Part IE+W+S General Duties of Mine and Quarry Owners

F11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

Part IIE+W+S Management and Control (Mines)

Managers and Under-managersE+W+S

F22. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

F33. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

F44. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

F55. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

F66. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

F77. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

F88. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

F99. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

F1010. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

SurveyorsE+W+S

F1111. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

Officials and TechniciansE+W+S

F1212. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

F1313. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

F1414. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

Provisions ancillary to foregoing SectionsE+W+S

F1515. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

F1616. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

PlansE+W+S

F1717. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

F1818. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

19 Faulty plans.E+W+S

(1)If, in the case of any mine, [F19the Health and Safety Executive] is satisfied, upon a representation made to [F19the Executive] by an inspector, that a plan, section or drawing which by virtue of the foregoing provisions of this Act is kept by the manager of that mine is inaccurate, incomplete, dilapidated or wholly or partly indecipherable and that, in the interests of safety, it is desirable for a new plan, section or drawing to be made, [F19the Executive] may appoint a surveyor to make a new plan, section or drawing.

(2)The following provisions shall have effect where a surveyor is appointed under the foregoing subsection to make a new plan, section or drawing in the case of a mine:—

(a)the owner and the manager of the mine shall afford to the surveyor all necessary facilities and information for the purpose of making the new plan, section or drawing;

(b)on the completion of the new plan, section or drawing, it shall be sent to the manager of the mine; and

(c)the cost of making the new plan, section or drawing, or such part of that cost as [F19the Health and Safety Executive] thinks fit, shall be recoverable by him from the owner of the mine.

20. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

21. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F20E+W+S

Part IIIE+W+S Safety, Health and Welfare (Mines)

Provisions for securing safe Ingress and EgressE+W+S

[F2122 Provision of shafts and outlets in coal, &c., mines.E+W+S

(1)Subject to the provisions of this section, it shall not be lawful for any persons to be employed below ground in a mine of coal, stratified ironstone, shale or fireclay unless there are available, for affording to them alternative, and ready, means of ingress and egress, two shafts or outlets (whether belonging exclusively to that mine or not) which, except where they were sunk before the first day of January, eighteen hundred and sixty-five, are at no point separated from each other by less than [F2215 metres] or (where the sinking thereof began before the first day of January, eighteen hundred and eighty-eight) ten feet.

(2)Where the employment of persons in an area consisting of the whole or any part of a mine below ground would, apart from the following provisions of this subsection be, by virtue of the foregoing subsection, unlawful in consequence of a shaft or outlet having, as a result of an accident or breakdown, become unavailable for affording to persons employed in that area ready means of ingress and egress, but the manager of the mine is satisfied with respect to that area or any part thereof that persons employed in that area or, as the case may be, that part thereof will not for the time being be exposed to undue risk by reason of that shaft or outlet being unavailable as aforesaid, then if he—

(a)posts in a conspicuous position at the mine a notice specifying the accident or breakdown and the said area and stating that he is satisfied as aforesaid with respect to that area or, as the case may be, that part thereof and the reason why he is so satisfied; and

(b)sends, by the quickest means available, to the inspector for the district and the person, if any, for the time being nominated under the provisions of [F23the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1985]relating to the notification of accidents to receive on behalf of the persons employed at the mine notices under the said provisions, a message to the like effect as the notice mentioned in the foregoing paragraph;

there shall be excepted from the operation of the foregoing subsection—

(i)the employment in that area or, as the case may be, that part thereof, until the end of his period of work, of any person who was below ground in the mine at the time of the accident or breakdown;

(ii)the employment in that area or, as the case may be, that part thereof, until the expiration of the period of twenty-four hours beginning with the time at which the accident or breakdown occurred, of any person in work necessary for securing the safety of the mine or the welfare of animals employed therein or rendering that shaft or outlet again available for the purpose for which it was available immediately before the accident or breakdown:

(3) . . . F24 an inspector, upon an application in that behalf made to him with respect to a mine, may, by notice served on the manager of the mine, exempt from the operation of subsection (1) of this section the employment of persons below ground in the mine or in such part of the mine below ground as may be specified in the notice:

(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F25

(5)In any claim against the owner or manager of a mine for damages, being a claim arising out of an accident caused by a decision of the manager made for the purposes of subsection (2) of this section, the defendant shall, unless he proves that the manager was not negligent in making that decision, be liable in all respects as if the plaintiff had proved that the manager was negligent in making that decision.

(6)For the purposes of this section a shaft or unwalkable outlet at a mine provided with apparatus for carrying persons through the shaft or outlet shall be deemed not to be available to a person employed below ground in the mine for affording to him means of ingress and egress if that apparatus is not available for use by him.

(7)In the application of this section to Scotland, for references to a plaintiff and a defendant there shall respectively be substituted references to a pursuer and a defender.

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

[F2623 Communications between shafts and outlets in coal, &c., mines.E+W+S

(1)So long as, in a mine of coal, stratified ironstone, shale or fireclay, more than one shaft or outlet is available to any persons employed below ground in the mine for affording to them means of ingress and egress, there shall be provided and maintained between—

(a)each entrance to each shaft or outlet that is available to those persons for that purpose, being an entrance whereby those persons gain access to the shaft or outlet from the workings; and

(b)some point or points on another shaft or outlet so available;

a communication following a reasonably short and reasonably convenient route.

(2)The height of every communication provided in pursuance of the foregoing subsection shall be maintained throughout at not less than [F271.5 metres] and the width of every such communication shall be maintained throughout at not less than [F271.2 metres]:

(a) . . . F28

(b)if an inspector is satisfied that, owing to special circumstances affecting a particular mine of coal, stratified ironstone, shale or fireclay, it is inadvisable for reasons of safety or unnecessary, in the case of all or any of the communications provided as aforesaid therein, for the minimum height or width, or height and width, thereof to be as great as provided by the foregoing provisions of this subsection, he may, be notice served on the manager of the mine, direct that those provisions shall have effect in their application to those communications or to such of them as may be specified in the notice, with the substitution, for the minimum specified in the said provisions in relation to height, that so specified in relation to width or both of those minima, as the case may be, of such less minimum or minima as may be specified in the notice.]

[F2924 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 . . . F30 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 . . . F30 an inspector unless . . . F30 the inspector, . . . F30, 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.]

[F3125 Limitation on number of persons to be employed at coal, &c., mines in shafts and outlets and their insets.E+W+S

(1)It shall not be lawful for a number of persons greater than the permitted number to be employed at any time at a mine of coal, stratified ironstone, shale or fireclay in a shaft or outlet:

(2)For the purposes of this section—

(a)the permitted number, in relation to a shaft or outlet, shall be twenty or such greater number (not exceeding thirty) as may be determined by an inspector by notice served on the manager of the mine;

(b)the insets of a shaft or outlet shall be deemed to form part of the shaft or outlet; and

(c)subsection (6) of section twenty-two of this Act shall apply as it applies for the purposes of that section.

(3)Nothing in this section shall be construed as prejudicing the operation of the last foregoing section in relation to the employment of persons in individual insets of a shaft or outlet.]

26. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F32E+W+S

27. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F33E+W+S

28 Provision of winding and haulage apparatus.E+W+S

(1)Every F34. . . 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 F34. . . 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 Minister requisite or expedient to impose for securing the safety of persons when being carried by means thereof and whose use is confined to the F34. . . outlet, save where an inspector in any particular case, by notice served on the manager of the mine, consents to its use not being so confined.

(2)Every F34. . . 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 F34. . . outlet in the case of which the relevant distance exceeds [F3545 metres] shall be provided with apparatus F34. . ., 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 Minister requisite or expedient to impose for securing the safety of persons when being carried by means thereof, and whose use is confined to the F34. . . outlet, save where an inspector in any particular case, by notice served on the manager of the mine, consents to its use not being so confined:

For the purposes of this subsection the expression “relevant distance” means, F34. . . 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.

29. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F36E+W+S

Safety Precautions in connection with Shafts, &c., and Entrances to disused WorkingsE+W+S

30 Securing of shafts and staple-pits.E+W+S

(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)Subsection (1) of this section shall apply to unwalkable outlets at a mine as it applies to mine shafts.

31 Safety precautions with respect to entrances to shafts, staple-pits and outlets.E+W+S

F37(1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F37(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F38

F37(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F37(5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

32. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F39E+W+S

[F4033 Safety precautions with respect to entrances to unfit parts of mines.E+W+S

(1)Every entrance from a road in a mine to a part of the mine which for the time being is not maintained in a state fit for persons to work in or pass through shall be provided with an efficient enclosure or barrier so designed and constructed as to prevent any person from accidentally entering that part of the mine.

(2)Every enclosure or barrier provided in a mine in pursuance of the foregoing subsection 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 authorised by the manager of the mine, an under-manager thereof or the person for the time being in charge of the part of the mine in which it is provided.]

[F41 RoadsE+W+S

34 General provisions with respect to construction and maintenance of roads.E+W+S

(1)It shall be the duty of the manager of every mine to take, with respect to every length of road therein, being a length in which vehicles or conveyors run or which is used at the beginning or end of a shift by not less than ten persons for the purpose of walking to or from their working places in the mine, such steps as may be necessary to secure that the following provisions are complied with, namely,—

(a)every such length of road made after the commencement of this Act shall be so made and maintained as to avoid sudden changes of direction, height, width and gradient save in so far as either—

(i)the system of working the mine or the natural conditions of the strata therein render it inadvisable for reasons of safety to do so; or

(ii)it is unnecessary to do so;

(b)every such length of road (whether made before or after the commencement of this Act) shall be kept free from obstructions and the floor thereof shall be kept in good repair and in such a condition that any persons or animals who use that length of road can tread it with safety and reasonable convenience.

(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F42

(3)References in this section to changes of gradient shall be construed as including references to deviations (whether upwards or downwards) from the horizontal.]

[F4335 Height and width of travelling roads.E+W+S

(1)Every length of road in a mine which is used at the beginning or end of a shift by not less than ten persons for the purpose of walking to or from their working places in the mine, being a length made after the commencement of this Act, shall be not less than [F441.7 metres] high throughout:

(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F45

(b)an inspector may, by notice served on the manager of a particular mine, exempt from those provisions any such length of road as aforesaid in that mine or any part of any such length of road.

(2)—(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F46]

36 Prohibition of use of vehicles and conveyors in roads not affording free movement.E+W+S

(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, nor (if the vehicles are hauled by animals) the animals nor their harnesses 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 or animals 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.

37 Transport rules.E+W+S

(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 the foregoing subsection 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) of this section 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 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) of this section 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) of this section, 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) of this section, 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 regulation shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be of no effect.

(8)If an inspector 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, he may serve on the manager of the mine a notice stating that he is of that opinion, specifying the matter for which, in his opinion, provision or, as the case may be, different provision ought to be made as aforesaid and the nature of the provision that, in his opinion, 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) of this section in accordance with the tenor of the notice.

The provisions of Part XV of this Act with respect to references upon notices served by inspectors 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 an inspector, 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.

38. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F47E+W+S

39 Provisions for securing safety of foot-passengers in transport roads.E+W+S

(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 or by animal traction (whether or not vehicles moved by those means also run therein):—

(a)during any period during which vehicles are moving in that length of road otherwise than by those 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 those 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 those means, in that length of road during a period fixed in pursuance of the foregoing provisions of this paragraph:

Provided that—

(i). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F48 an inspector 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

(ii)in any prosecution instituted in respect of a person’s passing along a length of road or part thereof in contravention of paragraph (a) of this subsection, 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) of this section 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.

40 Provision of refuge holes.E+W+S

(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 [F4923 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 the foregoing subsection, 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.

41 Safety measures relating to use of vehicles.E+W+S

(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 the foregoing subsection, 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.

Provisions for securing safe operation of Winding and Rope Haulage Apparatus and ConveyorsE+W+S

42 Charge of winding and rope haulage apparatus when persons are carried.E+W+S

(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 competent . . . F50person F51... 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 competent . . . F50persons 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)An inspector 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 the last foregoing subsection, 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) . . . F52, 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, . . . F52

43 Charge of winding and rope haulage apparatus when persons are not carried.E+W+S

F53(1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(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 competent . . . F54person F55....

44 Charge of conveyors at working faces.E+W+S

No conveyor shall be operated along a working face in a mine except by, or under the constant supervision of, a competent . . . F56person F57....

45 Signalling in shafts and outlets.E+W+S

(1)There shall be provided and maintained—

F58(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(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 [F5915 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;

. . . F60

(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F61

(3)For the purposes of this section—

F58(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(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.

46 Signalling in roads.E+W+S

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 [F6225 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.

47. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F63E+W+S

SupportE+W+S

F6448. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

F6549. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

50. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F66E+W+S

F6751. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

F6852. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

F6953. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

F7054. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

VentilationE+W+S

55 Duty to provide adequate ventilation.E+W+S

(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 the foregoing subsection,—

(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;

. . . F71

(3)In the discharge of the duty imposed on him by subsection (1) of this section, 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) of this section 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 an inspector 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) of this section, 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.

56 Avoidance of danger from gas in waste.E+W+S

(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 an inspector 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 subsection (1) of the last foregoing section; 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 the last foregoing section shall, with any requisite modifications, apply for the purposes of paragraph (a) of the last foregoing subsection as it applies for the purposes of subsection (1) of that section.

57. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F72E+W+S

58 Provisions as to means of ventilation.E+W+S

(1)Unless, in all parts of a mine that are required by section fifty-five of this Act 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 the foregoing subsection 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)Regulations may—

(a)exempt any prescribed class of mines from the provisions of subsection (1) of this section;

(b)exempt any prescribed class of mines of coal from the provisions of subsection (2) of this section;

and an inspector may, by notice served on the manager of a particular mine other than of coal, exempt the mine from the provisions of the said 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)It shall not be lawful to use a fire for ventilation in a mine or, except with the consent of an inspector, 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.

59 Prevention of leakage of air between airways.E+W+S

(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)For the purposes of the proviso to the foregoing subsection—

(a)the expression “relevant distance” means, in relation to a working face in a mine, four hundred and fifty feet (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 [F73150 metres], as may, in any particular case, be determined by an inspector 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.

F7460. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

Lighting, Lamps and ContrabandE+W+S

61 Lighting.E+W+S

(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) of this section.

62 Permitted lights.E+W+S

(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) of this section 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

(c) . . . F75

(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F76

(5)If an inspector 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, he may, by notice served on the manager of the mine, exempt the mine or part from those provisions:

63. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F77E+W+S

64 Prohibition of taking into mines safety-lamps not provided by owner or of approved type.E+W+S

(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 [F78conforming with the provisions of regulation 19(2)(a) to (d) of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 or] of a type for the time being approved by [F79the Health and Safety 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.

65 Offences relating to safety-lamps.E+W+S

(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)A person who tampers with a safety-lamp given out to him at a mine shall be guilty of an offence.

66 Prohibition of possession of smoking materials in certain mines and parts of mines.E+W+S

(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 an inspector 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) of this section, 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) of this section.

(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) of this section, 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) of this section 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) of this section.

(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 paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of this section, notices warning persons of their liability under subsection (1) thereof 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 Minister.

67 Prohibition of taking into certain mines and parts of mines of articles producing flames or sparks.E+W+S

(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 the foregoing subsection 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 Minister 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 an inspector to be used in that mine or, as the case may be, that part of that mine.

68

(1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F80

(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F81

Blasting Materials and DevicesE+W+S

69 Blasting materials and devices.E+W+S

(1),(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F82

(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.

Fire Precautions and Provisions as to RescueE+W+S

[F8370 Fire precautions in case of workings served by single intake airway.E+W+S

(1)Subject to the provisions of this section, it shall not be lawful for more than one hundred persons to be employed below ground in a mine of coal in circumstances in which, if there were a fire in any length of intake airway through which the air supply to all of those persons passes, none of them would be able to withdraw from the mine without either passing through the fire or following a way out to the surface in which, or in any part of which, the air would or might become so contaminated by the products of combustion generated by the fire as to prejudice seriously the possibility of the withdrawal of persons through it in safety, unless—

(a)that length of intake airway and everything with which it is equipped are so constructed or treated, and so maintained and used, that that length of airway is, so far as can be reasonably foreseen, free from the risk that any fire that might break out therein would so develop as to prevent or endanger the withdrawal from the mine of those persons; or

(b)means are provided for securing that, in the event of a fire in that length of intake airway, those persons will be able to withdraw in safety.

In computing, for the purposes of this subsection, the number of persons employed in such circumstances as aforesaid, a person going to or from his working place at the beginning or end of his shift shall, unless it is otherwise prescribed (either generally or in relation to any particular circumstances), be left out of account.

(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F84

(3)Regulations may provide for exempting from the provisions of subsection (1) of this section any prescribed class of mines of coal and an inspector may, by notice served on the manager of a particular mine of coal, exempt the mine or any part thereof from those provisions.

(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F84]

71. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F85E+W+S

72 Fire-fighting and rescue operations. E+W+S

Regulations may require the making of such provision as may be prescribed for all or any of the following purposes, namely, the prevention, detection and combating of outbreaks of fire at, and spontaneous heating occurring in, mines and the securing of the efficient conduct (as well in an atmosphere dangerous to life as in an atmosphere not dangerous to life) of such operations for the rescue of persons as it may be necessary to conduct at mines in consequence of the occurrence thereat of outbreaks of fire, explosions or other accidents of whatsoever kind, and in particular, but without prejudice to the foregoing provisions of this section, regulations may make provision

(a)for the establishment and maintenance at mines of such organisations of persons as may be necessary for any of the purposes aforesaid and the provision and maintenance at mines of suitable and sufficient apparatus for any of those purposes, and, in particular, the provision at mines of adequate supplies of water for use in case of fire;

(b)for requiring owners of mines to provide and maintain stations (hereafter in this Act referred to as “central rescue stations”) for the purpose of providing facilities common to a number of mines for the conduct of such operations as aforesaid, and for the establishment and maintenance at such stations of such organisations of persons as may be necessary for the purpose of conducting such operations and the provision and maintenance thereat of suitable and sufficient apparatus for that purpose; and

(c)for securing the efficient training of the members of any organisation of persons maintained in pursuance of the regulations.

73 Means of escape from rooms in which there is special risk of fire, &c.E+W+S

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.

Dust PrecautionsE+W+S

74 Dust precautions.E+W+S

(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—

(a)any dust that is inflammable; F86...

F87(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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 inflammable F88... , 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 [F89the Health and Safety Executive] for the purpose of rendering it harmless.

(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F90

Precautions against external Dangers to WorkingsE+W+S

75—77.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F91E+W+S

78. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F92E+W+S

Duties of Officials and Workmen in Cases of DangerE+W+S

79 Withdrawal of workmen in cases of danger.E+W+S

(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 the foregoing paragraph, 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) of this subsection (or, in a case where that paragraph does not apply, paragraph (a) of this subsection) 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)The foregoing subsection 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 it is free from all danger (whether constituted by the presence of inflammable gas or otherwise howsoever):

Provided that 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 paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of this section, rendering that areaorany 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 proviso, 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 paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of this section 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 the foregoing paragraph, 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) of this section 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.

[F9380 Duty of workmen to deal with, or report, danger.E+W+S

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.]

Machinery and ApparatusE+W+S

81 Construction, maintenance, &c., of machinery and apparatus.E+W+S

F94(1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F95

F9682. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

83 Restrictions on use below ground of certain engines, &c.E+W+S

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 . . . F97 an inspector.

84 Air, gas and steam containers.E+W+S

(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.

(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F98

(3)[F99The Health and Safety Executive] may at any time require any such apparatus as aforesaid at a mine to be examined by a person nominated by [F99the 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 the last foregoing subsection) was inadequate or inaccurate in a material particular, the cost of the examination under this subsection shall be recoverable by [F99the Health and Safety Executive] from the owner of the mine.

F10085. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

Buildings, Structures, Means of Access, &c.E+W+S

86 Buildings and structures to be kept safe.E+W+S

All buildings and structures on the surface of a mine shall be kept in safe condition.

87 Safe means of access and safe means of employment.E+W+S

(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 ten feet, 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.

Training and DisciplineE+W+S

[F10188 Restriction on doing of work by unskilled persons.E+W+S

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.]

[F10289 Penalization of failure to observe safety directions, &c. E+W+S

A person employed at a mine who contravenes—

(a)any transport or support [F103or tipping] 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 [F103or tipping] 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.]

[F10490 Penalization of negligent acts or omissions and unauthorised removal, &c.,ofarticles.E+W+S

(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.]

First AidE+W+S

F10591. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

Medical Examinations and Prohibition of Heavy WorkE+W+S

92. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F106E+W+S

F10793. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

General Welfare ProvisionsE+W+S

94 Sanitary conveniences.E+W+S

(1)It shall be the duty of the manager of every mine to secure the provision 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 the foregoing subsection shall be kept clean and properly maintained and reasonable provision shall be made for lighting them.

95 Measures against vermin and insects.E+W+S

(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 . . . F108

(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 Prevention of Damage by PestsM1Act 1949.

96. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F109E+W+S

97 Supply of drinking water.E+W+S

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.

Part IVE+W+S Management and Control (Quarries)

F11098. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

F11199. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

F112100. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

F113101. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

F114102. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

F115103. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

104. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F116E+W+S

F117105. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

106. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F118E+W+S

F119107. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

Part VE+W+S Safety, Health and Welfare (Quarries)

F120108. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

F121109. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

F122110. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

F123111. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

112 Dust precautions.E+W+S

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F124

F125113. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

114. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F126E+W+S

F127115. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

Part VIE+W+S Notification and Investigation of Accidents and Diseases

NotificationE+W+S

116—122.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F128E+W+S

Part VIIE+W+S Workmen’s Inspections

123 Inspections of mines and quarries on behalf of workmen employed thereat.E+W+S

(1)For the purpose of enabling inspections to be carried out at a mine F129. . . on behalf of the persons employed thereat, a panel of persons each of whom has had not less than five years practical experience of mining F129. . . operations may be appointed for that mine F129. . .—

(a)in a case where there is an association or body representative of a majority of the total number of persons employed at the mine F129. . ., by that assocaition or body;

(b)in any other case, jointly by associations or bodies which are together representative of such a majority.

(2)The owner of a mine F130. . . shall be under an obligation to permit such inspections to be carried out thereat by members of the panel appointed therefor under subsection (1) of this section as will enable every part of the mine F130. . . and the equipment thereof to be inspected once at least in every month by two of those members together (of whom one at least is employed at the mine F130. . .).

(3)Where there occurs at a mine F131. . . an accident or other occurrence (being in either case one of which notice is required by [F132the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1985] to be given), any two members of the panel appointed for the mine F131. . .under subsection (1) of this section (of whom one at least is employed at the mine F131. . .) may together inspect the place where the accident or other occurrence occurred and, so far as necessary for the purpose of ascertaining its cause, any other part of the mine F131. . . and any machinery, apparatus or other thing thereat, and may take samples of the atmosphere at that place and of any dust or water thereat.

(4)Nothing in subsection (2) or (3) of this section shall be construed as precluding the making, as respects a mine F133. . ., of an agreement between the owner thereof and the association or body (or, as the case may be, associations or bodies) by whom a panel therefor is appointed under subsection (1) of this section with respect to the carrying out, by members of that panel, of inspections at the mine F133. . ., so, however, that no such agreement shall operate so as in any way to abridge the rights conferred by the said subsections (2) and (3).

(5)On any occasion on which members of a panel appointed for a mine F134. . . under subsection (1) of this section carry out, by virtue of subsection (2) or (3) of this section or of any such agreement as is mentioned in subsection (4) thereof, an inspection at the mine F134. . ., they—

(a)shall be entitled to inspect any documents which by or by virtue of this Act are required to be kept at the office at the mine F134. . . or at such other place as may be approved by an inspector;

(b)shall be entitled to be accompanied by advisers of theirs, but shall not be entitled to preclude from accompanying them any of the following persons, that is to say,—

(i)in the case of an inspection at a mine, the owner thereof and any person nominated by him, the manager thereof and any person nominated by him and any under-manager thereof;

F135(ii). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(6)On any occasion on which members of a panel appointed under subsection (1) of this section for a mine F136. . . are, by virtue of subsection (2) or (3) of this section or of any such agreement as is mentioned in subsection (4) thereof, carrying out an inspection at the mine F136. . ., it shall be the duty of all persons employed thereat to afford to those members such facilities and assistance with respect to matters or things to which the respective responsibilities of those persons extend as are requisite for the purpose of carrying out the inspection, and where the inspection is carried out by virtue of subsection (2) of this section or of any such agreement as is mentioned in subsection (4) thereof, it shall be the duty—

(a)where the inspection is carried out at a mine, of the manager thereof; F137. . .

F138(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

if requested so to do by the said members, to furnish to them any information in his possession which relates to the nature or extent of any workings proposed to be carried on in the mine F136. . ..

(7)Forthwith after members of a panel appointed under subsection (1) of this section for a mine F139. . . have, on any occasion, completed an inspection carried out thereat by virtue of subsection (2) or (3) of this section or of any such agreement as is mentioned in subsection (4) thereof, they shall make, in a book to be provided for that purpose by the owner of the mine F139. . ., a full and accurate report of the matters ascertained as a result of the inspection and shall subscribe their signatures thereto.

(8)Forthwith after a report has, in pursuance of the last foregoing subsection, been made of matters ascertained as a result of an inspection carried out at a mine F140. . ., a true copy thereof shall be sent to the inspector for the district and another such copy shall be posted in some conspicuous position at the mine F140. . . and kept posted there for a period of twenty-four hours.

Part VIIIE+W+S Employment of Women and Young Persons

Prohibition of Employment below GroundE+W+S

124 Prohibition of employment below ground in certain cases.E+W+S

(1), (2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F141

Hours of WorkE+W+S

125—128. Provisions as to hours worked by women and young persons.E+W+S

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F142

Special ExceptionsE+W+S

129. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F143E+W+S

130 Special exception for emergencies.E+W+S

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F144

Miscellaneous ProvisionsE+W+S

131 Register of women and young persons employed.E+W+S

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F145

132 Supplemental.E+W+S

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F146

Part IXE+W+S Records, Returns and Information

F147133. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

F148134. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

F149135. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

F150136. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

137 Furnishing to workers of information with respect to this Act and orders and regulations thereunder.E+W+S

[F151The Health and Safety Executive] may [F151itself] prepare and designate for the purpose of the issue thereof in accordance with the following provisions of this section to persons of any class employed at mines F152. . ., a book containing such information with respect to so much of this Act, orders made thereunder and regulations as in [F151the Executives] opinion affects persons of that class, and such other information (if any) as it appears to [F151the Executive] requisite or expedient to bring to the notice of such persons, or may approve for the purpose aforesaid any such book prepared by or on behalf of an owner of mines F152. . .; and, where a book is for the time being designated or approved by virtue of this section for the purpose of the issue thereof to persons of any class, it shall, in the case of every mine F152. . ., be the duty of the responsible person—

(a)to give (unless he has previously done so) a copy of that book to every person on any occasion on which, after the designation or approval of the book, he begins to be employed at that mine F152. . . as a person of that class;

(b)to give, as soon as it is practicable to do so, a copy of that book to every person who, at the time at which it is designated or approved, is employed at that mine F152. . . as a person of that class.

138. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F153E+W+S

F154139. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

F155140. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

Part XE+W+S Regulations

141 Regulations.E+W+S

(1)—(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F156

(5)In this Act (save where, . . . F157, the context otherwise requires) the expression “regulations” means regulations made under this section, [F158as originally enacted], the expression “prescribed” means prescribed by regulations and the expressions “general regulations” and “special regulations” mean respectively regulations other than those applicable to a particular mine or quarry only and regulations applicable to a particular mine or quarry only.

142. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F159E+W+S

143 Variation, revocation, &c., of regulations.E+W+S

(1)General regulations may—

(a)be varied or revoked by subsequent general regulations;

(b)be rendered wholly or partly inapplicable, or varied in their application, to a particular mine or quarry by special regulations applicable thereto.

(2)Special regulations may be varied or revoked by subsequent special regulations and may be revoked by general regulations, and a provision of general regulations which revokes special regulations shall be deemed not to be a special regulation.

Part XIE+W+S

144,145.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F160E+W+S

146. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F161E+W+S

Part XIIE+W+S Grant, Cancellation and Suspension of Certificates

F162147. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

F163148. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

F164149. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

150 Cancellation or suspension of certificates.E+W+S

(1)[F165On the conviction of an offence under the relevant statutory provisions the holder of a certificate granted by the Health and Safety Executive under or by virtue of this Act or of a certificate of qualification issued under regulation 18 of the Management of Safety and Health at Mines Regulations 1993 (S.I. 1993 No. 1897) (whether issued by the Health and Safety Executive or some other body)], the court by which he is convicted may, on an application for that purpose made on behalf of [F166the Health and Safety Executive], cancel or suspend the certificate in addition to or instead of imposing any other penalty to which the person convicted may be liable if, having regard to the nature of the offence and the circumstances in which it was committed, the court is of opinion that that person is unfit to continue to hold the certificate:

(a)notice of intention to make an application thereunder has been served on the person convicted at the same time as the service or execution of the summons or warrant issued in pursuance of the information charging him with the offence of which he is convicted; and

(b)the said person has, on pleading to the charge, been given an opportunity to elect, but has not elected, to have the question of the cancellation or suspension of his certificate inquired into under subsection (3) of this section.

(2)Where, under the foregoing subsection, a court cancels or suspends a certificate held by a person, he shall have the same right of appeal as if the cancellation or suspension were a sentence passed by the court on his conviction.

(3)[The Health and Safety Executive] may, in the case of a person who is the holder of any such certificate as aforesaid with respect to whom a representation is made to [the Health and Safety Executive] by an inspector or otherwise that that person is, by reason of incompetence or gross negligence or misconduct in the performance of duties of his with respect to a mine F167. . ., unfit to continue to hold the certificate, and shall, in the case of a person who is the holder of such a certificate and has made an election under paragraph (b) of the proviso to subsection (1) of this section, cause inquiry to be made into the question whether or not he is fit to continue to hold the certificate by a tribunal which shall have power to cancel or suspend the certificate if it finds that by reason aforesaid or, as the case may be, that having regard to the offence and the circumstances in which it was committed, he is unfit to continue to hold the certificate.

(4)The provisions of Part I of the Third Schedule to this Act shall have effect with respect to the constitution and procedure of the tribunal holding an inquiry under the last foregoing subsection and with respect to the holding of the inquiry.

(5)Where, under subsection (1) of this section, an application is made to a court for the cancellation or suspension of a certificate and the holder does not elect under paragraph (b) of the proviso to that subsection to have the question of the cancellation or suspension inquired into under subsection (3) of this section, no inquiry into his conduct shall be held by a tribunal under this section on the same grounds as those considered by the court; and where an inquiry is held by a tribunal under this section into the conduct of the holder of a certificate, no application to a court for the cancellation or suspension of the certificate shall be made under subsection (1) of this section on the same grounds as those considered at the inquiry.

(6)[The Health and Safety Executive] may at any time, if it is shown to [the Executive] to be just so to do, restore a certificate cancelled under this section or shorten the period for which a certificate is suspended thereunder.

(7)A certificate suspended under this section shall, during the period of suspension, be of no effect.

(8)The provisions of Part II of the Third Schedule to this Act shall have effect with respect to the delivery up of a certificate to a court or tribunal and with respect to the subsequent proceedings with respect to a certificate so delivered up, and the provisions of Part III of that Schedule shall have effect for the purposes of the application to Scotland of Parts I and II thereof.

(9)This section shall in its application to Scotland have effect as if in paragraph (a) of the proviso to subsection (1) for the words “or execution of the summons or warrant issued in pursuance of the information” there were substituted the words “ of the complaint or indictment ”.

Part XIIIE+W+S Fencing of Abandoned and Disused Mines and of Quarries

151 Fencing of abandoned and disused mines and of quarries. E+W+S

(1)It shall be the duty of the owner of every abandoned mine and of every mine which, notwithstanding that it has not been abandoned, has not been worked for a period of twelve months to secure that the surface entrance to every shaft or outlet thereof is provided with an efficient enclosure, barrier, plug or other device so designed and constructed as to prevent any person from accidentally falling down the shaft or from accidentally entering the outlet and that every device so provided is properly maintained:

(2)For the purposes of [F168Part III of the M2Environmental Protection Act 1990], each of the following shall be deemed to be a statutory nuisance that is to say:—

(a)a shaft or outlet of an abandoned mine (other than a mine to which the proviso to the foregoing subsection applies) or of a mine (other than as aforesaid) which, notwithstanding that it has not been abandoned, has not been worked for a period of twelve months, being a shaft or outlet the surface entrance to which is not provided with a properly maintained device such as is mentioned in that subsection;

(b)a shaft or outlet of a mine to which the proviso to the foregoing subsection applies, being a shaft or outlet with respect to which the following conditions are satisfied, namely,—

(i)that its surface entrance is not provided with a properly maintained device such as is mentioned in that subsection; and

(ii)that, by reason of its accessibility from a [F169highway][F169road (within the meaning of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984)]or a place of public resort, it constitutes a danger to members of the public; and

(c)a quarry (whether in course of being worked or not) which—

(i)is not provided with an efficient and properly maintained barrier so designed and constructed as to prevent any person from accidentally falling into the quarry; and

(ii)by reason of its accessibility from a [F169highway][F169road (within the meaning of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984)]or a place of public resort constitutes a danger to members of the public.

(3)Any expenses incurred, by reason of the operation of [F170Part III of the M3Environmental Protection Act 1990]by a person other than the owner (as defined for the purposes of this Act) of a mine or quarry for the purpose of abating, or preventing the recurrence of, a nuisance under the last foregoing subsection or in reimbursing a local authority in respect of the abatement, or prevention of the recurrence, of such a nuisance shall, subject to any agreement to the contrary, be recoverable by that person from the owner (as so defined) of the mine or quarry.

(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F171

F172(5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Part XIVE+W+S Offences, Penalties and Legal Proceedings

152 Offences. E+W+S

(1)In the event of a contravention, in relation to a mine, of—

(a)a provision of this Act, of an order made thereunder or of regulations, not being a provision which expressly provides that a person is to be guilty of an offence; or

(b)a direction, prohibition, restriction or requirement given or imposed by a notice served under or by virtue of this Act by an inspector; or

(c)a condition attached to an exemption, consent, approval or authority granted or given under or by virtue of this Act by [F173the Health and Safety Executive] or an inspector;

[F174(d)a requirement or prohibition imposed by or under health and safety regulations which expressly apply to all mines, any class of mine to which the mine belongs or the mine;]

each of the following persons shall, subject to the following provisions of this Act, be guilty of an offence, namely, the owner of the mine, any person to whom written instructions have been given by the owner in pursuance of section one of this Act specifying as, or including amongst, the matters with respect to which that person is charged with securing the fulfilment in relation to the mine of statutory responsibilities of the owner, matters of the class to which the provision, direction, prohibition, restriction, requirement or condition relates, the manager of the mine, any person who is for the time being treated for the purposes of this Act as the manager, ever under-manager of the mine and any person who is for the time being treated for the purposes of this Act as an under-manager thereof.

F175(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3)In the event of a contravention, in relation to a mine, by a person other than one mentioned in subsection (1) of this section, of such a provision as is mentioned in paragraph (a) of that subsection, [F176or such a requirement or prohibition as is mentioned in paragraph (d) of that subsection, whereby there is expressly imposed on that person or on persons of a class to which he belongs a duty or requirement or he or persons of a class to which he belongs or all persons are expressly prohibited] from doing a specified act, the person who contravened that provision, as well as the persons mentioned in the said subsection (1), shall be guilty of an offence, F177. . ..

(4)Neither the manager of a mine as such, F178. . . nor a person who is for the time being treated for the purposes of this Act as the manager of a mine F178. . ., nor an under-manager of a mine, nor a person who is for the time being treated for the purposes of this Act as such an under-manager shall, by virtue of subsection (1) F178. . . of this section, be guilty of an offence by reason of a contravention by the owner of the mine F179. . . of—

(a)any provision of this Act, of an order made thereunder or of regulations, being a provision which expressly imposes on the owner of the mine F179. . . a duty or requirement or a prohibition; F180. . .

(b)any prohibition, restriction or requirement which, by virtue of a notice served under or by virtue of this Act by an inspector, is expressly imposed on the owner of the mine F179. . .; [F181or]

[F182(c)any requirement or prohibition expressly imposed by or under such health and safety regulations as are mentioned in paragraph (d) of [F183subsection] (1) F184. . .of this section on the owner of the mine F179. . .].

F185. . ..

153 Accessories.E+W+S

Without prejudice to the operation—

(a)as respects England and Wales, of section eight of the M4Accessories and Abettors Act 1861, and [F186section 44 of the M5Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980]; and

(b)as respects Scotland, of section sixty-one of the M6Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1887, and section two of the M7Summary Jurisdiction (Scotland) Act 1954;

any person who induces or procures, or consents to or connives at, the commission of an offence under this Act, shall be guilty of an offence.

154 Supplementary provisions as to offences.E+W+S

(1)If any persons are employed at a mine F187. . . otherwise than in accordance with the provisions of this Act, orders made thereunder and regulations, there shall be deemed to be a separate contravention in respect of each person so employed.

(2)If a person acts as manager of a mine in contravention of the provisions of subsection (1) of section five of this Act, of any condition attached to an approval granted under that subsection or of a direction given by a notice served under subsection (2) of that section, there shall be deemed to be a separate contravention in relation to each mine as manager of which he acts.

155 Penalty for offences for which no express penalty is provided. E+W+S

(1)A person guilty of an offence under this Act for which no express penalty is provided shall be liable—

(a)if he is the owner of a mine or quarry, a person to whom instructions have been given by the owner of a mine or quarry in pursuance of section one of this Act, the manager of a mine or a manager of a quarry, a person who is for the time being treated for the purposes of this Act as the manager of a mine or a manager of a quarry, an under-manager of a mine, a person who is for the time being treated for the purposes of this Act as such an under-manager or the surveyor for a mine, to a fine not exceeding [F188two hundred pounds][F188level 4 on the standard scale]; and

(b)if not, to a fine not exceeding [F189twenty pounds][F189level 1 on the standard scale];

and, if the contravention in respect of which he was convicted is continued after the conviction, he shall be guilty of a further offence and liable, in respect thereof, to a fine not exceeding five pounds for each day on which the contravention is so continued.

(2)Where the court by which a person is convicted of any such offence as aforesaid is satisfied that the contravention in respect of which he is convicted—

(a)was likely to cause the death of, or serious bodily injury to, a person employed at the mine or quarry in relation to which the contravention occurred or a dangerous accident; or

(b)was likely to endanger the safety of any such person; the court may impose upon the person convicted (either in addition to, or in substitution for, a fine) imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months.

156 Defence available to person charged with offence not committed personally.E+W+S

In any proceedings under this Act which, by virtue of subsection (1) F190. . . of section one hundred and fifty-two of this Act, are taken against a person in respect of the contravention by a person other than himself of—

(a)a provision of the Act, of an order made thereunder or of regulations, being a provision which expressly imposes on that other person or on persons of a class to which, at the time of the contravention, he belonged, a duty or requirement or expressly prohibits him or persons of such a class or all persons from doing a specified act; or

(b)a prohibition, restriction or requirement which by virtue of a notice served under or by virtue of this Act by an inspector is expressly imposed on that other person;

[F191(c)a requirement or prohibition imposed by or under health and safety regulations which expressly apply to all mines F192. . ., any class of mine F192. . . or a particular mine F192. . . being a requirement expressly imposed on that person or on persons of a class to which, at the time of the contravention, he belonged or a prohibition expressly imposed on him or on persons of such class or on all persons from doing a specified act;]

it shall be a defence for the person charged to prove that he used all due diligence to secure compliance with the provision, prohibition, restriction or requirement, as the case may be.

157 Persons not to be under liability for contraventions which it was impracticable to avoid or prevent. E+W+S

It shall be a defence in any legal proceedings to recover damages and in any prosecution, in so far as the proceedings or prosecution are or is based on an allegation of a contravention, in relation to a mine F193. . ., of—

(a)a provision of this Act, of an order made thereunder or of regulations (not being a provision which expressly provides that a person is to be guilty of an offence); or

(b)a direction, prohibition, restriction, or requirement given or imposed by a notice served under or by virtue of this Act by an inspector; or

(c)a condition attached to an exemption, consent, approval or authority granted or given under or by virtue of this Act by [F194the Health and Safety Executive] or an inspector;

[F195(d)a requirement or prohibition imposed by or under such health and safety regulations as are mentioned in subsection (1)(d) or (2)(d) of section 152 of this Act;]

to prove that it was impracticable to avoid or prevent the contravention.

F196158. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

159 Liability of owners for breaches of statutory duty by their servants.E+W+S

For the removal of doubts it is hereby declared that the owner of a mine F197. . . is not absolved from liability to pay damages in respect of a contravention, in relation to the mine F197. . ., by a person employed by him of—

(a)a provision of this Act, of an order made thereunder or of regulations; or

(b)a prohibition, restriction or requirement imposed by a notice served under or by virtue of this Act by an inspector;

by reason only that the provision contravened was one which expressly imposed on that person or on persons of a class to which, at the time of the contravention, he belonged, a duty or requirement or expressly prohibited that person, or persons of such a class or all persons from doing a specified act or, as the case may be, that the prohibition, restriction or requirement was expressly imposed on that person or that that person was, in pursuance of this Act or regulations, appointed by a person other than the owner.

160 Liability of parents for unlawful employment of young personsE+W+S

If a young person is employed at a mine F198. . . in contravention of the provisions of this Act, the parent of the young person shall be guilty of an offence and liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding [F199level 1 on the standard scale], unless it appears to the court that the contravention occurred without the consent, connivance or wilful default of the parent.

161. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F200E+W+S

F201162. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

163 Prosecution of offences.E+W+S

(1)Any offence under this Act with respect to the trial of which no express provision is made by this Act may be tried either summarily or upon indictment.

(2)—(6). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F202

164 Restriction on institution of certain proceedings. E+W+S

No proceedings for an offence under this Act shall, in England or Wales, be instituted against any such person as is mentioned in paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section one hundred and fifty-five of this Act except by an inspector or by or with the consent of the Minister or the Attorney General.

165 Duty to report results of proceedings against persons employed at mines or quarries.E+W+S

(1)An owner or manager of a mine F203. . . by whom are instituted proceedings against a person employed at the mine F203. . . for an offence under this Act shall, within twenty-one days after the conclusion of the trial of that person for that offence, give to the inspector for the district notice of the result of the trial and shall also, within twenty-one days after the conclusion of any proceedings by way of appeal arising out of the trial, give to the inspector for the district notice of the result of those proceedings.

(2)For the purposes of this section the bringing of proceedings before the High Court to quash a conviction by order of certiorari shall be deemed to be an appeal.

166 Liability of parents for unlawful employment of children.E+W+S

For the purposes of any proceedings under this Act in respect of the employment of children in contravention of . . . F204, [F205section one hundred and thirty six of the M8Education (Scotland) Act 1962,] or section one of the M9Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children Act 1920 (being enactments which prohibit the employment of children in factories [F206and], mines F207. . . and, so far as they relate to mines F207. . ., are incorporated with this Act), the references in section one hundred and sixty of this Act to a young person shall be construed as including references to a child within the meaning of . . . F204 the said section seventeen or the said section one, as the case may be.

167. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F208E+W+S

Part XVE+W+S Miscellaneous and General

Supplementary ProvisionsE+W+S

F209168 Division of mines.E+W+S

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F210169. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

170 Provisions as to references upon notices served by inspectors.E+W+S

(1)The following provisions of this section shall apply in relation to any notice served under any provision of this Act or regulations by an inspector on the owner or manager of a mine F211. . ., being a notice which is expressly declared to be one to which the provisions of this Part of this Act with respect to references upon notices served by inspectors are to apply.

(2)If the person on whom any such notice is served or, in a case where it is served on two or more persons, any of them, by a counter-notice duly served on the inspector who served the notice demands a reference upon the notice, it shall stand referred to a person or persons selected by the nominated selector (as hereinafter defined) from amongst the members of that one of the panels of persons appointed by the Minister under this section which is appropriate to the circumstances of the case:

(3)On a reference under this section upon any such notice, any of the following persons may appear in person or be represented, and may give evidence and call such witnesses as he thinks fit, that is to say:—

(a)any person on whom the notice was served;

(b)any inspector;

(c)any association or body representative of a majority of the total number of persons employed at the mine F212. . . to which the notice relates;

(d)any other persons appearing to the referee or referees to be affected by the notice or any association or body representative of any such persons.

(4)The following provisions shall have effect with respect to the quashing or confirmation of any such notice upon a reference thereon under this section, namely,—

(a)if no relevant ground of objection to the notice is established to the satisfaction of the referee or referees, he or they shall confirm the notice;

(b)if a relevant ground of objection is so established, the referee or referees shall quash the notice unless he or they is or are of opinion that the objection can be met by modification of the notice, in which case the referee or referees shall confirm the notice subject to such modification as appears to him or them to meet the objection;

and where the notice is confirmed subject to any modification it shall take effect as modified.

(5)For the purposes of the last foregoing subsection—

(a)in the case of any such notice served under a provision of this Act (other than subsection (3) of section one hundred and sixty-eight), any of the following grounds which are appropriate to the circumstances of the case shall be a relevant ground of objection, namely,—

(i)that compliance with a prohibition, restriction or requirement sought to be imposed by or by virtue of the notice is, wholly or to a particular extent, unnecessary, inadvisable for reasons of safety or impracticable;

(ii)that any period limited by the notice is insufficient for the purpose of enabling any works to be executed or other thing done;

(b)in the case of a notice served under the said subsection (3), the relevant ground of objection shall be that the division of the mine to which the notice relates neither prejudices nor is likely to prejudice the safety or health of any of the persons employed at the mine;

(c)in the case of a notice served under any provision of regulations, the relevant ground or grounds of objection shall be such as may be prescribed.

(6)Save as otherwise expressly provided by this Act or regulations, any such notice shall not become operative in any event until the expiration of the period within which a reference thereon may be demanded under this section or, if within that period such a reference is so demanded, until the notice is confirmed by the referee or referees.

(7)The quashing under this section of any such notice shall neither be taken to prevent the service by an inspector of a fresh notice nor, if the notice became operative before it was quashed, affect the previous operation thereof.

(8)The Minister may—

(a)constitute such number as he thinks fit of panels of persons from whom referees may be selected for the purposes of references under this section and, as respects each panel, may designate the cases in which it is to be treated for the purposes of this section as the appropriate panel;

(b)make rules for regulating such references and, in particular, for making provision with respect to the costs of such references (including the payment of remuneration and allowances to referees) and for specifying the form of a counter-notice under subsection (2) of this section and the period within which such a notice must be served;

and different periods may be specified by rules under paragraph (b) of this subsection in relation to the service of counter-notices relating to notices served under different provisions of this Act or regulations.

(9)The reference in subsection (2) of this section to the nominated selector shall be construed as referring to such person as may for the time being be nominated by the Minister, after consultation with the Lord Chancellor[F213 , the Lord Chief Justice] and the Lord President of the Court of Session, to discharge the duty of selecting referees to act upon references under this section.

[F214(10)The Lord Chief Justice may nominate a judicial office holder (as defined in section 109(4) of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005) to exercise his functions under subsection (9).]

171 Provisions as to knowledge by officials, &c., of Welsh language.E+W+S

Where the natural language of communication of the persons employed at a mine F215. . . or of a substantial number of those persons is Welsh, then, in considering the qualifications of candidates for appointments required, by or by virtue of this Act, to be made in the case of that mine F215. . ., regard shall be had to the possession of a knowledge of that language.

172. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F216E+W+S

173 Revocation and variation of orders and rules.E+W+S

Any power conferred by this Act to make a . . . F217 a rule shall be construed as including a power, exercisable in the like manner and subject to the like conditions, if any, to revoke or vary the . . . F217 or rule.

[F218174†Parliamentary control of orders, rules and regulations.E+W+S

(1)The power conferred by section 170(8)(b) of this Act on the Secretary of State to make rules shall be exercisable by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(2)The provisions of section 50 of the M10Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 shall apply to the power mentioned in the preceding paragraph as they apply to a power to make regulations.]

175. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F219E+W+S

176 Provisions as to exemptions, &c.E+W+S

(1)Any power conferred by this Act or regulations [F220or health and safety regulations which expressly apply to all mines F221. . ., any class of mines F221. . . or a particular mine F221. . .] on [F222the Health and Safety Executive] or an inspector to grant, give or impose an exemption, consent, approval, authority, direction, requirement, prohibition or restriction or to make a determination shall be construed as including a power exercisable in the like manner and subject to the like conditions, if any, to vary or revoke the exemption, consent, approval, authority, direction, requirement, prohibition, restriction or determination.

(2)Any exemption, consent, approval or authority granted or given under this Act or regulations [F220or such health and safety regulations] by [F222the Health and Safety Executive] or an inspector may (subject to any express provision of this Act or regulations [F220or such health and safety regulations)] be without limit of period or limited so as to expire on a specified date unless renewed, and may be absolute or conditional.

177. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F223E+W+S

178 Expenses and receipts.E+W+S

Any expenses incurred under or by virtue of this Act by the Minister shall be defrayed out of moneys provided by Parliament and any sums received under or by virtue of this Act by the Minister shall be paid into the Exchequer.

179 Application to the Crown. E+W+S

This Act shall apply to mines F224. . . belonging to Her Majesty in right of the Crown or to a Government department or held in trust for Her Majesty for the purposes of a Government department.

InterpretationE+W+S

180 Meaning of “mine” and “quarry”.E+W+S

[F225(1)In this Act the expression “mine” means an excavation or system of excavations, including all such excavations to which a common system of ventilation is provided, made for the purpose of, or in connection with, the getting, wholly or substantially by means involving the employment of persons below ground, of minerals (whether in their natural state or in solution or suspension) or products of minerals.]

(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3)For the purposes of this Act—

(a)there shall be deemed to form part of a mine so much of the surface (including buildings, structures and works thereon) surrounding or adjacent to the shafts or outlets of the mine as is occupied together with the mine for the purpose of, or in connection with, the working of the mine, the treatment, preparation for sale, consumption or use, storage or removal from the mine of the minerals or products thereof gotten from the mine or the removal from the mine of the refuse thereof; and

F226(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Provided that there shall not, for the said purposes, be deemed to form part of a mine F227. . . premises in which a manufacturing process is carried on otherwise than for the purpose of the working of the mine F227. . . or the preparation for sale of minerals gotten therefrom.

(4)For the purposes of this Act premises for the time being used for depositing refuse from a single mine F228. . ., being premises exclusively occupied by the owner of that mine F228. . ., shall be deemed to form part of that mine F228. . ., and premises for the time being used for depositing refuse from two or more mines F228. . ., being premises occupied by the owner of one of those mines F228. . . (either exclusively or jointly with the owner of the other or any of the others) shall be deemed to form part of such one of those mines F228. . . as [F229the Health and Safety Executive] may direct.

(5)For the purposes of this Act a railway line serving a single mine F230. . . (not being a railway line falling within subsection (3) of this section or a railway line belonging to a railway company) shall be deemed to form part of that mine F230. . . and a railway line jointly serving two or more mines F230. . . (not being a railway line falling within subsection (3) of this section or a railway line belonging to a railway company) shall be deemed to form part of such one of them as [F229the Health and Safety Executive] may direct.

(6)For the purposes of this Act a conveyor or aerial ropeway provided for the removal from a mine F231. . . of minerals gotten therefrom or refuse therefrom shall be deemed to form part of the mine F231. . ..

181 Meaning of “owner”.E+W+S

(1)Subject to the provisions of this section, in this Act the expression “owner” means, in relation to a mine F232. . ., the person for the time being entitled to work it.

F233(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F234(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4)Where the business of a person who, by virtue of the foregoing provisions of this section is, for the purposes of this Act, to be taken to be owner of a mine F235. . . is carried on by a liquidator, receiver or manager, or by some other person authorised to carry it on by an order of a court of competent jurisdiction, the liquidator, receiver, manager or other person shall be taken for the purposes of this Act to be an additional owner of the mine F235. . ..

(5)This section shall, in its application to Scotland, have effect as if, for subsection (3), there were substituted the following subsection:—

“(3)Where two or more persons are entitled to work a quarry independently, and one of them has granted the right so to do to the other or others, that one shall, to the exclusion of the other or others, be taken for the purposes of this Act to be the owner of the quarry.”

182 General interpretation provisions.E+W+S

(1)In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, the following expressions have the meanings hereby respectively assigned to them, that is to say:—

• . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F236

• “central rescue station” has the meaning assigned to it by section seventy-two of this Act;

• “contravention” includes, in relation to—

(a)a provision of this Act, of an order made thereunder or of regulations; or

(b)a direction, prohibition, restriction or requirement given or imposed by a notice served under or by virtue of this Act by an inspector; or

(c)a condition attached to an exemption, consent, approval or authority granted or given under or by virtue of this Act by [F237the Health and Safety Executive] or an inspector;

[F238(d)a prohibition or requirement imposed by or under health and safety regulations which expressly apply to all mines F239. . ., any class of mine F239. . . or a particular mine F239. . .]

a failure to comply with the provision, direction, prohibition, restriction, requirement or condition, and the expression “contravene” shall be construed accordingly:

• “gas” includes fume or vapour;

• “gravity operated rope haulage apparatus” means rope haulage apparatus worked solely by the action of gravity on a vehicle or vehicles attached to a rope forming part of the apparatus;

• “gravity operated winding apparatus” means winding apparatus worked solely by the action of gravity on a part of it in which a load is carried;

• [F240“health and safety regulations” has the meaning assigned by section 15(1) of the M11Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974]

• “inset” means, in relation to a shaft or outlet of a mine, a heading, chamber or other space driven or excavated from the shaft or outlet, being a heading, chamber or space to which access can only be had from the shaft or outlet and not being a heading, chamber or space the sole or main purpose of the driving or excavation of which is the getting of minerals or products of minerals;

• [F241“inspector” means an inspector appointed by the Health and Safety Executive under section 19 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and references in any provision of this Act to the inspector for the district are references as respects a mine F239. . ., to the inspector so appointed for carrying into effect the provisions of the Mines and Quarries Acts 1954 to 1971 in the district in which the mine F239. . . is situated;]

• “legal proceedings” includes arbitration;

• “mechanically operated rope haulage apparatus” means rope haulage apparatus worked by a stationary engine;

• “mechanically operated winding apparatus” means winding apparatus worked by a stationary engine;

• “minerals” includes stone, slate, clay, gravel, sand and other natural deposits except peat;

• “the Minister” means [F242the Secretary of State];

• “notice” means a notice in writing;

• “parent” [F243means a parent of a young person or any person who is not a parent of his but who has parental responsibility for him (within the meaning of the Children Act 1989) or who has parental responsibilities in relation to him (within the meaning of section 1(3) of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995), and includes], in relation to any young person, a person having direct benefit from his wages;

• “period of employment” means the period (inclusive of the time allowed for meals and rest) within which a person may be employed on any day;

• “permitted lights” means, in relation to a mine or a part of a mine, locked safety-lamps and any other means of lighting the use of which below ground in mines generally, in mines of a class to which that mine belongs or in that mine is authorised by regulations [F244or health and safety regulations];

• “prescribed” has the meaning assigned to it by subsection (5) of section one hundred and forty-one of this Act;

• “railway company” means any persons authorised by an enactment to construct, work or carry on a railway . . . F245, and for the purposes of this definition the expression “enactment” includes a provision of an order or scheme made under or confirmed by an Act;

• “regulations”, “general regulations” and “special regulations” have the meanings respectively assigned to them by subsection (5) of section one hundred and forty-one of this Act;

• “responsible person” means, in relation to a mine, the manager thereof F246. . .;

• “road” does not include an unwalkable outlet;

• “rope” includes chain;

• “rope haulage apparatus” means apparatus for transporting loads in vehicles attached to ropes;

• “safety-lamp mine” means a mine in no part of which below ground is the use of lamps or lights other than permitted lights lawful;

• “safety-lamp part of a mine” means a part of a mine other than a safety-lamp mine, being a part below ground in which either the use of lamps or lights other than permitted lights is unlawful or safety-lamps are for the time being in use by way of temporary precaution;

• “sanitary conveniences” includes urinals, water-closets, earth-closets, ash-pits, privies and any similar convenience;

• “shaft” means a shaft the top of which is, or is intended to be, at the surface;

• “staple-pit” includes winze;

• “statutory responsibilities” means responsibilities under this Act, orders made thereunder and regulations;

• “support rules” has the meaning assigned to it by subsection (1) of section fifty-four of this Act;

• “transport rules” has the meaning assigned to it by subsection (1) of section thirty-seven of this Act;

• “unwalkable outlet” means an outlet which, owing to the gradient thereof or of any part thereof (whether alone or in combination with other circumstances), persons cannot walk up with reasonable convenience;

• “week” means the period between midnight on Saturday night and midnight on the succeeding Saturday night;

• “winding apparatus” means, in relation to a mine shaft or staple-pit, apparatus for lowering and raising loads through the shaft or staple-pit;

• “woman” means a woman who has attained the age of eighteen;

• “young person” means a person who is over compulsory school age but has not attained the age of eighteen.

F247(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3)For the purposes of this Act—

[F248(a)A mine shall be treated as being worked at any time when there are persons at work below ground or plant or equipment is in operation at the mine to maintain the safety of that mine or of any other mine or the operation of driving a shaft or outlet is being undertaken at the mine.]

(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F249(c). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4)References in this Act to the use of safety-lamps by way of temporary precaution shall, in relation to a mine, be construed as references to the occasional or intermittent use of locked safety-lamps by workmen employed below ground in the mine in a place in which the use of naked lights might be dangerous and, in relation to a part of a mine below ground, be construed as references to the occasional or intermittent use of locked safety-lamps by workmen employed in that part in such a place.

(5)References in this Act to any other enactment shall be construed as references to that enactment as amended, extended or applied by or under any subsequent enactment including, except where the context otherwise requires, this Act.

183 Application of Act to training mines.E+W+S

(1)For the purposes of this Act an excavation or system of excavations made for training purposes shall be deemed to be a mine, and the use for those purposes of any premises which are a mine as defined by subsection (1) of section one hundred and eighty of this Act or are, by virtue of this section, deemed to be a mine shall be deemed, for the purposes of this Act, to constitute the working of the mine; but the Minister may by order direct that this Act shall, in its application to any such premises as aforesaid which are used exclusively for training purposes, have effect subject to such exceptions, adaptations and modifications as may be specified in the order.

(2)In this section the expression “training purposes” means the purposes of instructing or training below ground persons in, or in any work connected with, mining minerals.

Relationship of Factories Acts and this Act in case of certain premisesE+W+S

F250184. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

Repeals, Savings, Transitional Provisions, &c.E+W+S

185. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F251E+W+S

186 Repeal of s. 21 of 16 & 17 Geo. 5. c. 28. E+W+S

Section twenty-one of the Mining Industry Act, 1926 (which enablesprovision to be made for the establishment of joint committees forcoal mines) shall cease to have effect.

F252187. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

188 Minor and consequential amendments of other enactments. E+W+S

The enactments specified in the Fourth Schedule to this Act shall haveeffect subject to the amendments respectively specified in relationthereto in that Schedule (being minor amendments and amendmentsconsequential on the provisions of this Act).

189. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F253E+W+S

190. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F254E+W+S

191 General savings.E+W+S

(1)Nothing in this Act shall affect—

(a)any special regulation made under an enactment repealed by this Act;

(b)any rule made by the Mining Qualifications Board constituted under the M12Coal Mines Act 1911;

(c)any order with respect to fees, notification of accidents or the manner in which persons are to be searched, being an order made under an enactment repealed by this Act or by the M13said Act of 1911;

(d)any rule made under section fifty of the M14said Act of 1911; or

(e)any certificate issued, exemption, consent, approval, permission or authority granted or any other thing done under an enactment repealed by this Act;

but any such regulation, rule or order so made or any certificate, exemption, consent, approval, permission, authority or thing so issued, granted or done shall, if in force at the commencement of this Act and so far as it could have been made, issued, granted or done under this Act, have effect as if it had been so made, issued, granted or done.

(2)Nothing in this Act shall affect any special rule established under an enactment repealed by this Act, but any such rule so established shall, if in force at the commencement of this Act and so far as it could, had it been a regulation, have been made under this Act, have effect as if it had been a regulation so made.

(3)Any document referring to any Act or enactment repealed by this Act shall be construed as referring to this Act or the corresponding enactment in this Act.

(4)Any inquiry or formal investigation under section eleven or eighty-three of the M15Coal Mines Act 1911, which is uncompleted at the commencement of this Act may be carried on and completed in all respects as if this Act had not passed.

(5)Any person holding office or acting or serving under or by virtue of an enactment repealed by this Act shall continue to hold office or to act or serve as if he had been appointed under or by virtue of the corresponding enactment in this Act.

(6)Any register kept under an enactment repealed by this Act shall be deemed part of the register to be kept under the corresponding enactment in this Act.

F255(7). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(8)The mention of particular matters in this section shall be without prejudice to the general application of [F256sections 16(1) and 17(2)(a) of the M16Interpretation Act 1978] with regard to the effect of repeals.

192 Saving for persons managing certain small mines at commencement of this Act.E+W+S

A person who, immediately before the commencement of this Act, is, by virtue of subsection (3) of section two of the M17Coal Mines Act 1911, exercising and performing, in relation to a mine of coal, stratified ironstone, shale or fireclay then exempt from the provisions of that section, the powers and duties conferred and imposed by that Act on the manager of a mine, may be manager of that mine or another mine of coal, stratified ironstone, shale or fireclay at any time at which the number of persons employed below ground in the mine does not exceed thirty and no direction is in force with respect to the mine under paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section four of this Act or under subsection (3) of that section, notwithstanding that he does not possess the qualifications required by this Act for appointment as manager thereof.

193 Saving for common law rights of workmen, &c.E+W+S

No provision of this Act, of any order made thereunder or of regulations shall be construed as derogating from any rule of law with respect to the duties owed by masters to their servants (including, in particular, but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing words, the duty to provide a safe system of working), and section one of this Act shall not be construed as derogating from any obligation imposed by or by virtue of any other provision of this Act upon the owner of a mine F257. . ..

194 Commencement. E+W+S

This Act, except sections one hundred and seventy-two and one hundred and ninety thereof, shall come into operation on such day as the Minister may by order appoint, and those sections shall come into operation on the passing of this Act; and for the purposes of this Act and of the application thereto of [F258section 13 of the M18Interpretation Act 1978] (which relates to the exercise of statutory powers between the passing and the commencement of an Act references to the commencement of this Act shall, notwithstanding the provisions of [F258section 4 of the said Act of 1978] with respect to the construction of the expression “commencement”, be construed as references to the time at which this Act, except the said sections one hundred and seventy-two and one hundred and ninety, comes into operation.

195 Short title and extent.E+W+S

(1)This Act may be cited as the M19Mines and Quarries Act 1954.

(2)This Act shall not extend to Northern Ireland.

SCHEDULES

F259F259FIRST AND SECOND SCHEDULESE+W+S

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Section 150.

THIRD SCHEDULEE+W+S Inquiries into Fitness of Holders of Certificates and Delivery up and Custody of Certificates in connection with Prosecutions and Inquiries.

Part IE+W+S Inquiries into Fitness of Holders of Certificates

1E+W+SThe tribunal holding an inquiry under section one hundred and fifty of this Act shall consist of a person or persons appointed by the Minister, and may conduct the inquiry either alone or with the assistance of an assessor or assessors so appointed [F260; but no person shall be appointed—

(a)as the person, or one of the persons, constituting such a tribunal, or

(b)as an assessor to assist any such tribunal, after the day on which he attains the age of seventy years.]

2E+W+S[F261The Health and Safety Executive] may pay to the persons constituting the tribunal and to any assessor appointed to assist the tribunal such remuneration and allowances as the Minister may, with the approval of the Treasury, determine.