Mine Safety and Health Education and Training Programs
Training plays a fundamental role in the Mine Safety and Health Administration's (MSHA's) effort to help protect the American miner from illness and injury on the job. Inspections alone cannot keep the mines accident-free. Miners and their supervisors need knowledge and motivation in order to stay safe and healthy. They must be aware of how to perform their jobs properly, and they must learn to recognize and control the hazards in their work places. Training can provide these key skills and knowledge. MSHA offers many different types of training assistance to the mining industry and to labor, including special assistance for small mining operations where safety and health training needs have been identified. At small mines, which generally have much higher accident rates than larger operations, selected MSHA training specialists provide specific training assistance to management and workers. MSHA education and training officials also contribute significantly to the development of programs to carry out Federal miner training rules. Among other types of aid, MSHA assists industry representatives during periodic contests to test and improve skills of company mine rescue teams that someday may be called upon during a mine emergency. The 1977 Act And Mandatory Training The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 clearly establishes training as an important tool for preventing accidents and avoiding unsafe and unhealthful working conditions. The act authorizes MSHA to "expand programs of education and training of operators...and miners..." MSHA requires that each U.S. mine operator have an approved plan for miner training. This plan must include:
The Academy MSHA's National Mine Health and Safety Academy at Beckley, WV, is the world's largest educational institution devoted solely to safety and health in mining. The academy serves as the central training facility for federal mine inspectors and mine safety professionals from other government agencies, the mining industry and labor. Courses are offered on safety and inspection procedures, accident prevention, investigations, industrial hygiene, mine emergency procedures, technology, management techniques, and other topics. Besides providing classroom instruction, the academy staff produces videotapes, films, publications, and a wide variety of technical materials. The academy also provides field training and serves as a technical resource to help meet the mining community's instructional needs. The academy's physical plant has classrooms, a simulated mine and laboratories that can accommodate up to 600 students, a large auditorium, cafeteria, gymnasium, and a residence hall with dormitory space for over 300 persons. Educational Field Services (EFS) MSHA created the Educational Field Services program to optimize the Agency's resources for improving health and safety training to the mining industry. EFS emphasizes the importance of education and training in reducing mining accidents and workplace illnesses. EFS training specialists work closely with mine management, miners and mine instructors to develop training methods to improve safety and health. These specialists then coordinate agency resources to best meet each mine's individual needs. In addition to averaging 120 mine visits per week, EFS training specialists work with mining associations, safety organizations, labor unions and educational institutions to establish partnerships and network resources. Training MaterialsMSHA makes available many training publications, manuals, courses, films and videotapes, and other materials through the academy and the Agency's district offices. Some of the products available include:
For more information on MSHA training programs, contact:
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