Michigan State Grants Mine Safety Training Newsletter 97-1 Introduction - Who are we? A request was made at the October 24, 1996 Holmes mine safety meeting in Gaylord, Michigan that the Michigan Mine Safety and Health Training Program mail a special newsletter to Michigan mines describing the Program. This mailing is in response to that request. Program Objective The objective of the Michigan Mine Safety and Health Training Program is to improve safety and health in Michigan mines through training. The program is directed toward providing assistance to Michigan mines and independent contractors to comply with Title 30, Parts 48 and 56 of the Code of Federal Regulations training requirements enforced by the Federal Mine Safety and Health Adminis-tration (MSHA). Program resources are directed primarily toward small mines (less than 50 employees), which may lack the resources to do the training themselves. Larger mines are also trained, but are required to share a greater portion of the overall cost. Location and Funding The Program is operated by the Mining Engineering Department of Michigan Technological University (MTU). Funding for the Program is provided by MSHA and by the Michigan Department of Consumer and Industry Services, Bureau of Safety and Regulation (the State). Funding is on a year-to-year basis and depends upon the sponsors' requirements based on a proposal written by MTU to the State. Roughly 68 % of the overall funding for the program is provided by MSHA, about 17 % by the State, and about 15 % from user fees. What the Program Does In our current contract with the State, Program funds are used to support two main areas: 1) a major portion of the funding is directed toward 8-hour annual refresher and first aid training sessions held throughout Michigan as well as the purchase and preparation of new training materials for each year's training, and 2) a smaller portion is directed toward training supervisors through: a) support to the Holmes Association by participation in the planning and implementation of mine safety meetings and workshops, b) through training newsletters sent out quarterly to all of Michigan's mines, c) through information on the Program's internet home page (see internet address in header), and d) through the services of a lending library which loans videos free of charge to Michigan's mines for their in-house safety meetings. Program Personnel The Program budget currently covers the salaries of a half-time Manager, a three-quarter time clerk, a quarter- to half-time trainer who also prepares new training materials, another one- quarter time trainer, and a one-quarter time subcontractor trainer. All program instructors must have an MSHA wallet card designating qualification as a certified mine safety instructor. Scheduling Training A phone call to the Program Manager at the number listed in the header is all that is required when a mine wants training. To keep travel costs to a minimum, the Program Manager will attempt to schedule two to three days training in a given area on consecutive days. A pre- training survey will be sent to the mine to obtain mine-specific information for the trainer. The trainer will also telephone the mine to obtain additional information that can be used to make the training more mine specific. As in the past two years, a travel schedule has been set for the busy period from mid-February through the end of April 1997, which will minimize travel time and distance. This schedule is attached to this newsletter. Available training dates in a given area will be filled on a first call, first served basis. As an incentive to small mine clients to choose one of the scheduled dates in their area, the mileage, motel and meal costs normally charged (see Training Fees and Travel Costs below) will not be invoiced for the dates listed. Clients may make their requests now for the available free travel dates. Approved Training Plan MSHA-approved training plans are available for the following courses: Part 48 training (surface mines) - Annual refresher for 8 hours and New Miner for 8 to 24 hours Independent Contractor - 8 to 24 hours Part 56 training - First aid - currently 6 ½ hour American Red Cross Standard First Aid Planning to add a new approved 4-hour course which would require retraining each year. Part 48 training (underground mines) - Annual refresher - 8 hours First Aid Training A new 4-hour first aid training program meeting MSHA requirements for trained supervisors (or other capable individuals) is currently under development. This new program is being designed to require retraining every year. Training Certificates A certificate recognizing that a mine has received training during the particular year will be signed and presented to each mine by the instructor when training is complete. For training which applies, individual trainees will also receive official MSHA form 5000-3 certificates. Training Fees and Travel Costs A training fee is invoiced to the companies trained by Michigan Technological University (MTU) following training. The fee for a single session is $20 per person trained with a minimum charge of $200 for small mines (less than 50 employees), and $400 for large mines (greater than 50 employees). Instructor travel-related costs are also invoiced to the mines trained based on Michigan Technological University approved rates. These very low costs are possible because most of the associated costs are covered by the grant. When more than one company has employees trained in a single session, both fee and travel charges to the different company's are in proportion to the number of each com-panies employees that are trained. Likewise when sessions are held at different locations during a single travel segment, travel costs are divided among the companies that are trained in the different sessions. Lending Library A catalogue of videos contained in our library and reviews on many of the latest videos purchased or considered for purchase by the program are available to Michigan Mines upon request. This list is also available on our internet home page (page 1 header). Videos are loaned upon request free of charge for in-house safety meetings. The time period before videos must be returned will be set by the Program Clerk and depends on the need for the particular materials by others or in conducting the Program. Advisory Committee A mine safety program advisory committee is in place. The committee currently has nine members and meets twice each year in a centralized location (usually Gaylord), and at a time that makes it possible for most of the advisors to attend with a minimum commitment of time and travel expenses. The functions of the advisory committee are to: 1) provide advice on the training needs of Michigan's mines, 2) review Program initiatives that impact Michigan mines and, if unacceptable, help to locate suitable alternatives, and 3) attend meetings with the Program Manager and/or Director twice each year in a centralized location (usually Gaylord). A list of the names, addresses and phone numbers of current program personnel and advisors is included. Program Personnel Program Director - Francis Otuonye Rm. 701, Mining Engineering Department Michigan Technological University 1400 Townsend Drive Houghton, MI 49931 Phone: 906/487-2816 FAX : 906/487-2495 Program Manager- David H. Carlson Rm. 702, Mining Engineering Dept. Michigan Technological University 1400 Townsend Drive Houghton, MI 49931 Phone: 906/487-2453 FAX: 906/487-2495 Clerk - Mary Ewert Rm. 726, Mining Engineering Dept. Michigan Technological University 1400 Townsend Drive Houghton, MI 49931 Phone: 906/487-2272 FAX: 906/487-2495 Instructor - Danny Alder Mine Safety Trainer Mining Engineering Dept. Michigan Technological University 1400 Townsend Drive Houghton, MI 49931 Phone: 906/487-2272 FAX: 906/487-2495 Instructor - Philip J. Eggerding Mine Safety Trainer PO Box 396 White Pine, MI 49971 Phone: 906/885-5282 FAX: 906/885-5282 Instructor Roger R. Chandonnet (Subcontractor) 1505 Scranton Drive Muskegon, MI 49441 Phone: 616/798-1808 Advisory Committee Penny Traver Safety Director Econex North, Inc. 415 S Main St. Standish, MI 48658 517/846-9521 Rudolph Greuer, Professor, Mining Engineering Dept. Michigan Technological University Houghton, MI 49931 906/487-2854 Dave Couillard Training Specialist MSHA Federal Building Room 228 515 West 1st St. Duluth, MN 55802-1302 218/720-5448 Dan Lacrosse Boilermakers Local Union President Presque Isle Corp. 3527 French Road Alpena, MI 49707 517/354-3493 Richard Tieder Projects Manager Institute of Materials Processing Michigan Technological University 1400 Townsend Drive Houghton, MI 49931 906/487-2600 Don Ulman Mill Manager US Gypsum 2930 Benson Rd., Tawas City, MI 48763 517/362-6394 Stan Borowski Director, Safety and Environment Drenth Brothers Inc. PO Box 236, 9448 Six Mile Lake Rd., Ellsworth, MI 49729 616/588-2345 Ken Cunningham Vice President Michigan Gypsum Co. 2840 Bay Road Saginaw, MI 48603 517/792-8734 Jim Eller Safety Training Coordinator Lafarge Corporation, Box 396, Ford Road, Alpena, MI 49797 517/354-4171