The director is directed to conduct a study of the minimum qualifications for mine inspectors, the minimum compensation paid to mine inspectors and the overall training program established for mine inspectors. The study shall identify ways to attract and retain new, qualified mine inspectors to minimize the effect of the anticipated retirement of a significant number of current inspectors. Additionally, the study shall examine ways to improve the training programs for mine inspectors by focusing on technological advances in coal mining techniques, best practices used in modern coal mines and proper mine ventilation. Further, the director shall perform an assessment of the resources and qualification of inspectors necessary to approve mine ventilation plans. Finally, the study shall make recommendations on how to reassess mine inspection priorities to ensure that mines having a history of numerous safety violations are inspected more frequently than mines having a history of comparatively few safety violations while preserving the minimum number of inspections required by the code. By December 31, 2012, the Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training shall report to the Legislature's Joint Committee on Government and Finance with recommendations regarding the implementation of its findings.
Structure West Virginia Code
Chapter 22A. Miners' Health, Safety and Training
Article 1. Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training; Administration; Enforcement
§22A-1-1. Continuation of the Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training; Purpose
§22A-1-3. Director of the Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training
§22A-1-4. Powers and Duties of the Director of the Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training
§22A-1-5. Offices Continued in the Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training
§22A-1-6. Director's Authority to Promulgate Rules
§22A-1-8. Mine Inspectors; Regions and Districts; Employment; Tenure; Oath
§22A-1-10. Mine Inspectors May Be Appointed to Fill Vacancy in Division
§22A-1-13a. Study of Mine Inspector Qualification, Compensation, Training and Inspection Programs
§22A-1-15. Findings, Orders and Notices
§22A-1-17. Review of Orders and Notices by the Director
§22A-1-23. Records and Reports
§22A-1-25. Duties of Mine Foreman Examiner
§22A-1-26. Place and Time for Examinations
§22A-1-28. Certificates of Qualification Heretofore Granted
§22A-1-29. Mine Foreman Examiner to Certify Successful Applicants to Director
§22A-1-30. Record of Examination
§22A-1-31. Withdrawal of Certification
§22A-1-33. Mine Rescue Stations; Equipment
§22A-1-36. Mandatory Safety Programs; Penalties
§22A-1-37. Certification of Surface Mine Foremen
§22A-1-39. Reciprocity of Mine Foreman Certification and Experienced Miner Certification
§22A-1-40. Reporting Violations, Accident Investigations; Witness Interviews
§22A-1-41. The Coal Jobs and Safety Act of 2015; Legislative Findings
§22A-1-42. Surface Ground Control Plan; Automated External Defibrillator
§22A-1-43. Hold Harmless Clause; Decision to Enter Mine
§22A-1-44. Temporary Exemption for Environmental Regulations