CODE OF VIRGINIA

REPORTS OF VIOLATIONS (§ 45.1-161.97)

A. Any person aware of a violation of this Act may report the violation to a
mine inspector or to any other employee of the Department, in person, in
writing, or by telephone call, at the mine, at an office of the Department or at
the mine inspector’s residence.

B. The operator of every mine, or his agent, shall deliver a copy of this Act to
every miner upon the commencement of his employment at the mine, unless the
miner is already in possession of a copy.

C. The operator of every mine, or his agent, shall display on a sign placed at
the mine office, at the bath house, and on a bulletin board at the mine site, a
notice containing the office and home telephone numbers of mine inspectors and
other Department personnel, and office addresses, which may be used to report
any violation of this Act.

D. The Department shall keep a record, on a form prepared for such purpose, of
every alleged violation of this Act which is reported and the results of any
investigation. The Department shall give a copy of the complaint form, with the
identity of the person making the report, and any individuals identified in the
alleged violation being omitted or deleted, to the operator of the mine or his
agent. The Department shall not disclose the identity of any person who reports
an alleged violation to the owner or operator of the mine or his agent, or to
any other person or entity. Information regarding the identity of the person
reporting the violation shall be excluded from access under the provisions of
the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq.).

HISTORY: 1994, c. 28; 2005, c. 3.