Code of Virginia
Chapter 8 - Requirements Applicable to Underground Coal Mines; Electricity, Safety, Etc
§ 45.2-852. Rock dusting

A. Every underground area of a mine, except an area in which the coal dust is too wet or too high in incombustible content to propagate an explosion, shall be rock-dusted to within 40 feet of every working face, unless such area is inaccessible or unsafe to enter or unless the Chief or his authorized representative permits an exception upon his finding that such exception does not pose a hazard to any miner. Every crosscut that is less than 40 feet from a working face shall also be rock-dusted.
B. Every other area of a mine shall be rock-dusted if conditions are found by a proper inspection to be so dusty as to constitute a hazard. If such conditions are found to exist, the Chief or his authorized representative shall require the necessary rock dusting to make every such area of the mine safe.
C. Coal dust, including float coal dust deposited on rock-dusted surfaces, loose coal, and other combustible material, shall be cleaned up and shall not be permitted to accumulate excessively in active workings or on electric equipment therein.
Code 1950, § 45-77; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, § 45.1-67; 1978, c. 120; 1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.235; 1999, c. 256; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.

Structure Code of Virginia

Code of Virginia

Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy

Chapter 8 - Requirements Applicable to Underground Coal Mines; Electricity, Safety, Etc

§ 45.2-800. Face and other equipment

§ 45.2-801. Shop and other equipment

§ 45.2-802. Hydraulic hoses

§ 45.2-803. Surface electrical installations

§ 45.2-804. Surface transformers

§ 45.2-805. Underground transformers

§ 45.2-806. Stations and substations

§ 45.2-807. Power circuits

§ 45.2-808. Trolley wires and feeder wires

§ 45.2-809. Grounding

§ 45.2-810. Circuit breakers and switches

§ 45.2-811. Communication systems

§ 45.2-812. Electrical equipment

§ 45.2-813. Trailing cables

§ 45.2-814. Inspection of electrical equipment and wiring; checking and testing methane monitors

§ 45.2-815. Repairs to circuits and electric equipment

§ 45.2-816. Underground illumination

§ 45.2-817. Inspection of electric illumination equipment

§ 45.2-818. Firefighting equipment; fire prevention

§ 45.2-819. Duties in case of fire

§ 45.2-820. Emergency response plans; list of next of kin

§ 45.2-821. Reporting fires; response

§ 45.2-822. Fire prevention in transportation of mining equipment

§ 45.2-823. Storage and use of flammable fluids and materials

§ 45.2-824. Diesel-powered equipment

§ 45.2-825. Arcs, sparks, and flames

§ 45.2-826. Pre-shift examinations

§ 45.2-827. on-shift examinations

§ 45.2-828. Weekly examinations

§ 45.2-829. Examinations of fans

§ 45.2-830. Record of examinations

§ 45.2-831. Notice of hazardous conditions

§ 45.2-832. Notice of monitor tampering prohibition

§ 45.2-833. Main fans

§ 45.2-834. Fan stoppage plan

§ 45.2-835. Auxiliary fans

§ 45.2-836. Quantity of air

§ 45.2-837. Bleeder systems

§ 45.2-838. Coursing of air

§ 45.2-839. Actions for excessive methane

§ 45.2-840. Crosscuts

§ 45.2-841. Permanent stoppings

§ 45.2-842. Ventilation controls

§ 45.2-843. Line brattice

§ 45.2-844. Ventilation with air from certain areas

§ 45.2-845. Worked-out areas

§ 45.2-846. Air quality

§ 45.2-847. Examination of mine for explosive gas and other hazardous conditions

§ 45.2-848. Tampering with methane monitoring devices prohibited; penalty

§ 45.2-849. Allowing persons to work in mine where methane monitoring equipment disconnected; penalty

§ 45.2-850. Intentionally bypassing a safety device; prohibition

§ 45.2-851. Control of coal dust

§ 45.2-852. Rock dusting

§ 45.2-853. Checking system; tracking system

§ 45.2-854. Protective clothing

§ 45.2-855. Noise levels and ear protection

§ 45.2-856. Smoking materials prohibited; penalty

§ 45.2-857. Allowing persons to work in a mine with smoker's articles; penalty

§ 45.2-858. Posting of notice

§ 45.2-859. Smoking in surface and other areas

§ 45.2-860. Portable illumination

§ 45.2-861. First aid equipment

§ 45.2-862. Attention to injured persons

§ 45.2-863. Certified emergency medical services providers