§ 33.231. General safety requirements.

 (a)  An engineer who has charge of the hoisting engines by which persons are hoisted or lowered in a cavern shall be in constant attendance for that purpose during the whole time any person or persons are below ground. He shall not allow any person, except those authorized by the contractor or superintendent, to handle or interfere with the engine under his charge or any part of the machinery connected with it.

 (b)  Each engineer shall work his engine slowly and with great care when any person is being hoisted or lowered in a shaft or slope. No one shall interfere with or intimidate him while he is in the discharge of his duties.

 (c)  At every cavern employing ten or more persons, during the hours when men are hoisted or lowered in any shaft or slope, the cavern foreman shall designate a footman or bottom man. This man shall be at his proper place from the time that persons begin to ascend or descend until all persons are in or out of the cavern. He shall personally attend to the signals and see that all hoisting and lowering regulations are complied with.

 (d)  When any person is about to ascend or descend a shaft or slope in a car, cage or bucket, the bottom man shall inform the engineer by signal. In the absence of a bottom man, the person or persons about to descend or ascend shall give the signal. The engineer shall acknowledge the signal.

 (e)  If any persons enter a car, cage or bucket in excess of the permitted number, the footman shall notify him of the fact and request him to get off, which request shall be immediately complied with.

 (f)  No person shall ride upon or against any loaded car, cage or bucket in any shaft, slope or haulage way in or about a mine.

 (g)  At the beginning of each shift before men are lowered into the cavern, at least one empty trip shall be made to ascertain the condition of the hoisting equipment.

 (h)  Shelter or safety holes shall be provided at the bottom of all shafts and slopes and kept free from obstructions to enable the bottom man and other persons at the bottom of the shaft to escape readily in case of danger.