(1) It shall be unlawful for any person or persons, company or companies, corporation or corporations, to sink or work through any vertical shaft at a greater depth than one hundred and fifty feet, unless the shaft shall be provided with an iron-bonneted safety cage, to be used in the lowering and hoisting of the employees of such person or persons, company or companies, corporation or corporations. The safety apparatus, whether consisting of eccentrics, springs or other device, shall be securely fastened to the cage, and shall be of sufficient strength to hold the cage loaded at any depth to which the shaft may be sunk, provided the cable shall break. The iron bonnet shall be made of boiler sheet iron of a good quality, of at least three-sixteenths of an inch in thickness, and shall cover the top of the cage in such manner as to afford the greatest protection to life and limb from any matter falling down the shaft.

(2) Any person or persons, company or companies, or corporation or corporations, who shall neglect, fail, or refuse to comply with this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not less than five hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars.

Intent—Effective date—2003 c 53: See notes following RCW 2.48.180.