Illinois Compiled Statutes
225 ILCS 705/ - Coal Mining Act.
Article 19 - Escapements

(225 ILCS 705/Art. 19 heading)

(225 ILCS 705/19.01) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 1901)
Sec. 19.01.

Every coal mine in this State, whether worked by shaft, slope or
drift, shall be provided and maintained, in addition to the hoisting shaft
or other place of delivery, with an escapement shaft or opening to the
surface; or an underground communicating passageway with a contiguous mine,
so that there shall be at least two distinct and available means of egress
to all persons employed in coal mines.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/19.02) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 1902)
Sec. 19.02.

In mines sunk after July 1, 1911, the first escapement shaft
shall be separated from the main shaft by such extent of natural strata as
may be agreed upon by the State Mine Inspector of the district and the
owner of the property, but the distance between the main shaft and the
escapement shaft shall not be less than 500 feet nor more than 2,000 feet;
except that in mines employing 10 men or less the distance between the
hoisting shaft and the escapement shaft shall not be less than 250 feet.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/19.03) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 1903)
Sec. 19.03.

It is unlawful to employ underground, at any one time, more men
than, in the judgment of the State mine inspector, are necessary to
complete speedily the connections with the escapement shaft or adjacent
mine; and said number must not exceed 20 men at any one time for any
purpose in said mine until such escapement or connection is completed.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/19.04) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 1904)
Sec. 19.04.

The time allowed for completing such escapement shaft or making
such connections with an adjacent mine, as is required by the terms of this
Act, shall be 3 months for shafts 200 feet or less in depth, and 6 months
for shafts less than 500 feet and more than 200 feet, and 9 months for all
other mines, slopes or drifts, or connections with adjacent mines. The time
to date in all cases from the hoisting of coal from the hoisting shaft.
Provided, that in mines employing 10 men or less, the time for completing
the escapement shaft shall not be more than 6 months from the time of
hoisting coal.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/19.05) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 1905)
Sec. 19.05.

The escapement shaft at every mine opened after the
passage of this Act shall be equipped with a substantial stairway, set
at an angle not greater than forty-five degrees, which shall be provided
with hand rails and with platforms or landings at least 2 feet wide and
4 feet long at each turn of the stairway. However, circular escapement
shafts may be equipped with a substantial spiral stairway equipped with
hand rails, and set at an angle not greater than 45 degrees, and
platforms or landings are not required except at the top and bottom of
such spiral stairways. Subject to the approval of the Mining Board, at
any underground mine constructed with 3 or more shafts all of which are
within a radius of 400 feet and containing 2 or more hoisting systems, one
of which has an independent auxiliary power source, such mine may be equipped
with a substantial ladder system instead of the substantial stairway as
required by this Section. Such ladder system shall have intermittent platforms
at intervals not exceeding 20 feet. Such platforms shall be at least 2
feet wide and 4 feet long with adequate handrails. Each section thereof
shall be staggered and be provided with backguards extending from a point
not more than 7 feet from the bottom of each section of the ladder to the
top of that section.

(Source: P.A. 81-378.)

(225 ILCS 705/19.06) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 1906)
Sec. 19.06.

In all coal mines more than 200 feet in depth, and opened
on or after July 1, 1919, the escapement shaft shall be equipped with
both a cage and stairway. However, if the coal mine is equipped with a
stairway in the main shaft, no stairway shall be required in the
escapement shaft. Subject to the approval of the Mining Board, if a mine
has 3 shafts as described in Section 19.05 of this Act, a ladder system
as described in Section 19.05 may be used in place of a substantial stairway.

(Source: P.A. 81-378.)

(225 ILCS 705/19.07) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 1907)
Sec. 19.07.

If any escapement shaft, on July 1, 1911, is equipped with a
cage for hoisting men, such shaft, cage and all equipment used in
connection therewith must conform to the requirements of this Act in
reference to the hoisting and lowering of men.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/19.08) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 1908)
Sec. 19.08.

Where an escapement way is connected to a compartment in which
coal is hoisted in such manner that men using the escapement way are
endangered by falling coal or by themselves falling into such hoisting
compartment, the State mine inspector shall have power to order suitable
protection against such dangers.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/19.09) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 1909)
Sec. 19.09.

The escapement shaft or opening or communication with a
contiguous mine shall be constructed in connection with every seam of coal
working in such mine, and all passageways communicating with the escapement
shaft or place of exit from the main hauling ways to said place of exit
shall be maintained free of obstruction not less than 5 feet in height, or
the height of the coal seam, and not less than 5 feet in width, or of
sufficient width to permit the passage of men with stretchers. Such
passageways must be so graded and drained that it will be impossible for
water to accumulate in any depression or dip of the same in quantities
sufficient to obstruct the free and safe passage of men. No passageway to
an escapement shaft shall pass through a stable. At all points where the
passageway to the escapement shaft or other place of exit is intersected by
other roadways or entries, conspicuous signboards shall be placed
indicating the direction it is necessary to take in order to reach such
place of exit. New shafts and partitions therein shall be fireproof.
Buntons and guides may be of wood.

(Source: Laws 1955, p. 2012.)

(225 ILCS 705/19.10) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 1910)
Sec. 19.10.

Mine openings at isolated locations, where there is danger of
fire entering the mine, shall have adequate protection against surface
fires entering the mine.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/19.11) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 1911)
Sec. 19.11. Travelable passageways; obstructions; ventilation of escape ways.
There shall be at least two travelable passageways, to be
designated as escape ways, from each working section to the surface whether
the mine openings are shafts, slopes, or drifts. At least one of these passageways must be equipped with a lifeline cord. Escape ways shall be kept in safe
condition for travel and reasonably free from standing water and other
obstructions. One of the designated escape ways may be the haulage road.
One of the escape ways shall be ventilated with intake air. At mines now
operating with only one free passageway to the surface, immediate action
shall be taken to provide a second passageway. The return air passageway to the surface must be marked with reflectors or other appropriate signage, as approved by the Department.

(Source: P.A. 94-1041, eff. 7-24-06.)

(225 ILCS 705/19.12) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 1912)
Sec. 19.12.

If a designated escape way is a slope of not less than 20
degrees nor more than 45 degrees, it shall be equipped with a stairway or
adequate walkway with cleats. If the slope is more than 45 degrees,
stairways shall be installed.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/19.13) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 1913)
Sec. 19.13.

If upon examination any
obstructions to the free passage of men
are found
in the escape ways or shafts leading thereto or shafts and passage ways leading thereto,
their location and nature shall be stated in the examiner's report. The
obstructions shall be promptly removed.

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

(225 ILCS 705/19.14) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 1914)
Sec. 19.14.

When operators of adjacent mines have, by agreement, established
underground communications between said mines as an escapement outlet for
the men employed in both, the intervening doors shall remain unlocked and
ready at all times for immediate use.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/19.15) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 1915)
Sec. 19.15.

When such communication has once been established between
contiguous mines, the operator of either shall not close the same without
the consent of the operator of the contiguous mine and of the State Mine
Inspector for the district. When either operator desires to abandon mining
operations, the expense and duty of maintaining such communication shall
devolve upon the party continuing the operations and using the same.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)