At every shaft where men are hoisted or lowered by machinery, the operator shall station a competent man at the top and at the bottom of the shaft who shall attend to signals, and be empowered to preserve order and enforce the rules governing the carriage of men on cages. The top man and bottom man shall be at their respective posts of duty a sufficient length of time before hoisting of coal begins in the morning and after the hoisting of coal ceases for the day, to properly perform their duties as provided for in this Section.
225 ILCS 705/7.17