The U.S. Department of Labor announced that a new grant has made $10.5 m available for mine workers.
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) announced the news on the Department of Labor website. The grant will be made available in this fiscal year as part of the 2024 State Grants program.
MSHA makes grant funding available
The grant will make the working environment safer for miners in coal, metal, and nonmetal mines, both above and below ground.
This federally mandated training comes at a significant cost, so on average, the MSHA fund will take 80% of the freight.
The Mine Safety and Health Act is a key part of the MSHA charge to keep miners well-trained and informed about the most current industrial working standards.
The funding announcement prioritizes miners who work in small mines, shell dredging, and surface stone, sand, and gravel mines. The goal is to ensure the health and safety of their workplace is as up-to-date as possible.
“The State Grants program is one way that MSHA can focus on protecting the health and safety of miners across the country,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health Chris Williamson. “That training needs to include educating miners about the hazards associated with silica and how they can exercise their rights to minimize their risks.”
The MSHA diligently applies the most up-to-date rules in its Federal-State partnership. This allows the Department of Labor to share compliance and legislation with those awarded some of the $10.5m grants to ensure operators comply with new rules.
The Secretary of Labor set out their intentions to apply fair and well-informed working practices as part of the Department’s FY 2022-2026 Strategic Plan.
Strategic goal 2 of the plan states, “Ensure Safe Jobs, Essential Protections, and Fair Workplaces.” MSHA’s role in accomplishing this objective is to “prevent fatalities, disease, and injury from mining, and secure safe and healthful working conditions for America’s miners.”
So, the news of this grant will go a long way to secure a healthy and informed future for America’s miners—one of the bedrock pillars of the American economy and the nation’s blue-collar roots.
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