Mine Safety Training Academy

With the latest fatalities occurring in a coal mine in McDowell County, West Virginia, residents and families are wondering what training and education is provided to the miners and personnel that would prevent the deaths of those who are working. The coal mines were once very dangerous and considered a high risk career. In a five year period in the early 1900's, over 13,000 miners died. The Health and Safety Regulations were established and updated in 1977. In this act, it required that the mines were to be inspected two times per year for surface mines and four times per year for underground mines. If violations were found, the company would be fined monetary fines and criminal penalties were given for willful violations. This act also provided compensation for the miners who were injured on the job or disabled during their career.

Today, miners must take a mandatory course in health and safety in order to continue their careers in this profession. Where does this training take place and how do they get the proper training? At the seventh permanent Federal Academy which is located in Beckley West Virginia. Mine Safety and Heath Inspectors and Technical support personnel of the Mine Safety Health Administration are sent here from all over the United States and from other countries to receive training here. The other six permanent Federal Academies are the Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Maritime, Navy and FBI.

This academy is located on eighty acres. It contains nine buildings, each offering training and education that is needed to keep the mines safe. The nine buildings contain the Residence Hall, Administration, Classrooms, Mine Machinery Laboratory, Publication Distribution, Gymnasium, Maintenance and Equipment, Mine emergency operations, Mine Rescue Station and Mine Simulation laboratory.