                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

 REPORTS OF EXPLOSIONS AND MINE FIRES; PROCEDURE (§ 45.2-555)

A. If an explosion or mine fire occurs in a mine, the operator shall notify the
Department by the quickest available means. All facilities of the mine shall be
made available for rescue and recovery operations and firefighting.

B. No work other than rescue and recovery work and firefighting shall be
attempted unless authorized by the Department.

C. If an explosion occurs in an underground coal mine, the fan shall not be
reversed except by authority of the officials in charge of rescue and recovery
work, and then only after a study of the effect of reversing the fan on any
person who may have survived the explosion and is still underground.

D. The Department shall make available all the facilities at its disposal in
effecting rescue and recovery work. The Chief shall act as consultant, or take
personal charge, where in his opinion the circumstances of any mine explosion,
fire, or other accident warrant.

E. The orders of the official in charge of rescue and recovery work shall be
respected and obeyed by all persons engaged in rescue and recovery work.

F. The Chief shall maintain an up-to-date rescue and recovery plan for prompt
and adequate employment at any coal mine in the Commonwealth. All employees of
the Department shall be kept fully informed and trained in their respective
duties in executing rescue and recovery plans. The Department&#8217;s plan shall
be reviewed annually. Any changes in the plan shall be published promptly and
made available to all operators of mines.

HISTORY: Code 1950, § 45-14; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, § 45.1-6; 1984, c.
590; 1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.77; 1997, c. 390; 1999, c. 256; 2011, cc. 826,
862; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.