West Virginia Code
Article 2. Underground Mines
§22A-2-10. Signals on Haulways; Lights at Mouth and Bottom of Shaft; Operation of Cages

On all haulways, where hauling is done by machinery of any kind, the mine foreman shall provide for a proper system of signals, and a conspicuous light or approved trip reflector on the rear of every trip or train of cars when in motion in a mine. When hoisting or lowering of miners occurs in the morning before daylight, or in the evening after darkness, at any mine operated by shaft, the mine foreman shall provide and maintain at the shaft mouth a light of stationary character, sufficient to show the landing and all surrounding objects distinctly, and sufficient light of a stationary character shall be located at the bottom of the shaft so that persons coming to the bottom may clearly discern the cages and other objects contiguous thereto. The mine foreman shall require that no cages on which miners are riding shall be lifted or lowered at a rate of speed greater than one thousand feet per minute and that no mine cars, either empty or loaded, shall be hoisted while miners are being lowered, and no cage having an unstable self-dump platform shall be used for the carrying of miners unless the same is provided with some device by which it may be securely locked when miners are being hoisted or lowered into the mine: Provided, however, That during the initial development of a mine, and only until the shafts are joined, miners shall be permitted to ride cages with one empty car which has been bolted or strapped to the cage.

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