SECTION 460:15-1-24. Openings to surface

(a)   Explosives. It shall be unlawful for the Operator, Superintendent, Mine Foreman or any other person to allow any person to work in any mine in this state unless there are at least two openings to the surface connected with at least two travelable passageways, to be designated as escapeway, from each working section to the surface connected with at least two travel able passageways, to be designated as escapeway, from each working section to the surface whether the mine openings are shafts, slopes, or drifts. They shall be kept in safe condition for travel and reasonably free of standing water and other obstructions. One of the designated escapeway may be the haulage road. Provided, that the second escapeway shall not be longer that approximately the length of the distance traveled by the coal or rock from the working face to the surface. Provided further than in the opening or development of new shaft, slope, or drift, the necessary time to complete a connection between the aforesaid two openings, the number of men that shall be permitted to work while such connection is being made, and rules and regulations pertaining to the method of ventilation and safety measures shall be mutually agreed upon before the Mine Operator and Assistant Mine Inspector, subject to confirmation by the Department of Mines.

(b)   In all shaft mines, the openings to the surface provided for in (a) of this section shall be separated from each other at all points by a distance not less than one. hundred fifty (150) feet, and at all mines worked by slope or drift openings, the distance separating the openings shall be adequate to prevent recirculation, but not less than forty (40) feet.