A. The Chief shall (i) supervise execution and enforcement of all laws, including regulations adopted by the Department or the Board, pertaining to the health and safety of persons employed within or at coal mines within the Commonwealth and the protection of property used in connection therewith and (ii) perform all other duties required pursuant to the Act.
B. The Chief shall keep a record of all inspections of coal mines made by him and the mine inspectors. The Chief shall make a comprehensive report to the Director. The Chief shall also keep a permanent record of such inspections, properly indexed, and such record shall at all times be open to inspection by any citizen of the Commonwealth.
C. The Chief may compel individuals to complete training that addresses the subject of a violation issued to the individual as a condition for abatement of the violation.
D. The Chief may require operators to submit for approval action plans to address hazardous conditions or practices.
E. For the purpose of investigating (i) an accident or (ii) a willful act resulting in a notice of violation or closure order, the Chief may compel the attendance of witnesses and administer oaths or affirmations. Any person who knowingly provides any false statement, representation, or certification during such investigation is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
F. The Chief shall supervise execution and enforcement of all reciprocal agreements made with responsible officers of other states that implicate any part of the Act.
Code 1950, §§ 45-1 to 45-6; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, §§ 45.1-3,45.1-4; 1972, c. 784; 1978, cc. 120, 727; 1981, c. 32; 1984, cc. 184, 337, 590; 1987, Sp. Sess., c. 1; 1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.21; 2005, c. 3; 2011, cc. 826, 862; 2014, c. 145; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
Structure Code of Virginia
Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy
Chapter 5 - Coal Mine Safety Act
§ 45.2-500. Coal Mine Safety Act
§ 45.2-503. Special safety rules
§ 45.2-504. Age requirement to work in mines
§ 45.2-505. Prohibited acts by miners or other persons; miners to comply with law
§ 45.2-506. Safety materials and supplies
§ 45.2-507. Notifying miners of violations; compliance with Act
§ 45.2-508. Appointment of Chief
§ 45.2-509. Qualification of Chief
§ 45.2-511. Appointment and general qualifications of mine inspectors
§ 45.2-512. Qualifications of coal mine inspectors
§ 45.2-513. Duties of the Chief; penalty
§ 45.2-514. Technical specialists
§ 45.2-515. Board of Coal Mining Examiners; purpose
§ 45.2-516. Board membership; terms; meetings
§ 45.2-517. Board compensation; expenses
§ 45.2-518. Records of the Board
§ 45.2-519. Nominations for the Board
§ 45.2-520. Certification of certain persons employed in coal mines; powers and duties of the Board
§ 45.2-521. Examinations required for Coal Mining Certifications
§ 45.2-522. Performance of certain tasks by uncertified persons; penalty
§ 45.2-523. Coal Mining Examiners' Fund
§ 45.2-525. Replacement of lost or destroyed certificates
§ 45.2-526. Reciprocal acceptances of other certifications
§ 45.2-527. Continuing education requirements
§ 45.2-528. Board action; suspend, revoke, or take other action
§ 45.2-530. General coal miner certification
§ 45.2-531. First-class mine foreman certification
§ 45.2-532. Surface foreman certification
§ 45.2-533. Chief electrician certification
§ 45.2-534. Top person certification
§ 45.2-535. License required for operation of a coal mine; term
§ 45.2-536. Coal Mine Operator License Fund
§ 45.2-537. Application for license for the operation of a coal mine
§ 45.2-538. Denial or revocation of license for the operation of a coal mine
§ 45.2-539. Operating without license; penalty
§ 45.2-540. Annual reports; condition to issuance of license following transfer of ownership
§ 45.2-543. When the Chief may cause maps to be made; payment by operator
§ 45.2-544. Making false statements; penalty
§ 45.2-545. Mine rescue and first aid stations
§ 45.2-547. Duty to train teams
§ 45.2-548. Qualification for team membership; direction of teams
§ 45.2-550. Requirements of recovery work
§ 45.2-551. State-designated mine rescue teams
§ 45.2-553. Inspections; Mine Rescue Coordinator
§ 45.2-554. Workers' compensation; liability
§ 45.2-555. Reports of explosions and mine fires; procedure
§ 45.2-556. Operators' reports of accidents; investigations; reports by Department
§ 45.2-557. Reports of other accidents and injuries
§ 45.2-558. Duties of mine inspectors
§ 45.2-559. Frequency of mine inspections
§ 45.2-560. Evaluation of risks at mines
§ 45.2-561. Review of inspection reports and records
§ 45.2-562. Advance notice of inspections; confidentiality of trade secrets
§ 45.2-563. Scheduling of mine inspections
§ 45.2-565. Duties of operator
§ 45.2-566. Duties of inspectors
§ 45.2-567. Inspection reports
§ 45.2-568. Notices of violations
§ 45.2-570. Tolling of time for abating violations
§ 45.2-572. Violations; penalty
§ 45.2-573. Prosecution of violations
§ 45.2-575. Reports of violations
§ 45.2-576. Virginia Coal Mine Safety Board; purpose
§ 45.2-577. Membership; terms; compensation; quorum; meetings
§ 45.2-578. Powers and duties of the Virginia Coal Mine Safety Board