                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

 REGULATIONS GOVERNING CONDITIONS AND PRACTICES AT UNDERGROUND MINERAL MINES (§
45.2-1401)

A. The Director shall adopt, in accordance with the provisions of Article 2 (§
2.2-4006 et seq.) of the Administrative Process Act, regulations necessary to
ensure the safety and health of miners and other persons and property at
underground mineral mines in the Commonwealth. Nothing in this section shall
restrict the Director from adopting regulations more stringent than regulations
adopted pursuant to the federal mine safety law. Such regulations applicable to
underground mineral mines shall establish requirements for the:

   1. Protection of miners from general risks found at underground mineral mines
   and in mining;

   2. Provision and use of personal protection equipment and devices for the
   head, feet, hands, and body;

   3. Maintenance, operation, storage, and transportation of mechanical or
   electrical equipment, devices, and machinery used in the underground mining of
   minerals;

   4. Control of unstable roof, face, rib, floor, and other ground conditions;

   5. Handling and storage of combustible materials, including requirements for
   emergency plans, firefighting and emergency rescue, fire prevention and safety
   features on mine equipment, fire safety in mine structures and other areas,
   and other flame and spark hazards;

   6. Control of exposure to airborne contaminants and excessive noise levels;

   7. Provision of adequate air quality and quantity through ventilation and
   other appropriate measures;

   8. Safe storage, transportation, and use of explosives and blasting devices;

   9. Safe design, operation, maintenance, and inspection of drilling equipment;

   10. Construction, installation, maintenance, use, and inspection of boilers,
   air compressors, and compressed gas systems;

   11. Safe design, use, maintenance, and inspection of passageways, walkways,
   ladders, and other travel ways;

   12. Safe design, operation, maintenance, and inspection of electrical
   equipment and systems;

   13. Safe storage, transportation, and handling of materials, including
   corrosive and hazardous substances;

   14. Safe design, use, maintenance, and inspection of guards on moving parts of
   equipment and machinery;

   15. Safe design and operation of chutes;

   16. Inspection, maintenance, safe design, and operation of hoisting equipment
   and cables;

   17. Inspection, maintenance, and construction of mine shafts;

   18. Actions to be taken by certified and competent persons; and

   19. Safe design, operation, maintenance, and inspection of, and the conduct of
   mining activities at, surface areas of underground mineral mines.

B. The Director shall not adopt any regulation relating to underground mineral
mines that is inconsistent with any requirement established by the Act or that,
if an operator were to take action to comply with the provisions of such
regulation, would place the operator in violation of the federal mine safety
law.

HISTORY: 1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.294; 1996, c. 774; 1998, c. 695; 2021, Sp.
Sess. I, c. 387.