2012 Kentucky Revised Statutes CHAPTER 351 DEPARTMENT FOR NATURAL RESOURCES 351.140 Duties and authority of mine inspectors -- Frequency of inspections.
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351.140 Duties and authority of mine inspectors -- Frequency of inspections.
Each mine inspector shall give his entire time and attention to the duties of his office,
which shall consist of the following:
(1) Inspecting mines and aiding, under the direction of the commissioner, in carrying
out and enforcing the provisions of the law relating to the inspection of mines;
(2) Training officials and workmen in and about the mines in first aid and mine rescue
methods;
(3) Advising officials and workmen in methods pertaining to safety in all its phases and
in methods pertaining to the prevention of mine fires and explosions;
(4) Taking charge of mine rescue and recovery work whenever a mine fire, mine
explosion or other serious accident occurs within his district, and the commissioner
is not present, and assisting in such work in other districts when so directed by the
commissioner;
(5) Reopening mines or portions of mines that have been sealed on account of fire or
any other cause, when directed by the commissioner to do so;
(6) Inspecting each underground coal mine in his district at least six (6) times a year
and all other mines once every six (6) months. For underground coal mines, two (2)
of the six (6) general inspections conducted annually shall be full electrical
inspections. The commissioner may cause inspections more often if practicable and
if funds permit, and whenever any danger to the workmen may exist; making a
personal examination of the interior of each mine with respect to ventilation,
drainage, roof control, blasting, electricity, escapeways, and general security, and
also a personal examination of the outside facilities of the mine; and in gassy mines
below the water table, inspections shall be more frequent, and as often as practical
whenever any danger to workmen is indicated by a previous inspection. Such
inspections shall involve at least two (2) inspectors. The inspectors shall locate
themselves in different sections of the mine in order to determine the effectiveness
and reliability of the ventilation system. Each section of the mine shall be so
inspected;
(7) It shall be permissible for a mine inspector to inspect any coal preparation plant or
surface facility of any mining operation of coal including any overland coal belts;
and
(8) A mine inspector shall have the express authority to enter upon the premises of and
inspect any coal mine, including any overland coal belts, at any reasonable time.
Effective: January 1, 2009
History: Amended 2007 Ky. Acts ch. 94, sec. 9, effective January 1, 2009. -- Amended
2006 Ky. Acts ch. 185, sec. 10, effective July 12, 2006. -- Amended 1996 Ky. Acts
ch. 308, sec. 14, effective April 9, 1996. -- Amended 1986 Ky. Acts ch. 3, sec. 1,
effective July 15, 1986. -- Amended 1978 Ky. Acts ch. 301, sec. 7, effective June 17,
1978. -- Amended 1976 (1st Extra. Sess.) Ky. Acts ch. 8, sec. 18. -- Amended 1976
Ky. Acts ch. 174, sec. 3. -- Amended 1972 Ky. Acts ch. 298, sec. 11. -- Amended
1952 Ky. Acts ch. 162, sec. 11, effective March 5, 1952. -- Amended 1946 Ky. Acts
ch. 120, sec. 3. -- Recodified 1942 Ky. Acts ch. 208, sec. 1, effective October 1,
1942, from Ky. Stat. sec. 2739-17, 2739-18.
Legislative Research Commission Note (4/9/96). The action taken with respect to this
statute by 1996 Ky. Acts ch. 308 was to have become effective April 8, 1996, under
Section 51 of that Act. The Act, however, did not become effective until April 9,
1996, when the Governor's signed copy of the Act was filed with the Secretary of
State.
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