225 ILCS 705/ Coal Mining Act.

(225 ILCS 705/Art. 5 heading) ARTICLE 5. MINE MANAGER--REQUIREMENTS AND DUTIES.

(225 ILCS 705/5.01) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 501)

Sec. 5.01. Each applicant for a certificate of competency as mine manager shall produce evidence satisfactory of the Mining Board that he is a citizen of the United States or lawfully admitted for permanent residence, at least 23 years of age; that he has had at least 4 years' practical underground mining experience; has been issued a Certificate of Competency as Mine Examiner, or its equivalent issued by another state; and that he has satisfactorily completed a course of instruction in first aid to the injured and mine rescue methods and appliances prescribed by the Department; and that he is a man of good repute and temperate habits. He shall also pass such examination as to his experience in mines and in the management of men; his knowledge of mine machinery and appliances; the use of surveying and other instruments used in mining; the properties of mine gases; the principles of ventilation; and the legal duties and responsibilities of mine managers, as shall be prescribed by the rules of the Mining Board.

Persons who have graduated and hold a degree in engineering or an approved 4-year program in coal mining technology from an accredited school, college or university are required to have only 2 years' practical underground mining experience to qualify for the examination for a Certificate of Competency.

Persons who have graduated and hold a two-year Associate in Applied Science Degree in Coal Mining Technology from an accredited school, college or university are required to have only 3 years' practical underground mining experience to qualify for the examination for a Certificate of Competency.

(Source: P.A. 101-541, eff. 8-23-19.)

(225 ILCS 705/5.03) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 503)

Sec. 5.03. It shall be unlawful for any operator to operate an underground coal mine without the services of a mine manager. Further, it is unlawful for the operator of any coal mine to have in his service as mine manager at his mine, any person who does not hold a certificate of competency issued by the Mining Board of this State; Provided, that whenever any exigency arises by which it is impossible for any operator to secure the immediate services of a certificated mine manager, he may place any trustworthy and experienced man of the mine inspection district in charge of his mine to act as temporary mine manager for a period not exceeding 7 days, and with the approval of the State mine inspector of the district, for a further period not exceeding 23 days.

(Source: Laws 1955, p. 2012.)

(225 ILCS 705/5.04) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 504)

Sec. 5.04. The certificate of any mine manager may be cancelled and revoked by the Mining Board upon notice and hearing as provided by this Act, if it shall be established in the judgment of said Mining Board that the holder thereof has obtained said certificate by fraud or misrepresentation of his experience or has become unworthy to hold said certificate by reason of violation of the law, intemperate habits, incapacity, abuse of authority or for any other cause. Any person against whom charges or complaints are made hereunder shall have the right to appear before the Mining Board and defend himself against said charges, and he shall have 15 days' notice in writing of such charges previous to such hearing. The Mining Board, in its discretion, may suspend the certificate of any person charged as aforesaid, pending such hearing, but said hearing shall not be unreasonably deferred.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/5.05) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 505)

Sec. 5.05. Effective on or after January 1, 1977, it shall be unlawful for the operator of any underground mine to employ as a superintendent any person who does not hold a certificate of competency as a mine manager issued by the Mining Board. Upon request, the Mining Board may issue a temporary Certificate of Competency as mine examiner or mine manager to any person who possesses a valid equivalent certificate issued by the appropriate agency in another state, provided however that such temporary certificate shall be valid only until the first available examination given by the Mining Board or 6 months, whichever is longer.

(Source: P.A. 79-460.)

(225 ILCS 705/5.06) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 506)

Sec. 5.06. The mine manager shall be responsible for the performance of all the functions and duties prescribed in Sections 5.07 to 5.25, both inclusive. The mine manager may not perform the duties of a mine examiner while serving in the capacity of a mine manager.

(Source: P.A. 99-538, eff. 1-1-17.)

(225 ILCS 705/5.07) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 507)

Sec. 5.07. Visit each working place in the mine at least once in every two weeks and require his assistants or the Face Bosses to go into all working places in their territory or sections regularly during each working shift.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/5.08) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 508)

Sec. 5.08. Provide a suitable checking system whereby the entrance into and the departure from the mine of each employee shall be positively indicated.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/5.09) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 509)

Sec. 5.09. In all mines:

1. When the mine is to be operated, he shall have the prescribed working places of such mine examined by a certified mine examiner within 3 hours before the workers of any shift, other than the examiner or the examiners designated by the mine manager to make the examination, enter the underground areas of such mine. Have the mine examiner inspect every active working place in the mine and make tests therein with a multi-gas detector for accumulation of methane and oxygen deficiency in the air therein; examine intake seals used to ventilate a working section and doors to determine whether they are functioning properly; inspect and test the roof, face and rib conditions in the working areas and on active roadways and travelways; inspect active roadways, travelways, approaches to abandoned workings and accessible falls in active sections for explosive gas and other hazards; and inspect to determine whether the air in each split is traveling in its proper course and in normal volume.

2. On non-coal producing shifts, if the mine has a minimum of 120 psi seals, he shall have the mine examined by a certified mine examiner in any area where any person is scheduled to work or travel underground. If the mine has less than 120 psi seals, he shall have the mine examined by a certified mine examiner in its entirety the same as for a coal producing shift, except where persons are to work only in the shaft, slope, drift, or on the immediate shaft or slope bottom, then only that area immediately surrounding the bottom shall be examined. If the mine has a minimum of 120 psi seals and the mine has not been examined in its entirety for 7 consecutive days, he shall have a certified mine examiner conduct a full mine examination, including seals and escape ways, prior to anyone other than the mine examiner or mine examiners designated by the mine manager to make the examination enter the underground areas of such mine. If it is known that the air downwind of a minimum 120 psi seals when tested at a point not less than 12 inches from the roof, face, or rib contains more than 1.0% of methane as determined by permissible methane detector, air analysis, or other recognized means of accurately detecting such gas, he shall have the mine examined in its entirety the same as for a coal producing shift, except where persons are to work only in the shaft, slope, or drift or on the immediate shaft or slope bottom, then only that area immediately surrounding the bottom shall be examined.

3. He shall see that no person, other than competent personnel, enters any underground area in a mine, except during a coal-producing shift, unless an examination of such area has been made by a mine examiner within 12 hours immediately preceding his entrance into such area.

4. If the mine has constructed a minimum of 120 psi seals, he shall have a certified mine examiner conduct weekly examinations at each seal along return and bleeder air courses and at each seal along intake air courses where intake air passing by the seal is not used to ventilate a working section. If the mine has constructed less than 120 psi seals, he shall have a certified mine examiner conduct a daily examination of each seal along return and bleeder air courses. If it is known that the air downwind of a minimum 120 psi seals when tested at a point not less than 12 inches from the roof, face, or rib contains more than 1.0% of methane as determined by permissible methane detector, air analysis, or other recognized means of accurately detecting such gas, he shall have each seal along return and bleeder air courses and at each seal along intake air courses where intake air passing by the seal not used to ventilate a working section to be examined by a certified mine examiner before the workers of any shift, other than the examiner or the examiners designated by the mine manager to make the examination, enter the underground areas of such mine.

5. He shall have a certified mine examiner conduct weekly examinations of escape ways required by Sections 19.11 and 19.13.

(Source: P.A. 99-538, eff. 1-1-17.)

(225 ILCS 705/5.10) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 510)

Sec. 5.10. To have the underground working places in the mine examined for hazards by competent personnel designated by the operator to do so, at least once during each coal-producing shift, or oftener if necessary for safety. Examinations shall include tests with a multi-gas detector for methane and oxygen deficiency. In all underground face workings where electrically driven equipment is operated, examinations for methane shall be made with a multi-gas detector by a person trained in the use of such multi-gas detector before equipment is taken into or operated in face regions, and frequent examinations for methane shall be made during such operations.

(Source: P.A. 99-538, eff. 1-1-17.)

(225 ILCS 705/5.11) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 511)

Sec. 5.11. To see that a mine examiner makes the examinations provided in Articles 5, 6, and 31 of this Act and that he enters his report either by calling the results of the examination to a recorder on the surface or by personally recording the report. The recorder or mine examiner shall record the report in a book or computer system that is provided by the operator for that purpose, and the book or computer system shall be secure and not susceptible to alteration.

(Source: P.A. 99-538, eff. 1-1-17.)

(225 ILCS 705/5.12) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 512)

Sec. 5.12. To examine the mine examiners' reports in the morning before workers are permitted to enter the mine, and if any working places are reported dangerous, the mine manager shall see that all workers and supervisory personnel concerned are notified of the danger and instruct them not to enter such places until the reported danger has been removed, except for the purpose of removing the dangerous condition.

(Source: P.A. 81-992.)

(225 ILCS 705/5.13) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 513)

Sec. 5.13. He shall provide a sufficient number of props, caps, and timbers, when needed, delivered on the miners' cars at the usual place, in suitable lengths and dimensions for the securing of the roof by the miners. When cross bars are set by the miners they shall be furnished in the required lengths.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/5.14) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 514)

Sec. 5.14. He shall see that cross-cuts are made at proper distances apart; that necessary doors, curtains, and brattices are provided to furnish the men in the mine the volume of air required by this Act or by the written demand of the State mine inspector; and that all stoppings along airways are properly built.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/5.15) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 515)

Sec. 5.15. He shall take daily barometer readings and record the readings when men are in the mine, and keep a careful watch over all ventilating apparatus and the air currents in the mine. When the ventilating fan at any mine fails or stops, he shall take immediate action to cut off the electric power and withdraw the workers from the face regions of the mine. In gassy mines, if the ventilation is restored within a reasonable time, the face regions and other places where methane is likely to accumulate shall be re-examined by competent personnel, and if such places are found to be free from explosive gas the power may be restored and work resumed. If the ventilation is not restored within a reasonable time all underground employees shall be removed from the mine. In non-gassy mines, if the ventilation is restored within a reasonable time, the power may be turned on and the work resumed without the necessity of re-examination.

(Source: P.A. 81-992.)

(225 ILCS 705/5.16) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 516)

Sec. 5.16. He shall measure the air current or cause the same to be measured at least once each week at the inlet and outlet, also at the last open cross-cut in each division or split, and shall keep a record of such measurements for the information of the State mine inspector.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/5.17) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 517)

Sec. 5.17. He or his assistant shall, at least once a week, examine the escapement shaft and the roadways leading thereto and all other openings for the safe exit of men to the surface; and shall make a record of any obstructions or other unsafe conditions existing therein, and cause the same to be promptly removed.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/5.18) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 518)

Sec. 5.18. He shall examine or designate a competent person to examine the hoisting ropes, cages, and safety catches every morning and shall require the ropes to be tested by hoisting the cages before men are lowered.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/5.19) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 519)

Sec. 5.19. At shaft mines, he must see that the top and bottom people are on duty at the beginning and end of regular shifts where people are hoisted in and out of the mine, and that sufficient lights are maintained at the top and bottom landings when the miners are being hoisted and lowered.

(Source: P.A. 80-296.)

(225 ILCS 705/5.20) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 520)

Sec. 5.20. He or his assistant shall be at his post at the mine when the men are lowered into the mine in the morning for work, and shall remain at night until all the men employed during the day shall have been hoisted up.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/5.21) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 521)

Sec. 5.21. He shall give special attention to and instructions concerning the proper storage and handling of permissible explosives in the mines.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/5.22) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 522)

Sec. 5.22. Where coal is broken down "on shift"; and while men are in the mine, with compressed air, or by some mechanical or chemical-mechanical device which does not emit spark or flame, he shall see that frequent examination for gas and other hazards is made by competent personnel.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/5.23) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 523)

Sec. 5.23. He shall require all excessively dusty haulage roads to be thoroughly sprayed, sprinkled, cleaned or rockdusted at regular intervals when the health and safety of the men in the mines are jeopardized.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/5.24) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 524)

Sec. 5.24. To instruct employees as to their respective duties and to require of all employees obedience to the provisions of this Act.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/5.25) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 525)

Sec. 5.25. To prescribe special rules concerning the proper storage and handling of explosives in the mine and concerning the time and manner of placing and discharging the blasting shots, and it shall be unlawful for any miner to fire shots except according to such rules.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/5.26) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 526)

Sec. 5.26. In mines in which the works are so extensive that all the duties devolving upon the mine manager cannot be discharged by one man, competent persons may be designated and appointed as assistants to the mine manager, who shall exercise his functions under the mine manager's instructions.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)