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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>62560</law_id><section_number>45.2-854</section_number><catch_line> Protective clothing</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="B">Underground Coal Mines</unit><unit label="chapter" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="8">Requirements Applicable to Underground Coal Mines; Electricity, Safety, Etc</unit><unit label="article" level="5" order_by="1" identifier="5">Personal Safety; Smoking</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> Every miner shall wear a protective hat while underground and while in any area on the surface where there is a danger of injury from falling <span class="dictionary">objects</span>. <a id="paragraph-228127" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-854/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> Every person assigned to or performing duties on the surface of an underground coal mine, or any person entering the underground portion of such mine, shall wear reflective <span class="dictionary">materials</span> adequate to make him visible from all sides. Such reflective <span class="dictionary">material</span> shall be placed on a hard hat and at least one other item of outer clothing such as a belt, suspenders, jacket, coat, coveralls, shirt, pants, or vest. <a id="paragraph-228128" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-854/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> Protective footwear shall be worn by each miner while on duty in or around a mine where falling <span class="dictionary">objects</span> may cause injury. <a id="paragraph-228129" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-854/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> Every employee inside or outside of a mine shall wear an approved type of goggles or shields where there is a hazard from flying particles. <a id="paragraph-228130" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-854/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> Every welder and helper shall use proper goggles or shields to protect his eyes. <a id="paragraph-228131" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-854/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="F"><p><span class="prefix-number">F.</span> Any miner engaged in haulage operations or employed around moving equipment on the surface or underground shall wear snug-fitting clothing. <a id="paragraph-228132" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-854/#F"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="G"><p><span class="prefix-number">G.</span> Every employee shall wear gloves when handling <span class="dictionary">material</span> that may injure the hands or when handling energized cables. No gloves with gauntlet cuffs shall be worn around moving equipment. <a id="paragraph-228133" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-854/#G"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="H"><p><span class="prefix-number">H.</span> Any miner who may be exposed for short periods to hazards from inhalation of gas, dust, fumes, or mist shall wear approved respiratory equipment. When the exposure is for a prolonged period, adequate approved measures to protect such miner or to reduce the hazard shall be taken. <a id="paragraph-228134" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-854/#H"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7; 45-86; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, &#xA7; 45.1-99; 1994, c. 28, &#xA7; 45.1-161.175; 2005, c. 3; 2011, cc. 826, 862; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
