reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
VA Code § 45.2-845 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 8 - Requirements Applicable to Underground Coal Mines; Electricity, Safety, Etc|§ 45.2-845. (Effective October 1, 2021) Worked-out areas

A. Every worked-out area shall be either sealed or ventilated.B. Where the practice is to seal worked-out areas, the sealing shall be done in accordance with sealing provisions of the approved bleeder plan.Code 1950, § 45-60.5; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, § 45.1-62; 1993, c. 442; 1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.228; 1996, c. 774; 1999, c. 256; 2005, c. 3; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-846 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 8 - Requirements Applicable to Underground Coal Mines; Electricity, Safety, Etc|§ 45.2-846. (Effective October 1, 2021) Air quality

A. All active workings shall be ventilated by a current of air containing at least 19.5 percent by volume of oxygen and no harmful amount of any noxious or poisonous gas.B. The volume and velocity of the current of air in all active workings shall be sufficient to dilute, render harmless, and carry away flammable, explosive, noxious, and harmful gases, dust, smoke, and explosive fumes.Code 1950, § 45-60.3; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, § 45.1-63; 1968, c. 310; 1993, c. 442; 1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.229; 1996, c. 774; 2005, c. 3; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-847 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 8 - Requirements Applicable to Underground Coal Mines; Electricity, Safety, Etc|§ 45.2-847. (Effective October 1, 2021) Examination of mine for explosive gas and other hazardous conditions

A. Every certified person whose regular duties require him to inspect working places in any mine for hazardous conditions shall have in his possession and shall use, when underground, a permissible methane detector or other permissible device capable of detecting methane and oxygen deficiency.B. A sufficient number of permissible methane detectors or other permissible devices capable of detecting methane shall be kept at each mine inby the last open crosscut. Every miner shall be trained in the operation of such devices. Every miner working inby the last open crosscut shall be certified by the Board of Coal Mining Examiners pursuant to § 45.2-520 to conduct gas testing.C. Every methane detector shall be maintained in permissible condition. Every methane detector shall be calibrated at least monthly in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. A record of such calibration shall be made in a book for this purpose kept at a surface location at the mine 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, § 45.1-161.231; 1996, c. 774; 1999, c. 256; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-848 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 8 - Requirements Applicable to Underground Coal Mines; Electricity, Safety, Etc|§ 45.2-848. (Effective October 1, 2021) Tampering with methane monitoring devices prohibited; penalty

A. No person shall intentionally disturb, disconnect, bypass, impair, or otherwise tamper with any methane monitor or other device that is capable of detecting the presence of explosive gas and is used in an underground coal mine. If such methane monitor or device is installed on a face cutting machine, a continuous miner, longwall face equipment, a loading machine, or other mechanized equipment used to extract or load coal, as required pursuant to 30 C.F.R. Part 75.342, and such monitor, device, or equipment malfunctions, it may be disconnected or bypassed for the purpose of removing it or the equipment in order to make necessary repairs to it or the equipment. Any methane monitor or device not otherwise required by law may be disconnected, bypassed, or removed.B. Violation of this section is a Class 6 felony.1993, c. 247, § 45.1-65.1; 1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.232; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-849 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 8 - Requirements Applicable to Underground Coal Mines; Electricity, Safety, Etc|§ 45.2-849. (Effective October 1, 2021) Allowing persons to work in mine where methane monitoring equipment disconnected; penalty

No operator, agent, or mine foreman shall knowingly permit any miner to work in any area of an underground coal mine where such operator, agent, or mine foreman has knowledge that a methane monitor or other device capable of detecting the presence of explosive gas has been impaired, disturbed, disconnected, or bypassed in violation of § 45.2-848. Violation of this section is a Class 6 felony.1993, c. 247, § 45.1-30.1; 1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.233; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-850 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 8 - Requirements Applicable to Underground Coal Mines; Electricity, Safety, Etc|§ 45.2-850. (Effective October 1, 2021) Intentionally bypassing a safety device; prohibition

A. No person shall intentionally bypass, bridge, or otherwise impair an electrical or hydraulic circuit that affects the safe operation of electrical or mechanical equipment.B. The provisions of subsection A shall not prohibit (i) a certified electrical repairman from bypassing an energized circuit for troubleshooting; (ii) an authorized person from performing repairs or maintenance on equipment once the power is off and the equipment is blocked against motion, except where motion is necessary to make adjustment or to move the equipment to a safe location; (iii) an authorized person from bypassing a hydraulic circuit for the purpose of troubleshooting or moving equipment to a safe location in order to make necessary repairs or take such equipment out of service; or (iv) an authorized person from activating an override feature that is designed by the machine manufacturer to allow such machine to be moved to a safe location in order to undergo necessary repairs or be taken out of service.2005, c. 3, § 45.1-161.233:1; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-851 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 8 - Requirements Applicable to Underground Coal Mines; Electricity, Safety, Etc|§ 45.2-851. (Effective October 1, 2021) Control of coal dust

A. Coal dust shall not be permitted to accumulate excessively in any part of the active areas, including any active workings that are soon to be worked-out.B. Where an underground mining operation creates or raises an excessive amount of coal dust into the air, any coal dust on the ribs, roof, or floor shall undergo an application of water or water with a wetting agent added to it or another effective method, approved by the Chief or his authorized representative, of controlling dust to reduce dispersibility and minimize the risk of explosion. Such application or method shall occur within 40 feet of any active workings or such other area as the Chief or his authorized representative requires.Code 1950, § 45-77.1; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, § 45.1-66; 1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.234; 1996, c. 774; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-852 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 8 - Requirements Applicable to Underground Coal Mines; Electricity, Safety, Etc|§ 45.2-852. (Effective October 1, 2021) Rock dusting

A. Every underground area of a mine, except an area in which the coal dust is too wet or too high in incombustible content to propagate an explosion, shall be rock-dusted to within 40 feet of every working face, unless such area is inaccessible or unsafe to enter or unless the Chief or his authorized representative permits an exception upon his finding that such exception does not pose a hazard to any miner. Every crosscut that is less than 40 feet from a working face shall also be rock-dusted.B. Every other area of a mine shall be rock-dusted if conditions are found by a proper inspection to be so dusty as to constitute a hazard. If such conditions are found to exist, the Chief or his authorized representative shall require the necessary rock dusting to make every such area of the mine safe.C. Coal dust, including float coal dust deposited on rock-dusted surfaces, loose coal, and other combustible material, shall be cleaned up and shall not be permitted to accumulate excessively in active workings or on electric equipment therein.Code 1950, § 45-77; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, § 45.1-67; 1978, c. 120; 1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.235; 1999, c. 256; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-853 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 8 - Requirements Applicable to Underground Coal Mines; Electricity, Safety, Etc|§ 45.2-853. (Effective October 1, 2021) Checking system; tracking system

A. Each mine shall have a personnel checking system that includes the following requirements:1. Every person underground shall have on his person a means of positive identification bearing a number recorded by the operator; and2. An accurate record of the persons in the mine shall be kept on the surface in a place that will not be affected by an explosion. Such record shall consist of a written record, check board, lamp check, or time-clock record and shall bear a number identical to that carried by the person underground.B. Any mine-wide tracking system shall be maintained in usable and operative condition.Code 1950, § 45-70; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, § 45.1-97; 1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.174; 2015, cc. 103, 397; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-854 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 8 - Requirements Applicable to Underground Coal Mines; Electricity, Safety, Etc|§ 45.2-854. (Effective October 1, 2021) Protective clothing

A. Every miner shall wear a protective hat while underground and while in any area on the surface where there is a danger of injury from falling objects.B. Every person assigned to or performing duties on the surface of an underground coal mine, or any person entering the underground portion of such mine, shall wear reflective materials adequate to make him visible from all sides. Such reflective material shall be placed on a hard hat and at least one other item of outer clothing such as a belt, suspenders, jacket, coat, coveralls, shirt, pants, or vest.C. Protective footwear shall be worn by each miner while on duty in or around a mine where falling objects may cause injury.D. Every employee inside or outside of a mine shall wear an approved type of goggles or shields where there is a hazard from flying particles.E. Every welder and helper shall use proper goggles or shields to protect his eyes.F. Any miner engaged in haulage operations or employed around moving equipment on the surface or underground shall wear snug-fitting clothing.G. Every employee shall wear gloves when handling material that may injure the hands or when handling energized cables. No gloves with gauntlet cuffs shall be worn around moving equipment.H. Any miner who may be exposed for short periods to hazards from inhalation of gas, dust, fumes, or mist shall wear approved respiratory equipment. When the exposure is for a prolonged period, adequate approved measures to protect such miner or to reduce the hazard shall be taken.Code 1950, § 45-86; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, § 45.1-99; 1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.175; 2005, c. 3; 2011, cc. 826, 862; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-855 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 8 - Requirements Applicable to Underground Coal Mines; Electricity, Safety, Etc|§ 45.2-855. (Effective October 1, 2021) Noise levels and ear protection

Each mine operator shall provide approved hearing protection to miners. Every miner shall wear approved hearing protection in any area of excess noise levels in accordance with the mine's hearing conservation program approved under 30 C.F.R. Part 62.1978, c. 729, § 45.1-99.1; 1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.176; 2005, c. 3; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-856 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 8 - Requirements Applicable to Underground Coal Mines; Electricity, Safety, Etc|§ 45.2-856. (Effective October 1, 2021) Smoking materials prohibited; penalty

A. No miner or other person shall smoke or carry or possess underground any smoker's articles or any match, lighter, or similar material generally used for igniting smoker's articles. Violation of this subsection is a Class 6 felony.B. Each operator shall institute a smoker search program, approved by the Chief, to ensure that no person entering the underground area of the mine carries any smoking material, match, or lighter.C. Any person entering or present in any underground area of a coal mine shall, by his entry into such underground area of the mine, be subject to a search of his person, including any personal property that is in any underground area of the mine at any time he is underground. Such search shall be conducted at the direction of the Chief by employees of the Department. It shall be limited in scope to the person and property of the person present underground at the time of the search and shall be for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this section.D. This section shall not prohibit the possession of equipment used solely for the operation of a flame safety lamp or for welding or cutting.1993, c. 389, § 45.1-98.1; 1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.177; 1995, c. 569; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-857 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 8 - Requirements Applicable to Underground Coal Mines; Electricity, Safety, Etc|§ 45.2-857. (Effective October 1, 2021) Allowing persons to work in a mine with smoker's articles; penalty

A. No operator, agent, or mine foreman shall knowingly permit any person in an underground coal mine to smoke, carry, or possess any smoker's articles or materials used for igniting smoker's articles.B. Violation of this section is a Class 6 felony.1993, c. 389, § 45.1-98.3; 1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.178 ;2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-858 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 8 - Requirements Applicable to Underground Coal Mines; Electricity, Safety, Etc|§ 45.2-858. (Effective October 1, 2021) Posting of notice

A. The operator or his agent shall display, in bold-faced type, on a sign placed at the mine office, bath house, and on a bulletin board at the mine site, the following notice:NOTICE:IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR A MINER OR OTHER PERSON IN AN UNDERGROUND COAL MINE TO SMOKE OR CARRY OR POSSESS UNDERGROUND ANY SMOKER'S ARTICLES OR MATCHES, LIGHTERS, OR SIMILAR MATERIALS GENERALLY USED FOR IGNITING SMOKER'S ARTICLES. A VIOLATION IS PUNISHABLE AS A CLASS 6 FELONY. ANY PERSON ENTERING OR PRESENT IN THE UNDERGROUND AREA OF ANY COAL MINE IS SUBJECT TO A SEARCH OF HIS PERSON AND PROPERTY BY OFFICIALS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MINES, MINERALS AND ENERGY FOR SUCH PROHIBITED SMOKER MATERIALS AT ANY TIME WHILE UNDERGROUND.B. Beginning October 1, 2021, every new sign displayed in accordance with this section shall refer to the Department of Energy rather than to the Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy.1993, c. 389, § 45.1-98.2; 1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.179; 1995, c. 569; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 387, 532.
VA Code § 45.2-859 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 8 - Requirements Applicable to Underground Coal Mines; Electricity, Safety, Etc|§ 45.2-859. (Effective October 1, 2021) Smoking in surface and other areas

A. No miner or other person shall smoke, carry, or possess any smoker's articles, or carry an open flame, in or near any magazine for the storage of explosive materials.B. No miner or other person shall smoke in or around any oil house, tipple, or other surface area where such practice may cause a fire or explosion.Code 1950, §§ 45-53.2, 45-85.9; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, §§ 45.1-39, 45.1-44; 1978, c. 729; 1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.180; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-860 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 8 - Requirements Applicable to Underground Coal Mines; Electricity, Safety, Etc|§ 45.2-860. (Effective October 1, 2021) Portable illumination

A. For portable illumination underground, every miner shall use a permissible electric cap lamp that is worn on the person. Such requirement shall not preclude the use of any other type of permissible electric lamp, permissible flashlight, permissible safety lamp, or other permissible portable illumination device.B. Any light bulb on an extension cable shall be guarded adequately.Code 1950, § 45-33; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, §§ 45.1-20, 45.1-96; 1978, c. 120; 1982, c. 385; 1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.171; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-861 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 8 - Requirements Applicable to Underground Coal Mines; Electricity, Safety, Etc|§ 45.2-861. (Effective October 1, 2021) First aid equipment

Each mine shall have adequate supplies of first aid equipment as determined by the Chief. Such supplies shall be located on the surface, at the bottom of each shaft and slope, and at other strategic locations near the working faces, as the Chief prescribes. Such first aid supplies shall be encased in suitable sanitary receptacles designed to be reasonably dust-tight and moisture-proof. Such supplies shall be available for use of any person employed in the mine. No first aid material shall be removed or diverted without authorization except in case of injury at the mine.Code 1950, § 45-69.6; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, § 45.1-101; 1978, c. 94; 1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.197; 1999, c. 256; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-862 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 8 - Requirements Applicable to Underground Coal Mines; Electricity, Safety, Etc|§ 45.2-862. (Effective October 1, 2021) Attention to injured persons

A. When an injury occurs underground, the injured person shall be brought promptly to the surface. Prompt medical attention shall be provided in the event of injury, and adequate facilities shall be made available for transporting such injured person to a hospital if necessary.B. Safe transportation shall be provided to carry an injured person from the site where the injury occurred to the surface of the mine.C. The operator of each mine shall post directional signs that are conspicuously located to identify the routes of ingress to and egress from any mine located off of a public road.Code 1950, § 45-69.6; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, § 45.1-101; 1978, c. 94; 1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.198; 2005, c. 3; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-863 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 8 - Requirements Applicable to Underground Coal Mines; Electricity, Safety, Etc|§ 45.2-863. (Effective October 1, 2021) Certified emergency medical services providers

A. At each mine, the mine operator shall station at least one person who is a working coal miner and who holds a valid certificate as an emergency medical services provider issued pursuant to § 32.1-111.5 so as to make such person available for duty during any time when miners are working at such mine. Such operator shall utilize enough such providers to assure that workers in any mine location can be reached by a provider within a reasonable time as determined by the Chief. Each provider shall have available to him at all times the necessary equipment, as specified by the Chief, for prompt response to emergencies. Telephone facilities or their equivalent shall be installed to provide two-way voice communication between such provider and medical personnel outside the mine.B. If an insufficient number of qualified miners at a particular mine volunteer to serve as providers pursuant to this section, the operator may utilize the services of first aid trainees, in such numbers as the Chief determines to be appropriate.1977, c. 679, § 45.1-101.1; 1978, c. 94; 1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.199; 2015, cc. 502, 503; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-900 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 9 - Requirements Applicable to Surface Coal Mines|§ 45.2-900. (Effective October 1, 2021) Scope of chapter

This chapter applies to the operation of any surface coal mine in the Commonwealth and supplements the provisions of Chapter 5 (§ 45.2-500 et seq.).1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.253; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-901 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 9 - Requirements Applicable to Surface Coal Mines|§ 45.2-901. (Effective October 1, 2021) Regulations governing conditions and practices at surface coal mines

A. The Chief may, after consultation with the Virginia Coal Mine Safety Board and in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.), adopt regulations necessary to ensure safe and healthy working conditions in surface coal mines in the Commonwealth. Such regulations governing surface coal mines shall relate to:1. Safety and health standards for the protection of the life, health, and property of, and the prevention of injuries to, persons involved in or likely to be affected by any surface coal mining. Such regulations shall include standards for the control of dust concentration levels; the installation, maintenance, and use of electrical devices, equipment, cables, and wires; fire protection; the use and storage of explosives; hoistings; drilling; loading and haulage areas; the training of surface miners; the preparation of responses to emergencies; examinations of conditions at a surface mine site; and reporting requirements;2. The storage or disposal of any matter or material that is (i) extracted or disturbed as the result of a surface coal mining operation or (ii) used in the surface coal mining operation or for the refinement or preparation of the material that is extracted from the surface coal mining operation, so that such matter or material does not threaten the health, safety, or property of miners or the general public; and3. The operation, inspection, operating condition, and movement of drilling equipment and machines to protect the health, safety, and property of miners and the general public.B. The Chief shall adopt no regulation establishing a requirement for the operation of, or for conditions at, a surface coal mine that is inconsistent with any requirement established by the Act.Code 1950, §§ 45-8, 45-84; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, § 45.1-104; 1972, c. 784; 1974, c. 323; 1975, c. 520; 1978, c. 120; 1982, c. 118; 1990, c. 963; 1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.254; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-902 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 9 - Requirements Applicable to Surface Coal Mines|§ 45.2-902. (Effective October 1, 2021) Standards for regulations

In adopting regulations pursuant to § 45.2-901, the Chief shall consider:1. Standards utilized and generally recognized by the surface coal mining industry;2. Standards established by recognized professional coal mining organizations and groups;3. Standards established by federal mine safety laws;4. Research, demonstrations, experiments, and such other information that is available regarding the maintenance of the highest degree of safety protection, including the latest available scientific data in the field, the technical feasibility of the standards, and the experience gained under the Act and other mine safety laws; and5. Such other criteria necessary for the protection of the safety and health of miners and other persons or property likely to be affected by surface coal mines or related operations.Code 1950, §§ 45-8, 45-84; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, § 45.1-104; 1972, c. 784; 1974, c. 323; 1975, c. 520; 1978, c. 120; 1982, c. 118; 1990, c. 963; 1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.255; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.