A. During recovery work and prior to entering any mine, each mine rescue team conducting recovery work shall be properly informed of existing conditions by the operator or his agent in charge.
B. Each mine rescue team performing rescue or recovery work with breathing apparatus shall be provided with a backup team of equal strength, stationed at each fresh air base.
C. For every two teams performing work underground, one six-member team shall be stationed at the mine portal.
D. Two-way communication, life lines, or their equivalent shall be provided by the fresh air base to each team, and no team member shall be permitted to advance beyond such communication system.
E. A mine rescue team shall immediately return to the fresh air base if any team member's breathing apparatus malfunctions or the low-oxygen alarm activates.
F. The Director may also assign rescue and recovery work to inspectors, instructors, or other qualified employees of the Department as the Director determines to be desirable.
1997, c. 390, § 45.1-161.292:45; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
Structure Code of Virginia
Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy
Chapter 11 - Mineral Mine Safety Act
§ 45.2-1100. Mineral Mine Safety Act
§ 45.2-1102. Safety and health
§ 45.2-1103. Special safety rules
§ 45.2-1104. Persons permitted to work in mines; age requirements
§ 45.2-1105. Prohibited acts by miners or other persons; miners to comply with law
§ 45.2-1106. Safety materials and supplies
§ 45.2-1107. Notifying miners of violations; compliance with Act
§ 45.2-1109. Appointment and general qualifications of mine inspectors
§ 45.2-1110. Qualifications of mine inspectors
§ 45.2-1111. Duties of Director
§ 45.2-1112. Technical specialists
§ 45.2-1113. Records of Board of Mineral Mining Examiners
§ 45.2-1114. Certification of certain persons employed in mineral mines; powers of the Department
§ 45.2-1115. Examinations required for Mineral Mining Certifications
§ 45.2-1116. Performance of certain tasks by uncertified persons; penalty
§ 45.2-1117. Examination fees; Mineral Mining Examiners' Fund
§ 45.2-1118. Reciprocal acceptance of other certifications
§ 45.2-1119. Renewal of certificates
§ 45.2-1120. Revocation of certificates
§ 45.2-1122. General mineral miner certification
§ 45.2-1123. Foreman certification
§ 45.2-1124. License required for operation of mineral mines; term
§ 45.2-1126. Application for license
§ 45.2-1127. Denial or revocation of license
§ 45.2-1128. Operating without license; penalty
§ 45.2-1129. Annual reports; condition to issuance of license following transfer of ownership
§ 45.2-1130. Notices to Department; resumption of mining following discontinuance
§ 45.2-1132. When the Director may cause maps to be made; payment of expense
§ 45.2-1133. Making false statements; penalty
§ 45.2-1134. Mine rescue and first aid stations
§ 45.2-1135. Mine rescue teams
§ 45.2-1136. Duty to train team
§ 45.2-1137. Qualification for team membership; direction of teams
§ 45.2-1139. Requirements of recovery work
§ 45.2-1140. State-designated mine rescue teams
§ 45.2-1142. Inspections; Mine Rescue Coordinator
§ 45.2-1143. Workers' compensation; liability
§ 45.2-1144. Reports of explosions and mine fires; procedure
§ 45.2-1145. Operators' reports of accidents; investigations; reports by Department
§ 45.2-1146. Reports of other accidents and injuries
§ 45.2-1147. Duties of mine inspectors
§ 45.2-1148. Frequency of mine inspections
§ 45.2-1149. Evaluation of risks at mines
§ 45.2-1150. Review of inspection reports and records
§ 45.2-1151. Advance notice of inspections; confidentiality of trade secrets
§ 45.2-1152. Scheduling of mine inspections
§ 45.2-1154. Duties of operator
§ 45.2-1155. Duties of inspectors
§ 45.2-1156. Certificates of inspection
§ 45.2-1157. Notices of violations
§ 45.2-1159. Tolling of time for abating violations
§ 45.2-1160. Injunctive relief
§ 45.2-1161. Violations; penalties
§ 45.2-1162. Prosecution of violations
§ 45.2-1164. Reports of violations
§ 45.2-1165. Training programs