Mine Safety Laws and Regulation Updates

• 2025 Reference Manual – West Virginia Mine Safety Laws and Rules – Revised October 21, 2025 (PDF)
• 2024 Reference Manual – West Virginia Mine Safety Laws and Rules – Revised October 15, 2024 (PDF)
• 2023 Reference Manual – West Virginia Mine Safety Laws and Rules – Revised March 1, 2023  (PDF)
• 2020 Reference Manual – Rules Governing the Safety of Those Employed In and Around Quarries in West Virginia (PDF)
  Once you open the pdf and want to search the document, you need to use Ctrl + F, this will open the search tool. Type what you are looking for in the box, press enter; this will take you to the occurrences of that text. (You can also download the file and use the pdf software you have on your computer.)
• Code and Regulation Interpretations 1971 – Present (These are scanned images of policy memos, clarifications, and interpretations of various code and regulation sections)

2025

• October 29, 2025 – Memo – Innovative Mine Safety Technology Approved for Purposes of the West Virginia Innovative Mine Safety Technology Tax Credit Act

Effective July 1, 2024

Final Filed & Approved – Amendment to Existing Rule: §36-19 Rule Governing Written Reports of Accidents

Effective April 24, 2024

• 56-2 Safety Provisions for Clearing Crews
• 56-4 Protective Clothing and Equipment
• 56-10 Reporting Requirements for Independent Contractors
• 56-12 Health and Safety Violations
• 56-14 Mine Safety Technology Tax Credit Act
• 56-18 Sharing of Information Between Employers
• 56-19 Substance Abuse Screening, Standards and Procedures
• 56-23 Operating Diesel Equipment in Underground Mines in West Virginia

Effective April 1, 2024

• Final Filed & Approved – Amendment to Existing Rule: §36-57 Rules Governing Proximity Detection Systems and Haulage Safety Generally

Effective January 10, 2024

• Final Filed & Approved – Amendment to Existing Rule: §48-4 Rules Governing Initial Training Program for Prospective Mine Rescue Team Members and Additional Mine Rescue Requirements
• Final Filed & Approved – Rule §48-9 Dutes and Standards for Certification of Underground Outby Mine Examiners for Underground Coal Mines
  • Technical Amendment to Rule §48-9

Effective October 11, 2023

• Final §36-44: Rule Governing Mine Rescue Requirements for the Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training
  • Notice of §36-44
• Final §36-59: Supervision of Underground Apprentices in Areas Other Than the Working Section
  • Notice of §36-59
    

Effective March 1, 2023

• Final §36-57: Rule Governing Proximity Detection Systems and Haulage Safety Generally

2022

• Termination of the April 17, 2020 Suspension of parts of Titles 36-11-2.1.c and Title 48 of the Code of State Rules December 19, 2022
• Termination of the April 7, 2020 Suspension of W.Va. R. § § 56-19-5.4 and 5.5 March 16, 2022

Effective July 1, 2022

• Final §56-19: Substance Abuse Screening, Standards and Procedures

Effective May 5, 2022

• Final §56-03: Rule Governing the Safety of Those Employed in and Around Surface Mines in West Virginia

Effective April 5, 2022

• Final §56-11: Rule Governing First-Aid Training of Shaft and Slope Employees

Effective January 5, 2022

• Final §48-2: Safety Training Program for Prospective Underground Coal Miners
  • Notice of §48-2
• Final §48-3: Safety Training Program for Prospective Surface Coal Miners
  • Notice of §48-3

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Regulations – 2021

• Senate Bill 677
• Senate Bill 635

Effective October 7, 2021

• Final §48-4: Initial Training Program for Prospective Mine Rescue Team Members and Additional Mine Rescue Requirements
  • Notice of §48-4

Effective October 5, 2021

• Final §56-3: Rule Governing the Safety of Those Employed in and Around Surface Mines in West Virginia
  • §56-03: Notice of an Emergency Amendment to an Emergency Rule
  • §56-03: Notice of Rule Modification of a Proposed Rule
  • §56-03: Rule Governing the Safety of Those Employed in and Around Surface Mines in West Virginia
  • Notice of §56-03: Rule Governing the Safety of Those Employed in and Around Surface Mines in West Virginia

Effective September 7, 2021

• Final §36-32: Housekeeping Practices in Underground Mines and Surface Areas of Undergrund Mines.

Technical Amendment

• §36-57: Notice of Technical Amendment
  • Final §36-57: Rule Governing Proximity Detection Systems and Haulage Safety Generally
    • Notice of §36-57

Effective August 27, 2021

• Final §36-44: Rule Governing Mine Rescue Requirements for the Office of Miners’ Health, Safety & Training
  • Notice of §36-44
• Final §48-01: Standards for Certification of Underground Belt Examiners for Underground Coal Mines
  • Notice of §48-01

Effective June 7, 2021

• §56-03: Rule Governing the Safety of Those Employed in and Around Surface Mines in West Virginia (Notice of Emergency Filing)

Effective March 27, 2021

• Final §36-01: Shaft and/or Slope Operations in the State of West Virginia
  • Notice of §36-01
• Final §36-05: Rule Governing Telephone Service or Communication Facilities
  • Notice of §36-05
• Final §36-14: Rule Governing Electrical Equipment in Mines; Required Examinations
  • Notice of §36-14
• Final §36-25: Underground Equipment Requirements and Operations
  • Notice of §36-25
• Final §36-26: Rule Governing Construction and Rehabilitation Operations in Underground Mines
  • Notice of §36-26