(a) Each operator shall report promptly to the chief of the division the occurrence at any mine of any fatal accident or accident involving serious personal injury to any person or persons, whether employed or not. The scene of the accident shall not be disturbed pending an investigation except to prevent suspension of use of a slope, entry or facility vital to the operation of a section of a mine. In cases where reasonable doubt exists as to whether to leave the scene unchanged, the operator shall secure prior approval from the chief before any changes are made.

(b) The chief shall go personally or dispatch one or more mine inspectors to the scene of the accident or accidents, investigate causes and issue such orders as may be needed to insure safety of other persons.

(c) Representatives of the operator shall render such assistance as may be needed and shall act in a consulting capacity at the investigation. An employee designated by the employees of the mine shall be notified and as many as three employees designated as representatives of the employees may be present at the investigation in a consulting capacity.

(d) The division shall render a complete report of circumstances and causes of each accident investigated and shall make recommendations for prevention of similar accidents. The division shall furnish one copy of the report to the operator and one copy to the employee representative when he has been present at the investigation. The chief of the division shall maintain a complete file of all accident reports and may give such further publicity as ordered by the director in an effort to prevent coal mine accidents.