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§21-4-1. Hours of labor for telephone and telegraph operators on railroads.
It shall be unlawful for any person, association or corporation operating a railroad within this state to permit any person employed by it on such railroad, in the capacity of telephone or telegraph operator, whose duty it is to space or block trains or engines, or handle train orders governing the movement of trains or engines, or handle interlocking switches governing the movement of trains or engines, to be on duty more than eight hours in any twenty-four consecutive hours: Provided, That the provisions of this section shall apply only to such parts of a railroad where three or more passenger trains pass each way in twenty-four consecutive hours, or where ten or more freight trains pass each way in twenty-four consecutive hours, or at any office where such telegraph or telephone operators are employed twenty or more hours in twenty-four consecutive hours: Provided further, That in case of necessity caused by the sickness or death of any such operators, or by an accident on such railroad, such telephone and telegraph operators may be permitted to be on duty for a period of twelve consecutive hours in any twenty-four consecutive hours, but such extension of time shall extend only for a period long enough to enable such railroad company to supply the required number of operators at such office, and shall in no case extend over a period of more than two days, nor shall it be lawful for any such telegraph or telephone operator to be on duty twelve consecutive hours in any twenty-four consecutive hours for more than three times in any calendar month. Nothing in this section shall prevent any such company and operator from agreeing to a longer day than eight hours, but in no case shall any such operator be permitted to be on duty longer than twelve consecutive hours in any twenty-four consecutive hours under such agreement.

Any person, association or corporation violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined one hundred dollars for the first offense, and for each subsequent offense shall be fined three hundred dollars.

§21-4-2. Hours of labor on state public works.
The service and employment of all laborers and mechanics who now are or hereafter may be employed by or on behalf of this state, or by any contractor or subcontractor, upon any of the public works of the state, is hereby limited and restricted to eight hours in any one calendar day, except in cases of extraordinary emergency; and it shall be unlawful for any officer of the state, or any such contractor or subcontractor, whose duty it shall be to employ, direct or control the service of such laborers or mechanics, to require or permit any such laborers or mechanics to work more than eight hours in any calendar day, except as hereinbefore provided.

Any officer or agent of the state, or any contractor or subcontractor, whose duty it shall be to employ, direct or control any laborer or mechanic employed upon any of the public works of the state, who shall intentionally violate any provision of this section, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and for each and every such offense shall, upon conviction, be fined not to exceed one thousand dollars, or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both fined and imprisoned, in the discretion of the court having jurisdiction thereof.

Note: WV Code updated with legislation passed through the 2012 1st Special Session