                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

 LONGWALL ESCAPE ROUTES AND PLAN (§ 45.2-732)

A. The operator of any mine that uses longwalls as a method of mining shall
maintain an accessible travel route off the tailgate end of the longwall working
face. The operator shall familiarize all miners working on the longwall section
with the procedures to follow for escape from the section and, when the travel
route is impassible, the operator shall inform such miners of such fact.

B. The operator shall develop a plan for use of longwalls if the travel route
becomes impassable. The plan shall address (i) the notification to miners of the
fact that the travel way is blocked and of the method and timetable for
reestablishment of the travel way, (ii) the re-instruction of miners regarding
escapeways and escape procedures in the event of an emergency, (iii) the
re-instruction of miners on the availability and use of self-contained
self-rescuers, (iv) the monitoring and evaluation of the air entering the
longwall section, (v) the location and effectiveness of the two-way
communication systems, and (vi) a means of transportation from the longwall
section to the main line. The plan provisions shall remain in effect until a
travel way is reestablished on the tailgate side of a longwall section. Such an
operation shall include provisions for such protective devices as fire
extinguishers and respirators for miners working on the longwall section.

HISTORY: Code 1950, § 45-71.1; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, § 45.1-95; 1984, c.
228; 1985, c. 395; 1990, c. 372; 1992, c. 360; 1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.168;
1996, c. 774; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.