States to Receive $7.9 Million for Mine Safety Training
ARLINGTON, Va., Apr 11, 2005 -- U.S. Newswire
The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced more than $7.9 million in grants to provide mine safety and health training and education to miners in 49 states and the Navajo Nation.
Grantees 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 mines, as well as miners who engage in shell dredging or are employed at surface stone-mining operations.
Some state recipients have developed videos, DVDs, and other training materials through the grants. Other states have assisted mine operators to produce training plans addressing topics covered under federal regulations.
Past training topics have included hazard recognition, accident prevention, occupational health, roof and ground control, ventilation, mine rescue, mine emergency operations, and certification for various jobs ranging from electricians to hoisting engineers.
States apply for the grants, which are administered by state mine inspectors' offices, state departments of labor, or state- supported colleges and universities. Each grant recipient tailors the program to the needs of the state's miners and provides technical assistance.
The state grant program started in 1969 under the Coal Mine Safety and Health Act. The 1977 amendments to the act authorized the Mine Safety and Health Administration to spend up to $10 million annually to assist states in providing health and safety training to miners.
NOTE: Full list of grants recipients follows:
STATE, 2005 Award
Alabama, $182,669
Alaska, $42,974
Arizona, $273,909
Arkansas, $95,073
California, $324,201
Colorado, $201,061
Connecticut, $41,996
Delaware, $3,720
Florida, $155,134
Georgia, $183,885
Idaho, $88,582
Illinois, $210,381
Indiana, $177,442
Iowa, $108,578
Kansas, $76,706
Kentucky, $600,827
Louisiana, $76,696
Maine, $50,202
Maryland, $52,702
Massachusetts, $62,627
Michigan, $206,087
Minnesota, $260,538
Mississippi, $58,559
Missouri, $192,835
Montana, $120,373
Navajo Nation, $25,534
Nebraska, $63,382
Nevada, $221,490
New Hampshire, $36,909
New Jersey, $47,725
New Mexico, $137,983
New York, $249,518
North Carolina, $145,685
North Dakota, $56,108
Ohio, $251,062
Oklahoma, $97,646
Oregon, $98,955
Pennsylvania, $491,564
Rhode Island, $8,927
South Carolina, $62,630
South Dakota, $54,487
Tennessee, $132,354
Texas, $397,056
Utah, $164,772
Vermont, $67,590
Virginia, $254,364
Washington, $140,432
West Virginia, $535,860
Wisconsin, $175,961
Wyoming, $176,831
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