A. An inexperienced underground miner shall be required to work with an experienced underground miner for a total of at least six months following the start of underground employment. However, an experienced surface miner shall only be required to work with an experienced underground miner for a total of at least 60 days following the start of underground employment.
B. No inexperienced underground miner shall be assigned, allowed, or required to perform work alone in any area where there is a potential danger to his safety unless he can communicate with others or be heard or seen.
Code 1950, §§ 45-35, 45-40; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, § 45.1-17; 1978, c. 729; 1993, c. 170; 1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.251; 1999, c. 256; 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