Public Invited to Mine Safety Competition in Ohio
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Mineral Resources Management will hold its 2nd Annual Ohio Mine Safety Competition at the new Mine Safety Training Center in Cadiz, Ohio, on Oct. 1.
The facility's state-of-the-art mine simulators will replicate real-life emergency scenarios for nine Ohio mine rescue teams who will be evaluated on their assessment of situations and use of problem-solving skills. Such training could save lives during an actual mine emergency, ODNR says.
During the competition, each team will complete two rescue drills. One will be in the training center's new mine simulator, which will be filled with smoke, and the second will be set up outdoors. The teams will be assigned the same emergency problem and will be evaluated by state and federal mine inspectors on their procedures and speed. Two courses will run simultaneously and teams will be sequestered until it is their turn to compete.
"Ohio's Mine Safety Training Center provides mine rescuers and mine workers in Ohio and surrounding states with a facility where they can conduct training exercises that will help keep them safe on the job," says ODNR Director Sean Logan. "Such training enhances mine safety, reinforces accident prevention programs, and, in turn, helps to strengthen Ohio's mining industry."
The competition will begin at 8 a.m. The public is welcome to attend. Participating rescue teams will represent the following coal mines:
- Ohio Valley Coal – Powhatan No. 6 Mine - Alledonia, Ohio
- American Energy Corporation – Century Mine - Beallsville, Ohio
- Buckingham Coal Company – Team #1 – Glouster, Ohio
- Buckingham Coal Company – Team #2 – Glouster, Ohio
- Hopedale Mining - Cadiz, Ohio
- Mountain Spring Coal Company – Mine #10-7 - Hammondsville, Ohio
- Rosebud Mining Company - Tusky Mine – Tuscarawas Co.
- Sterling Mining Corporation Sterling Mine – North Lima, Ohio
- Yellowbush Mine – Gatlin, Ohio
ODNR is partnering with the Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration, Pennsylvania Bureau of Deep Mine Safety, and West Virginia Office of Miners Health, Safety and Training to stage the event. The competition will count toward one of the two federally required mine safety and rescue programs that miners must annually complete.
The Mine Safety Training Center, which opened May 1, has two 158’ x 200’ simulated mines that provide a venue for vital hands-on training. There also are four classrooms onsite, which allow DMRM staff to conduct informative training sessions regarding the Ohio mining industry and mine safety. Harrison Hills City School Board has donated bleacher seating for trainees.
For more information, contact Jerry Stewart, ODNR Mineral Resources Management, at (614) 265-6910, or Beth Ruth, ODNR Media Relations Coordinator, at (614) 265-6860.