The 2011 Coal Mine Rescue, First Aid, Bench and Preshift Rules Training has been scheduled for March 22-24 at the National Mine Health and Safety Academy in Beaver, West Virginia.

Chief judges for competitions, as well as assistant chief judges, will be on hand to discuss rule interpretations with MSHA, state agencies and rescue team representatives.

MSHA will audio conference most of the rules training event to several outside locations; interested parties are encouraged to refer to the agency web site before the event for further details.

The sessions, which will be presented from the Academy Auditorium, include mine rescue rules; bench rules for BG-4, Biopak 240-S and Biopak 240-R; preshift rules; and first aid rules. Several problem designers’ meetings will also convene at the campus but will not be audiocast.

The Academy will not offer on-campus housing for attendees in 2011 and, due to the anticipated size of the meeting, it is limiting questions. However, those wishing to have a question addressed can forward them in writing by March 7 to Loretta Roark at roark.loretta@dol.gov.

Visit the MSHA web site for a copy of the 2011 Coal Mine Rescue, First Aid, Bench and Preshift Competition Rules. No copies will be available at the rules training, so all attendees should print and bring a copy.

Any questions relating to the event can be directed to Carolyn Archer, Diane Crouse or Eva Yeary at 276-679-0230.