Section 255. General coal miner (GCM) surface and underground

A. General coal miner certification, surface, authorizes work at surface mines, surface facility locations and surface areas of underground coal mines. This does not authorize underground duties at underground coal mines. General coal miner certification, underground, authorizes work at underground areas and surface areas of underground mines.

B. Applicants employed in Virginia coal mines prior to January 1, 1996, who wish to become certified shall:

1. Meet the requirements of Part I (4VAC25-20-10 et seq.) of this chapter;

2. Submit a notarized work experience form verifying (surface or underground) mining experience prior to January 1, 1996; and

3. Pass the gas detection examination if they are not already gas detection qualified unless working only on the surface of a mine.

C. Applicants seeking certification after January 1, 1996, shall:

1. Meet the requirements of Part I (4VAC25-20-10 et seq.) of this chapter.

2. Complete training which shall include highlights of the coal mine safety laws of Virginia and the underground coal mine safety and health regulations of the division and the BCME. The training shall address surface mining requirements for the GCM Surface Certification or underground coal mining requirements for the GCM Underground Certification. The training shall include a demonstration of knowledge or passing of a written examination on Virginia's coal mine safety laws and regulations covering either surface or underground mining. First aid shall be included in the general coal miner training unless applicants submit new miner training or annual refresher training to meet first aid requirements.

3. Submit Form DM-BCME-3, Verification of Training Completed for General Coal Miner Certification, prior to commencing work in a coal mine. The form shall be signed by the employee and the instructor and the date they sign will be the effective date of the General Coal Miner certification.

4. Pass the gas detection examination unless working only on the surface of a mine.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 13, Issue 22, eff. August 20, 1997; amended, Virginia Register 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.