No person shall engage as a miner in any coal mine without having obtained a certificate of competency as provided for in this Article, nor shall any person, firm, or corporation employ as a miner in his, her, their or its mine in this State, any person who does not hold such certificate, nor shall any mine foreman, overseer, or superintendent permit or allow any person to be employed under him or her or in any mines under his or her charge or supervision as a miner in any mine in this State, except as provided in this Article, who does not hold such certificate of competency. Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate or fail to comply with the provisions of this Article shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.
225 ILCS 705/8.15