{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/45.2-555.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/45.2-555.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/45.2-555.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/45.2-555.html"}],"law_id":66359,"edition_id":1,"section_id":66359,"structure_id":16270,"section_number":"45.2-555","catch_line":" Reports of explosions and mine fires; procedure","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 45-14; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, \u00a7 45.1-6; 1984, c. 590; 1994, c. 28, \u00a7 45.1-161.77; 1997, c. 390; 1999, c. 256; 2011, cc. 826, 862; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.","full_text":"A\n\nIf an explosion or mine fire occurs in a mine, the operator shall notify the Department by the quickest available means. All facilities of the mine shall be made available for rescue and recovery operations and firefighting.B\n\nNo work other than rescue and recovery work and firefighting shall be attempted unless authorized by the Department.C\n\nIf an explosion occurs in an underground coal mine, the fan shall not be reversed except by authority of the officials in charge of rescue and recovery work, and then only after a study of the effect of reversing the fan on any person who may have survived the explosion and is still underground.D\n\nThe Department shall make available all the facilities at its disposal in effecting rescue and recovery work. The Chief shall act as consultant, or take personal charge, where in his opinion the circumstances of any mine explosion, fire, or other accident warrant.E\n\nThe orders of the official in charge of rescue and recovery work shall be respected and obeyed by all persons engaged in rescue and recovery work.F\n\nThe Chief shall maintain an up-to-date rescue and recovery plan for prompt and adequate employment at any coal mine in the Commonwealth. All employees of the Department shall be kept fully informed and trained in their respective duties in executing rescue and recovery plans. The Department’s plan shall be reviewed annually. Any changes in the plan shall be published promptly and made available to all operators of mines.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":240906,"text":"If an explosion or mine fire occurs in a mine, the operator shall notify the Department by the quickest available means. All facilities of the mine shall be made available for rescue and recovery operations and firefighting.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":240907,"text":"No work other than rescue and recovery work and firefighting shall be attempted unless authorized by the Department.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":240908,"text":"If an explosion occurs in an underground coal mine, the fan shall not be reversed except by authority of the officials in charge of rescue and recovery work, and then only after a study of the effect of reversing the fan on any person who may have survived the explosion and is still underground.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":240909,"text":"The Department shall make available all the facilities at its disposal in effecting rescue and recovery work. The Chief shall act as consultant, or take personal charge, where in his opinion the circumstances of any mine explosion, fire, or other accident warrant.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":240910,"text":"The orders of the official in charge of rescue and recovery work shall be respected and obeyed by all persons engaged in rescue and recovery work.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"5":{"id":240911,"text":"The Chief shall maintain an up-to-date rescue and recovery plan for prompt and adequate employment at any coal mine in the Commonwealth. All employees of the Department shall be kept fully informed and trained in their respective duties in executing rescue and recovery plans. The Department’s plan shall be reviewed annually. Any changes in the plan shall be published promptly and made available to all operators of mines.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E"}},"ancestry":[{"id":16270,"edition_id":1,"name":"Mine Explosions; Mine Fires; Accidents","identifier":"6","label":"article","depth":5,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13785,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 04:11:48","date_modified":"2026-06-26 04:11:48","permalink":{"id":222897,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":16270,"identifier":"6","token":"45.2\/II\/A\/5\/6","url":"\/45.2\/II\/A\/5\/6\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13785,"edition_id":1,"name":"Coal Mine Safety Act","identifier":"5","label":"chapter","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13784,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:52","permalink":{"id":222651,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13785,"identifier":"5","token":"45.2\/II\/A\/5","url":"\/45.2\/II\/A\/5\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13784,"edition_id":1,"name":"Coal Mines Generally","identifier":"A","label":"part","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12985,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:52","permalink":{"id":222649,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13784,"identifier":"A","token":"45.2\/II\/A","url":"\/45.2\/II\/A\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12985,"edition_id":1,"name":"Coal Mining","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12713,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:06","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:06","permalink":{"id":222647,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12985,"identifier":"II","token":"45.2\/II","url":"\/45.2\/II\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12713,"edition_id":1,"name":"Mines, Minerals, and Energy","identifier":"45.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":222539,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12713,"identifier":"45.2","token":"45.2","url":"\/45.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":66359,"structure_id":16270,"section_number":"45.2-555","catch_line":" Reports of explosions and mine fires; procedure","url":"\/45.2-555\/","token":"45.2\/II\/A\/5\/6\/45.2-555","metadata":false},{"id":65906,"structure_id":16270,"section_number":"45.2-556","catch_line":" Operators' reports of accidents; investigations; reports by Department","url":"\/45.2-556\/","token":"45.2\/II\/A\/5\/6\/45.2-556","metadata":false},{"id":84026,"structure_id":16270,"section_number":"45.2-557","catch_line":" Reports of other accidents and injuries","url":"\/45.2-557\/","token":"45.2\/II\/A\/5\/6\/45.2-557","metadata":false},{"id":70495,"structure_id":16270,"section_number":"45.2-558","catch_line":" Duties of mine inspectors","url":"\/45.2-558\/","token":"45.2\/II\/A\/5\/6\/45.2-558","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":65906,"structure_id":16270,"section_number":"45.2-556","catch_line":" Operators' reports of accidents; investigations; reports by Department","url":"\/45.2-556\/","token":"45.2\/II\/A\/5\/6\/45.2-556","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/45.2-555\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 7 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1954, chapter 191; in 1966, chapter 594; in 1984, chapter 590; in 1994, chapter 28<\/a>; in 1997, chapter 390<\/a>; in 1999, chapter 256<\/a>; in 2011, chapters 826<\/a> and 862<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":222899,"object_type":"law","relational_id":66359,"identifier":"45.2-555","token":"45.2\/II\/A\/5\/6\/45.2-555","url":"\/45.2-555\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/45.2-555\/","token":"45.2\/II\/A\/5\/6\/45.2-555","dublin_core":{"Title":" Reports of explosions and mine fires; procedure","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 45.2-555","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> If an explosion or mine fire occurs in a mine, the operator shall notify the Department<\/span> by the quickest available means. All facilities of the mine shall be made available for rescue and recovery operations and firefighting. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> No work other than rescue and recovery work and firefighting shall be attempted unless authorized by the Department<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> If an explosion occurs in an underground coal mine, the fan shall not be reversed except by authority of the officials in charge of rescue and recovery work, and then only after a study of the effect of reversing the fan on any person who may have survived the explosion and is still underground. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> The Department<\/span> shall make available all the facilities at its disposal in effecting rescue and recovery work. The Chief<\/span> shall act as consultant, or take personal charge, where in his opinion<\/span> the circumstances of any mine explosion, fire, or other accident warrant. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> The orders<\/span> of the official in charge of rescue and recovery work shall be respected and obeyed by all persons engaged in rescue and recovery work. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> The Chief<\/span> shall maintain an up-to-date rescue and recovery plan for prompt and adequate employment at any coal mine in the Commonwealth. All employees of the Department<\/span> shall be kept fully informed and trained in their respective duties in executing rescue and recovery plans. The Department<\/span>’s plan shall be reviewed annually. Any changes in the plan shall be published promptly and made available to all operators of mines. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\n REPORTS OF EXPLOSIONS AND MINE FIRES; PROCEDURE (\u00a7 45.2-555)\n\nA. If an explosion or mine fire occurs in a mine, the operator shall notify the\nDepartment by the quickest available means. All facilities of the mine shall be\nmade available for rescue and recovery operations and firefighting.\n\nB. No work other than rescue and recovery work and firefighting shall be\nattempted unless authorized by the Department.\n\nC. If an explosion occurs in an underground coal mine, the fan shall not be\nreversed except by authority of the officials in charge of rescue and recovery\nwork, and then only after a study of the effect of reversing the fan on any\nperson who may have survived the explosion and is still underground.\n\nD. The Department shall make available all the facilities at its disposal in\neffecting rescue and recovery work. The Chief shall act as consultant, or take\npersonal charge, where in his opinion the circumstances of any mine explosion,\nfire, or other accident warrant.\n\nE. The orders of the official in charge of rescue and recovery work shall be\nrespected and obeyed by all persons engaged in rescue and recovery work.\n\nF. The Chief shall maintain an up-to-date rescue and recovery plan for prompt\nand adequate employment at any coal mine in the Commonwealth. All employees of\nthe Department shall be kept fully informed and trained in their respective\nduties in executing rescue and recovery plans. The Department’s plan shall\nbe reviewed annually. Any changes in the plan shall be published promptly and\nmade available to all operators of mines.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 45-14; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, \u00a7 45.1-6; 1984, c.\n590; 1994, c. 28, \u00a7 45.1-161.77; 1997, c. 390; 1999, c. 256; 2011, cc. 826,\n862; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}