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

(a) The inspector or his deputy shall inspect each operating mine in the state:

(i) At least once every six (6) months;

(ii) If any danger to employees exists;

(iii) If requested by employees or their representatives.

(b) The inspection shall take place while the mine is in operation, and the inspector or his deputy shall inspect:

(i) The surface plant;

(ii) Every working place in the mine;

(iii) All active haulageways, travelways, highwalls and airways in their entirety;

(iv) Entrances to abandoned workings;

(v) Accessible old workings;

(vi) Escapeways and other places where people work or travel, or where dangerous conditions may exist;

(vii) Electric equipment and installation;

(viii) First-aid equipment;

(ix) Ventilation facilities;

(x) Communication installations;

(xi) Roof and rib conditions;

(xii) Blasting practices.

(c) The inspector or his deputy shall:

(i) Measure the volume of air at the intake and return of the main ventilating current and of each split, and the amount passing through the last open crosscut in each pair or set of entries, and designate where the superintendent or mine foreman shall measure the currents of air as required by this act;

(ii) In mines operating more than one (1) shift in a twenty-four (24) hour period, devote sufficient time on the second and third shift to determine conditions and practices related to the health and safety of the employees;

(iii) Make tests for gas and oxygen deficiency in each place which he is required to inspect in the mine;

(iv) Classify qualifying mines as gassy mines.

(d) If the inspector or his deputy finds imminent or serious danger to the life or health of the employees in a mine, he may clear the mine or any portion thereof of all persons and refuse further entry to any persons, except those necessary to remove the danger and those permitted to participate in investigations under this act, until he determines by actual inspection that the mine or portion thereof involved is in safe operating condition.