45.1-161.231 - Examination of mines for explosive gas and other hazardous conditions. - Virginia Statutes

§ 45.1-161.231. Examination of mines for explosive gas and other hazardousconditions.

A. Certified persons whose regular duties require them to inspect workingplaces in any mine for hazardous conditions shall have in their possession,and shall use, when underground, a permissible methane detector or otherpermissible device capable of detecting methane and oxygen deficiency.

B. A sufficient number of permissible methane detectors or other permissibledevices capable of detecting methane shall be kept at each mine inby the lastopen crosscut. All miners shall be trained in the operation of the device.Any miners working inby the last open crosscut shall be certified by theBoard of Coal Mining Examiners to conduct gas testing. Methane detectors orindicators shall be maintained in permissible condition.

C. Methane detectors or indicators shall be calibrated at least monthly inaccordance with manufacturers recommendations. A record of such calibrationshall be made in a book for this purpose kept at a surface location at themine and maintained for one year.

(Code 1950, §§ 45-32, 45-33, 45-60.4, 45-68.1, 45-69.7, 45-85.6; 1954, c.191; 1966, c. 594, §§ 45.1-35, 45.1-65; 1978, cc. 118, 120; 1994, c. 28;1996, c. 774; 1999, c. 256.)