Report An Accident

Accidents involving serious personal injury and worker or citizen complaints are investigated promptly. The appropriate regulatory measures are taken to resolve or correct the problems.

Any SERIOUS INJURY or FATALITY taking place on a mine property must be reported whether related to the mining operation or not.

The report must be made directly to an employee of Coal Mine Safety. Messages, voice mails, e-mails, etc. are not acceptable. When in doubt, call our main office or your mine inspector!

When do I need to contact Coal Mine Safety regarding a mining accident?
You must contact Coal Mine Safety, either the main office or your mine inspector, by the quickest available means (most likely by telephone) whenever an accident occurs at a Virginia mineral mine property that involves a serious personal injury or death to any person. The accident scene must not be disturbed until after we conduct an accident investigation. You must also notify us immediately upon learning that a person injured at a Virginia mineral mine has been admitted to a hospital for medical treatment.

What is a Serious Personal Injury?
The Mineral Mine Safety Act defines a serious personal injury as "any injury which has a reasonable potential to cause death or any injury other than a sprain or strain which requires an admission to a hospital for 24 hours or more for medical treatment."

File a Complaint

Any person aware of a violation of the Coal Mine Safety Laws of Virginia may report a violation to a mine inspector or to any other employee of Coal Mine Safety .  You may file the complaint in writing, by telephone, via e-mail, in person, at the mine, to a mine inspector, or at our office.     

During the hours of 7:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday through Thursday, you may call Coal Mine Safety at (276) 523-8235.

After normal work hours, weekends, or holidays you may call the Big Stone Gap office at (276) 523-8100 and leave a message on the answering machine.

The telephone numbers Coal Mine Safety inspectors and supervisors are posted at each mine, or refer to "How to Contact Us - State Employee Directory Search" on our Web Page.

All health and safety complaints received by Coal Mine Safety will be investigated promptly and thoroughly with a complete report of investigation rendered to the Chief.

The identity of the complainant will remain anonymous.