59-12-102 - Organization of corps Qualifications Official drills Substitute corps members.
59-12-102. Organization of corps Qualifications Official drills Substitute corps members.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions or regulations to the contrary, the members of the corps shall be grouped in teams of eight (8) members each.
(b) The commissioner or the commissioner's designated representative shall appoint one (1) individual from each team to serve as captain.
(c) The teams shall be geographically located so that every underground mine in the state can be reached in two (2) hours by a team.
(d) In order to qualify for membership in the corps, each individual shall hold a certificate in mine rescue from the mine safety and health administration.
(e) Each team must maintain official drill, at least once each month, under such regulations as may be prescribed by the commissioner or the commissioner's designated representative.
(f) For every person or entity authorized by law to operate an underground mining operation in this state, the department of labor and workforce development shall designate one (1) or more persons (as needed to ensure conformity with the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 and the regulations promulgated thereunder) from each such underground mining operation to receive the official training described in subsection (e) and be available for emergency service as described in this chapter. Such persons shall be considered substitute corps members within the meaning of § 59-12-103, and shall be entitled to the compensation authorized in that section. The commissioner has the power to enter contracts with the operator of the mining operation to compensate the operator for any temporary loss of the services of substitute corps members.
[Acts 1979, ch. 368, §§ 1, 2; T.C.A., § 58-1702; Acts 1985, ch. 288, §§ 39, 40; 1996, ch. 751, § 1; 1999, ch. 520, § 43.]