The Mines (Safety of Exit) Regulations 1988

Ways from places of work

7.—(1) Subject to regulation 2(2) and paragraph (4), the manager shall ensure that every place where a person works shall have two different ways each of which is entirely separate from the other and leads to a different exit from the mine.

(2) The manager shall ensure that each way which leads to a shaft or outlet is clearly marked to indicate the shaft or outlet to which it leads.

(3) The manager shall make and operate a suitable scheme to familiarize each person with at least two ways out of the mine from the place or places where the person works.

(4) The requirement in paragraph (1), to provide two different ways each of which is entirely separate from the other and leads to a different exit from the mine, shall not apply where—

(a) there is either—

(i) a heading or other place where not more than 9 persons work (other than up to 3 additional persons who are engaged temporarily in inspection, investigation or the taking of measurements or samples), or

(ii) a heading where not more than 18 persons work and where the horizontal width of the working face does not exceed the width of the heading measured across the direction of advance;

(b) it is not reasonably practicable to provide two different ways, each of which is entirely separate from the other and leads to a different exit from the mine; and

(c) the manager has made suitable arrangements to ensure, so far as is practicable, that persons can leave the place safely, and that their safety is not endangered by the lack of two different ways, each of which is entirely separate from the other and leads to a different exit from the mine.

(5) Where the manager decides in accordance with paragraph (4)(a)(ii) that more than 9 but not more than 18 persons will work at a heading which does not have two different ways each of which is entirely separate from the other and leads to a different exit from the mine, he shall—

(a) give to the Health and Safety Executive at least 7 working days' advance notice in writing of the implementation of that decision or such shorter notice as the Health and Safety Executive may accept;

(b) at the same time notify that decision to the person, if any, nominated under Schedule 4 to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1985;

(c) make suitable rules for the safe working in and exit from the heading, which incorporate a plan, and which include arrangements for inspection, examination and supervision in the heading; and

(d) send a copy of the rules with any notification made under paragraph (a) or (b).