(1)No person shall have in his possession belowground in a mine any cigar, cigarette, biri, or other smoking apparatus, or any match or mobile phone or other apparatus of any kind capable of producing a light, flame or spark:Provided that nothing in this sub-regulation shall be deemed to prohibit the use belowground of any apparatus for the purpose of shot firing or of relighting safety lamps, of a type approved by the Chief Inspector.(2)For the purpose of ascertaining whether any person proceeding belowground into a mine has in his possession any article referred to in sub-regulation (1), a competent person other than the banksman, if any, shall be appointed to search every such person immediately before he enters the mine.(3)The competent person referred to in sub-regulation (2) shall be on duty throughout the shift, and no duties other than those under this regulation and sub-regulation (2) of regulation 179 shall be entrusted to him.(4)The competent person so appointed shall make a thorough search for the articles referred to in sub-regulation (1) and in particular shall-(a)search or turn out all pockets;(b)pass his hand over all clothing; and(c)examine any article in possession of the person searched.Such search shall be made every time a person proceeds belowground notwithstanding that he has been so searched previously also.(5)If the competent person suspects that the person searched is concealing any article as aforesaid, he shall detain him, and as soon as possible refer the matter to the manager or assistant manager.(6)No person being suspected under sub-regulation (5) shall be allowed to enter the mine until the manager or other superior official is satisfied that the person has no such article in his possession.(7)Any person who refused to allow himself to be so searched or who on being searched is found to have in his possession any of the article aforesaid, shall be guilty of an offence against this regulation.
