(A) A person who applies for a certificate as mine foreperson or foreperson of nongaseous mines shall be able to read and write the English language; shall have had at least three years' actual practical experience in mines, or the equivalent thereof in the judgment of the chief of the division of mineral resources management; and shall have knowledge of the dangers and nature of noxious gases. Each applicant for examination shall pay a fee established in rules adopted under this section to the chief on the first day of the examination.

(B) A person who has been issued a certificate as a mine foreperson or a foreperson of a nongaseous coal mine and who has not worked in an underground coal mine for a period of more than two calendar years shall apply for and obtain recertification from the chief in accordance with rules adopted under this section before performing the duties of a mine foreperson or a foreperson of a nongaseous coal mine. An applicant for recertification shall pay a fee established in rules adopted under this section at the time of application for recertification.

(C) A person who has been issued a certificate as a mine foreperson or a foreperson of a nongaseous coal mine and who has not worked in an underground coal mine for a period of one or more calendar years shall successfully complete a retraining course in accordance with rules adopted under this section before performing the duties of a mine foreperson or a foreperson of a nongaseous coal mine.

(D) The chief, in consultation with a statewide association representing the coal mining industry and a statewide association representing employees of coal mines, shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code that do all of the following:

(1) Prescribe requirements, criteria, and procedures for the recertification of a mine foreperson or a foreperson of a nongaseous coal mine who has not worked in an underground coal mine for a period of more than two calendar years;

(2) Prescribe requirements, criteria, and procedures for the retraining of a mine foreperson or a foreperson of a nongaseous coal mine who has not worked in an underground coal mine for a period of one or more calendar years;

(3) Establish fees for the examination and recertification of mine forepersons or forepersons of nongaseous coal mines under this section;

(4) Prescribe any other requirements, criteria, and procedures that the chief determines are necessary to administer this section.

(E) Any money collected under this section shall be paid into the state treasury to the credit of the mining regulation and safety fund created in section 1513.30 of the Revised Code.

Amended by 132nd General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 49, §101.01, eff. 9/29/2017.

Effective Date: 09-05-2001; 2008 SB323 06-11-2008 .