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MSHA News Release: [03/10/2008]
Contact Name: Amy Louviere or Matthew Faraci
Phone Number: (202) 693-9423 or x9406
Release Number: 08-0325-NAT

U.S. Labor Department's MSHA issues increased funding for state health and safety training grants

Training funds total more than $8.2 million in fiscal year 2008

ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has announced more than $8.2 million in health and safety training grants for fiscal year 2008, up from last year's allocation of $7.9 million.

"These grants are part of MSHA's ongoing commitment to advance miner safety and health through funding training programs," said Richard E. Stickler, acting assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health. "The mining community as a whole will benefit from enhanced skills and competency levels of our nation's miners."

Grantees will use the funds to provide federally mandated training to miners. The grants cover training and retraining of miners working at surface and underground coal and metal and nonmetal mines, including miners engaged in shell dredging or employed at surface stone, sand and gravel mining operations.

Training grant funds are being awarded to 49 states and the Navajo Nation. States applied for the grants, which are administered by state mine inspectors' offices, state departments of labor, and state-supported colleges and universities. Each recipient tailors the program to its miners' individual needs and provides technical assistance. The grants are given to states upon receipt and approval of their applications.

The state grant program was authorized by the Coal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1969. States first received funding in 1971 to provide health and safety training to miners.

Editor's Note: A state-by-state listing of allocations is below.

Fiscal Year 2008 MSHA Health and Safety Training Grants