(a) Beginning April 1, 1999, and notwithstanding any other provisions in this code to the contrary, the director, in consultation with the board of miner training, education and certification, established pursuant to the provisions of article seven of this chapter, shall make reciprocity of mine foreman certification and experienced miner certification available to any person certified by a state which accepts West Virginia's mine foreman or experienced miner certifications, if that state's qualifications, examination and certification criteria are substantially equivalent to those utilized by this state.
(b) A person requesting either of these certifications by reciprocity shall submit photographic identification, a current copy of his or her certification card or certificate, verifiable documentation of all degrees held, continuing education successfully completed, and documentation of other training, if required for the certification, and shall also comply with any other criteria as the director, in consultation with the board of miner training, education and certification, may reasonably require from time to time to effectively carry out the provisions of this section: Provided, That the criteria shall include, but is not limited to, the following minimum requirements: (1) When a reciprocity agreement applicable to mine foreman certification has been established with another state, any applicant holding a mine foreman certificate from that state shall take the component of the West Virginia mine foreman certification examination that pertains only to specific West Virginia mining laws and rules and shall pass the examination with a score of at least eighty percent prior to being issued a West Virginia mine foreman certificate; (2) when a reciprocity agreement applicable to experienced miner certification has been established with another state, any applicant holding an experienced miner's certificate from that state shall receive hazard training in accordance with provisions contained in 30 CFR Part 48.11 if the applicant is an underground miner, or in accordance with the provisions contained in 30 CFR Part 48.31 if the applicant is a surface miner, and shall receive instruction in West Virginia mining laws and rules pertinent to any duties that are or will be assigned the miner prior to the miner performing any duties; and (3) records of all training and instruction shall be kept in a book provided exclusively for that purpose which shall be made available upon request to an authorized representative of the director and to authorized representatives of miners in or at the mine.
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