States to receive mine safety training funds

Forty-seven states will receive a total of $8,441,000 in funds to support safety and health training courses and other programs to reduce mining accidents, injuries and illnesses, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA).

MSHA adds that grant recipients will use the funds to provide miners with federally mandated training. The money will cover the training and retraining of miners working at metal and nonmetal mines, as well as surface and underground coal mines. This includes miners working in shell dredging or those employed at surface stone, sand and gravel mining operations.

Some states will also use the grants to support their mine emergency response efforts and other statutory functions.

“This funding will enable educational, governmental and industry organizations across the country to develop training resources and train miners in an effort to ensure they return home – safe and healthy – after every shift,” says Joe Main, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health.

The awards were granted based on applications from states and other eligible entities, MSHA reports. State mine inspectors’ offices, state departments of labor, and state-supported colleges and universities administer the grants.

The state grants program, which is authorized by the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, has received funds to provide safety and health training to miners since 1971.