A. If an explosion or mine fire occurs in a mine, the operator shall notify the Department by the quickest available means. Any independent contractor shall notify the licensed operator of such incident. All facilities of the mine shall be made available for rescue and recovery operations and firefighting.
B. No work other than rescue and recovery work and firefighting shall be attempted or started until and unless it is authorized by the Department.
C. If an explosion occurs in an underground mine, the fan shall not be reversed except by authority of the officials in charge of rescue and recovery work, and then only after a study of the effect of reversing the fan on persons who might have survived the explosion and are still underground.
D. The Department shall make available all the facilities at its disposal in effecting rescue and recovery work. The Director shall act as consultant, or take personal charge, where in his opinion the circumstances of any mine explosion, fire, or other accident warrant.
E. The orders of the officials in charge of rescue and recovery work shall be respected and obeyed by all persons engaged in rescue and recovery work.
F. The Director shall maintain an up-to-date rescue and recovery plan for prompt and adequate employment at any mineral mine in the Commonwealth. All employees of the Department shall be kept fully informed and trained in their respective duties in executing rescue and recovery plans. The Department's plans shall be published annually and furnished to all licensed operators of mineral mines. Changes in the plan shall be published promptly when made and furnished to all licensed operators of mines.
1997, c. 390, § 45.1-161.292:50; 1998, c. 695; 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