Code of Virginia
Chapter 9 - Requirements Applicable to Surface Coal Mines
§ 45.2-937. Penetration of underground mines; testing

A. A qualified person shall test for the presence of methane and for a deficiency of oxygen, using an approved device, at the entrance to an auger hole or at a highwall miner entry when either such entry point penetrates a worked-out area of an underground mine.
B. If one percent or more of methane is detected or 19.5 percent or less of oxygen is found to exist, no further work shall be performed until the atmosphere has been made safe.
1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.290; 1999, c. 256; 2011, cc. 826, 862; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.

Structure Code of Virginia

Code of Virginia

Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy

Chapter 9 - Requirements Applicable to Surface Coal Mines

§ 45.2-900. Scope of chapter

§ 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

§ 45.2-907. Housekeeping

§ 45.2-908. Noxious fumes

§ 45.2-909. First aid equipment

§ 45.2-910. First aid training

§ 45.2-911. Attention to injured persons

§ 45.2-912. Firefighting equipment; duties in case of fire; fire precaution in transportation of mining equipment; fire prevention generally

§ 45.2-913. Duties in case of fire

§ 45.2-914. Fire precautions

§ 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

§ 45.2-919. Lighting

§ 45.2-920. Shop and other equipment

§ 45.2-921. Hydraulic hoses

§ 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

§ 45.2-926. Overhead high-potential power lines; surface transmission lines; electric wiring in surface buildings

§ 45.2-927. Transformers

§ 45.2-928. Grounding

§ 45.2-929. Circuit breakers and switches

§ 45.2-930. Electrical trailing cables

§ 45.2-931. Surface storage of explosives and detonators

§ 45.2-932. Misfires

§ 45.2-933. Minimum blasting practices

§ 45.2-934. Ground control

§ 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