50-73-402. Department authorized to enter and inspect coal mines. (1) The department may enter, inspect, and examine any coal mine or any shaft, drift, or slope in the process of sinking for the purpose of mining coal in this state and the workings and the machinery belonging thereto at all reasonable times either by day or night, but not so as to impede or obstruct the workings of the mine.
     (2) The department may at any time perform such inspections and investigations as it considers necessary in surface and underground mines which are subject to this chapter for the purpose of obtaining, utilizing, and disseminating information relating to health and safety conditions in the mines, the causes of accidents involving bodily injury or loss of life, or the causes of occupational diseases originating therein and for the purpose of determining whether there is compliance with a health and safety standard or order issued under this chapter.
     (3) For the purpose of making an inspection or investigation authorized by this chapter, representatives of the department may enter, upon or through, any mine which is subject to this chapter.

     History: (1)En. Sec. 5, Ch. 120, L. 1911; re-en. Sec. 3450, R.C.M. 1921; re-en. Sec. 3450, R.C.M. 1935; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 113, L. 1941; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 38, L. 1945; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 185, L. 1949; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 267, L. 1974; Sec. 50-404, R.C.M. 1947; (2), (3)En. 50-480, 50-480.1 by Secs. 23, 24, Ch. 267, L. 1974; Secs. 50-480, 50-480.1, R.C.M. 1947; R.C.M. 1947, 50-404(1), 50-480, 50-480.1; amd. Sec. 64, Ch. 613, L. 1989.