Problems and Needs of Mine Trainers: Emphasis on Mandated Annual Refresher Training

Abstract

This paper discusses the problems and needs of trainers in the mining industry. Particular emphasis is placed on annual refresher training as required by Title 30 – Code of Federal Regulations, Part 48 (30 CFR 48). The information contained herein has been compiled by the Mining Extension Service at West Virginia University as a function of their continuing effort to assist miners, trainers, and the industry as a whole. Issues discussed include but are not limited to the following: length of training sessions, training sessions held after miners have worked an eight-hour shift, physical characteristics of training rooms (facilities), on-the-job reinforcement of safety procedures stressed during training, trainer's ability to cover certain topics in depth, difficulty of trainers in attending workshops to improve their skills, lack of workshops designed to meet the needs of trainers, and company support of training efforts.