If, upon any inspection or investigation of a coal or other mine which is subject to this chapter, an authorized representative of the Secretary finds that an imminent danger exists, such representative shall determine the extent of the area of such mine throughout which the danger exists, and issue an order requiring the operator of such mine to cause all persons, except those referred to in section 814(c) of this title, to be withdrawn from, and to be prohibited from entering, such area until an authorized representative of the Secretary determines that such imminent danger and the conditions or practices which caused such imminent danger no longer exist. The issuance of an order under this subsection shall not preclude the issuance of a citation under section 814 of this title or the proposing of a penalty under section 820 of this title.
Orders issued pursuant to subsection (a) shall contain a detailed description of the conditions or practices which cause and constitute an imminent danger and a description of the area of the coal or other mine from which persons must be withdrawn and prohibited from entering.
Each finding made and order issued under this section shall be given promptly to the operator of the coal or other mine to which it pertains by the person making such finding or order, and all of such findings and orders shall be in writing, and shall be signed by the person making them. Any order issued pursuant to subsection (a) may be modified or terminated by an authorized representative of the Secretary. Any order issued under subsection (a) or (b) shall remain in effect until vacated, modified, or terminated by the Secretary, or modified or vacated by the Commission pursuant to subsection (e), or by the courts pursuant to section 816(a) of this title.
30 U.S.C. § 817
EDITORIAL NOTES
REFERENCES IN TEXTThis chapter, referred to in subsec. (a), was in the original "this Act", meaning Pub. L. 91-173, Dec. 30, 1969, 83 Stat. 742, known as the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 801 of this title and Tables.
AMENDMENTS1977- Pub. L. 95-164 substituted provisions relating to the procedures to be followed to counteract dangerous conditions in coal or other mines for provisions relating to the posting of notices, orders, and decisions at coal mines, see section 819 of this title.
STATUTORY NOTES AND RELATED SUBSIDIARIES
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1977 AMENDMENTAmendment by Pub. L. 95-164 effective 120 days after Nov. 9, 1977, except as otherwise provided, see section 307 of Pub. L. 95-164 set out as a note under section 801 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATESection operative 90 days after Dec. 30, 1969, except to the extent an earlier date is specifically provided for in Pub. L. 91-173 see section 509 of Pub. L. 91-173 set out as a note under section 801 of this title.