31. Qualification and appointment of ventilation officer.
- In every belowground mine consisting of gassy seams of first degree, the average output of which exceeds 5,000 tonnes or of second or third degree the average output of which exceeds 2,500 tonnes, the manager shall be assisted in the work of supervising the maintenance of ventilation system of the mine in accordance with the provisions of these regulations by a ventilation officer who shall be a person holding the following qualifications, namely:-(a)in the case of a mine consisting of gassy seams of first degree and having an average output in excess of 15,000 tonnes or a mine consisting of gassy seams of second or third degree and having an average output in excess of 10,000 tonnes, a Manager's Certificate not restricted to open cast mines only; and(b)in every other case, a Manager's Certificate not restricted to opencast mines only or a Degree or Diploma in Mining or Mining Engineering recognised by the Central Government: Provided that where special conditions exist, the Chief Inspector may, by an order in writing and subject to such conditions as he may specify therein, permit or require the appointment of a ventilation officer in variance of these provisions or require the appointment of such number of persons to assist the ventilation officer, as may be specified in the order:Provided further that in the case of a mine consisting of gassy seams of first degree and having an average output less than 15,000 tonnes, the Chief Inspector may, considering the nature and extent of workings therein, permit, by an order in writing and subject to such conditions as he may specify therein, combine the post of ventilation officer with that of safety officer appointed under regulation 29.Explanation. - For the purposes of this regulation the expression "average output" means the average per month of the total output during the preceding financial year from the belowground working of all seams:Provided that where the mine consists of gassy seams of different degrees, the aforementioned average output shall be deemed to be from the seam or seams of the highest degree of gassiness.
