Tennessee Code Title 59. Mines and Mining § 59-4-303

Whenever loss of life occurs by accident or explosion, the superintendent or foreman in charge shall give immediate notice to the department of labor and workforce development and to the coroner of the county in which the mine is situated. The coroner shall hold an inquest upon the body of the person whose death has been caused, and inquire carefully into the cause thereof, and shall return the findings and all testimony to the department. The company shall immediately notify the department upon the discovery of fire or explosion in any mine.