A. Inexperienced underground miners shall be required to work with an experienced underground miner for a total of at least six months following underground employment. However, experienced surface miners shall only be required to work with an experienced underground miner for a total of at least sixty days following underground employment.
B. No inexperienced underground miner shall be assigned, or allowed, or be required to perform work alone in any area where there is the potential to endanger his safety unless he can communicate with others, can be heard, or can be seen.
Code 1950, §§ 45-35, 45-40; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, § 45.1-17; 1978, c. 729; 1993, c. 170; 1994, c. 28; 1999, c. 256.