General DNR News

Grant provides safety training for miners

A federal/state grant has been awarded to the Louisiana Department of Natural Resource (DNR) to provide safety training for workers in the mining industries.

The DNR Office of Conservation has partnered with the Louisiana Technical College (LTC) Florida Parishes campus to sponsor and hold training classes for surface miners and those doing underground mining operations in the state.

“It is critical for all persons in the industry to be trained on safety in their workplace and to meet MSHA requirements,” reported DNR Conservation Commissioner Jim Welsh.

MSHA stands for the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration, that requires workers to be trained under either Part 46 or 48 of the Federal Mine and Safety Act. According to Kaycee Garrett, who is the state’s grant administrator in the DNR Surface Mining section, Part 46 training is required for all surface mining employees engaged in sand, gravel, surface stone, surface clay and limestone operations. Part 48 training is required for all miners engaged in mining operations at coal, non-metal/metal, underground, and surface areas of underground mines.

Instructors for the courses are MSHA certified, having met the guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Labor. LTC will coordinate new miner, annual refresher, and CPR/first aid training for those in this field of work. The training cost for a new miner participating in a 24-hour course is $30. The annual renewal training and CPR/first aid eight-hour course cost is $10 per applicant.

To register or inquire about MSHA training, contact: Betty Stubbs, MSHA Coordinator, Louisiana Technical College at 1-800-827-9750 ext. 202 or 225-222-4251 ext. 202.

Editors: For more information on this topic, contact the DNR Public Information Office at 225-342-8955.