(A) In emergencies arising at a mine because of accident, death, illness, or any other cause, an operator may appoint noncertificate persons as forepersons and fire bosses to act until certified forepersons and fire bosses satisfactory to the operator can be secured. Such appointee may not serve in such capacity for a period longer than six months or until such time thereafter as an examination is held for such certified persons under section 1561.13 of the Revised Code. The employer of such noncertificate person shall, upon appointment of such noncertificate person in this capacity, forward the name of such noncertificate person to the chief of the division of mineral resources management.

(B) An operator may appoint as a temporary foreperson or fire boss a noncertificate person who is within six months of possessing the necessary actual practical experience to qualify to take the examination for certification for the position to which the person is temporarily appointed. Upon appointment of a noncertificate person, the operator shall forward the name, social security number, and brief summary of the person's actual practical experience to the chief, and the chief shall issue the person a temporary certificate for the position to which the person has been temporarily appointed. A temporary certificate issued under this division is valid for six months or until such time thereafter as an examination is held under section 1561.13 of the Revised Code for the position to which the person has been temporarily appointed.

(C) A person who possesses a valid certificate issued by another state for a position for which the chief issues a certificate shall be eligible for a temporary certificate from the chief upon presentation to the chief of a copy of the certificate from that other state. A temporary certificate issued under this division shall be valid for six months.

No operator of a mine shall violate or fail to comply with this section.

Effective Date: 09-05-2001.