45.1-161.71 - Crew members to be considered employees of the mine where emergency exists; compensation; workers' compensation. - Virginia Statutes

§ 45.1-161.71. Crew members to be considered employees of the mine whereemergency exists; compensation; workers' compensation.

When engaged in rescue or recovery work during an emergency at a mine, allcrew members assigned to the work shall be considered, during the period oftheir work, employees of the mine where the emergency exists and shall becompensated by the operator at the rate established in the area for suchwork. In no event shall this rate be less than the prevailing wage rate inthe industry for the most skilled class of inside mine labor. During theperiod of their emergency employment, all crew members shall be deemed to bewithin the employment of the operator of the mine for the purpose of workers'compensation coverage.

(1975, c. 432, § 45.1-33.4; 1994, c. 28.)