{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/45.2-827.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/45.2-827.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/45.2-827.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/45.2-827.html"}],"law_id":75532,"edition_id":1,"section_id":75532,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-827","catch_line":" On-shift examinations","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 45-32, 45-33, 45-60.4, 45-60.5, 45-68.1, 45-69.7, 45-83; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, \u00a7\u00a7 45.1-20, 45.1-62, 45.1-65, 45.1-83; 1978, c. 120; 1982, c. 385; 1993, c. 442; 1994, c. 28, \u00a7 45.1-161.209; 1996, c. 774; 1999, c. 256; 2005, c. 3; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.","full_text":"A\n\nAt least once during each shift, and more often if necessary, a certified person shall examine each underground section where coal is produced and any other area where mechanized mining equipment is being installed or removed during the shift. The certified person shall (i) examine for hazardous conditions, (ii) test for methane and oxygen deficiency with a suitable permissible device, and (iii) determine whether the air is traveling in its regular course and in sufficient volume in each split. Any hazardous condition shall be corrected immediately or the miners shall be withdrawn and the affected area plainly marked with danger signs.B\n\nDuring each shift in which coal is produced, a certified person shall examine for hazardous conditions along each underground belt conveyor entry where a belt conveyor is operated. Such examination may be conducted at the same time as the pre-shift examination of the belt conveyors and the belt conveyor entries, if the examination is conducted within three hours before the established eight-hour interval. The person conducting the examination shall certify by initials, date, and time at enough locations to show that the entire area has been examined.C\n\nA person conducting an on-shift examination shall determine at the following underground locations:1\n\nThe volume of air in the last open crosscut of each set of entries or rooms on each working section and in any area in which mechanized mining equipment is being installed or removed;2\n\nThe volume of air on a longwall or shortwall, including any area where longwall or shortwall equipment is being installed or removed, in the intake entry or entries at the intake end of the longwall or shortwall;3\n\nThe velocity of air at each end of the longwall or shortwall face at each location specified in the approved ventilation plan required pursuant to the federal mine safety law; and4\n\nThe volume of air at the intake end of any pillar line (i) in the intake entry furthest from the return air course, immediately outby the first open crosscut outby the line of pillars being mined, if a single split of air is used or (ii) in the intake entries of each split, immediately inby the split point, if a split system is used.D\n\nA test shall be made for methane before (i) any electrically powered equipment is taken inby the last open crosscut, (ii) any blasting takes place, and (iii) work is resumed after blasting. When a longwall or shortwall mining system is used, such methane test shall be made from under permanent roof support at the shearer, the plow, or the cutting head. Such methane test shall be made at least once every 20 minutes or more often as necessary for safety while such equipment is in operation. When mining has been stopped for more than 20 minutes, a methane test shall be conducted prior to the start-up of equipment.E\n\nEach idle or worked-out area underground, including any section belt that has been idle for a period of 24 hours or more, shall be examined by a certified person immediately before miners are permitted to enter or work in such area. The person conducting the examination shall certify completion of the examination by initials, date, and time at enough locations to show that the entire area has been examined.F\n\nDaily and on-shift examinations of surface areas of underground coal mines shall be made in accordance with the requirements for daily and on-shift examinations at surface coal mines as provided in &#xA7; 45.2-903.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":271342,"text":"At least once during each shift, and more often if necessary, a certified person shall examine each underground section where coal is produced and any other area where mechanized mining equipment is being installed or removed during the shift. The certified person shall (i) examine for hazardous conditions, (ii) test for methane and oxygen deficiency with a suitable permissible device, and (iii) determine whether the air is traveling in its regular course and in sufficient volume in each split. Any hazardous condition shall be corrected immediately or the miners shall be withdrawn and the affected area plainly marked with danger signs.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":271343,"text":"During each shift in which coal is produced, a certified person shall examine for hazardous conditions along each underground belt conveyor entry where a belt conveyor is operated. Such examination may be conducted at the same time as the pre-shift examination of the belt conveyors and the belt conveyor entries, if the examination is conducted within three hours before the established eight-hour interval. The person conducting the examination shall certify by initials, date, and time at enough locations to show that the entire area has been examined.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":271344,"text":"A person conducting an on-shift examination shall determine at the following underground locations:","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"C1"},"3":{"id":271345,"text":"The volume of air in the last open crosscut of each set of entries or rooms on each working section and in any area in which mechanized mining equipment is being installed or removed;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"C1","prefix_anchor":"C1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"C2"},"4":{"id":271346,"text":"The volume of air on a longwall or shortwall, including any area where longwall or shortwall equipment is being installed or removed, in the intake entry or entries at the intake end of the longwall or shortwall;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"C2","prefix_anchor":"C2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C1","next_prefix":"C3"},"5":{"id":271347,"text":"The velocity of air at each end of the longwall or shortwall face at each location specified in the approved ventilation plan required pursuant to the federal mine safety law; and","type":"section","prefixes":["C","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"C3","prefix_anchor":"C3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C2","next_prefix":"C4"},"6":{"id":271348,"text":"The volume of air at the intake end of any pillar line (i) in the intake entry furthest from the return air course, immediately outby the first open crosscut outby the line of pillars being mined, if a single split of air is used or (ii) in the intake entries of each split, immediately inby the split point, if a split system is used.","type":"section","prefixes":["C","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"C4","prefix_anchor":"C4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C3","next_prefix":"D"},"7":{"id":271349,"text":"A test shall be made for methane before (i) any electrically powered equipment is taken inby the last open crosscut, (ii) any blasting takes place, and (iii) work is resumed after blasting. When a longwall or shortwall mining system is used, such methane test shall be made from under permanent roof support at the shearer, the plow, or the cutting head. Such methane test shall be made at least once every 20 minutes or more often as necessary for safety while such equipment is in operation. When mining has been stopped for more than 20 minutes, a methane test shall be conducted prior to the start-up of equipment.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C4","next_prefix":"E"},"8":{"id":271350,"text":"Each idle or worked-out area underground, including any section belt that has been idle for a period of 24 hours or more, shall be examined by a certified person immediately before miners are permitted to enter or work in such area. The person conducting the examination shall certify completion of the examination by initials, date, and time at enough locations to show that the entire area has been examined.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"9":{"id":271351,"text":"Daily and on-shift examinations of surface areas of underground coal mines shall be made in accordance with the requirements for daily and on-shift examinations at surface coal mines as provided in &#xA7; 45.2-903.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14031,"edition_id":1,"name":"Ventilation, Mine Gases, and Other Hazardous Conditions","identifier":"4","label":"article","depth":5,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14030,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:38","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:38","permalink":{"id":223537,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14031,"identifier":"4","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4","url":"\/45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":14030,"edition_id":1,"name":"Requirements Applicable to Underground Coal Mines; Electricity, Safety, Etc","identifier":"8","label":"chapter","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12986,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:38","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:38","permalink":{"id":223425,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14030,"identifier":"8","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8","url":"\/45.2\/II\/B\/8\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12986,"edition_id":1,"name":"Underground Coal Mines","identifier":"B","label":"part","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12985,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:06","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:06","permalink":{"id":223095,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12986,"identifier":"B","token":"45.2\/II\/B","url":"\/45.2\/II\/B\/","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":61647,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-826","catch_line":" Pre-shift examinations","url":"\/45.2-826\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-826","metadata":false},{"id":75532,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-827","catch_line":" On-shift examinations","url":"\/45.2-827\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-827","metadata":false},{"id":84889,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-828","catch_line":" Weekly examinations","url":"\/45.2-828\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-828","metadata":false},{"id":55121,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-829","catch_line":" Examinations of fans","url":"\/45.2-829\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-829","metadata":false},{"id":78974,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-830","catch_line":" Record of examinations","url":"\/45.2-830\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-830","metadata":false},{"id":73101,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-831","catch_line":" Notice of hazardous conditions","url":"\/45.2-831\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-831","metadata":false},{"id":56771,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-832","catch_line":" Notice of monitor tampering prohibition","url":"\/45.2-832\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-832","metadata":false},{"id":84902,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-833","catch_line":" Main fans","url":"\/45.2-833\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-833","metadata":false},{"id":64758,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-834","catch_line":" Fan stoppage plan","url":"\/45.2-834\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-834","metadata":false},{"id":61736,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-835","catch_line":" Auxiliary fans","url":"\/45.2-835\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-835","metadata":false},{"id":78287,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-836","catch_line":" Quantity of air","url":"\/45.2-836\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-836","metadata":false},{"id":81164,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-837","catch_line":" Bleeder systems","url":"\/45.2-837\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-837","metadata":false},{"id":55504,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-838","catch_line":" Coursing of air","url":"\/45.2-838\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-838","metadata":false},{"id":75203,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-839","catch_line":" Actions for excessive methane","url":"\/45.2-839\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-839","metadata":false},{"id":75918,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-840","catch_line":" Crosscuts","url":"\/45.2-840\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-840","metadata":false},{"id":78688,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-841","catch_line":" Permanent stoppings","url":"\/45.2-841\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-841","metadata":false},{"id":86254,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-842","catch_line":" Ventilation controls","url":"\/45.2-842\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-842","metadata":false},{"id":59441,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-843","catch_line":" Line brattice","url":"\/45.2-843\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-843","metadata":false},{"id":70834,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-844","catch_line":" Ventilation with air from certain areas","url":"\/45.2-844\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-844","metadata":false},{"id":64318,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-845","catch_line":" Worked-out areas","url":"\/45.2-845\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-845","metadata":false},{"id":74385,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-846","catch_line":" Air quality","url":"\/45.2-846\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-846","metadata":false},{"id":71388,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-847","catch_line":" Examination of mine for explosive gas and other hazardous conditions","url":"\/45.2-847\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-847","metadata":false},{"id":86482,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-848","catch_line":" Tampering with methane monitoring devices prohibited; penalty","url":"\/45.2-848\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-848","metadata":false},{"id":66298,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-849","catch_line":" Allowing persons to work in mine where methane monitoring equipment disconnected; penalty","url":"\/45.2-849\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-849","metadata":false},{"id":77699,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-850","catch_line":" Intentionally bypassing a safety device; prohibition","url":"\/45.2-850\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-850","metadata":false},{"id":68872,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-851","catch_line":" Control of coal dust","url":"\/45.2-851\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-851","metadata":false},{"id":79750,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-852","catch_line":" Rock dusting","url":"\/45.2-852\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-852","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":61647,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-826","catch_line":" Pre-shift examinations","url":"\/45.2-826\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-826","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":84889,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-828","catch_line":" Weekly examinations","url":"\/45.2-828\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-828","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/45.2-827\/","history_text":"<p>The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 9 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 1978, chapter 120; in 1982, chapter 385; in 1993, chapter 442; in 1994, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?941+ful+CHAP0028\">28<\/a>; in 1996, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?961+ful+CHAP0774\">774<\/a>; in 1999, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?991+ful+CHAP0256\">256<\/a>; in 2005, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?051+ful+CHAP0003\">3<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":68399,"section_number":"45.2-903","catch_line":" Safety examinations","order_by":null,"url":"\/45.2-903\/"}],"permalink":{"id":223543,"object_type":"law","relational_id":75532,"identifier":"45.2-827","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-827","url":"\/45.2-827\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/45.2-827\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-827","dublin_core":{"Title":" On-shift examinations","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 45.2-827","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">A.<\/span> At least once during each shift, and more often if necessary, a certified person shall examine each underground section where coal is produced and any other area where mechanized mining equipment is being installed or removed during the shift. The certified person shall (i) examine for hazardous conditions, (ii) test for methane and oxygen deficiency with a suitable permissible device, and (iii) determine whether the air is traveling in its regular course and in sufficient volume in each split. Any hazardous condition shall be corrected immediately or the miners shall be withdrawn and the affected area plainly marked with danger signs. <a id=\"paragraph-271342\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/45.2-827\/#A\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">B.<\/span> During each shift in which coal is produced, a certified person shall examine for hazardous conditions along each underground belt conveyor entry where a belt conveyor is operated. Such examination may be conducted at the same time as the pre-shift examination of the belt conveyors and the belt conveyor entries, if the examination is conducted within three hours before the established eight-hour interval. The person conducting the examination shall certify by initials, date, and time at enough locations to show that the entire area has been examined. <a id=\"paragraph-271343\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/45.2-827\/#B\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"C\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">C.<\/span> A person conducting an on-shift examination shall determine at the following underground locations: <a id=\"paragraph-271344\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/45.2-827\/#C\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"C1\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">1.<\/span> The volume of air in the last open crosscut of each set of entries or rooms on each working section and in any area in which mechanized mining equipment is being installed or removed; <a id=\"paragraph-271345\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/45.2-827\/#C1\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"C2\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">2.<\/span> The volume of air on a longwall or shortwall, including any area where longwall or shortwall equipment is being installed or removed, in the intake entry or entries at the intake end of the longwall or shortwall; <a id=\"paragraph-271346\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/45.2-827\/#C2\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"C3\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">3.<\/span> The velocity of air at each end of the longwall or shortwall face at each location specified in the approved ventilation plan required pursuant to the federal mine safety <span class=\"dictionary\">law<\/span>; and <a id=\"paragraph-271347\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/45.2-827\/#C3\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"C4\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">4.<\/span> The volume of air at the intake end of any pillar line (i) in the intake entry furthest from the return air course, immediately outby the first open crosscut outby the line of pillars being mined, if a single split of air is used or (ii) in the intake entries of each split, immediately inby the split point, if a split system is used. <a id=\"paragraph-271348\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/45.2-827\/#C4\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"D\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">D.<\/span> A test shall be made for methane before (i) any electrically powered equipment is taken inby the last open crosscut, (ii) any blasting takes place, and (iii) work is resumed after blasting. When a longwall or shortwall mining system is used, such methane test shall be made from under permanent roof support at the shearer, the plow, or the cutting head. Such methane test shall be made at least once every 20 minutes or more often as necessary for safety while such equipment is in operation. When mining has been stopped for more than 20 minutes, a methane test shall be conducted prior to the start-up of equipment. <a id=\"paragraph-271349\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/45.2-827\/#D\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"E\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">E.<\/span> Each idle or worked-out area underground, including any section belt that has been idle for a period of 24 hours or more, shall be examined by a certified person immediately before miners are permitted to enter or work in such area. The person conducting the examination shall certify completion of the examination by initials, date, and time at enough locations to show that the entire area has been examined. <a id=\"paragraph-271350\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/45.2-827\/#E\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"F\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">F.<\/span> Daily and on-shift examinations of surface areas of underground coal mines shall be made in accordance with the requirements for daily and on-shift examinations at surface coal mines as provided in &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\" Safety examinations\" href=\"\/45.2-903\/\">45.2-903<\/a>. <a id=\"paragraph-271351\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/45.2-827\/#F\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\n ON-SHIFT EXAMINATIONS (\u00a7 45.2-827)\n\nA. At least once during each shift, and more often if necessary, a certified\nperson shall examine each underground section where coal is produced and any\nother area where mechanized mining equipment is being installed or removed\nduring the shift. The certified person shall (i) examine for hazardous\nconditions, (ii) test for methane and oxygen deficiency with a suitable\npermissible device, and (iii) determine whether the air is traveling in its\nregular course and in sufficient volume in each split. Any hazardous condition\nshall be corrected immediately or the miners shall be withdrawn and the affected\narea plainly marked with danger signs.\n\nB. During each shift in which coal is produced, a certified person shall examine\nfor hazardous conditions along each underground belt conveyor entry where a belt\nconveyor is operated. Such examination may be conducted at the same time as the\npre-shift examination of the belt conveyors and the belt conveyor entries, if\nthe examination is conducted within three hours before the established\neight-hour interval. The person conducting the examination shall certify by\ninitials, date, and time at enough locations to show that the entire area has\nbeen examined.\n\nC. A person conducting an on-shift examination shall determine at the following\nunderground locations:\n\n   1. The volume of air in the last open crosscut of each set of entries or rooms\n   on each working section and in any area in which mechanized mining equipment\n   is being installed or removed;\n\n   2. The volume of air on a longwall or shortwall, including any area where\n   longwall or shortwall equipment is being installed or removed, in the intake\n   entry or entries at the intake end of the longwall or shortwall;\n\n   3. The velocity of air at each end of the longwall or shortwall face at each\n   location specified in the approved ventilation plan required pursuant to the\n   federal mine safety law; and\n\n   4. The volume of air at the intake end of any pillar line (i) in the intake\n   entry furthest from the return air course, immediately outby the first open\n   crosscut outby the line of pillars being mined, if a single split of air is\n   used or (ii) in the intake entries of each split, immediately inby the split\n   point, if a split system is used.\n\nD. A test shall be made for methane before (i) any electrically powered\nequipment is taken inby the last open crosscut, (ii) any blasting takes place,\nand (iii) work is resumed after blasting. When a longwall or shortwall mining\nsystem is used, such methane test shall be made from under permanent roof\nsupport at the shearer, the plow, or the cutting head. Such methane test shall\nbe made at least once every 20 minutes or more often as necessary for safety\nwhile such equipment is in operation. When mining has been stopped for more than\n20 minutes, a methane test shall be conducted prior to the start-up of\nequipment.\n\nE. Each idle or worked-out area underground, including any section belt that has\nbeen idle for a period of 24 hours or more, shall be examined by a certified\nperson immediately before miners are permitted to enter or work in such area.\nThe person conducting the examination shall certify completion of the\nexamination by initials, date, and time at enough locations to show that the\nentire area has been examined.\n\nF. Daily and on-shift examinations of surface areas of underground coal mines\nshall be made in accordance with the requirements for daily and on-shift\nexaminations at surface coal mines as provided in &#xA7; 45.2-903.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 45-32, 45-33, 45-60.4, 45-60.5, 45-68.1, 45-69.7,\n45-83; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, \u00a7\u00a7 45.1-20, 45.1-62, 45.1-65, 45.1-83;\n1978, c. 120; 1982, c. 385; 1993, c. 442; 1994, c. 28, \u00a7 45.1-161.209; 1996, c.\n774; 1999, c. 256; 2005, c. 3; 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}}