A. The operator of each mine or his agent shall deliver a copy of the Act to each miner upon the commencement of his employment at the mine, unless the miner is already in possession of a copy.
B. Any person aware of a violation of the Act may report the violation to a mine inspector or to any other employee of the Department, in person, in writing, or by telephone call, at the mine, at an office of the Department, or at the mine inspector's residence.
C. The operator of each mine or his agent shall display on a sign placed at the mine office, at the bath house, and on a bulletin board at the mine site a notice containing the office addresses and office and home telephone numbers of mine inspectors and other Department personnel for the purpose of reporting any violation of the Act.
D. The Department shall keep a record, on a form prepared for such purpose, of every alleged violation of the Act that is reported and the results of any investigation. The Department shall give a copy of the complaint form, with the identity of the person making the report and that of any individual identified in the alleged violation being omitted or deleted, to the operator of the mine or his agent. The Department shall not disclose the identity of any person who reports an alleged violation to the owner or operator of the mine or his agent or to any other person or entity. Information regarding the identity of the person reporting the violation shall be exempt from disclosure under the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq.).
1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.97; 2005, c. 3; 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