§ 74-24.19. Administrative provisions. - North Carolina Statutes

§74‑24.19.  Administrative provisions.

(a)        The Commissionershall appoint a Director to assist him in administering the provisions of thisArticle and, through the Director, shall have authority to appoint, subject toChapter 126 of the General Statutes of North Carolina, such officers,engineers, inspectors, and employees as he deems requisite for theadministration of this Article; and to prescribe powers, duties, andresponsibilities of all officers, engineers, inspectors, and employees engagedin the administration of this Article.

(b)        All personsappointed as representatives of the Commissioner shall be qualified bypractical experience in mine safety and health administration or practicalexperience in mining or by experience as a practical mining engineer or byeducation. All persons so appointed shall be physically able to perform theirduties predicated on their work assignments, and all persons subject to makinginspections, investigations, or participating in rescue and recovery work shallbe examined prior to their employment and annually thereafter by a physicianwho shall certify their physical ability to perform their duties in minessubject to this Article. The fee for the required annual examination shall besatisfied as recommended by the Commissioner.

(c)        The Commissioner,the Director, or any other officer, engineer, inspector, or employee engaged inthe administration of this Article shall not, upon taking office or beingemployed, or at any other time  during the term of his office or employment,have any affiliation, financial or otherwise, with any operating miningcompany, operator's association, or labor union. (1975, c. 206, s. 19.)