The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has coal, anthracite (coal), iron ore, and stone resources. These resources are mined from the underground and on the surface at both large and small mining operations. Dredging and quarrying are also common. Pennsylvania is the 4th largest producer of coal, the largest producer of anthracite, and the second largest producer of industrial minerals.

Under the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection the Bureau of Deep Mine Safety (BDMS) is responsible for the enforcement of all state underground mining statutes including coal, anthracite, and industrial minerals. The BDMS has no enforcement responsibilities in surface mining facilities.

The BDMS provides mine health and training services through the use of in-house instructors and contract instructors and contracts with several learning institutions.

Miners, mine operators, and contract employees working at mining operations may attend classes offered in:

• 30 CFR part 48 Annual Refresher Training for underground mining operations which contains information on underground haulage, transportation of oversized loads underground, silica dust hazards, medical screening, hazards associated with winter months' operation, fall of roof and rib, electrical lock-out tag-out, ventilation systems and methane and dust control, smoking, bleeder systems, pre-shift, on-shift, and weekly examinations, prevention of ignitions and explosions, and noise control. For surface coal part 48 classes will incorporate information and discussion on safe work procedures, substance abuse, silica dust hazards, and powered haulage accidents. All metal/nonmetal part 48 classes will incorporate powered haulage, in particular, best practices in dumping, maintenance, and driver training, machinery, electrical, handling materials; slips and falls, and informational seminars which address the leading causes of mining accidents in the region;
• 30 CFR parts 46 and 48 New Miner Training;
• 30 CFR part 49 Mine Rescue Training. The BDMS provides mine rescue training and coverage for all anthracite operators, approximately 64% of the bituminous operators and 63% of the industrial minerals operators;
• Certification and Qualification Training and Testing for State Certification of Miners and Mine Officials, ACT 311 Gas Detection Training, Ventilation Training, Metal/Nonmetal Foreman Preparation, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT, and CPR; and
• 30 CFR parts 56 and 57 supervisory first aid training for bituminous, anthracite, and industrial minerals as well as independent contractors.

BDMS conducts diesel health and safety workshops in order to provide information to the mining community on the federal and state laws related to diesel health and safety issues and training requirements with the statutes.

For more program information contact Mr. Jeffrey Stanchek at (724) 439-7302 or e-mail jstanchek@state.pa.us.