Coal Mining Resources: version 2

This is a continuation of my pervious work in helping other miners and will-be miners pass their tests as given by MSHA, WVMHSA, and what-not.

RED HAT/APPRENTICE MINER:

All 'civilians' must complete the 80-hr Apprentice Certification Class, and pass the Assessment Test to become an Apprentice Miner. You can find a local Class in West Virginia to being your underground endeavor, by clicking Here.

You must be an Apprentice Miner (hereafter called a 'Red Hat') for 6months AND 108 shifts Underground. A shift is 4hrs-? working 13hrs in one day doesn't count as 2 shifts. only 1. It's solely up to your employer to provide with a shift verifcation sheet. If they refuse to administer one after you have amassed your shifts, you may go to you local MSHA/State Office and file a complaint against your employer.

A new (and dumb) law states that you must become a Black Hat within 18months of your initial training. If you don't you'll have to take your class all over again. Your Red Hat certification will expire 1year after issue, at this point you'll have to retest (but not retake classes).

If you terminate employment with your Mine before you complete the training (not recommended, but hey, shit happens) you will need to get a partial completion of shifts and give it to your new employer so they can combine your shifts to 108 so you can take your Black Test Test.

A bossman (White Hat) can have 4 red hats under his authority, whereas an Experience Miner (hereafter "Black Hat") can have only 1 Redhat under his direct authority at any given time.

There's no age limit to be a red hat, though I highly recommend you be physically fit and younger (under 30), as red hat's are grunts in the mines, doing most of the labor. Think of them as privates in the Army.

When you enter the mining industry remember to buy your own:

-Metatarsal Boots (these run about 250 dollars for a good pair, like Matterhorns) 

-your belt (about 100 bucks) I recommend one with shoulder straps, your gear is heavy, and you'll be carrying all of it around for atleast 50hrs a week. 

-Your Hard Hat (another 100 bucks) if you cant find a Red one, spray paint a black one.

-Your tools (standard is a heavy hammer [22oz+], pick hammer, channel locks, and 1inch crescent wrench) tools will vary based on job assigned, though.

-Never forget a good sturdy lunch bucket that can handle some dings and scratches. You'll find a fellow miner to give you a bit bucket probably, these are flimsy buckets that Continuous Miner/Long Wall Bits arrive in, they're cheap and free. I give em away to my redhats all the time.  I don't recommend cloth/mesh bags for buckets, rats love to nom on these kind, given your mine has a rat problem.

Your mine should supply you:

-your uniforms (unless its a contractor), 

-cap light(most redhats get the dated, and worn caplights. gotta earn your keep for those nice LED ones),

-spotter (air sensor),

-rescuer, 

-knee pads, 

-eye-protection

-gloves.

For a free study guide, check out this link, its downloadable. WV 80hr Study Guide

BLACK HAT TEST POINTERS:

My test was mostly safety (surprise) questions. Here's some:

Remember all equipment is has to be parked atleast 15ft from a curtain.

You can go under roof that hasn't been bolted ONLY IF you have supplementary/temporary roof supports (timbers; 4ft apart).

Curtain must be WITHIN 10ft of the face. There's two answers on the test, one says within 10ft of the face, and the other says 10feet of the face. Pay attention to that.

Rock dust is 40ft from the face (as in, from the face outby 40ft has to be rockdusted, not vice versa)

Know your light signals.

Don't go test after work. I've seen many fail cause of this, especially Hoot Owl guys. Rest up!

The test is 25 questions, rather simple if you know your stuff (you've been underground for 6mos, so you should) good luck! oh and the test fee is 10dollars, as with the Red Hat Test. Bring Check/Money Order, they don't take cash typically.

Hope this helps you guys out. Any questions, feel free to ask.

WHITE HAT/BOSS PAPERS CERTIFICATION

I'm not here yet, but I have been using this lil PDF file to practice with:
Utah Underground Foreman Study Guide + Practice Test

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