In case any entry, or room in any coal mine in this state is so dry that the air becomes clogged with dust, the operator, owner, lessee or agent, or whoever is operating said mine in any capacity, shall have such entry, airway or room, regularly and thoroughly sprinkled, sprayed and dampened with water, so that the air will not be charged with dust, or if that be impracticable, then the dust shall be removed from the mine and shall not be deposited in any place in the mine where it would be again distributed in the atmosphere by the ventilating currents. It shall be the duty of the district inspector to enforce all possible preventative measures necessary to maintain the safety of all persons employed in any mine against the gathering or accumulation of any combustible matter that is explosive in its nature, and shall cause the operator, or whosoever is operating such mine as owner, lessee, agent, or in any capacity, to immediately remove any such accumulated matter.
R.L.1910, § 3982.