Illinois Compiled Statutes
225 ILCS 705/ - Coal Mining Act.
Article 27 - Drillers And Shooters Or Shot Firers

(225 ILCS 705/Art. 27 heading)

(225 ILCS 705/27.01) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2701)
Sec. 27.01.
In all mines in this State which are classified as gassy by the
State Mine Inspector, and where coal is broken down by the use of
explosives, a sufficient number of first class miners, who are citizens of
the United States or lawfully admitted for permanent residence,
shall be designated and employed as drillers and shooters or shot firers.
The duties of the drillers and shooters or shot firers shall be to prepare
permissible explosives for breaking down coal in a safe, practical and
workmanlike manner, and to fire or detonate the same.

(Source: P.A. 101-541, eff. 8-23-19.)

(225 ILCS 705/27.02) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2702)
Sec. 27.02.
In all mines in this State which are classified as non-gassy by
the State Mine Inspector, and where coal is broken down by the use of
explosives, a sufficient number of first-class miners, who are citizens of
the United States or lawfully admitted for permanent residence,
shall be designated and employed as drillers and shooters or as shot
firers. The duties of the drillers and shooters or shot firers shall be to
prepare permissible explosives for breaking down coal in a safe, practical
and workmanlike manner, and to fire or detonate the same.

(Source: P.A. 101-541, eff. 8-23-19.)

(225 ILCS 705/27.03) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2703)
Sec. 27.03.

This Act shall not be construed to prohibit the breaking down of
coal while men are in the mine if such breaking down is accomplished by
compressed air or by some mechanical or chemical-mechanical device which
does not emit spark or flame and if in any place where men are working, the
total concentration of carbon monoxide or other noxious gases is within
established safe limits when ventilation is as specified under Article 31
of this Act.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/27.04) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2704)
Sec. 27.04.

When the breaking down of coal is not done "on shift", and while
men are in the mine, the drillers and shooters or shot firers shall
immediately after the completion of their work, post a notice in a
conspicuous place at the mine, which shows the number of shots fired, the
number of shots not fired, the entry and room number of unfired shots and
reasons for not firing any unfired shots. They shall keep a permanent daily
record of the number of shots fired, the number of shots they did not fire,
and the number of shots that failed. The record shall be in the custody of
the mine manager and shall be available for inspection at all times by
interested parties.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)

(225 ILCS 705/27.05) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 2705)
Sec. 27.05.

In hand loading mines where the miners drill and prepare their
own shots the practice may continue, provided it is approved by the State
Mining Board.

(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)