77270145.1-161.233Virginia Decodedhttps://vacode.org2016Mines And MiningRequirements Applicable To Underground Coal MinesVentilation, Mine Gases And Other Hazardous ConditionsAllowing persons to work in mine where methane monitoring equipment disconnected; penalty1993, c. 247, § 45.1-30.1; 1994, c. 28.http://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/45.1-161.233/45.1-161.232Tampering with methane monitoring devices prohibited; penalty/45.1-161.232//45.1-161.233/45.1/14.3/14/45.1-161.23345.1-161.292:3345.1-161.3645.1-161.60An operator, agent, or mine foreman shall not knowingly permit any miner to work in any area of the underground coal mine where such operator, agent, or mine foreman has knowledge that a methane monitor or other device capable of detecting the presence of explosive gases has been impaired, disturbed, disconnected, or bypassed in violation of § 45.1-161.232. Any person convicted of a violation of this section shall be guilty of a Class 6 felony.section1