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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>364056</law_id><section_number>45.2-1139</section_number><catch_line> Requirements of recovery work</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2026/" slug="2026" current="TRUE" last_updated="2026-08-02">2026</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="99" identifier="45.2">Mines, Minerals, and Energy</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="3" identifier="III">Mineral Mines</unit><unit label="part" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="A">Mineral Mines Generally</unit><unit label="chapter" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="11">Mineral Mine Safety Act</unit><unit label="article" level="5" order_by="5" identifier="5">Mine Rescue Teams</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> During recovery work and prior to entering any mine, each mine rescue team conducting recovery work shall be properly informed of existing conditions by the operator or his agent in charge. <a id="paragraph-1356047" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-1139/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> Each mine rescue team performing rescue or recovery work with breathing apparatus shall be provided with a backup team of equal strength, stationed at each fresh air base. <a id="paragraph-1356048" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-1139/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> For every two teams performing work underground, one six-member team shall be stationed at the mine portal. <a id="paragraph-1356049" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-1139/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> Two-way communication, life lines, or their equivalent shall be provided by the fresh air base to each team, and no team member shall be permitted to advance beyond such communication system. <a id="paragraph-1356050" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-1139/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> A mine rescue team shall immediately return to the fresh air base if any team member&#x2019;s breathing apparatus malfunctions or the low-oxygen alarm activates. <a id="paragraph-1356051" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-1139/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="F"><p><span class="prefix-number">F.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Director</span> may also assign rescue and recovery work to inspectors, instructors, or other qualified employees of the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> as the <span class="dictionary">Director</span> determines to be desirable. <a id="paragraph-1356052" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-1139/#F"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1997, c. 390, &#xA7; 45.1-161.292:45; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
