A. A mine foreman shall inspect the face of each highwall for a distance of 25 feet in both directions from an auger or highwall miner operation (i) before any such operation begins and at least once during each coal producing shift and (ii) frequently during any period of heavy rainfall or intermittent freezing and thawing.
B. Hazardous conditions shall be corrected and loose material removed from above the mining area before any work is begun.
C. Records shall be kept of the inspection and examination performed pursuant to subsection A. Such records shall be maintained for at least one year.
1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.289; 2011, cc. 826, 862; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
Structure Code of Virginia
Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy
Chapter 9 - Requirements Applicable to Surface Coal Mines
§ 45.2-901. Regulations governing conditions and practices at surface coal mines
§ 45.2-902. Standards for regulations
§ 45.2-903. Safety examinations
§ 45.2-904. Records of examinations
§ 45.2-905. Areas with safety or health hazards; duties of surface mine foreman
§ 45.2-906. Personal protection devices and practices
§ 45.2-909. First aid equipment
§ 45.2-910. First aid training
§ 45.2-911. Attention to injured persons
§ 45.2-913. Duties in case of fire
§ 45.2-915. Haulage and mobile equipment; operating condition
§ 45.2-916. Equipment operation
§ 45.2-917. Safety measures on equipment
§ 45.2-918. Transportation of personnel
§ 45.2-920. Shop and other equipment
§ 45.2-922. Stairways, platforms, runways, and floor openings
§ 45.2-923. Loading and haulage work area requirements
§ 45.2-924. Equipment operation
§ 45.2-925. Control of dust and combustible material
§ 45.2-929. Circuit breakers and switches
§ 45.2-930. Electrical trailing cables
§ 45.2-931. Surface storage of explosives and detonators
§ 45.2-933. Minimum blasting practices
§ 45.2-935. Inspection of electric equipment and wiring; checking and testing methane monitors
§ 45.2-936. Highwall inspections
§ 45.2-937. Penetration of underground mines; testing
§ 45.2-938. Safety precautions
§ 45.2-939. Surface coal mining; distance from wells; requirements