Mines and Quarries Act 1954

[F1 24 Limitation on number of persons to be employed at coal, &c., mines in places with single exits. E+W+S

(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, it shall not be lawful for more than nine persons to be employed at any time below ground in a mine of coal, stratified ironstone, shale or fireclay in a place from which there are not two ways each of which—

(a) leads to a different shaft or outlet, being a shaft or outlet provided for affording to persons employed at that place means of ingress and egress;

(b) is entirely separate from the other;

(c) is traversable with safety and reasonable convenience;

(d) at each junction thereof with another way has clearly marked on it the shaft or outlet to which it leads; and

(e) if it is so prescribed, is of a height or width, or height and width, not less than such as may be prescribed;

or for more than nine persons in the aggregate to be so employed in two or more such places from none of which can egress to the surface be had otherwise than by traversing a common junction.

(2) As respects a particular mine of coal, stratified ironstone, shale or fireclay, provision may be made by regulations or by a notice served by . . . F2 an inspector on the manager of the mine—

(a) for exempting the mine or any specified place therein from all or any of the requirements of the foregoing subsection;

(b) for directing that the foregoing subsection shall, in its application to the mine or to any specified place therein, have effect with the substitution, for references to nine persons, of references to such greater number of persons (not exceeding thirty) as may be specified in the regulations or notice:

Provided that no such provision as aforesaid shall be made with respect to a mine by . . . F2 an inspector unless . . . F2 the inspector, . . . F2 , is satisfied that no persons employed in the mine will be exposed to undue risk or inconvenience in consequence of the making of such provision.

(3) Nothing in this section shall apply to the employment of persons in a shaft or outlet.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Ss. 22–25, 33–35 repealed (1.4.1989, in part, and 1.4.1994, fully) by S.I. 1988/1729, regs. 1(1), 12(1)(a)

F2 Words omitted by virtue of S.I. 1974/2013, Sch. 2 para. 4