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Jun
16
Written by:
news editor
6/16/2010 1:00 AM
6/16/10 Ohio hosted the 29th Annual Ohio Valley Mine Rescue Post 6 regional mine safety competition at the Ohio Mine Safety Training Center in Harrison County last week.
Ohio Mine Safety Training Center hosted Annual Regional Safety Competition
35 teams representing six states competed for top mine safety honors
CADIZ, OH—For the first time, Ohio hosted the 29th Annual Ohio Valley Mine Rescue Post 6 regional mine safety competition at the Ohio Mine Safety Training Center in Harrison County last week, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Mineral Resources Management.
This regional competition drew teams representing mining operators in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky, Maryland and Virginia. The McElroy Coal Company’s blue team swept all three competition events including top honors for their mine rescue skills. Hopedale Mining from Hopedale, Ohio placed in the mine rescue competition’s top 10.
“We were thrilled to host the Ohio Valley Mine Rescue contest at our Cadiz facility for the first time,” said ODNR Assistant Director Rich Milleson. “The center was designed to provide real-life mine rescue conditions and help prepare miners for the inherent risks associated with underground mines. These types of training experiences will help keep them safe on the job.”
Teams were tested in a variety of activities including mine rescue, breathing apparatus troubleshooting and pre-shift contests which tested mining officials in identifying hazards before mining begins. The event is coordinated by the National Mine Rescue Association’s Post 6 region.
“We have not been able to offer realistic simulations in the past, such as smoke training, however, state-of-the art facilities like the Cadiz center now makes those training activities possible,” said Brad DeBusk, president of Post 6. “ODNR’s facility allows us to better train teams for mine emergencies.”
The facility has two 158’x 200’ simulated mines that provide an opportunity to offer critical hands-on training. There are also four classrooms, which allow ODNR staff to conduct informative training sessions regarding the Ohio mining industry and mining safety. Additionally, the site is home base for one of the division’s four mine rescue stations which house the equipment needed to respond to underground mining emergencies.
Regional mine safety competitions help develop and test the skills of mine rescue teams by using simulated mine emergency conditions, such as those found at the simulated mines set up at ODNR’s facility. Competition judges include officials from U.S. Department of Labor, West Virginia Office Miners Health, Safety and Training, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and ODNR.
“Mine safety competitions, like Ohio’s first rate event, give our rescue teams a chance to learn from each other during real-time scenarios,” explained Babe Erdos, Ohio’s legislative liaison for the United Mine Workers of America. “We hope they never have to use the lessons they learn from their competition experiences but, if they do, they will be prepared for the future.”
After two days of competition, the top mine rescue teams were honored at the annual Post 6 competition awards banquet. Additionally, ODNR recognized local Eagle Scout candidate, Jimmy Albert, who spearheaded local efforts to memorialize a 1940 explosion at the Willow Grove Mine in Belmont County, which resulted in the death of 72 Ohio Valley miners. With the help of his fellow troop members, Albert collected donations to erect an engraved memorial and meticulously researched the names of all the mining disaster victims. Albert is a senior at East Richland Christian School near St. Clairsville.
In 2008, State Senator Tom Niehaus (R-New Richmond) sponsored Senate Bill 323, and Governor Ted Strickland signed it into law. SB 323 updated Ohio’s mine safety laws, increased protections for Ohio’s miners and provided funding to ODNR to establish the Cadiz mine rescue facility.
The ODNR Division of Mineral Resources Management provides for the safe and environmentally sound development and restoration of mineral and fossil fuel extraction sites. For more information, visit www.ohiodnr.com.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR Web site at www.ohiodnr.com.
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A mine rescue team from Rosebud Mining Company, operating in Tuscarawas County, competes in the mine rescue competition at the 29th Annual Ohio Valley Mine Rescue event on June 9.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: More photos available upon request – please send request to heidi.evans@dnr.state.oh.us)
For more information, contact:
Craig Corder, ODNR Mineral Resources Management
740. 942. 9150 x102
Brad DeBusk, Post 6 Region
724. 986. 2114
Heidi Hetzel-Evans, ODNR Media Relations
614. 265. 6860
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