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Office of Mine Safety and Licensing
Office of Mine Safety and Licensing Training Program Targets Mine Foremen
In January, the Department for Natural Resources’ Office of Mine Safety and Licensing (OMSL) unveiled a six-hour class specifically designed for all surface and underground mine foremen in the Commonwealth.
HB 207, passed by the 2008 General Assembly, required this annual training as part of a larger mine safety initiative. OMSL designed and implemented the annual training, the success of which is evidenced by the large number of foremen trained thus far. Each training session focuses on the following:
· changes in mine safety laws
· safe retreat mining practices
· disciplinary cases brought before the Mine Safety Review Commission
· changes in safety technology
· methods to improve safe working procedures
OMSL offers the mandated training at each of its six district office locations each week at no charge to attendees. Since the implementation of this training program, OMSL has trained more than 2,000 mine foremen in a concentrated effort to enhance mine safety.
According to Frank Reed, director of Training and Certification, “A significant reduction in fatalities and accidents can be expected as a result of OMSL’s Mine Foreman Training program. If mine foremen insist on exercising safe mining practices and enforce them accordingly, accidents will be reduced.”
Feedback from the foremen attending the course has been extremely positive. They indicate that they now realize the impact that their leadership and direction has on miners they supervise.
“I commend OMSL on the development of this training. Our goal continues to be that of ensuring that Kentucky’s mines are the safest in the nation. This training is instrumental in our reaching this goal,” said Carl Campbell, commissioner of the Department for Natural Resources.
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