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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>57667</law_id><section_number>45.2-575</section_number><catch_line> Reports of violations</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><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="8">Enforcement and Penalties; Reports of Violations</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> The operator of each mine or his agent shall deliver a copy of the Act to each miner upon the commencement of his employment at the mine, unless the miner is already in <span class="dictionary">possession</span> of a copy. <a id="paragraph-211269" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-575/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> Any person aware of a violation of the Act may report the violation to a mine inspector or to any other employee of the <span class="dictionary">Department</span>, in person, in writing, or by telephone call, at the mine, at an office of the <span class="dictionary">Department</span>, or at the mine inspector&#x2019;s residence. <a id="paragraph-211270" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-575/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> The operator of each mine or his agent shall display on a sign placed at the mine office, at the bath house, and on a bulletin board at the mine site a notice containing the office addresses and office and home telephone numbers of mine inspectors and other <span class="dictionary">Department</span> personnel for the purpose of reporting any violation of the Act. <a id="paragraph-211271" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-575/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Department</span> shall keep a record, on a form prepared for such purpose, of every alleged violation of the Act that is reported and the results of any investigation. The <span class="dictionary">Department</span> shall give a copy of the complaint form, with the identity of the person making the report and that of any individual identified in the alleged violation being omitted or deleted, to the operator of the mine or his agent. The <span class="dictionary">Department</span> shall not disclose the identity of any person who reports an alleged violation to the owner or operator of the mine or his agent or to any other person or entity. Information regarding the identity of the person reporting the violation shall be exempt from disclosure under the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Short title; policy" href="/2.2-3700/">2.2-3700</a> et seq.). <a id="paragraph-211272" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-575/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1994, c. 28, &#xA7; 45.1-161.97; 2005, c. 3; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
