Illinois Compiled Statutes
225 ILCS 705/ - Coal Mining Act.
Article 26 - Shafts

(225 ILCS 705/Art. 26 heading)

(225 ILCS 705/26.01) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2601)
Sec. 26.01.

Any shaft or other opening in process of sinking, or driving,
for the purpose of mining coal, shall be subject to the inspection of the
State Mine Inspector for the district in which said shaft or opening is
located.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/26.02) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2602)
Sec. 26.02.

Over every shaft that is being sunk or shall hereafter be sunk,
there shall be a safe and substantial structure to support sheaves or
pulley ropes at a height not less than 15 feet above the tipping place. The
landing platform of such shaft shall be so arranged that material can not
fall into the shaft while the bucket is being emptied or taken from the
hoisting rope. If provisions are made to land a bucket on a truck, said
truck and platform shall be so arranged that material can not fall into the
shaft.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/26.03) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2603)
Sec. 26.03.

When men are in the bottom of the shaft, rock or coal shall not
be hoisted except in a bucket or on a cage and said bucket or cage must be
connected to the hoisting rope by a safety hook, clevis or other safety
attachment. The rope shall be fastened to the side of the drum and not less
than three coils of rope shall remain on the drum. In shafts over 100 feet
in depth, suitable provision shall be made to prevent the bucket from
swinging while being lowered or hoisted, and guides provided for this
purpose shall be maintained at a distance of not more than 75 feet from the
bottom of the shaft.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/26.04) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2604)
Sec. 26.04.

An efficient brake shall be attached to the drum of the engine
used for hoisting in shaft sinking, and the drum shall be provided with a
flange on each end not less than 4 inches in height.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/26.05) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2605)
Sec. 26.05.

Not more than 4 persons shall be lowered or hoisted in or on a
bucket in a shaft at one time, and no person shall ride on a loaded bucket.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/26.06) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2606)
Sec. 26.06.

All blasts in shaft sinking shall be exploded by electric
battery.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/26.07) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2607)
Sec. 26.07.

Provisions shall also be made for the proper ventilation of
shafts while being sunk.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/26.08) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2608)
Sec. 26.08.

No one but a certified hoisting engineer shall be in charge of
the hoisting engine while a shaft is being sunk.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/26.09) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2609)
Sec. 26.09.

The upper and lower landing at the top of each shaft, and the
opening of each intermediate seam from or to the shaft, shall be kept clear
and free from loose materials, and shall be protected with automatic or
other gates, such gates to be of good, serviceable construction for the
purpose for which they are designed, namely, to prevent either men, or
materials from falling into the shaft. At the top, landing cage supports,
where necessary, must be carefully set and adjusted so as to securely hold
the cage when at rest.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/26.10) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2610)
Sec. 26.10.

Every vertical shaft in which men are hoisted and lowered must
be equipped with a cage, or cages, fitted to properly constructed guides
running from the top to the bottom.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/26.11) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2611)
Sec. 26.11.

At every underground landing where men enter or leave the cage
and where men must pass from one side of the cage to the other there shall
be a safe passageway, free from obstruction and dry as possible around the
shaft, not less than 3 feet wide for the use of men only; and animals or
cars shall not be taken through such passageway while men are passing or
desirous of passing through such passageway.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/26.12) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2612)
Sec. 26.12.

No accumulation of ice or obstructions of any kind shall be
permitted in any shaft in which men are hoisted or lowered; nor shall any
dangerous gases or steam be discharged into the shaft in such quantities or
at such times as to interfere with the safe passage of men. All surface or
other water which flows therein shall be conducted by rings or otherwise to
receptacles provided for the same in such manner as to prevent water from
falling upon men while passing into or out of the mine or while in the
discharge of their duties about the shaft bottom.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/26.13) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2613)
Sec. 26.13.

All hoisting shafts, air shafts, and escapement shafts
constructed after March, 1910, shall be of fireproof construction, and if
poured concrete is used in said construction it shall be not less than 6
inches in thickness. Cage guides and buntons may, however, be constructed
of wood. Drifts and slopes must be fireproof for a distance of 300 feet
from the entrance.

(Source: Laws 1955, p. 2012.)

(225 ILCS 705/26.14) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2614)
Sec. 26.14.

The roof and walls of the passageway leading from the bottom of
the hoisting shaft and the air and escapement shaft designated as such
under the law, within a distance of 300 feet from the bottom of either of
said shafts, shall be of fireproof construction, except that the coal rib
or pillar may be used as a wall in such passageways.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/26.15) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2615)
Sec. 26.15.

Shafts shall be equipped with self-closing or manually
controlled safety gates at surface landings.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/26.16) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2616)
Sec. 26.16.

Positive derails shall be placed on tracks leading to shafts to
prevent cars, motors, etc. from going into the shaft when the cage is not
at the landing. The provisions of this section shall not apply to "slope"
or "drift" mines, unless definite danger is imminent.

(Source: Laws 1957, p. 2413.)