(225 ILCS 705/Art. 7 heading) ARTICLE 7. HOISTING ENGINEER AND HOISTING.

(225 ILCS 705/7.02) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 702)

Sec. 7.02. Each applicant for a certificate of competency as electrical hoisting engineer shall produce evidence satisfactory to the Mining Board that he is a citizen of the United States or lawfully admitted for permanent residence, at least 21 years of age, that he has had two years' experience with electrical hoisting equipment, or has completed a training course in operation and maintenance of electrical hoisting machinery approved by the Mining Board and is of good repute and temperate habits. He shall pass an examination as to his practical and technical knowledge of the construction of same, the care and adjustment of electrical hoisting engines, the management and efficiency of electric pumps, ropes and winding apparatus and as to his knowledge of the laws of this State in relation to signals and the hoisting and lowering of men at mines.

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

(225 ILCS 705/7.03) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 703)

Sec. 7.03. It shall be unlawful for the operator of any mine to permit any person who does not hold a certificate of competency as hoisting engineer issued by the Mining Board to hoist or lower men, or to have charge of the hoisting engine when men are underground. No certified engineer shall be required for automatically operated cages or platforms. Provided, at any slope mine where the angle of the slope is not more than twenty degrees and men are not lowered into and/or hoisted out of the mine by hoisting equipment, and there is ample room in the slope and it would be practicable in the event of an accident to remove an injured person from the mine, no hoisting engineer holding a certificate of competency issued by the Mining Board shall be required.

(Source: Laws 1957, p. 2413.)

(225 ILCS 705/7.04) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 704)

Sec. 7.04. The Mining Board may grant a permit to operate a second motion engine, or internal combustion engine, at any mine employing not more than 10 men, to any person recommended to the Mining Board by the State Mine Inspector of the district. The applicant for such permit shall have filed with the Mining Board satisfactory evidence that he is a citizen of the United States or lawfully admitted for permanent residence, that he has had at least one year of experience in operating a steam engine, steam boiler, or internal combustion engine and understands the handling and care of the same. Such application shall be accompanied by a statement from at least three persons who will testify from their personal knowledge of the applicant that he is a man of good repute and personal habits, and that he has, in their judgment, a knowledge of and experience in handling boilers and engines as required in this section. Such permit shall apply only to the mine for which it was issued, and for a period not to exceed one year, except such permit, when it expires, may be renewed by the Mining Board from year to year if the person holding same requests renewal, and certifies by sworn statement that all the circumstances and conditions are the same as when said permit was originally issued.

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

(225 ILCS 705/7.05) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 705)

Sec. 7.05. The certificate of any hoisting engineer may be cancelled and revoked by the Mining Board upon notice and hearing as hereinafter provided, 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. However, 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 705/7.06) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 706)

Sec. 7.06. Whenever the hoisting or lowering of men occurs before daylight or after dark, or when the landing at which men take or leave the cage is at all obscured by steam or otherwise, there must always be maintained at such landing a light sufficient to show the landing and surrounding objects distinctly. Likewise, as long as there are men underground in any mine the operator shall maintain a good and sufficient light at the bottom of the shaft thereof, so that persons coming to the bottom may clearly discern the cage and objects in the vicinity.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/7.07) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 707)

Sec. 7.07. In connection with every hoisting engine used for hoisting or lowering of men there shall be provided a good and sufficient brake on the drum, so adjusted that it may be operated by the engineer without leaving his post at the levers.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/7.08) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 708)

Sec. 7.08. Every hoisting drum shall be provided with flanges attached to the sides of the drum, with a distance when the whole rope is wound on the drum of not less than 4 inches between the outer layer of rope and the greatest diameter of the flange.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/7.09) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 709)

Sec. 7.09. One end of each hoisting rope shall be well secured on the drum, and at least three laps of the same shall remain on the drum when the cage is at rest at the lowest caging place in the shaft. The lower end of each rope shall be securely fastened to the cage by suitable clamps or sockets and chains.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/7.10) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 710)

Sec. 7.10. An index dial or indicator that plainly shows the engineer at all times the true position of the cages in the shaft shall be placed in clear view of the engineer.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/7.11) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 711)

Sec. 7.11. At the beginning of each shift and after the mine has been idle, the hoisting engineer shall operate the cages up and down the shaft at least one round trip before hoisting or lowering men. A similar procedure shall be following in slope mines, except that an attendant may ride the trip.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/7.12) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 712)

Sec. 7.12. At every mine where men are hoisted and lowered by machinery there shall be provided means of signaling to and from the bottom man, the top man and the engineer. The signal system shall consist of a tube, or tubes, or wire encased in wood or iron pipes, through which signals shall be communicated by electricity, compressed air or other pneumatic devices or by ringing a bell. When compressed air or other pneumatic devices are used for signaling, provision must be made to prevent signal from repeating or reversing.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/7.13) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 713)

Sec. 7.13. The following signals shall be used at all the mines.

1. From the bottom to the top: One ring or whistle shall signify to hoist coal or the empty cage, and also to stop either when in motion.

2. Two rings or whistles shall signify to lower cage.

3. Three rings or whistles shall signify that men are coming up or going down; when return signal is received from the engineer the men shall get on the cage and the proper signal to hoist or lower shall be given.

4. Four rings or whistles shall signify to hoist slowly, implying danger.

5. Five rings or whistles shall signify accident in the mine and a call for a stretcher.

6. Six rings or whistles shall signify hold cage perfectly still until signaled otherwise.

7. From top to bottom, one ring or whistle shall signify: All ready, get on cage.

8. Two rings or whistles shall signify: Send away empty cage.

However, the operator of any mine may, with the consent of the State Mine Inspector, add to the code of signals. The code of signals in use at any mine shall be conspicuously posted at the top and at the bottom of the shaft, and in the engine room at some point in front of the engineer when standing at his post.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/7.14) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 714)

Sec. 7.14. Where a hoisting engineer is required by law, he shall:

1. Be in constant attendance at his engine, or boilers, at all times when there are workers underground. When it is the duty of the engineer to attend to the boilers, means for signaling from the shaft bottom to the boiler room shall be provided.

2. Not permit anyone except duly authorized persons to enter the engine room; nor converse with any person while his engine is in operation, or while his attention is occupied with the signals.

3. Thoroughly understand the established code of signals, and when he has the signal that men are on the cage he shall not operate his engine to exceed the rate of speed provided in Section 7.18 except as permitted by the State Mine Inspector.

4. Not permit anyone to handle, except in the official discharge of duty, any machinery under his charge; nor permit anyone who is not a certified engineer to operate his engine, except for the purpose of teaching an apprentice to operate the engine, and then only in his presence and when men are not on the cage.

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

(225 ILCS 705/7.15) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 715)

Sec. 7.15. The hoisting engineer or some other properly authorized employee shall:

1. Keep a careful watch over the engines, boilers, pumps, ropes, and winding apparatus.

2. Be certain the boilers are properly supplied with water, cleaned, and inspected at frequent intervals.

3. Be certain the steam pressure does not exceed the limit established by the boiler inspector, frequently open the try cocks and the safety valves, and not increase the weights on the safety valves.

4. Be certain the steam and water gauges are kept in good order. If any of the pumps, valves, or gauges become deranged or fail to act he shall immediately report the fact to the proper authorities.

5. Make a daily inspection of the hoisting equipment.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/7.16) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 716)

Sec. 7.16. No person shall handle or disturb any part of the hoisting machinery without proper authority.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/7.17) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 717)

Sec. 7.17. At every shaft where men are hoisted or lowered by machinery, the operator shall station a competent man at the top and at the bottom of the shaft who shall attend to signals, and be empowered to preserve order and enforce the rules governing the carriage of men on cages. The top man and bottom man shall be at their respective posts of duty a sufficient length of time before hoisting of coal begins in the morning and after the hoisting of coal ceases for the day, to properly perform their duties as provided for in this Section.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/7.18) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 718)

Sec. 7.18. Cages on which men are riding shall not be lifted nor lowered at a rate of speed greater than 600 feet per minute, except with the written consent of the State Mine Inspector. No person shall carry any tools, timber or other materials with him on any cage in motion, except for use in repairing the shaft and no one shall ride on a cage containing either a loaded or empty car.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/7.19) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 719)

Sec. 7.19. Every boiler shall be provided with a glass water gauge and not less than three try cocks and also a steam gauge, except that where two or more boilers are equipped with a steam drum properly connected with the boilers to indicate the steam pressure and without any valves between the boilers and the steam drum, the steam gauge may be placed in the steam drum. A steam gauge shall be attached to the steam pipe in the engine house, and the steam gauges shall be placed in such a position that the engineer and the fireman can readily see what pressure is being carried. The steam gauges shall be kept in good order and adjusted, and be tested as often as every six months.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/7.20) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 720)

Sec. 7.20. On boilers connected with one another by what is known as headerlines, all valve connections thereto shall be closed and securely fastened while the boiler or boilers are being washed, cleaned, or repaired for the protection of the person so engaged.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/7.21) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 721)

Sec. 7.21. Every boiler shall be provided with a safety valve with weights or springs properly adjusted except that where two or more boilers are equipped with a steam drum properly connected with the boilers to indicate the steam pressure and without any valves between the boilers and the steam drum, the safety valve may be placed in the steam drum.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/7.22) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 722)

Sec. 7.22. All boilers used in generating steam in and about coal mines or in sinking shafts shall be kept in good order. The operator of every coal mine where steam boilers are in use, shall have the boilers thoroughly examined by a competent boilermaker, or other qualified person, not an employee of the operator, as often as once in every 6 months, and oftener if the State Mine Inspector so requires in writing. The result of every such inspection shall be reported on suitable blanks to the State Mine Inspector.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)