                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

 FIRST-CLASS MINE FOREMAN CERTIFICATION (§ 45.2-531)

A. The operator of any coal mine where three or more persons work during any
part of a 24-hour period shall employ a mine foreman. The operator shall employ
as a mine foreman only a person holding a first-class mine foreman certificate.
The holder of such certificate shall present the certificate, or a copy thereof,
to the operator where he is employed. Such operator shall file the certificate
or its copy in the office at the mine and make it available for inspection by
interested persons.

B. The holder of a first-class mine foreman certificate shall be authorized to
act as foreman for any underground coal mine.

C. An applicant for a first-class mine foreman certificate shall be at least 23
years of age and shall have had at least five years of experience in a coal
mine, at least three years of which shall have been in an underground coal mine.
A graduate of an approved course in mining engineering at a baccalaureate
institution of higher education shall be given credit for three of the five
years of practical experience required. An applicant who possesses a degree in
mining technology shall be given credit for two of the five years of practical
experience required. If the applicant meets the above requirements, makes 85
percent or more on each of the subjects of the written examination, and passes
required map and gas examinations, he shall be entitled to a first-class mine
foreman certificate. The written examination shall address, among other relevant
topics, the theory and practice of coal mining; the nature and properties of
noxious, poisonous, and explosive gases and methods for their detection and
control; the requirements of the coal mining laws of the Commonwealth, including
regulations adopted by the Department or the Board of Coal Mining Examiners; and
the responsibilities and duties of a mine foreman under state law.

D. Each candidate for certification as a first-class mine foreman shall complete
the course or courses of instruction in first aid as provided in subsection A of
&#xA7; 45.2-579 and pass an examination relating thereto, approved by the Board
of Coal Mining Examiners.

HISTORY: Code 1950, §§ 45-7, 45-12, 45-29, 45-30, 45-31, 45-33.1, 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, §§ 45.1-13 to 45.1-15, 45.1-21, 45.1-101.2; 1972, c. 784; 1974,
c. 686; 1976, c. 598; 1977, c. 679; 1978, cc. 94, 222, 489, 729; 1982, c. 255;
1984, cc. 178, 590; 1988, c. 577; 1993, cc. 171, 442; 1994, c. 28, §
45.1-161.38; 1997, c. 274; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.