                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

 REGULATIONS GOVERNING CONDITIONS AND PRACTICES AT UNDERGROUND COAL MINES (§
45.2-701)

A. The Chief may, after consultation with the Virginia Coal Mine Safety Board,
created by Article 9 (§ 45.2-576 et seq.) of Chapter 5, and in accordance with
the provisions of Article 2 (§ 2.2-4006 et seq.) of the Administrative Process
Act, adopt regulations necessary to ensure safe and healthy working conditions
in underground coal mines in the Commonwealth. Such regulations governing
underground coal mines shall relate to:

   1. The maintenance, operation, storage, and transportation of any mechanical
   or electrical equipment, device, or machinery used for any purpose in the
   underground mining of coal;

   2. Safety and health standards for the protection of the life, health, and
   property of, and the prevention of injuries to, any person involved in or
   likely to be affected by any underground coal mining operation. Such standards
   shall include the control of dust concentration levels; the use of respiratory
   equipment and ventilating systems; the development and maintenance of roof
   control systems; the handling of combustible materials and rock dusting; the
   installation, maintenance, and use of electrical devices, equipment, cables,
   and wires; fire protection, including equipment, emergency evacuation plans,
   emergency shelters, and communication facilities; the use and storage of
   explosives; and the establishment and maintenance of barriers in underground
   coal mines around gas and oil wells. The Chief may adopt regulations setting
   forth specific occupations and conditions under which a miner is prohibited
   from working alone underground; and

   3. The storage or disposal of any matter or materials (i) extracted or
   disturbed as the result of an underground coal mining operation or (ii) used
   in the mining operation or for the refinement or preparation of the materials
   extracted from the coal mining operation, so that such matter or material does
   not threaten the health or safety of the miners or the general public.

B. The Chief shall not adopt any regulation establishing any requirement for the
operation of, or conditions at, an underground coal mine that is inconsistent
with requirements established by the Act.

HISTORY: Code 1950, §§ 45-8, 45-84; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, § 45.1-104;
1972, c. 784; 1974, c. 323; 1975, c. 520; 1978, c. 120; 1982, c. 118; 1990, c.
963; 1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.106; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.