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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>60105</law_id><section_number>45.2-565</section_number><catch_line> Duties of operator</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>45.2-528</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="45.2">Mines, Minerals, and Energy</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="II">Coal Mining</unit><unit label="part" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="A">Coal Mines Generally</unit><unit label="chapter" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="5">Coal Mine Safety Act</unit><unit label="article" level="5" order_by="1" identifier="7">Mine Inspections</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> The operator or his agent of each mine shall furnish the <span class="dictionary">Chief</span> and any mine inspector proper facilities for entering such mine and making examinations or obtaining information and shall furnish any data or information not of a confidential nature requested by such inspector or the <span class="dictionary">Chief</span>. <a id="paragraph-219954" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-565/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> The operator of an underground coal mine or his agent shall provide a mine inspector or the <span class="dictionary">Chief</span> adequate means for transportation to the active working areas of the mine within a reasonable period of time following the mine inspector&#x2019;s arrival at the mine. <a id="paragraph-219955" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-565/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> The operator or his agent shall, when ordered to do so by a mine inspector or the <span class="dictionary">Chief</span> during the course of his inspection, promptly clear the mine or a section thereof of all persons. <a id="paragraph-219956" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-565/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> The mine operator shall implement a substance abuse screening policy and program for all miners that shall, at a minimum, include: <a id="paragraph-219957" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-565/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> A pre-employment, 10-<span class="dictionary">panel</span> urine test for the following and any other substances as set out in regulation adopted by the Board of Coal Mining Examiners:
				a. Amphetamines;
				b. Cannabinoids/THC;
				c. Cocaine;
				d. Opiates;
				e. Phencyclidine (PCP);
				f. Benzodiazepines;
				g. Propoxyphene;
				h. Methadone;
				i. Barbiturates; and
				j. Synthetic narcotics.
				Samples shall be collected by providers who are certified as complying with standards and procedures set out in the U.S. <span class="dictionary">Department</span> of Transportation&#x2019;s rule, 49 C.F.R. Part 40. Collected samples shall be tested by laboratories certified by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) of the U.S. <span class="dictionary">Department</span> of Health and Human Services for collection and testing. The mine operator may implement a more stringent substance abuse screening policy and program; and <a id="paragraph-219958" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-565/#D1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> The review of the substance abuse screening program with each miner at the time of employment and annually thereafter. <a id="paragraph-219959" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-565/#D2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> The operator or his agent shall notify the <span class="dictionary">Chief</span>, on a form prescribed by the <span class="dictionary">Chief</span>, within seven days of any failure of a pre-employment substance abuse screening test and shall provide a record of the test showing such failure or violation. Notice shall result in the immediate temporary suspension of all certificates held by the applicant, pending a <span class="dictionary">hearing</span> before the Board of Coal Mining Examiners. <a id="paragraph-219960" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-565/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="F"><p><span class="prefix-number">F.</span> The operator or his agent shall notify the <span class="dictionary">Chief</span>, on a form prescribed by the <span class="dictionary">Chief</span>, within seven days of (i) discharging a miner due to violation of the company&#x2019;s substance or alcohol abuse policies, (ii) a miner testing positive for intoxication while on duty status, or (iii) a miner testing positive as using any controlled substance without the prescription of a licensed prescriber. An operator that has a substance abuse program shall not be required to notify the <span class="dictionary">Chief</span> under clause (iii) unless the miner having tested positive fails to complete the operator&#x2019;s substance abuse program. The notification shall be accompanied by a record of the test showing such positive results or violation. Notice shall result in the immediate temporary suspension of all certificates held by the applicant, pending a <span class="dictionary">hearing</span> before the Board of Coal Mining Examiners. <a id="paragraph-219961" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-565/#F"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="G"><p><span class="prefix-number">G.</span> The provisions of this chapter shall not be construed to preclude an employer from developing or maintaining a substance and alcohol abuse policy, testing program, or substance abuse program that exceeds the minimum requirements set forth in this section. <a id="paragraph-219962" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-565/#G"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7;&#xA7; 45-7, 45-12, 45-68.4, 45-69, 45-73, 45-75, 45-78, 45-79, 45-81, 45-83; 1950, p. 156; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, &#xA7; 45.1-21; 1976, c. 598; 1978, cc. 222, 489; 1982, c. 255; 1984, cc. 178, 590; 1988, c. 577; 1993, cc. 171, 442; 1994, c. 28, &#xA7; 45.1-161.87; 1999, c. 256; 2007, cc. 894, 914; 2010, cc. 809, 857; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
