himself, or with another inexperienced person, when such person or
persons work under the direction of a competent overseer, as
hereinafter prescribed. Until such person or persons have been
employed in a mine for a period of not less than three months, the
overseer shall visit the working place of such persons not less
frequently than once in each four hours that such persons are in the
mine, and instruct them as to their work and safety, and assist them
in caring for their safety. After such persons have been employed in
a mine for a period of three months, and until they have been
employed not less than six months, the overseer shall examine the
working place not less frequently than once during each six hours
that such persons are in the mine, and shall instruct them as to
their work and safety, and assist them in caring for their safety.
After such persons have been employed in a mine for a period of not
less than six months, the overseer shall examine the working place
not less than once each day until such persons become qualified by
having worked the period of time hereinbefore provided. The overseer
shall instruct such persons not to handle or use any explosives,
except in his presence, until they have been employed in a mine not
less than three months, and not then until he is satisfied that such
persons are fully competent to handle and use same with safety. The
overseer shall visit the working place of such persons oftener than
required herein, when, in his judgment, it is necessary to do so for
the proper safety of such persons. (Sec. 954; Penalty, Sec. 976.)


Sec. 966. [=Oath and bond of weigh-master.=] Any person employed to
weigh coal at a mine in which ten or more miners are employed, and
upon the weight of which the earnings of the miners depend, shall
take and subscribe to an oath before an officer authorized to