50-73-402. Department authorized to enter and inspect coal mines. (1) The department may enter, inspect, and examine any coal mine or any shaft, drift, or slope in the process of sinking for the purpose of mining coal in this state and the workings and the machinery belonging to the coal mine at all reasonable times either by day or night. The department's entry, inspection, or examination under this subsection may not impede or obstruct the workings of the mine.
(2) The department may at any time perform inspections and investigations that the department considers necessary in surface and underground mines subject to this chapter:
(a) to obtain, use, and disseminate information relating to health and safety conditions in the mines, the causes of accidents involving bodily injury or loss of life, or the causes of occupational diseases originating in the mine; and
(b) to determine compliance with a health and safety standard or order issued under this chapter.
(3) The department may enter, upon or through, any mine subject to this chapter to conduct an inspection or investigation.
(4) The department shall prepare a written report for every inspection or investigation conducted under 50-73-406 and this section, noting the time and the material circumstances of the inspection or investigation.
History: (1)En. Sec. 5, Ch. 120, L. 1911; re-en. Sec. 3450, R.C.M. 1921; re-en. Sec. 3450, R.C.M. 1935; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 113, L. 1941; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 38, L. 1945; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 185, L. 1949; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 267, L. 1974; Sec. 50-404, R.C.M. 1947; (2), (3)En. 50-480, 50-480.1 by Secs. 23, 24, Ch. 267, L. 1974; Secs. 50-480, 50-480.1, R.C.M. 1947; R.C.M. 1947, 50-404(1), 50-480, 50-480.1; amd. Sec. 64, Ch. 613, L. 1989; amd. Sec. 19, Ch. 27, L. 2009.
Structure Montana Code Annotated
Chapter 73. Safety in Coal Mines
Part 4. Inspections, Investigations, and Compliance
50-73-401. Coal mine inspector
50-73-402. Department authorized to enter and inspect coal mines
50-73-403. Department to give notice of inspection to be made on complaint
50-73-405. Mine owner to furnish means necessary for inspection
50-73-406. Minimum inspection intervals
50-73-407. Department to give notice of violations and penalties therefor
50-73-408. Procedure when notice of violations disregarded
50-73-409. Operator to post statement of conditions
50-73-410. Department inspection upon advisement of accident, injury, or fatality
50-73-411. Miners' organization authorized to investigate fatal accident
50-73-412. Debarment of persons from mine when death or serious injury likely
50-73-413. Procedure when noncompliance not likely to cause death or serious injury
50-73-414. Requirements as to findings, notices, and orders
50-73-415. Notice or order subject to amendment, cancellation, or revision
50-73-416. Order subject to review
50-73-418. Actions or decisions under chapter to be taken as rapidly as possible