180.01 APPOINTMENT. The board of commissioners of any county in this state, where there are at least five mines situate and in operation, is authorized and directed to enforce the provisions of this chapter by designating the appropriate individual or individuals to discharge the duties of county mine inspector. During periods of transition of up […]
180.015 DEFINITIONS. Subdivision 1. Scope. The terms defined in this section have the meanings given. Subd. 2. Mine inspector. “Mine inspector” or “inspector of mines” means the person designated by the county as the county mine inspector, and includes any assistant mine inspectors. Subd. 3. Mine waste. “Mine waste” means any material, such as surface […]
180.02 QUALIFICATIONS, OATH. Previous to appointment the inspector shall have had at least two years of practical experience in mining and mining-related safety work. Before entering upon the discharge of the duties of office, the inspector shall take an oath before a person authorized by law to administer oaths to support the Constitution of the […]
180.03 DUTIES. Subdivision 1. Inspections. The duties of the inspector of mines shall be to visit all mining operations for which a permit to mine has been obtained from the commissioner of natural resources in the inspector’s county at least once every 90 days and more often if requested so to do as hereinafter provided, […]
180.04 REQUIRING EMPLOYEES TO WORK AFTER ORDER TO CEASE; LIABILITY OF EMPLOYER. If a person is required to continue work in a place in which the inspector of mines has ordered employees to cease work, except to do the work required by the inspector to be done in order to render the place safe, ordinary […]
180.05 INSPECTOR, POWERS; OWNER, DUTIES. It shall be lawful for the inspector of mines or assistant inspector to enter, examine, and inspect any and all mining operations and machinery belonging to the mine owner, operator, or agent at all reasonable times by day or by night, but so as not to obstruct or hinder the […]
180.07 INSPECTION REQUESTED, EXAMINATION. When 20 or more persons working in any mine or place where mining is done, or the owner, operator, or agent of any mine, or the certified collective bargaining agent for the employees of said mine, shall notify the inspector of mines in writing that services are needed the inspector shall […]
180.08 ACCIDENTS; NOTICE, INVESTIGATION. Upon the occurrence of a reportable accident, it is the duty of the manager or designee of the mine to give notice to the inspector of mines, as soon as practical but at least within one hour of stabilization of the accident scene, stating the particulars of the accident. Upon notification, […]
180.10 REMOVAL OF FENCE; GUARD. A worker, employee, or other person who opens, removes, or disturbs any fence, guard, barrier, sign, or rail required by section 180.03 and fails to close or replace or have the same closed or replaced again around or in front of any mine shaft, pit, chute, excavation, cave, or land […]
180.11 ANNUAL REPORT. It is the duty of the inspector of mines to make and file no later than March first each year with the auditor of the county for which appointed a full and complete report of the activities of the mine inspector for each year ending December 31, stating the number of visits […]
180.12 VIOLATIONS. Subdivision 1. Owner, operator, or agent. Any owner, operator, or agent of any mine in this state violating the provisions of this chapter shall, except as otherwise specifically provided, be deemed guilty of a gross misdemeanor. Subd. 2. Person in immediate charge. A person who is in immediate charge of the working of […]
180.13 NEGLECT OF INSPECTOR. Any inspector of mines appointed under this chapter who fails to comply with the requirements of this chapter shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor. Upon conviction, the inspector shall be fined not less than $100 nor more than $3,000 and be dismissed from office. The board of commissioners shall remove […]
