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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Wanda Seeney (573) 751-7500
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 14, 2008
Department of Labor and Industrial Relations Secures Federal Grant
to Promote Safety in Missouri’s Mine Industry
JEFFERSON CITY, MO – The Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations’ Division of Labor Standards – Mine and Cave Safety Section was awarded a supplemental federal grant of $15,000. The supplemental funding will enhance the Mine and Cave Safety Program’s “Walk and Talk Program” to promote mining safety training for mine operators and workers at no cost to the mines. With this country’s most recent mining accident occurring this month in Barbour County, W.Va., additional mine safety programs can help make mines safer for operators and workers.
“The ‘Walk and Talk Program’ will provide our instructors access to mines currently not utilizing the Department’s training program,” Director Todd Smith said. “That initial contact will help market the program, give miners and contractors a sample of the training they can expect to receive, and in the process possibly reduce the number of mining accidents, deaths and injuries. The program also will allow the management of the mine site or contractor to understand the basics of the training program and request various training needs from the Mine and Cave Safety Program.”
The “Walk and Talk Program” consists of three 15-minute short courses that provide safety alternatives to curtail the current injury trends in the industry through training and education. The Instructors/Inspectors will visit at least 105 mines and provide immediate services to the mine site. The combined interventions will result in the training of up to 600 miners within one year, 105 training plans and safety plans developed, and a host of other services made available to the mines, miners and contract miners. The greatest accomplishment from this intervention will be the quality training and information that will assist each miner or contract miner in ensuring that every day is a safer day.
This intervention is specifically targeted to small mines, contract miners, or mines without training programs. The goal is to provide quick and easy, yet quality training to those miners. Although specific, the target audience is large, as more companies are applying for mining permits. Through assistance from the federal grant, the program is fully equipped and our staff is ready to provide value-added training to reduce mining accidents, and prevent injuries and fatalities.
For more information about the Department’s Mine and Cave Safety Program, visit the Internet site http://www.dolir.mo.gov/ls/minesafety/training.htm, or e-mail at minesafety@dolir.mo.gov, or call the Division of Labor Standards at (573) 751-3403.
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· P.O. Box 504 · Jefferson City, MO
65102-0504
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