The Mine Inspector is hereby authorized, empowered and directed to thoroughly inspect all underground excavations in all said mines as often as the Inspector may deem proper, to ascertain the condition of said underground excavations with respect to the safety of all employees working in such underground excavation; and, if after such examination the Inspector shall find that the safety of the employees engaged in working in such excavations is imperiled by reason of there being only one shaft or outlet by which a distinct means of ingress and egress is always available to such employees, it shall be the right and duty of such Inspector to immediately notify the operator of such mine, in writing, specifying the particular underground excavations so found to be dangerous, and direct the operator to, within thirty (30) days after receiving such notice, commence to sink another shaft or provide another outlet for such underground excavation and prosecute the sinking of such shaft or the securing of another outlet with all due diligence until the same is completed. And the Mine Inspector aforesaid shall have the power if he deems it for the safety of the employees, to order the operator of said mine to withdraw all employees engaged in working in such underground excavations so found to be unsafe or dangerous, until such other shaft or outlet shall have been completed, or until further notified by such Inspector.
Laws 1929, c. 42, p. 46, § 5.