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MSHA News Release: [04/02/2003]
Contact Name: Amy
Louviere
Phone Number: (202) 693-9423
MSHA Develops Educational Poster Aimed at Keeping
Children Safe
Poster to Augment Safety Message in “Stay
Out–Stay Alive” Public Awareness Campaign
ARLINGTON, Va.— The U.S.
Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), in
collaboration with the National Energy Foundation, has developed an
instructional poster aimed at educating school-age children about the dangers
of playing on active and abandoned mine properties. It is part of a collection
of materials designed to publicize the safety message of “Stay
Out–Stay Alive,” a national public awareness campaign spearheaded by
MSHA.
“This poster provides an excellent source of information for
children and teachers alike about the importance of acting responsibly, making
sound choices, and avoiding the hazards that untrained or unauthorized
individuals may encounter when entering mine property,” said Dave D.
Lauriski, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health.
“I am delighted that MSHA joined forces with the National Energy
Foundation and nearly 20 other organizations to develop such a useful
instructional tool,” Lauriski added. “Anything we can do to make
children and adults aware of the dangers of exploring old mine shafts or
swimming in abandoned quarries is a worthwhile endeavor.”
Every year, dozens of people are injured or killed while exploring or
playing on mine property. MSHA launched "Stay Out–Stay Alive" in 1999 to
educate children and adults about the potential hazards, including shaft
cave-ins, toxic air, slippery cliffs, rotting timbers and poisonous insects.
The campaign is a partnership of more than 70 federal and state agencies,
private organizations, businesses and individuals. The 2003 campaign will run
April 20–May 3.
“Act Responsibly: Stay Out–Stay Alive/Developing and Applying
Safety Practices and Leadership Principles” is a 23” by 35”
poster that depicts a large colorful map of the United States and features
illustrations of mining operations in various geographical areas. Ten
“Safety Situations” describe scenarios children may encounter on mine
property, along with ten corresponding “Leadership Principles.” On
the back side, teacher resources include sections on surface and underground
hazards, abandoned mines and toxic air, benefits of mining, technological
advances and mining careers.
The National Energy Foundation is a nonprofit educational organization
dedicated to the development of educational materials relating primarily to
energy, water, natural resources, science and math, technology, conservation,
and the environment. They have designed more than 45 instructional posters in
their 27-year history.
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