Mines and Quarries Act, 1965

Provision of winding and haulage apparatus.

33.—(1) Every shaft and unwalkable outlet for the time being in use at a mine of coal or other stratified mineral for bringing persons to and from the surface shall be provided with apparatus for carrying persons between the top of the shaft, or surface entrance to the outlet, and the entrances to the workings and between those entrances themselves.

(2) (a) Every shaft and unwalkable outlet for the time being in use at any other mine for bringing persons to and from the surface shall be provided with apparatus for carrying persons between the top of the shaft or surface entrance to the outlet and the entrances to the workings and between those entrances themselves, if the relevant distance exceeds one hundred and fifty feet.

(b) In this subsection “relevant distance” means, in the case of a shaft, the distance between the top of the shaft and the bottom of the lowest entrance to the shaft provided for affording to persons access to the shaft and, in the case of an outlet, the distance between the point at which the outlet reaches the surface and the underground entrance provided for affording to persons access to the outlet which is furthest from that point.

(c) An inspector may by notice served on the manager of a mine exempt from this subsection a shaft or outlet provided at the mine.

(3) The apparatus shall comply with such requirements as may be prescribed.

(4) The use of the apparatus shall be confined to the shaft or outlet, unless an inspector in any particular case, by notice served on the manager of the mine, consents to its use not being so confined.

(5) All apparatus shall be properly maintained and, when not in use, kept constantly available for use.