Show THE MINE LADDER the supreme court of north carolina has held that a mine owner in that state is liable for the death of a miner because of defective ladders and platforms in this case it was found that a platform was not constructed in the last ninety five feet in the foot shaft and that a miner in descending the shaft by the had been struck by a falling object which had caused him to lose his balance and to fall to the bottom of the shaft the contention being that had a platform been placed at the te usual distance of twenty five feet the falling object would have been checked and the miner would not have been the victim of the accident in visiting mining properties throughout the west it is sometimes appalling to notice the weak and perilous condition of mine ladders it is often the case that a step or round in the ladder has been broken and never replaced sometimes the round is so badly worn through that the least pressure would cause it to give way to the imminent danger and peril of the user who might be precipitated to the depths below it is sometimes the case that the top of the ladder will barely reach to the top of the shaft necessitating considerable agility on the part of the user to safely reach the first round in his descent or to be able to grasp some object of firm support in making his ascent in either case going or coming a false move or a false step would undoubtedly cause the death or serious injury of the person parson foolish enough to try to make use of such a makeshift the experienced miner usually makes light of such conditions for constant use does away with any thought of danger but insecure ladders and lack of platforms at stated intervals is nothing more than a death trap to inexperienced persons or to the visitor who may for some reason desire to aae use the ladder in making an inspection of the mine |