4VAC25-70-10: General requirements

A. Section 45.2-811 of the Code of Virginia requires that telephone service or an equivalent two-way communication system be provided between the top and each landing of main shafts and slopes in the mines.

B. Corrective actions shall be taken when a disruption or failure of the required communication system occurs to any section or part of an underground mine where preparation for mining is being made or mining is in progress. Work to restore communications shall begin immediately.

C. Any disruption in communication which is not restored within one hour shall be recorded by the mine foreman in the on-shift report. The record shall reflect the corrective actions taken and time the communication was restored.

D. Whenever a representative of the miners, or a miner where there is no such representative, has reason to believe that conditions are such that continuing to work on a section without communication would constitute an imminent danger to safety or health, such miner or representative shall notify the Chief of the Division of Mines or mine inspector of his concern. Upon receipt of such notification, the Chief shall cause an inspection to be made as soon as possible. If the inspection determines that such danger exists, the workers, excluding those needed to correct the problem, shall be withdrawn to a place that has communication with the surface.