Sub- 
Sec. 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
81 
32 
33 
34 
35 
3G 
37 
38 
39 
40 
I 
... 
93 
“The Regulation of Mines and Mining Machinery Act 1883” (47 Victoria, 
No. 783)— continued . 
Synopsis of Act No. 783. 
Spring catches or other appliances to he affixed to skids or guides, to prevent the fall of any 
cage down a shaft when detached from the rope or chain by overwinding. 
The rate of speed in lowering or raising men not to exceed 200 feet per minute within 100 feet 
of the surface, or 500 feet per minute in any other part of a shaft. 
Safety cages to ho tested in the presence of the local inspector of mines before use. 
Persons descending or ascending shafts exceeding 20 feet in depth, in which cages are not used, 
to be securely stayed to the rope employed in lowering or raising. 
Ladders to bo placed at the most convenient angle which the space in which the ladders are 
fixed, allows. 
Accommodation, other than the engine-house, to be provided, to enable the persons employed 
in a mine to dry and change their dresses. 
No persons under eighteen years of age to have charge of machinery. No person in charge 
of machinery to absent himself during the time it is working. 
All machinery to be examined by an inspector appointed for that purpose. 
All machinery to be kept in good order and condition. 
All exposed and dangerous parts of machinery shall be securely fenced. 
Steam boilers to be provided with a steam gauge and water gauge, and to be tested once in 
twelve months. 
No person shall wilfully damage, remove, or render useless any appliance or thing provided in 
compliance with this Act, and no person shall remove anything from a disused or abandoned 
shaft without the consent of the Minister. 
Boring rods to be used in workings approaching places likely to contain dangerous accumula¬ 
tion of water or fire damp, for the purpose of perforating the rock in advance of such 
working. 
Additional escape drives, chambers, &c., to be constructed in alluvial mines liable to inbursts 
of water for the safety of workmen. 
Ladders to he provided in each jump-up or passage giving access to workings at a higher 
level. 
Mining managers to inspect cages and safety gear once in twenty-four hours, and machinery 
buildings and workings, &c., once in each week, under a penalty. 
A printed copy of the rules provided for in section 8 and sub-sections, to be posted in a con¬ 
spicuous place at every mine. 
The Governor in Council to appoint persons to act as a Board of Examiners under this Act, 
the said Board to examine persons who may be desirous of qualifying themselves as 
engine-drivers, and to grant certificates of competency to persons who pass the examination. 
The Board of Examiners to grant certificates of service to persons who have been in charge 
of machinery worked by steam for twelve months prior to the passing of this Act. Such 
certificates to he equal to certificates of competency. 
Certificate to specify name, place, and date of birth of the persou to whom it is issued. 
Twelve months after the appointment of a Board of Examiners has been notified, any person 
not holding a certificate, or who is deaf or partially deaf, or whose sight is defective, or 
who is subject to any infirmity, and who takes charge of machinery in which steam, water, 
or air is used as a inotivo power (and every person who employs such a person) shall be 
guilty of an offence against this Act. 
Any person holding a certificate under this Act, who is charged with offence or misconduct, 
to be called upon by the Board of Examiners to show cause why ho should not be 
disqualified. 
Plans and sections of all underground workings in a mine, considered to contain dangerous 
accumulations of water, to be furnished to the warden nearest to such mine. 
Such plans and sections to be drawn to a scale of not less than two chains to an inch, and to 
be open for inspection. 
In cases where vertical or overhanging ladders are used at the passing of this Act, fixed plat¬ 
forms to be constructed at intervals, and such ladders to have sufficient spaces for foot¬ 
holds; but no new vertical or overhanging ladders to bo constructed, either in substitution 
for old ones or otherwise. 
If any person employed in or about a mine suffer any injury or be killed, owing to the non- 
observance of any of the provisions of this Act by the owner of the mine, his agents, or 
servants, the person so injured, or the representatives of the person so killed, may re¬ 
cover from the owner compensation by way of damages, &c. 
An inspector of mines under this Act, or any authorized person, to have access to and inspect 
any mine or machinery at any time, for the purpose of ascertaining whether the provi¬ 
sions of this Act are being complied with. 
Every person who does not comply with any of the provisions of this Act, and who is guilty 
of negligence, by which any person is injured or killed, to be guilty of an offence against 
this Act. 
Every person employed in or about a mine, who may deem any appliances or workings unsafe, 
shall immediately notify the same to the person under whose immediate control ho may 
be, and also, on changing his shift, inform the person relieving him of the state of the 
workings and appliances. 
