Tag: Safety and Training

Federal Government Doles out Grants for Mine Safety Courses

The West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training will receive more than $524,000 in federal funds for training courses aimed at reducing mining accidents, injuries and illnesses.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration announced the grants Wednesday. MSHA has awarded $8.4 million in grants to 47 states and the Navajo Nation.

The funds will be used to provide federally mandated training at all coal, metal and nonmetal mines. MSHA says that includes miners engaged in shell dredging or working at surface stone, sand and gravel mining operations.

Some states also use the funding to support mine emergency response efforts.

In Kentucky, the state Energy and Environment Cabinet will receive a $508,000 grant and the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development will receive about $148,000.

 

State Cites Patriot Coal in Mine Accident

State mining officials are citing Patriot Coal for serious violations during a severe coal burst that killed two miners in May.

The enforcement action by the state Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training says the mine did not have proper support in its walls and roofs.

On May 12, miners Eric Legg and Gary Hensley were killed at the Brody Mine No. 1 after coal shot out at them.

A report released Monday says a similar coal burst occurred three days earlier in the Boone County mine. It covered a worker in coal up to his waist, but didn’t injure him. Mining continued the next day.

The Charleston Gazette first reported on the enforcement.

Patriot spokeswoman Janine Orf said the company can’t comment on ongoing investigations or legal matters.

W.Va. Agency to Receive Mine Safety Funding

West Virginia is receiving more than $560,000 in health and safety training grants from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration.

The funding is part of $8.3 million in grants for 47 states and the Navajo Nation in fiscal year 2014. The state funds are being given to the West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training in Charleston.

Officials say grantees will use the funds to provide federally mandated training and retraining to miners. Some states use these grants to support their mine emergency response efforts and other functions.

MSHA chief Joe Main says the grants will enable miners to better prepare and arm them with the proper knowledge to avoid accidents and injuries.

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