reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
WV Code § 22A-6-12 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 22A. Miners' Health, Safety and Training|Article 6. Board of Coal Mine Health and Safety|§22A-6-12. Study of Whistleblower Protections

Study of whistleblower protections. -- The Board of Coal Mine Health and Safety is directed to conduct a study of the need to expand protections for whistleblowers and other miners who refuse to work in situations they perceive as unsafe in underground mines. The board shall study the benefits and appropriateness of requiring additional protections that will encourage miners to withdrawal from and report unsafe working conditions. The board shall investigate whether any pattern of retribution exists against these persons and, if so, make recommendations to the Legislature regarding implementing additional protections. The board shall report to the Legislature's Joint Committee on Government and Finance by December 31, 2011, with recommendations regarding whether it is appropriate to implement any additional protections.
WV Code § 22A-6-13 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 22A. Miners' Health, Safety and Training|Article 6. Board of Coal Mine Health and Safety|§22A-6-13. Study of Ingress and Egress to Bleeder and Gob Areas of Longwall Panels and Pillar Sections

The Board of Coal Mine Health and Safety is directed to study the safety of working or traveling in bleeder or gob areas of a longwall panel or pillar section of a mine where only one travelable entry in and out of the area exists. The study shall consider what additional roof control or other measures, if any, should be implemented to ensure that underground miners who work or travel in bleeder or gob areas of a longwall panel or pillar section having only one travelable entry in and out of the areas are at least as safe as miners working in comparable areas with multiple travelable entries in and out of the areas. By December 31, 2012, the board shall report to the Legislature's Joint Committee on Government and Finance with recommendations regarding implementation of the findings of this study.
WV Code § 22A-6-14 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 22A. Miners' Health, Safety and Training|Article 6. Board of Coal Mine Health and Safety|§22A-6-14. Study of Mandatory Substance Abuse Program

The Board of Coal Mine Health and Safety is directed to study the mandatory substance abuse screening policy and program requirements of article one-a of this chapter and make recommendations to the director regarding: (a) Establishment of guidelines to be employed by the Board of Appeals when administering disciplinary actions to certified persons pursuant to article one-a of this chapter; (b) requiring certification by the Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training of persons who regularly work at mines who are not presently required to obtain certification; and (c) establishment of additional minimum requirements, parameters, methodologies and protocols to be integrated into the substance abuse screening policy and program requirements of article one-a of this chapter. By August 31, 2012, the board shall submit its report to the director. The director is authorized to propose for legislative promulgation, legislative rules pursuant to article three, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code regarding the implementation of the findings of this study. These rules shall be initially promulgated as emergency rules by the director pursuant to the provisions of section fifteen, article three, chapter twenty-nine-a of the code by December 31, 2012, and shall include the establishment of certification requirements recommended by the board for persons who regularly work at mines that are not presently required to obtain certification and establishment of guidelines to be employed by the Board of Appeals when administering disciplinary actions to certified persons pursuant to article one-a of this chapter.
WV Code § 22A-7-1 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 22A. Miners' Health, Safety and Training|Article 7. Board of Miner Training, Education and Certification|§22A-7-1. Short Title

This article shall be cited as the West Virginia Miner Training, Education and Certification Act.
WV Code § 22A-7-2 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 22A. Miners' Health, Safety and Training|Article 7. Board of Miner Training, Education and Certification|§22A-7-2. Board of Miner Training, Education and Certification Abolished and Duties Imposed Upon the Board of Coal Mine Health and Safety

The Legislature hereby finds and declares that:(a) The continued prosperity of the coal industry is of primary importance to the State of West Virginia;(b) The highest priority and concern of this Legislature and all in the coal mining industry must be the health and safety of the industry’s most valuable resource - the miner;(c) A high priority must also be given to increasing the productivity and competitiveness of the mines in this State;(d) An inordinate number of miners, working on both the surface in surface mining and in and at underground mines, are injured during the first few months of their experience in a mine;(e) These injuries result in the loss of life and serious injury to miners and are an impediment to the future growth of West Virginia’s coal industry;(f) Injuries can be avoided through proper miner training, education and certification;(g) Mining is a technical occupation with various specialties requiring individualized training and education; and(h) It is the general purpose of this article to:(1) Require adequate training, education and meaningful certification of all persons employed in coal mines;(2) Require certain training and education of all prospective miners and miners certified by the state; (3) Authorize a stipend for prospective miners enrolled in this State’s miner training, education and certification program;(4) Direct the Director of the Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training to apply and implement the standards set by the Board of Coal Mine Health and Safety by establishing programs for miner and prospective miner education and training; and(5) Provide for a program of continuing miner education for all categories of certified miners.
WV Code § 22A-7-3 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 22A. Miners' Health, Safety and Training|Article 7. Board of Miner Training, Education and Certification|§22A-7-3. Definitions

Unless the context in which a word or phrase appears clearly requires a different meaning, the words defined in section two, article one of this chapter have when used in this article the meaning therein assigned to them. These words include, but are not limited to, the following: Office, director, mine inspector, operator, miner, shotfirer and certified electrician.“Board” means the Board of Coal Mine Health and Safety established by section four of this article.“Mine” means any mine, including a “surface mine,” as that term is defined in section three, article three, chapter twenty-two of this code, and in section two, article four of said chapter; and a “mine” as that term is defined in section two, article one of this chapter.
WV Code § 22A-7-5a (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 22A. Miners' Health, Safety and Training|Article 7. Board of Miner Training, Education and Certification|§22A-7-5a. Study of Miner Training and Education

The Board of Coal Mine Health and Safety is directed to conduct a study of the overall program of education, training and examination associated with the various miner specialties requiring certification under this article or any other provision of this code. The study shall identify ways to enhance miner education and training to adequately reflect technological advances in coal mining techniques and best practices used in modern coal mines, and improve supervision of apprentice miners. Furthermore, the board shall place particular emphasis in its study on ways to improve education and training in the areas of proper mine ventilation, methane monitoring and equipment deenergization, fire-boss procedures and overall core mining competencies.
WV Code § 22A-7-6 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 22A. Miners' Health, Safety and Training|Article 7. Board of Miner Training, Education and Certification|§22A-7-6. Duties of the Director and Office

The director shall propose rules for legislative approval, pursuant to chapter twenty-nine-a of this code, that are necessary to establish a program to implement the provisions of this article. Such program shall include, but not be limited to, implementation of a program of instruction in each of the miner occupational specialties and the conduct of examinations to test each applicant's knowledge and understanding of the training and instruction which he or she is required to have prior to the receipt of a certificate.The director is authorized and directed to utilize state mine inspectors, mine safety instructors, the state mine foreman examiner, private and public institutions of education and such other persons as may be available in implementing the program of instruction and examinations.The director may, at any time, make such recommendations to the board as he or she may deem appropriate.The director shall supply any information upon request of the board as long as the information is not in violation of any other laws.The director is authorized and directed to utilize such state and federal moneys and personnel as may be available to the office for educational and training purposes in the implementation of the provisions of this article.
WV Code § 22A-8-1 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 22A. Miners' Health, Safety and Training|Article 8. Certification of Underground and Surface Coal Miners|§22A-8-1. Certificate of Competency and Qualification or Permit of Apprenticeship Required of All Surface and Underground Miners

Except as hereinafter provided, no person shall work or be employed for the purpose of performing normal duties as a surface or underground miner in any mine in this state unless the person holds at the time he or she performs such duties a certificate of competency and qualification or a permit of apprenticeship issued under the provisions of this article.
WV Code § 22A-8-2 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 22A. Miners' Health, Safety and Training|Article 8. Certification of Underground and Surface Coal Miners|§22A-8-2. Definitions

For purposes of this article the term "surface miner" means a person employed at a "surface mine", as that term is defined in section three, article three, chapter twenty-two of this code, and in section two, article four of said chapter.For purposes of this article, the term "underground miner" means an underground worker in a bituminous coal mine, except as hereinafter provided.For purposes of this article, the term "Board of Miner Training, Education and Certification" means that board established in article seven of this chapter.
WV Code § 22A-8-3 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 22A. Miners' Health, Safety and Training|Article 8. Certification of Underground and Surface Coal Miners|§22A-8-3. Permit of Apprenticeship-Underground Miner

A permit of apprenticeship-underground miner shall be issued by the director to any person who has demonstrated by examination a knowledge of the subjects and skills pertaining to employment in underground mines, including, but not limited to, general safety, first aid, miner and operator rights and responsibilities, general principles of electricity, general mining hazards, roof control, ventilation, mine health and sanitation, mine mapping, state and federal mining laws and regulations and such other subjects as may be required by the board of miner training, education and certification: Provided, That each applicant for said permit shall complete a program of education and training of at least eighty hours, which shall be determined by the Board of Miner Training, Education and Certification and provided for and implemented by the director: Provided, however, That if a sufficient number of qualified applicants having successfully completed the state training program provided by the Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training are not available, the operator may request approval from the director to conduct the operator's own preemployment training program so long as such training adequately covers the minimum criteria determined by the board and such trainees shall be eligible for the same certification as provided for trainees undergoing training provided by the state.
WV Code § 22A-8-4 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 22A. Miners' Health, Safety and Training|Article 8. Certification of Underground and Surface Coal Miners|§22A-8-4. Permit of Apprenticeship-Surface Miner

A permit of apprenticeship-surface miner shall be issued by the director to any person who has demonstrated by examination a knowledge of the subjects and skills pertaining to employment in the surface mining industry, including, but not limited to, general safety, first aid, miner and operator rights and responsibilities, general principles of electricity, health and sanitation, heavy equipment safety, high walls and spoil banks, haulage, welding safety, tipple safety, state and federal mining laws and regulations and such other subjects as may be required by the board of miner training, education and certification: Provided, That each applicant for said permit shall complete a program of education and training of at least forty hours, which program shall be determined by the Board of Miner Training, Education and Certification and provided for and implemented by the director: Provided, however, That if a sufficient number of qualified applicants having successfully completed the state training provided by the Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training are not available, the operator may request approval from the director to conduct the operator's own preemployment training program so long as such training adequately covers the minimum criteria determined by the board and such trainees shall be eligible for the same certification as provided for trainees undergoing training provided by the state.
WV Code § 22A-8-5 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 22A. Miners' Health, Safety and Training|Article 8. Certification of Underground and Surface Coal Miners|§22A-8-5. Supervision of Apprentices

Each holder of a permit of apprenticeship shall be known as an apprentice. Any miner holding a certificate of competency and qualification may have one person working with him or her, and under his or her supervision and direction, as an apprentice, for the purpose of learning and being instructed in the duties and calling of mining. Any mine foreman or fire boss, or assistant mine foreman or fire boss, may have three persons working with him or her under his or her supervision and direction, as apprentices, for the purpose of learning and being instructed in the duties and calling of mining: Provided, That a mine foreman, assistant mine foreman, or fire boss supervising apprentices in an area where no coal is being produced or which is outby the working section may have as many as five apprentices under his or her supervision and direction, as apprentices, for the purpose of learning and being instructed in the duties and calling of mining or where the operator is using a production section under program for training of apprentice miners, approved by the Board of Coal Mine Health and Safety.Every apprentice working at a surface mine shall be at all times under the supervision and control of at least one person who holds a certificate of competency and qualification.In all cases, it is the duty of every mine operator who employs apprentices to ensure that such persons are effectively supervised and to instruct such persons in safe mining practices. Each apprentice shall wear a red hat which identifies the apprentice as such while employed at or near a mine. No person shall be employed as an apprentice for a period in excess of eight months, except that in the event of illness or injury, time extensions shall be permitted as established by the Director of the Office of Miners" Health, Safety, and Training.
WV Code § 22A-8-6 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 22A. Miners' Health, Safety and Training|Article 8. Certification of Underground and Surface Coal Miners|§22A-8-6. Certificate of Competency and Qualification -- Underground or Surface Miner

A certificate of competency and qualification as an underground miner or as surface miner shall be issued by the director to any person who has at least six months' total experience as an apprentice and demonstrated his or her competence as a miner by successful completion of an examination given by the director or his or her representative in a manner and place to be determined by the Board of Miner Training, Education and Ccertification: Provided, That all examinations shall be conducted in the English language and shall be of a practical nature, so as to determine the competency and qualifications of the applicant to engage in the mining of coal with reasonable safety to the applicant and fellow employees: Provided, however, That notice of the time and place of such examination shall be given to management at the mine, to the local union thereat if there is a local union, and notice shall also be posted at the place or places in the vicinity of the mine where notices to employees are ordinarily posted. Examinations shall also be held at such times and places, and after such notice, as the board finds necessary to enable all applicants for certificates to have an opportunity to qualify for certification.
WV Code § 22A-8-7 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 22A. Miners' Health, Safety and Training|Article 8. Certification of Underground and Surface Coal Miners|§22A-8-7. Refusal to Issue Certificate; Appeal

If the director or the director's representative finds that an applicant is not qualified and competent, the director shall so notify the applicant not more than ten days after the date of examination.Any applicant aggrieved by an action of the director in failing or refusing to issue a certificate of qualification and competency may, within ten days' notice of the action complained of, appeal to the director who shall promptly give the applicant a hearing and either affirm the action or take such action as should have been taken.
WV Code § 22A-8-8 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 22A. Miners' Health, Safety and Training|Article 8. Certification of Underground and Surface Coal Miners|§22A-8-8. Limitations of Article

All persons possessing certificates of qualification heretofore issued by the Department of Mines of this state, or by the Division of Mines and Minerals, or hereafter by the Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training entitling them to act as mine foreman-fire bosses, or assistant mine foreman-fire bosses, are eligible to engage at any time as miners in the mines of this state. Supervisory and technically trained employees of the operator, whose work contributes only indirectly to mine operations, are not required to possess a miners' certificate.Notwithstanding the provisions of this article, every person working as a surface miner in this state on or before July 1, 1974, shall, upon application to the director, be issued a certificate of competency and qualification.
WV Code § 22A-8-9 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 22A. Miners' Health, Safety and Training|Article 8. Certification of Underground and Surface Coal Miners|§22A-8-9. Violations; Penalties

Any person who knowingly works in or at a mine without a certificate issued under the provision of this article, any person who knowingly employs an uncertified miner to work in or at a coal mine in this state, or, any operator who fails to insure the supervision of miners holding a certificate of apprenticeship as provided for in section five of this article, is guilty of a misdemeano, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than $50 nor more than $500.
WV Code § 22A-8-10 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 22A. Miners' Health, Safety and Training|Article 8. Certification of Underground and Surface Coal Miners|§22A-8-10. Loss of Certification for Unlawful Trespass

Upon a conviction under the provisions of §61-3B-6 of this code, the certification of any person certified under the provision of §22A-8-1 et seq. of this code, including a safety sensitive certification issued pursuant to 56 CSR 19, shall be deemed revoked and person shall be permanently barred from holding a certification under the provisions of §22A-8-1 et seq. of this code.
WV Code § 22A-10-1 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 22A. Miners' Health, Safety and Training|Article 10. Emergency Medical Personnel|§22A-10-1. Emergency Personnel in Coal Mines

(a) Emergency medical services personnel must be employed on each shift at every mine that:(1) Employs more than ten employees; and(2) Has more than eight persons present on the shift.(b) The emergency medical services personnel must be employed at their regular duties at a central location or, when more than one person is required pursuant to the provisions of subsection (d) of this section, at a location which provides for convenient, quick response to an emergency. The emergency medical services personnel must have available to them at all times such equipment prescribed by the Director of the Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training, in consultation with the Commissioner of the Bureau for Public Health.(c) "Emergency medical services personnel" means any person certified by the Commissioner of the Bureau for Public Health, or authorities recognized and approved by the commissioner, to provide emergency medical services as authorized in article four-c, chapter sixteen of this code, including emergency medical technician- -industrial.(d) At least one emergency medical services personnel shall be employed at a mine for every fifty employees or any part thereof who are engaged at any time, in the extraction, production or preparation of coal.(e) Commencing July 1, 2014, the certification for emergency medical technician-miner, also known as emergency medical technician-mining, shall be known as the certification for emergency medical technician-industrial, and the certification is valid until the original expiration date, at which time the person may recertify as an emergency medical technician-industrial pursuant to section six-c, article four-c, chapter sixteen of this code.(f) A person wanting to be certified or recertified as an emergency medical technician-industrial must comply with the provisions of section six-c, article four-c, chapter sixteen of this code.
WV Code § 22A-10-2 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 22A. Miners' Health, Safety and Training|Article 10. Emergency Medical Personnel|§22A-10-2. First-Aid Training of Coal Mine Employees

Each coal mine operator shall provide every new employee within six months of the date of employment with the opportunity for first-aid training as prescribed by the Director of the Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training unless such employee has previously received such training. Each coal mine employee shall be required to take refresher first-aid training of not less than five hours within each twenty-four months of employment. The employee shall be paid regular wages, or overtime pay if applicable, for all periods of first-aid training.