Section 50. First class mine foreman

Part II. Certification Requirements

A. Applicants shall possess five years mining experience, three of which shall be underground, and shall pass the first class mine foreman, map, and gas detection examinations.

B. Applicants shall be given three years credit for a degree in mining engineering from an approved four-year college or two years credit for a degree in mining technology.

C. Applicants shall be at least 23 years of age.

D. Beginning August 20, 1997, certified mine foremen shall complete the continuing education requirements in this section within two years from the date of their certification and every two years thereafter. The holder of the certificate shall submit documentation to the division indicating the required continuing education has been completed prior to these deadlines.

E. The holder of the certificate, in order to receive continuing education credit, shall satisfactorily complete a first class mine foreman continuing education course approved by the chief and taught by a certified instructor or other instructor approved by the chief.

F. The first class mine foreman shall complete at least four hours of continuing education every two years.

G. The content of the continuing education course shall include, but is not limited to, the:

1. Coal Mine Safety Act, Chapter 14.2 (§ 45.1-161.7 et seq.) of Title 45.1 of the Code of Virginia;

2. Virginia coal mine safety regulations;

3. Responsibilities of first class mine foreman;

4. Virginia coal mine safety policies and division operators' memos; and

5. Review of fatalities and accident trends in Virginia underground coal mines.

H. A maximum of four hours in excess of the required hours may be carried over to the next continuing education period.

I. Failure to complete continuing education requirements shall result in suspension of a person's certification pending completion of continuing education. If the continuing education requirement is not met within two years from the suspension date, the certification shall be revoked by the BCME.

J. The division shall send notice of any suspension to the last address the certified person reported to the division in accordance with 4VAC25-20-20 I. Upon request, DMME will provide the mine operator and other interested parties with a list of individuals whose certification is in suspension or has been revoked.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR480-04-2 § 2.1, eff. June 30, 1994; amended, Volume 13, Issue 22, eff. August 20, 1997; Volume 20, Issue 23, eff. August 25, 2004.

Statutory Authority

§§ 45.1-161.28, 45.1-161.29, and 45.1-161.34 of the Code of Virginia.