A. Each operator shall report promptly to the Department the occurrence at any mine of any accident involving serious personal injury or death to any person or persons, whether employed in the mine or not. The scene of the accident shall not be disturbed pending an investigation, except to prevent suspension of use of a slope, entry or facility vital to the operation of a section or a mine. In cases where reasonable doubt exists as to whether to leave the scene unchanged, the operator shall secure prior approval from the Department before any changes are made.

B. The Director will go personally or dispatch one or more mine inspectors to the scene of such a mineral mine accident, investigate causes, and issue such orders as may be needed to ensure the safety of other persons.

C. Representatives of the operator will render such assistance as may be needed and act in a consulting capacity in the investigation. An employee if so designated by the employees of the mine will be notified, and as many as three employees if so designated as representatives of the employees may be present at the investigation in a consulting capacity.

D. The Department will render a complete report of circumstances and causes of each accident investigated and make recommendations for the prevention of similar accidents. The Department will furnish one copy of the report to the licensed operator, one copy to any other operator whose employees were exposed to hazards as a result of the accident, and one copy to the employee representative when he has been present at the investigation. The Director will maintain a complete file of all accident reports for mineral mines. Further publicity may be ordered by the Director in an effort to prevent mine accidents.

1997, c. 390; 1998, c. 695.