CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded a $563,256 grant to West Virginia for mine health and safety training programs.
U.S. Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin and Rep. Nick Rahall announced funding in a news release.
The lawmakers say the training programs are critical to protecting miners on the job.
Following is the full news release:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin, as well as Congressman Nick Rahall, today announced that West Virginia has been awarded $563,256 in federal funding to help improve mine safety training to protect miners and the communities where mining is taking place.
The funding from the U.S. Department of Labor's grant to the state will be used to fund health and safety training, and education programs for miners, mine operators and contractors working on mine properties.
"Making sure miners get the training they need to stay safe on the job is absolutely critical," said Rockefeller. "This funding is part of that effort, and I've also been working in Congress to pass comprehensive mine safety reform so that we have tough new laws to protect our miners. Making sure they are safe each and every day they go to work is one of my top priorities, and we must continue to work on ways to improve mine safety."
"In West Virginia, we have always done the heavy lifting that has built this nation, mining the coal that powers America. Unfortunately, we in West Virginia know all too well the dangers that confront our miners each and every day," said Manchin. "The safety of our workers is our number one priority, and the funds for these training programs are a critical part of making sure that every person who gets up to work in a mine in the morning can expect to come home safely to their loved ones at night."
"Ensuring that our coal miners come home safe and sound at the end of each shift requires a continuous commitment on all levels to the training, the equipment, the leadership and the management needed to promote safer, healthier working conditions in our Nation's mines," said Rahall. "These funds are part of the ongoing Federal commitment to provide our miners with the safety skills and know-how essential to their protection. I am proud to support this initiative and others that keep our miners safer on the job, doing the important work of providing energy for our Nation."
