Mine Inspector

If you’ve ever read a “Choose Your Own Adventure” book, you’ve probably had the misfortune of falling down a mineshaft. Because in those books, there’s one at the end of every page turn. The reason: Mineshafts are dangerous — and the Authors know it.

As a Mine Inspector, you know it, too, as it’s your job to inspect real-life mineshafts to make sure they’re safe for Miners (lest they choose their own adventure and fall down one!).

Employed by your state or federal government — or by mines themselves — you’re a trained Mine Safety Engineer who’s paid to visit both underground and surface mines in order to assess their compliance with health and safety laws. When you visit a mine, for instance, it’s your job as a Mine Inspector to look for rotted or incorrectly placed timbers, dangerous electrical systems, defective mechanical equipment, improperly stored explosives, and other hazardous conditions, including the presence of toxic or explosive gas and the practice of unsafe work behaviors by Miners, Blasters, and other mine employees.

In addition to inspecting, it’s a Mine Inspector’s job to reprimand and penalize. If you encounter a health or safety violation, therefore, it’s your responsibility to issue citations and mandate changes that will bring the mine up to code.

Of course, not every accident will be avoided. When one happens, therefore, it’s your job to investigate the cause and develop a plan for future prevention, part of which is employee education and training, which you develop and deliver.

It doesn’t matter if it’s a coal mine or a gold mine: Your job is making it a safe place to work — no matter what adventure the employees choose!