45.1-161.97 - Reports of violations.
§ 45.1-161.97. Reports of violations.
A. Any person aware of a violation of this Act may report the violation to amine inspector or to any other employee of the Department, in person, inwriting, or by telephone call, at the mine, at an office of the Department orat the mine inspector's residence.
B. The operator of every mine, or his agent, shall deliver a copy of this Actto every miner upon the commencement of his employment at the mine, unlessthe miner is already in possession of a copy.
C. The operator of every mine, or his agent, shall display on a sign placedat the mine office, at the bath house, and on a bulletin board at the minesite, a notice containing the office and home telephone numbers of mineinspectors and other Department personnel, and office addresses, which may beused 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 ofany investigation. The Department shall give a copy of the complaint form,with the identity of the person making the report, and any individualsidentified in the alleged violation being omitted or deleted, to the operatorof the mine or his agent. The Department shall not disclose the identity ofany person who reports an alleged violation to the owner or operator of themine or his agent, or to any other person or entity. Information regardingthe identity of the person reporting the violation shall be excluded fromaccess under the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§2.2-3700 et seq.).
(1994, c. 28; 2005, c. 3.)