50-73-102. Definitions. As used in this chapter, the following definitions apply:
     (1) "Department" means the department of labor and industry and the state coal mine inspectors employed by the department.
     (2) "Excavations" and "workings" mean all parts of a mine excavated or being excavated, including shafts, slopes, tunnels, entries, rooms, and working places, whether abandoned or in use.
     (3) "Gassy mine" means a mine is considered to be potentially gassy. The department may further define this term in its rules.
     (4) "Mine" and "coal mine" mean all parts of the property of a mining plant under one management which contribute, directly or indirectly, to the mining or handling of coal.
     (5) "Mine examiner" means a person charged with the examination of the condition of the mine before the miners are permitted to enter it and who is commonly known as the "fire boss".
     (6) "Mine foreman" means a person who is charged with the general direction of the underground work or both the underground work and the outside work of a coal mine and who is commonly known and designated as "mine boss".
     (7) "Operator", as applied to the party in control of a mine under this chapter, means the person, firm, or body corporate which is the immediate proprietor as owner or lessee of the plant and, as such, is responsible for the condition and management thereof.
     (8) "Shaft" means any vertical opening through the strata which is or may be used for the purpose of ventilation or escape or for hoisting or lowering of men or material in connection with the mining of coal.
     (9) "Slope" and "drift" mean respectively an incline or horizontal way, opening, or tunnel to a seam of coal to be used for the same purpose as a shaft.

     History: En. 50-401.1 by Sec. 2, Ch. 267, L. 1974; R.C.M. 1947, 50-401.1; amd. Sec. 109, Ch. 370, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 49, Ch. 613, L. 1989.