Set for January 18 and 19 at the National Mine Health and Safety Academy in Beaver, West Virginia, the free event will examine topics such as drilling design, safe blasting practices, electronic initiation systems, construction blasting, vibration control, flyrock and more.

Attendees will also hear presentations from manufacturers, consultants and government agencies on safety in the storage, transportation and use of explosives and preventing malfunctions, as well as the use of seismology in blasting applications.

MSHA noted that the states of West Virginia, Alabama, Ken¬tucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Colorado, Wyoming, New York and Pennsylvania will accept the seminar as part of the blasting recertification CEU require¬ments. The commonwealth of Virginia will accept it only for recertification of construction blasters.

For more information on the event or to register, contact Kevin Malay at 304-256-3539 or malay.kevin@dol.gov or Doug Lawson at 304-256-3472 or lawson.douglas@dol.gov.