Examining board; examination; certificates; qualifications for
certification
Sec. 10. (a) It is the duty of the board to examine any person
applying for a certificate for mine foreman, assistant mine foreman,
fire-boss, shot-firer, hoisting engineer, mine electrician, or belt
examiner and to issue certificates of competency to the applicants
who, upon examination, prove themselves competent and qualified.
Certificates are valid only when the examination for them has been
held in the presence of a majority of the members of the board and
signed by all members of the board. A certificate of competency may
not be issued to any person whose grade on any one (1) subject is
less than seventy-five percent (75%). The board shall observe the
requirements set forth in this section in conducting the examinations.
Each applicant for a mine foreman or assistant mine foreman
certificate must have at least four (4) years of experience
underground in coal mines. However, persons who have graduated
and hold a degree in engineering or an approved four (4) year
program in coal mining technology from an accredited school,
college, or university are required to have only two (2) years of
practical underground mining experience to qualify for the
examination, and persons who have graduated and hold a two (2)
year associate in applied science degree in coal mining technology
from an accredited school, college, or university are required to have
only three (3) years of practical underground mining experience to
qualify for the examination. Each applicant must prove to the board
by written and oral examination and by demonstration, where
applicable, that he has a thorough knowledge of:
(1) the theory and practice of coal mining;
(2) the nature and properties of poisonous, noxious, and
explosive gases and methods for their detection and control;
(3) the requirements of the coal mining laws of this state; and
(4) the responsibilities and duties of a mine foreman under such
laws;
and that he is otherwise qualified by law.
(b) Each applicant for a fire-boss certificate must have at least
three (3) years of experience underground in coal mines. However,
persons who have graduated and hold a degree in engineering or an
associate in applied science degree in coal mining technology from
an accredited school, college, or university are required to have only
two (2) years of practical underground mining experience to qualify
for the examination. Each applicant must prove to the board by
written and oral examination and by demonstration, where
applicable, that he has a thorough knowledge of:
(1) the nature and properties of poisonous, noxious, and
explosive gases and methods for their detection and control;
(2) the practical aspects of coal mining pertaining especially to
ventilation and roof control; and
(3) the responsibilities of a fire-boss under the coal mining laws
of this state;
and that he is otherwise qualified by law.
(c) Each applicant for a shot-firer certificate must have at least
one (1) year of underground experience and must have been properly
trained in a course approved by the director in the safe use and
handling of explosives. Each applicant must prove to the board by
written and oral examination and by demonstration, where
applicable, that he has a working knowledge of:
(1) the proper handling and use of explosives and blasting
devices and the danger connected therewith;
(2) the nature and properties of poisonous, noxious, and
explosive gases and methods for their detection;
(3) the coal mining laws of the state pertaining to ventilation,
roof control, and blasting; and
(4) the responsibilities of a shot-firer under those laws;
and that he is otherwise qualified by law.
(d) Each applicant for a hoisting engineer certificate must prove
to the board by written and oral examination and by demonstration,
where applicable, that he:
(1) is capable of operating a hoist;
(2) has a thorough knowledge of the coal mining laws of this
state pertaining to hoisting operations; and
(3) is otherwise qualified by law.
(e) Each applicant for a mine electrician or belt examiner
certificate must have at least one (1) year of experience in mine
electrical, belt maintenance, or installation work. He must prove to
the board by written and oral examination and by demonstration,
where applicable, that he has a thorough knowledge of:
(1) the requirements of the coal mining laws of this state with
particular emphasis upon those laws pertaining to the use of
electrical or belt equipment and the transmission of electrical
energy into coal mines; and
(2) the responsibilities of a mine electrician or belt examiner
under those laws;
and that he is otherwise qualified by law.
(f) Each applicant for an examination under this section must pay
to the board an examination fee of twenty-five dollars ($25), all fees
to be deposited into the state treasury.
(g) Every mine foreman, fire-boss, shot-firer, hoisting engineer,
or mine electrician certificate issued before September 1, 1979, is
valid under the mining laws of Indiana.
(h) Each person designated as mine superintendent or assistant
mine superintendent, or acting in either capacity, must hold a mine
foreman certificate.
(i) A certificate may be granted to any applicant who does present
to the board satisfactory evidence that he has not been convicted of:
(1) an act which would constitute a ground for disciplinary
sanction under section 11.1(b) of this chapter; or
(2) a felony that has a direct bearing on the applicant's ability to
act competently as a mine foreman, fire-boss, shot-firer,
hoisting engineer, mine electrician, or belt examiner.
(Formerly: Acts 1955, c.168, s.24; Acts 1971, P.L.358, SEC.5; Acts
1973, P.L.242, SEC.1.) As amended by Acts 1979, P.L.231, SEC.4;
Acts 1981, P.L.210, SEC.1; Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.19; Acts 1982,
P.L.113, SEC.6; P.L.231-1983, SEC.7; P.L.37-1985, SEC.49.
Last modified: May 27, 2006