When the only means of egress is by vertical shaft in which cages or elevators are used as a means of hoisting persons employed in a mine, and the power for operating same is derived from but one source, the owner, lessee, or agent shall provide and keep on hand a suitable windlass capable of hoisting persons from the mine, for use in the event of an accident to the hoisting apparatus or the power by which the same is operated.
No operator of a mine shall refuse or neglect to comply with this section.