2005 West Virginia Code - §22A-7-5. — Board powers and duties.

§22A-7-5. Board powers and duties.

(a) The board shall establish criteria and standards for a program of education, training and examination to be required of all prospective miners and miners prior to their certification in any of the various miner specialties requiring certification, under this article or any other provision of this code. Such specialties include, but are not limited to, underground miner, surface miner, apprentice, underground mine foreman-fire boss, assistant underground mine foreman-fire boss, shotfirer, mine electrician and belt examiner. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section the director may by rule further subdivide the classification for certification.
(b) The board may require certification in other miner occupational specialties: Provided, That no new specialty may be created by the board unless certification in a new specialty is made desirable by action of the federal government requiring certification in a specialty not enumerated in this code.
(c) The board may establish criteria and standards for a program of preemployment education and training to be required of miners working on the surface at underground mines who are not certified under the provisions of this article or any other provision of this code.
(d) The board shall set minimum standards for a program of continuing education and training of certified persons and other miners on an annual basis. Prior to issuing said standards, the board shall conduct public hearings at which the parties who may be affected by its actions may be heard. Such education and training shall be provided in a manner determined by the director to be sufficient to meet the standards established by the board.
(e) The board may, in conjunction with any state, local or federal agency or any other person or institution, provide for the payment of a stipend to prospective miners enrolled in one or more of the programs of miner education, training and certification provided for in this article or any other provision of this code.
(f) The board may also, from time to time, conduct such hearings and other oversight activities as may be required to ensure full implementation of programs established by it.
(g) Nothing in this article empowers the board to revoke or suspend any certificate issued by the director of the office of miners' health, safety and training.
(h) The board may, upon its own motion or whenever requested to do so by the director, deem two certificates issued by this state to be of equal value or deem training provided or required by federal agencies to be sufficient to meet training and education requirements set by it, the director, or by the provisions of this code.