In March 1880, the General Assembly created the Office of State Mine Inspector with the State Mine Inspector to be appointed by the Governor. The primary responsibilities of the office were: to examine and inspect mines in Iowa, to determine their condition as to general safety and ventilation, to approve safety appliances, and to provide maps of the mines created. The State Mine Inspector was to maintain an office in the State House with a record of all mine inspections. Whenever mining fatalities occurred county coroners were required to send the State Mine Inspector records of inquests including a copy of the verdict and testimony.
