45.1-161.256 - Safety examinations.
§ 45.1-161.256. Safety examinations.
A. On-shift examinations of the work area including pit, auger, thin seam andhighwall operations shall be conducted by certified persons once everyproduction shift and at such other times or frequency as the Chief designatesnecessary for hazardous conditions.
B. Pre-operational examinations of all mobile equipment shall be conducted byan authorized person.
C. Pre-shift examinations shall be conducted by a certified person forcertain hazardous conditions designated by the Chief.
D. Mine refuse piles shall be examined daily by an authorized person on anyday on which a person works at such location.
E. The location of all natural gas pipelines on permitted surface mine areasshall be identified and conspicuously marked so that equipment operators canreadily see such lines. Pre-shift examinations shall be conducted of thelocation of pipelines whenever the work area approaches within 500 feetunless otherwise approved by the Chief.
F. Air quality examinations shall be conducted by a certified person when asurface coal mining operation intersects an underground mine, auger hole orother underground workings.
G. Examinations for methane shall be conducted in surface installations,enclosures or other facilities in which coal is handled or stored once eachproduction shift. Such areas shall also be tested for methane before anyactivity involving welding, cutting or an open flame. Examinations pursuantto this subsection shall be made by an authorized person certified to makegas tests.
H. Electrical equipment and wiring shall be inspected as often as necessarybut at least once a month.
I. Fire extinguishers shall be examined at least once every six months.
J. Areas of inactive surface coal mines shall be examined for hazardousconditions by a mine foreman immediately before miners are permitted to enterinto such areas to take emergency actions to preserve a mine.
(Code 1950, §§ 45-32, 45-33, 45-60.4, 45-61, 45-68.1, 45-69.7; 1954, c. 191;1966, c. 594, §§ 45.1-20, 45.1-42, 45.1-65; 1976, c. 598; 1978, cc. 118, 120;1982, c. 385; 1994, c. 28; 1996, c. 774; 1999, c. 256; 2005, c. 3.)