LIS

Virginia Law

Administrative Code

Creating a Report: Check the sections you'd like to appear in the report, then use the "Create Report" button at the bottom of the page to generate your report. Once the report is generated you'll then have the option to download it as a pdf, print or email the report.

Virginia Administrative Code
Title 4. Conservation And Natural Resources
Agency 25. Department of Energy
Chapter 20. Board of Coal Mining Examiners Certification Requirements
11/21/2024

4VAC25-20-255. 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.

Statutory Authority

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

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 22, eff. August 20, 1997; amended, Virginia Register Volume 20, Issue 23, eff. August 25, 2004.

Website addresses provided in the Virginia Administrative Code to documents incorporated by reference are for the reader's convenience only, may not necessarily be active or current, and should not be relied upon. To ensure the information incorporated by reference is accurate, the reader is encouraged to use the source document described in the regulation.

As a service to the public, the Virginia Administrative Code is provided online by the Virginia General Assembly. We are unable to answer legal questions or respond to requests for legal advice, including application of law to specific fact. To understand and protect your legal rights, you should consult an attorney.