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Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

MSHA News Release: [01/23/2007]
Contact Name: Amy Louviere or Dirk Fillpot
Phone Number: (202) 693-4676 or x9423 and x9406
Release Number: 07-0105-NAT

U.S. Labor Department’s MSHA Issuing New Mine Rescue and Safety Training Grants

Training Grants Total More than $7.9 Million in Fiscal Year 2007

Arlington, VA. — The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) today announced the availability of more than $7.9 million in health and safety training grants being issued by MSHA in fiscal year 2007.

"These grants are part of MSHA's ongoing commitment to advance miner safety and health through funding training programs," said Richard E. Stickler, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health.

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 and sand and gravel mining operations.

The monetary amount of the grants MSHA is awarding in fiscal year 2007 is the same level as the previous fiscal year, because the federal government currently is operating under a continuing budget resolution from Congress.

Training grant funds will be awarded to every state, except Hawaii, and to the Navajo Nation and Puerto Rico. States apply for the grants, which are administered by state mine inspectors' offices, state departments of labor or state-supported colleges and universities. Each recipient tailors the program to its state miners' individual needs and provides technical assistance. The grants will be given to the 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.

MSHA's primary mission as a federal agency is to help ensure worker safety and health in the nation's mines.

The following table lists the FY 2007 grants for the states, Puerto Rico and the Navajo Nation.

Fiscal Year 2007 Mine Rescue and Safety Training Grants

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.