Set for October 11-13 at the National Mine Health and Safety Academy in Beaver, West Virginia, the free event focuses on risk management, emergency preparedness and other topics to help improve training programs with new ideas and new materials.

About 60-70 workshops for both coal and metal/nonmetal trainers and officials will be offered during the event, with other topics including Part 46 and Part 48 compliance, communications with independent contractors, the effectiveness of virtual reality training, driver and equipment ergonomics and instructor fundamentals.

“Training in today’s mining industry, more than ever before, is considered a foundational element in our relentless pursuit of improving mine safety,” organizers said.

“The small group format encourages interaction between the participants and the workshop leaders.”

The agency will also hold its 16th annual training materials competition for those who develop training materials for miners and contractors. Open to entrants from government, academia and industry, it includes categories in print, non-print (such as videos, interactive and presentations) and mixed media.

Exhibits will also be available for guests onsite, featuring materials developed by MSHA, the mining industry and recipients of state project grants.

For more information or to register for the seminar, visit the MSHA web site.