Every mine foreman, assistant mine foreman and mine examiner under the provisions of the anthracite mining laws, shall represent the Commonwealth in the coal mine or colliery in which he is employed and be deemed to be an officer of the Commonwealth in enforcing the provisions of said mining laws and performing his duties thereunder. He shall perform said duties during such times as the mine or colliery in which he is employed is in operation, and at such other times as, in the judgment of the operator or Secretary of Mines and Mineral Industries,¹ shall be necessary or desirable to make the mine or colliery safe for operations or to protect the health and safety of the employes of the operator or the protection and preservation of the property connected therewith.