A. For the purpose of workers' compensation coverage, during any mine disaster to which a state-designated mine rescue team responds under the provisions of this article or during any training exercise for a state-designated mine rescue team, members of the state-designated team shall be deemed to be within the employment of the operator of the mine at which the disaster occurred or the training exercise is conducted. Additionally, for purposes of workers' compensation coverage, travel by members of a state-designated mine rescue team to and from the mine disaster or training exercise shall be deemed to be within the employment of the operator of the mine at which the disaster occurred or the training exercise is conducted.
B. No member of a state-designated mine rescue team engaging in rescue work at a mine shall be liable for civil damages for acts or omissions resulting from the rendering of such rescue work unless the act or omission was the result of gross negligence or willful misconduct.
C. No operator providing personnel to a state-designated mine rescue team to engage in rescue work at a mine not owned or operated by the operator shall be liable for any civil damages for acts or omissions resulting from the rendering of such rescue work.
1985, c. 496, § 45.1-33.5:4; 1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.76; 2007, cc. 894, 914; 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