§22A-2-14. Safety inspections; removal of gases.
It shall be the duty of the mine foreman, assistant mine
foreman or fire boss to examine all working places under his
supervision for hazards at least once every two hours during each
coal-producing shift, or more often if necessary for safety. In
all mines such examinations shall include tests with an approved
detector for methane and oxygen deficiency, which tests for oxygen
deficiency may be with a permissible flame safety lamp: Provided,
That a flame safety lamp may be used for methane testing when a
malfunction occurs with a methane detector. It shall also be his
duty to remove as soon as possible after its discovery any
accumulations of explosive or noxious gases in active workings, and
where practicable, any accumulations of explosive or noxious gases
in the worked out and abandoned portions of the mine. It shall be
the duty of the mine foreman, assistant mine foreman or fire boss
to examine each mine within three hours prior to the beginning of
a shift and before any miner in such shift enters the active
workings of the mine.
Note: WV Code updated with legislation passed through the 2012 1st Special Session
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