In adopting regulations pursuant to § 45.2-701, the Chief shall consider:
1. Standards utilized and generally recognized by the coal mining industry;
2. Standards established by recognized professional coal mining organizations and groups;
3. The federal mine safety law;
4. Research, demonstrations, experiments, and such other information that is available regarding the maintenance of the highest degree of safety protection, including the latest available scientific data in the field, the technical feasibility of the standards, and the experience gained under the Act and other mine safety laws; and
5. Such other criteria as are necessary for the protection of the safety and health of miners and other persons or property likely to be endangered by underground coal mines or related operations.
Code 1950, §§ 45-8, 45-84; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, § 45.1-104; 1972, c. 784; 1974, c. 323; 1975, c. 520; 1978, c. 120; 1982, c. 118; 1990, c. 963; 1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.107; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
Structure Code of Virginia
Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy
Chapter 7 - Requirements Applicable to Underground Coal Mines; Mine Construction
§ 45.2-701. Regulations governing conditions and practices at underground coal mines
§ 45.2-702. Standards for regulations
§ 45.2-703. Duties of mine foreman
§ 45.2-704. Employment and duties of top persons; plan for excavation of shaft or slope
§ 45.2-705. Employment of inexperienced underground miners
§ 45.2-706. Employment of authorized persons
§ 45.2-707. Mining in proximity to gas or oil wells
§ 45.2-708. Mining in proximity to an abandoned area
§ 45.2-709. Roof, face, and ribs to be secure
§ 45.2-710. Roof control plans
§ 45.2-711. Instruction of miners
§ 45.2-713. Automated temporary roof support systems
§ 45.2-714. Supplies of materials for supports
§ 45.2-715. Examination and testing of roof, face, and ribs
§ 45.2-716. Mapping of roof falls
§ 45.2-718. Removal of supports
§ 45.2-719. Surface storage of explosives and detonators
§ 45.2-720. Underground transportation of explosives and detonators
§ 45.2-721. Underground storage of explosives and detonators
§ 45.2-722. Blasting practices; penalty
§ 45.2-725. Explosives and blasting practices in shaft and slope operations
§ 45.2-727. Separation of openings
§ 45.2-728. Number of miners in openings
§ 45.2-729. Maintenance of mine openings
§ 45.2-730. Signs, life lines, and equipment
§ 45.2-731. Examination of escapeways
§ 45.2-732. Longwall escape routes and plan
§ 45.2-735. Hoisting equipment
§ 45.2-738. Shaft and slope conditions
§ 45.2-739. Signaling; signal code
§ 45.2-740. Inspections of hoisting equipment
§ 45.2-741. Hoisting engineers
§ 45.2-742. Operations of hoisting equipment
§ 45.2-743. Maintenance of hoisting equipment
§ 45.2-745. Track switches and rails
§ 45.2-746. Clearance on haulage roads
§ 45.2-747. Conveyor crossings
§ 45.2-749. Refuge from moving traffic
§ 45.2-750. Inspection of underground equipment
§ 45.2-751. Maintenance of equipment
§ 45.2-752. Self-propelled equipment
§ 45.2-754. Transportation of material
§ 45.2-758. Operation of equipment
§ 45.2-760. Availability of mantrips
§ 45.2-762. Mantrip loading and unloading areas
§ 45.2-763. Transporting miners by conveyor belt
§ 45.2-764. Housekeeping; noxious fumes
§ 45.2-766. Flammable or combustible materials
§ 45.2-767. Hazardous crane operations
§ 45.2-768. Controlling dust at the surface
§ 45.2-769. Scaffolding and overhead protection
§ 45.2-770. Welding and cutting
§ 45.2-771. Fire prevention and fire control