(a) In every underground mine where five or more persons are employed in a period of twenty-four hours, the operator shall employ at least one person certified in accordance with the provisions of article seven of this chapter as a mine foreman-fire boss. Each applicant for certification as a mine foreman-fire boss shall, at the time he or she is issued a certificate of competency: (1) Be a resident or employed in a mine in this state; (2) have had at least five years' experience in the underground working, ventilation and drainage of a coal mine, which shall include at least eighteen months' experience on or at a working section of an underground mine or be a graduate of the school of mines at West Virginia University or of another accredited mining engineering school or be a graduate of an accredited engineering school with a bachelor's degree in mining engineering technology, electrical, mechanical or civil engineering; and have had at least two years' practical experience in an underground mine, which shall include at least eighteen months' experience on or at a working section of an underground mine; or be a graduate of an accredited college or university with an associate degree in mining, electrical, mining engineering technology, mechanical engineering or civil engineering and have had at least four years' practical experience in an underground mine, which shall include at least eighteen months' experience on or at a working section of an underground mine; and (3) have demonstrated his or her knowledge of dangerous mine gases and their detection, mine safety, first aid, safety appliances, state and federal mining laws and regulations and other subjects by completing such training, education and examinations as may be required of him or her under article seven of this chapter.

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(b) In mines in which the operations are so extensive that the duties devolving upon the mine foreman-fire boss cannot be discharged by one man, one or more assistant mine foremen-fire bosses may be designated. Such persons shall act under the instruction of the mine foreman-fire boss, who shall be responsible for their conduct in the discharge of their duties. Each assistant so designated shall be certified under the provisions of article seven of this chapter. Each applicant for certification as assistant mine foreman-fire boss shall, at the time he or she is issued a certificate of competency, possess all of the qualifications required of a mine foreman-fire boss: Provided, That he or she shall at the time he or she is certified be required to have at least three years' experience in the underground working, ventilation and drainage of coal mines, which shall include eighteen months on or at a working section of an underground mine or be a graduate of the school of mines at West Virginia University or of another accredited mining engineering school or be a graduate of an accredited engineering school with a bachelor's degree in mining engineering technology, electrical, mechanical or civil engineering; and have had twelve months' practical experience in an underground mine, all of which shall have been on or at a working section or be a graduate of an accredited college or university with an associate degree in mining, electrical, mining engineering technology, mechanical or civil engineering and have had at least two years' practical experience in an underground mine, which shall include at least eighteen months' experience on or at a working section of an underground mine.

(c) Until January 1, 1977, in mines in which the operations are so extensive that all the duties devolving upon the mine foreman-fire boss cannot be discharged by one person, competent persons having had at least three years' experience in coal mines may be designated as assistants, who shall act under the mine foreman-fire boss' instructions and the mine foreman-fire boss is responsible for their conduct in the discharge of their duties under such designation.

(d) Any person holding a mine foreman's certificate issued by any other state may act in the capacity of mine foreman-fire boss in any mine in this state until the next regular mine foreman-fire boss' examination held by the office of miners' health, safety and training, but not to exceed a maximum of ninety days.

(e) After July 1, 1974, all duties heretofore performed by persons certified as mine foreman, assistant mine foreman or fire boss shall be performed by persons certified as underground mine foreman-fire boss or an assistant underground mine foreman-fire boss.

After July 1, 1974, every certificate heretofore issued to an assistant mine foreman or fire boss shall be deemed to be of equal value to a certificate issued hereafter to an assistant mine foreman-fire boss, and every certificate heretofore issued to a mine foreman shall be deemed to be of equal value to a certificate issued hereafter to a mine foreman-fire boss.