reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
VA Code § 45.2-556 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 5 - Coal Mine Safety Act|§ 45.2-556. (Effective October 1, 2021) Operators' reports of accidents; investigations; reports by Department

A. Each operator shall report promptly to the Department the occurrence at any mine of any accident. The scene of the accident shall not be disturbed pending an investigation, except to the extent necessary to rescue or recover a person, prevent or eliminate an imminent danger, prevent destruction of mining equipment, or prevent suspension of use of a slope, entry, or facility vital to the operation of a section or a mine. In a case in which reasonable doubt exists as to whether to leave the scene unchanged, the operator shall secure prior approval from the Department before any changes are made.B. The Chief shall go personally or dispatch one or more mine inspectors to the scene of such a coal mine accident, investigate causes, and issue such orders as may be needed to ensure safety of other persons.C. Representatives of the operator shall render assistance as needed and act in a consulting capacity in the investigation. An employee, if so designated by the employees of the mine, shall be notified and as many as three employees, if so designated as representatives of the employees, may be present at the investigation in a consulting capacity.D. The Chief shall require substance abuse testing as part of an inspection or complaint investigation if there is reasonable cause to suspect a miner's impairment, due to the presence of intoxicants or any controlled substance not used in accordance with the prescription of a licensed prescriber, has been a contributing factor to any accident in which a serious personal injury or death has occurred at a mine. The Chief shall require substance abuse testing of any miner killed or seriously injured and of any other person who might have contributed to the accident. Any substance abuse testing required by the Chief shall be paid for by the Department. Refusal by any miner to submit to substance abuse testing, or the failure to pass such a test, shall result in the immediate temporary suspension of all certificates held by the miner, pending a hearing before the Board of Coal Mining Examiners.E. The Department shall render a complete report of circumstances and causes of each accident investigated and make recommendations for the prevention of similar accidents. The Department shall furnish one copy of the report to the operator and one copy to an employee representative if one was present at the investigation. The Chief shall maintain a complete file of all accident reports for coal mines and provide further dissemination as ordered by the Director in an effort to prevent mine accidents.Code 1950, §§ 45-7, 45-12, 45-68.4, 45-69, 45-73, 45-75, 45-78, 45-79, 45-81, 45-83; 1950, p. 156; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, § 45.1-21; 1976, c. 598; 1978, cc. 222, 489; 1982, c. 255; 1984, cc. 178, 590; 1988, c. 577; 1993, cc. 171, 442; 1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.78; 1997, c. 390; 1999, c. 256; 2007, cc. 894, 914; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-557 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 5 - Coal Mine Safety Act|§ 45.2-557. (Effective October 1, 2021) Reports of other accidents and injuries

A. Each miner employed at a mine shall promptly notify his supervisor of any injury received during the course of his employment.B. Each operator shall keep on file a report of each accident, including any accident that does not result in a lost-time injury. Copies of an accident report shall be given to the person injured or to his designated representative to review such report and verify its accuracy prior to filing it for review by state or federal mine inspectors.Code 1950, §§ 45-7, 45-12, 45-68.4, 45-69, 45-73, 45-75, 45-78, 45-79, 45-81, 45-83; 1950, p. 156; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, § 45.1-21; 1976, c. 598; 1978, cc. 222, 489; 1982, c. 255; 1984, cc. 178, 590; 1988, c. 577; 1993, cc. 171, 442; 1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.79; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-558 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 5 - Coal Mine Safety Act|§ 45.2-558. (Effective October 1, 2021) Duties of mine inspectors

Each mine inspector shall:1. Report to his supervisor immediately by the quickest available means any mine fire or explosion or any accident that results in loss of life or serious personal injury;2. Proceed immediately to the scene of any accident at any mine under his jurisdiction that results in loss of life or serious personal injury and to the scene of any mine fire or explosion regardless of whether there is loss of life or serious personal injury;3. Make such investigation and suggestions and render such assistance as he deems necessary for the future safety of the employees and make a complete report to his supervisor as soon as practicable;4. Provide assistance to mine rescue and recovery operations whenever a mine fire or explosion or any accident that results in loss of life or serious personal injury occurs; and5. Monitor the reopening of every mine or section thereof that has been sealed or abandoned on account of mine fire or explosion, serious accident, or any other cause in accordance with a plan approved by the Chief.Code 1950, §§ 45-4.1, 45-7, 45-9, 45-12, 45-68.4, 45-69, 45-73, 45-74, 45-75, 45-78, 45-79, 45-81, 45-83; 1950, p. 156; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, §§ 45.1-5, 45.1-21; 1976, c. 598; 1978, cc. 120, 222, 489; 1982, c. 255; 1984, cc. 178, 236, 590; 1985, c. 448; 1987, c. 470; 1988, c. 577; 1990, c. 963; 1993, cc. 171, 442; 1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.80; 1996, c. 774; 1999, c. 256; 2005, c. 3; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-559 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 5 - Coal Mine Safety Act|§ 45.2-559. (Effective October 1, 2021) Frequency of mine inspections

The Chief shall conduct a complete inspection of each underground coal mine at least every 180 days and of each surface coal mine at least once per year. Additional inspections of coal mines shall be made when deemed appropriate by the Chief based on an evaluation of risks at each mine or if requested by miners employed at a mine or the operator of a mine.Code 1950, §§ 45-4.1, 45-9, 45-12, 45-74; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, § 45.1-5; 1976, c. 598; 1978, c. 120; 1984, c. 236; 1985, c. 448; 1987, c. 470; 1990, c. 963; 1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.81; 1997, c. 390; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-560 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 5 - Coal Mine Safety Act|§ 45.2-560. (Effective October 1, 2021) Evaluation of risks at mines

A. For the purpose of allocating the resources of the Department to be used for conducting additional inspections, the Department shall develop a procedural policy of scheduling such inspections based on an assessment, to be made at least annually, of the comparative risks at each underground coal mine and surface coal mine. The Department shall prepare its procedural policy with the assistance of working groups consisting of persons knowledgeable in mine safety issues. The issuance of the procedural policy shall be exempt from Article 2 (§ 2.2-4006 et seq.) of the Administrative Process Act. Variables that shall be included in the risk assessment measures include: (i) fatality and serious accident rates at the mine; (ii) the rates of issuance of closure orders and notices of violations of the mine safety laws of the Commonwealth, including regulations adopted by the Department or the Board of Coal Mining Examiners, at the mine; and (iii) the frequency rates for nonserious accidents or nonfatal days lost.B. The Chief shall schedule additional inspections at underground coal mines and surface coal mines based on the rating assigned to a mine reflecting the assessment of its risks compared to other such mines pursuant to the assessment described in subsection A.1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.82; 1997, c. 390; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-561 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 5 - Coal Mine Safety Act|§ 45.2-561. (Effective October 1, 2021) Review of inspection reports and records

Prior to commencing an inspection of a coal mine, a mine inspector shall review the most recent available report of inspection by MSHA. During the course of a complete inspection of a coal mine, the mine inspector shall comprehensively review the records for the 30-day period preceding the inspection of pre-shift examinations, on-shift exams, daily inspections, and weekly examinations that are required to be maintained pursuant to the Act. The mine inspector may review the records for such additional period as he deems prudent. During the course of the inspection, the inspector shall review other records relating to safety and health conditions in the mine that are required to be maintained pursuant to the Act.1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.83; 1997, c. 390; 1999, c. 256; 2005, c. 3; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-562 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 5 - Coal Mine Safety Act|§ 45.2-562. (Effective October 1, 2021) Advance notice of inspections; confidentiality of trade secrets

A. No person shall give advance notice of any mine inspection conducted under the provisions of this title without authorization from the Chief or the Director.B. All information reported to or otherwise obtained by the Chief or the Director or his authorized representative in connection with any inspection or proceeding under this title that contains or might reveal a trade secret referred to in 18 U.S.C. § 1905 shall be considered confidential for the purpose of that section, except that such information may be disclosed to the Chief or the Director or his authorized representative concerned with carrying out any provisions of this title or any proceeding hereunder. In any such proceeding, the court, the Chief, or the Director shall issue such orders as may be appropriate to protect the confidentiality of trade secrets.1973, c. 425, § 40.1-51.3:1 ; 1976, c. 607, § 40.1-51.4:1 ; 1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.84; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-563 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 5 - Coal Mine Safety Act|§ 45.2-563. (Effective October 1, 2021) Scheduling of mine inspections

A. The Chief and the Director shall schedule the inspections of mines under this article, to the extent deemed reasonable and prudent, in order to reduce their chronological proximity to inspections conducted by MSHA.B. The Chief, the Director, and each mine inspector, to the extent deemed reasonable and prudent, shall schedule mine inspections to commence at a variety of hours of the day and days of the week, including evening and night shifts, weekends, and holidays.1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.85; 2011, cc. 826, 862; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-564 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 5 - Coal Mine Safety Act|§ 45.2-564. (Effective October 1, 2021) Denial of entry

No person shall deny the Chief, the Director, or any mine inspector entry upon or through (i) a mine for the purpose of conducting an inspection or (ii) any office at the site where maps or records relating to the mine are located, in accordance with the Act.Code 1950, § 45-17; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, § 45.1-105; 1975, c. 520; 1978, c. 118; 1980, c. 388; 1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.86; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-566 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 5 - Coal Mine Safety Act|§ 45.2-566. (Effective October 1, 2021) Duties of inspectors

A. During a complete inspection of a mine, other than an inactive mine, the mine inspector shall inspect, where applicable, the surface plant; all active workings; all active travel ways; entrances to inaccessible worked-out areas; accessible worked-out areas; at least one entry of each intake and return airway in its entirety; escapeways and other places where miners work or travel or where hazardous conditions might exist; electric installations and equipment; haulage facilities; first aid equipment; ventilation facilities; communication installations; roof and rib conditions; roof-support practices; blasting practices; haulage practices and equipment; and any other condition, practice, or equipment pertaining to the health and safety of the miners. The mine inspector shall make tests for the quantity of air flows, and for gas and oxygen deficiency, in each place that he is required to inspect in an underground coal mine. In a mine operating more than one shift in a 24-hour period, the mine inspector shall devote sufficient time on the second and third shifts to determine conditions and practices relating to the health and safety of the miners. For an inactive mine, the mine inspector shall inspect all areas of the mine where persons may work or travel during the period the mine is an inactive mine.B. The inspector shall make a personal examination of the interior of the mine and of the outside of the mine where any danger may exist to the miners.Code 1950, §§ 45-4.1, 45-9, 45-12, 45-74; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, § 45.1-5; 1976, c. 598; 1978, c. 120; 1984, c. 236; 1985, c. 448; 1987, c. 470; 1990, c. 963; 1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.88; 1996, c. 774; 1999, c. 256; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-567 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 5 - Coal Mine Safety Act|§ 45.2-567. (Effective October 1, 2021) Inspection reports

A. Upon completing a mine inspection, a mine inspector shall complete a report regarding such inspection. The inspection report shall show the date of inspection, the condition in which the mine is found, a statement regarding any violations of the Act discovered during the inspection, the progress made in the improvement of the mine as such progress relates to health and safety, the number of accidents and injuries occurring in and about the mine since the previous inspection, and all other facts and information of public interest concerning the condition of the mine as are useful and proper.B. The mine inspector shall (i) deliver one copy of the inspection report to the operator, agent, or mine foreman and one copy to the employees' safety committee, where applicable, and (ii) post one copy at a prominent place on the premises of the mine where it can be read conveniently by the miners.C. With respect to coal mines, the Department shall provide access to inspection reports to MSHA.Code 1950, §§ 45-4.1, 45-9, 45-12, 45-74; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, § 45.1-5; 1976, c. 598; 1978, c. 120; 1984, c. 236; 1985, c. 448; 1987, c. 470; 1990, c. 963; 1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.89; 1996, c. 774; 1997, c. 390; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-568 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 5 - Coal Mine Safety Act|§ 45.2-568. (Effective October 1, 2021) Notices of violations

A. If the Director, the Chief, or a mine inspector has reasonable cause to believe that a violation of the Act has occurred, he shall with reasonable promptness issue a notice of violation to the person responsible for the violation. Each notice of violation shall be in writing, shall describe with particularity the nature of the violation, including a reference to the provision of the Act or the appropriate regulation violated, and shall include an order of abatement and set a reasonable time for abatement of the violation.B. A copy of the notice of violation shall be delivered to the operator or his agent or the mine foreman.C. Upon a finding by the mine inspector of the completion of the action required to abate such violation, the Director, the Chief, or the mine inspector shall issue a notice of correction, a copy of which shall be delivered as provided in subsection B.D. The notice of violation shall be deemed the final order of the Department and shall not be subject to review by any court or agency unless within 20 days following its issuance the person to whom the notice of violation was issued appeals its issuance by notifying the Department in writing that he intends to contest its issuance. The Department shall conduct informal conference or consultation proceedings, presided over by the Chief, pursuant to § 2.2-4019, unless the person and the Department agree to waive such a conference or proceeding to go directly to a formal hearing. If such a conference or proceeding is waived, or if it fails to dispose of the case by consent, the Department shall conduct a formal hearing pursuant to § 2.2-4020. The formal hearing shall be presided over by a hearing officer pursuant to § 2.2-4024, who shall recommend findings and an initial decision, which shall be subject to review and approval by the Director. Any party aggrieved by and claiming unlawfulness of such decision is entitled to judicial review pursuant to Article 5 (§ 2.2-4025 et seq.) of the Administrative Process Act.E. If it is finally determined that a notice of violation was not issued in accordance with the provisions of this section, the notice of violation shall be vacated and the improperly issued notice of violation shall not be used to the detriment of the person or the operator to whom it was issued.Code 1950, §§ 45-4.1, 45-9, 45-12, 45-74; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, § 45.1-5; 1976, c. 598; 1978, c. 120; 1984, c. 236; 1985, c. 448; 1987, c. 470; 1990, c. 963; 1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.90; 1997, c. 390; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-570 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 5 - Coal Mine Safety Act|§ 45.2-570. (Effective October 1, 2021) Tolling of time for abating violations

The period of time specified in a notice of violation for the abatement of the violation shall not begin to run until (i) the final decision of the Department is issued, if an administrative appeal of its issuance is pursued, or (ii) the final order of the circuit court is rendered, if an appeal of its issuance is taken to circuit court and if such appeal pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) was undertaken in good faith and not solely for delay or avoidance of penalties.1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.92; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-571 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 5 - Coal Mine Safety Act|§ 45.2-571. (Effective October 1, 2021) Injunctive relief

A. Any person violating or failing, neglecting, or refusing to obey any closure order may be compelled in a proceeding instituted by the Director in any appropriate circuit court to obey such order and to comply with such order by injunction or other appropriate relief.B. Any person failing to abate any violation of the Act that has been cited in a notice of violation within the time period provided in such notice for its abatement may be compelled in a proceeding instituted by the Director in any appropriate circuit court to abate such violation as provided in such notice and to cease the operation of the mine at which such violation exists until the violation has been abated, by injunction or other appropriate remedy.C. The Director may file a bill of complaint with any appropriate circuit court asking the court to temporarily or permanently enjoin a person from operating a mine in the Commonwealth, to be granted upon finding by a preponderance of the evidence that (i) a history of noncompliance at the mine operated by the person demonstrates that he is not able or willing to operate a mine in compliance with the provisions of the Act or (ii) a history of the issuance of closure orders for the mine operated by the person demonstrates that he is not able or willing to operate a mine in compliance with the provisions of 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, § 45.1-161.93; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-572 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 5 - Coal Mine Safety Act|§ 45.2-572. (Effective October 1, 2021) Violations; penalty

Any person who willfully violates any provision of the Act or any regulation adopted pursuant to the Act, unless otherwise specified in the Act, is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.Code 1950, § 45-17; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, § 45.1-105; 1975, c. 520; 1978, c. 118; 1980, c. 388; 1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.94; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-573 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 5 - Coal Mine Safety Act|§ 45.2-573. (Effective October 1, 2021) Prosecution of violations

A. It is the duty of every attorney for the Commonwealth to whom the Director or his authorized representative has reported any violation of the Act or on his own initiative to cause proceedings to be prosecuted in such case.B. If the attorney for the Commonwealth declines to cause proceedings to be prosecuted in such case, the Director or the Chief may request the Attorney General to institute proceedings for any violation of the Act on behalf of the Commonwealth; however, such action shall not preclude the Director or the Chief from pursuing any other applicable statutory procedure. Upon receiving such a request from the Director or the Chief, the Attorney General may institute actions and proceedings for violations described in the request.Code 1950, § 45-17; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, § 45.1-105; 1975, c. 520; 1978, c. 118; 1980, c. 388; 1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.95; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-574 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 5 - Coal Mine Safety Act|§ 45.2-574. (Effective October 1, 2021) Fees and costs

No fees or costs shall be charged to the Commonwealth by a court or any officer for or in connection with the filing of any pleading or other papers in any action authorized by this article.1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.96; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
VA Code § 45.2-575 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy|Chapter 5 - Coal Mine Safety Act|§ 45.2-575. (Effective October 1, 2021) Reports of violations

A. The operator of each mine or his agent shall deliver a copy of the Act to each miner upon the commencement of his employment at the mine, unless the miner is already in possession of a copy.B. Any person aware of a violation of the Act may report the violation to a mine inspector or to any other employee of the Department, in person, in writing, or by telephone call, at the mine, at an office of the Department, or at the mine inspector's residence.C. The operator of each mine or his agent shall display on a sign placed at the mine office, at the bath house, and on a bulletin board at the mine site a notice containing the office addresses and office and home telephone numbers of mine inspectors and other Department personnel for the purpose of reporting any violation of the Act.D. The Department shall keep a record, on a form prepared for such purpose, of every alleged violation of the Act that is reported and the results of any investigation. The Department shall give a copy of the complaint form, with the identity of the person making the report and that of any individual identified in the alleged violation being omitted or deleted, to the operator of the mine or his agent. The Department shall not disclose the identity of any person who reports an alleged violation to the owner or operator of the mine or his agent or to any other person or entity. Information regarding the identity of the person reporting the violation shall be exempt from disclosure under the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq.).1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.97; 2005, c. 3; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.