The West Virginia Office of Miner’s Health Safety and Training plans to focus more on coal truck drivers and other mine contractors, thanks to additional funding.

According to published reports, new legislation will bring in a projected $1 million to the office, which hopes to used the money to add as many as a dozen inspectors and instructors. The additional revenues are expected to come from higher fines for mining violations.
The office estimates that on any given day, 10,000 to 12,000 contract employees are working on mine sites in the state, and three-quarters of those are coal truck drivers.
In order to operate a coal truck on mine property, drivers must obtain a coal truck driver’s certification and card from the mine safety office. To get the certification, they undergo eight hours of training, pass a test, and have the truck inspected. Drivers are supposed to update their eight hours of training yearly, but the mining agency does not track recertification.