The Directorate of Educational Policy and Development implements MSHA's education and training programs promoting safety and health in the Nation's mining industry. The Directorate plans, monitors, and evaluates all MSHA education and training programs addressing mine safety and health, and provides entry-level and journeyman training for MSHA’s enforcement staff. The Directorate provides guidance on training programs and training activities to ensure consistency with existing Agency policy, and reviews all training materials developed in support of these activities, coordinating training programs with other Federal and State Agencies, mining companies, educational institutions, and labor organizations. The Directorate also formulates and interprets MSHA training policy under
30 CFR Part 46 and 30 CFR Part 48.
The Directorate is divided into four organizational units: the Management Office, the National Mine Health and Safety Academy in Beckley, West Virginia; Educational Field Services; and the Small Mine Office. Other responsibilities include administration of the State Grants Program which distributes funds to state agencies to supplement their mining health and safety programs; and administration of other competitive grants targeting studies in the mine health and safety areas. The Qualifications and Certification unit, under the Deputy Director’s office, evaluates qualifications and issues certifications for instructors and miners. The Directorate is a major sponsor for the Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association.
Educational Policy and Development is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia
