This bill amends the Code of West Virginia to enhance ventilation requirements in underground coal mines. It specifies that areas where coal is being cut, mined, drilled for blasting, or loaded must be ventilated with a minimum of 3,000 cubic feet of air per minute. Additionally, it establishes that the quantity of air passing through the last open crosscut must not be less than 9,000 cubic feet per minute, while allowing for certain exceptions under specific conditions. The bill also emphasizes the importance of maintaining adequate airflow to reduce harmful gases and smoke, and it mandates that operators provide safety committees with access to necessary ventilation equipment.

Furthermore, the bill introduces several changes to existing language, including the removal of outdated terms and the clarification of ventilation standards. For instance, it replaces "hereafter" with "for each mine" and updates the oxygen and carbon dioxide thresholds to more precise figures. The bill also stipulates that ventilation devices must be repaired immediately if damaged and that the use of doors in passageways should be minimized. Overall, the legislation aims to improve safety standards in coal mining operations by ensuring effective ventilation practices are consistently applied.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 22A-2-4