§ 30-2-208 — Inspections; when held; duties of inspector or deputy; authority to clear unsafe mine or portion thereof

(a) The inspector or his deputy shall inspect each
operating mine in the state:
(i) At least once every six (6) months;
(ii) If any danger to employees exists;
(iii) If requested by employees or their
representatives.
(b) The inspection shall take place while the mine is in
operation, and the inspector or his deputy shall inspect:
(i) The surface plant;
(ii) Every working place in the mine;
(iii) All active haulageways, travelways, highwalls
and airways in their entirety;
(iv) Entrances to abandoned workings;
(v) Accessible old workings;
(vi) Escapeways and other places where people work or
travel, or where dangerous conditions may exist;
(vii) Electric equipment and installation;
(viii) First-aid equipment;
(ix) Ventilation facilities;
(x) Communication installations;
(xi) Roof and rib conditions;
(xii) Blasting practices.
(c) The inspector or his deputy shall:
(i) Measure the volume of air at the intake and
return of the main ventilating current and of each split, and
the amount passing through the last open crosscut in each pair
or set of entries, and designate where the superintendent or
mine foreman shall measure the currents of air as required by
this act;
(ii) In mines operating more than one (1) shift in a
twenty-four (24) hour period, devote sufficient time on the
second and third shift to determine conditions and practices
related to the health and safety of the employees;
(iii) Make tests for gas and oxygen deficiency in
each place which he is required to inspect in the mine;
(iv) Classify qualifying mines as gassy mines.
(d) If the inspector or his deputy finds imminent or
serious danger to the life or health of the employees in a mine,
he may clear the mine or any portion thereof of all persons and
refuse further entry to any persons, except those necessary to
remove the danger and those permitted to participate in
investigations under this act, until he determines by actual
inspection that the mine or portion thereof involved is in safe
operating condition.