45.1-161.21 - Duties of the Chief.
§ 45.1-161.21. Duties of the Chief.
A. The Chief shall supervise execution and enforcement of all laws pertainingto the health and safety of persons employed within or at coal mines withinthe Commonwealth, and the protection of property used in connectiontherewith, and to perform all other duties required pursuant to this Act.
B. The Chief shall keep a record of all inspections of coal mines made by himand the mine inspectors. The Chief shall make a comprehensive report to theDirector. The Chief shall also keep a permanent record thereof properlyindexed, which record shall at all times be open to inspection by any citizenof the Commonwealth.
C. The Chief is authorized to compel individuals to complete training thataddresses the subject of a violation issued to the individual as a conditionfor abatement of the violation.
D. The Chief is authorized to require operators to submit for approval actionplans to address hazardous conditions or practices.
E. For the purpose of investigating (i) an accident or (ii) a willful actresulting in a notice of violation or closure order, the Chief shall have thepower to compel the attendance of witnesses and to administer oaths oraffirmations.
(Code 1950, §§ 45-1 to 45-6; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, §§ 45.1-3, 45.1-4;1972, c. 784; 1978, cc. 120, 727; 1981, c. 32; 1984, cc. 184, 337, 590; 1987,Sp. Sess., c. 1; 1994, c. 28; 2005, c. 3.)