine in a concentration deemed for the purposes of this section to be excessive, the person in charge of the part of the mine in which that place is situate shall comply with the following requirements, namely:—
(a)he shall forthwith cause all persons employed in so much of that part of the mine as appears to him to be affected (hereinafter referred to as the “affected area” ) to leave it;
(b)unless he is the manager of the mine, he shall, forthwith after complying with paragraph ( a), inform his immediate superior and the person in charge of any other part of the mine appearing to him to be likely to be affected that inflammable gas is present at the said place in a concentration deemed as aforesaid to be excessive;
(c)so soon after complying with paragraph ( b) (or, in a case where that paragraph does not apply, paragraph ( a)) as it is possible so to do without undue risk, he shall himself ascertain, or cause some competent person to ascertain, the condition of the affected area and the measures that it is necessary to take for the purpose of rendering it safe.
(2)Subsection (1) shall, with the requisite modifications, apply where it appears to the person in charge of a part of a mine below ground that there exists at a place in that part a danger constituted—
(a)by the presence of inflammable gas (whether or not the concentration thereof is deemed for the purposes of this section to be excessive); or
(b)otherwise howsoever;
as it applies in the circumstances mentioned in that subsection.
(3)Where, on any occasion, persons have been caused to leave an affected area in pursuance of the foregoing provisions of this section, no person shall thereafter be permitted to enter it until both of the following conditions are fulfilled, namely,—
(a)that inflammable gas is not present at any place therein in a concentration deemed for the purposes of this section to be excessive; and
(b)that the appropriate person is satisfied that the area is free from all danger (whether constituted by the presence of inflammable gas or otherwise howsoever);
but nothing in this subsection shall be taken to prohibit a person from entering an affected area for the purpose of saving life, giving effect to subsection (1)( c), rendering that area or any other part of the mine safe or ascertaining either the effectiveness of any measures taken for the last-mentioned purpose or whether, apart from this provision, persons may lawfully be permitted to enter the affected area.
(4)Where persons have, on any occasion, been caused to leave an affected area in pursuance of the foregoing provisions of this section, the person who caused them to leave it shall record in a book to be provided for that purpose by the owner of the mine particulars of the reason for his causing them to leave that area and of the matters disclosed as a result of giving effect to subsection (1)( c) and subscribe his signature thereto.
(5)For the purposes of this section the concentration of inflammable gas present at a place in a mine shall be deemed to be excessive—
(a)if, being a place in—
(i)a safety-lamp mine; or
(ii)a part of a mine other than a safety-lamp mine, being a part in which the use of lamps or lights other than permitted lights is unlawful;
the amount of such gas present in the general body of the air at that place is not less than two per cent. by volume or, if a greater percentage by volume (not exceeding two and a half) is prescribed, that greater percentage;
(b)if, being a place other than such a place as is mentioned in paragraph ( a), either—
(i)the amount of such gas present in the general body of the air at that place is not less than one and a quarter per cent. by volume or, if a smaller percentage by volume is prescribed, that smaller percentage; or
(ii)an indication of gas is seen at that place on the lowered flame of a safety lamp;
and for the purposes of subsection (3) the appropriate person, in relation to an affected area, shall be the person in charge of the part of the mine which consists of, or includes, that area, except in a case where any of his superiors is present, and in the said excepted case shall be the senior of his superiors present.
If it appears to a person employed at a mine (not being an official of the mine) that a danger affecting the mine or a part thereof has arisen or is about to arise, he shall—
(a)if the taking of measures to render the mine or part safe after that danger has arisen or to prevent that danger from arising, as the case may be, falls within the scope of his normal duties, forthwith take those measures; and
(b)if not, forthwith report the matter to an official of the mine.
S. 81(1) rep. by SR 1993/19; subs. (2) rep. by SR 1980/333
S. 82 rep. by SR 1993/19
No internal combustion engine, steam boiler or locomotive shall be used below ground in a mine otherwise than in accordance with the provisions of regulations in that behalf or with the consent of[F33 the Executive].
F33SR 1999/150
(1)All apparatus used as, or forming, part of the equipment of a mine, being apparatus which contains or produces air, gas or steam at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure shall be so constructed, installed, maintained and used as to obviate any risk from fire, bursting, explosion or collapse or the production of noxious gases.
Subs.(2) rep. by SR 1980/333
(3)[F34the Executive] may at any time require any such apparatus as aforesaid at a mine to be examined by a person nominated by[F34 the Executive] and the manager of the mine shall give the necessary facilities for the examination; and if, as a result of the examination, it appears that any report of the result of an examination of the apparatus (being a report made in pursuance of regulations having effect by virtue of subsection (2)) was inadequate or inaccurate in a material particular, the cost of the examination under this subsection shall be recoverable summarily as a debt by[F34 the Executive] from the owner of the mine.
F34SR 1999/150
S. 85 rep. by SR 1999/304
All buildings and structures on the surface of a mine shall be kept in safe condition.
(1)There shall be provided and maintained safe means of access to every place in or on a building or structure on the surface of a mine, being a place at which any person has at any time to work.
(2)Where a person is to work at any such place as aforesaid from which he will be liable to fall a distance of more than[F35 2 metres], then, unless the place is one which affords secure foothold and, where necessary, secure hand-hold, means shall be provided by fencing or otherwise for ensuring his safety.
F35SR 1991/239
It shall be the duty of the manager of every mine to secure that no person is employed thereat in any work otherwise than under the instruction and supervision of some person competent to give instruction in, and supervise, the doing of that work, unless the first-mentioned person has received adequate instruction in, and (where necessary) training for, the doing of that work and is competent to do it without supervision.
A person employed at a mine who contravenes—
(a)any transport or support rules having effect with respect to the mine; or
(b)any directions given to him by or on behalf of the owner or manager of the mine or any rule made by the manager of the mine for regulating the conduct either of all persons employed thereat or any class of persons so employed to which that person belongs, being directions given, or a rule made, for the purpose of securing compliance with this Act, orders made thereunder or regulations or any transport or support rules having effect with respect to the mine or of securing the safety or health of that person or any other person employed at the mine;
shall be guilty of an offence.
(1)A person who negligently or wilfully does at a mine anything likely to endanger the safety of the mine or the safety or health of persons thereat or negligently or wilfully omits to do at a mine anything necessary for securing the safety of the mine or the safety or health of persons thereat shall be guilty of an offence.
(2)A person (not being an official of the mine) who, without permission granted by such an official, removes, alters or tampers with anything provided at a mine for the purpose of securing the safety or health of persons employed thereat shall be guilty of an offence.
(1)It shall be the duty of the manager of every mine[F36 of coal, stratified ironstone, shale or fireclay] to secure the provision thereat of adequate facilities and equipment for the purpose of rendering first-aid to persons employed at the mine who, while so employed, suffer bodily injury or become ill.
Subs.(2) rep. by SLR 1980/333
F36SR 1982/429
S.92 rep. by SR 1980/333
S. 93 rep. by SR 1992/535
(1)It shall be the duty of the manager of every mine to secure the provison thereat (as well below as above ground) of sufficient and suitable sanitary conveniences for the use of persons employed thereat being, in a case where persons of both sexes are, or are intended to be, so employed, conveniences affording proper separate accommodation for persons of each sex.
(2)All sanitary conveniences provided in pursuance of subsection (1) shall be kept clean and properly maintained and reasonable provision shall be made for lighting them.
(1)It shall be the duty of the owner of every mine to take such steps as are necessary to secure that all parts of the mine below ground are kept free from rats and mice, …F37.
(2)Nothing in this section shall be construed as excluding the application to parts of mines below ground of any of the provisions of the Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act 1919 [1919 c.72] .
F37SR 1980/333
S.96 rep. by SR 1980/333
There shall be provided and maintained on the surface of every mine, at suitable points conveniently accessible to all persons employed at the mine, an adequate supply of wholesome drinking water.