A. If an explosion or mine fire occurs in a mine, the operator shall notify the Department by the quickest available means. 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 unless authorized by the Department.
C. If an explosion occurs in an underground coal 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 any person who may have survived the explosion and is still underground.
D. The Department shall make available all the facilities at its disposal in effecting rescue and recovery work. The Chief 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 official in charge of rescue and recovery work shall be respected and obeyed by all persons engaged in rescue and recovery work.
F. The Chief shall maintain an up-to-date rescue and recovery plan for prompt and adequate employment at any coal 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 plan shall be reviewed annually. Any changes in the plan shall be published promptly and made available to all operators of mines.
Code 1950, § 45-14; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, § 45.1-6; 1984, c. 590; 1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.77; 1997, c. 390; 1999, c. 256; 2011, cc. 826, 862; 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