Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 91.djvu/1355

 PUBLIC LAW 95-164—NOV. 9, 1977

91 STAT. 1321

(2) Section 505 of such Act is further amended by striking out the period at the end of the second sentence thereof and inserting in lieu thereof ": Provided, however, That, to the maximum extent feasible, in the selection of persons for appointment as mine inspectors, no person shall be so selected unless he has the basic qualification of at least five years practical mining experience and in assigning mine inspectors to the inspection and investigation of individual mines, due consideration shall be given to the extent possible to their previous experience in the particular type of mining operation where such inspections are to be made.". (e) Section 506(b) of such Act is amended by inserting "or other" immediately after "coal" each time it appears therein. (f) Section 511 of such Act is amended by inserting "or other" immediately after "coal". (g) Section 512 of such Act is amended by inserting "or other" after "coal" each time it appears therein. (h) Section 502 of such Act is amended by adding at the end thereof the following new subsection (c): "(c)(1) The National Mine Health and Safety Academy shall be maintained as an agency of the Department of the Interior. The Academy shall be responsible for the training of mine safety and health inspectors under section 505 of this Act, and in training of technical support personnel of the Mine Safety and Health Administration established under section 302 of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Amendments Act of 1977; and for any other training programs for mine inspectors, mining personnel, or other persons as the Secretaries of Labor and the Interior shall designate. In performing this function, the Academy shall have the authority to enter into cooperative educational and training agreements with educational institutions, State governments, labor organizations, and mine operators and related industries. Such training shall be conducted by the Academy in accordance with curriculum needs and assignment of instructional personnel established by the user. "(2) In performing its function pursuant to this section, the National Mine Health and Safety Academy shall use the facilities and personnel of the Department of the Interior, and such other personnel as shall be mutually agreed upon by the Secretaries of Labor and the Interior. The Secretary of the Interior may appoint or assign to the Academy such officers and employees as he deems necessary for the performance of the duties and functions of the Academy. "(3) The Secretary of the Interior shall conduct his safety research responsibilities under section 501 of this Act in coordination with the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretaries of Labor and the Interior are authorized to enter into contractual or other agreements for the performance of such safety related research.".

Mine inspectors, qualifications and selection. Ante, p. 1320.

30 USC 955. 30 USC 958. 30 USC 959. Safety training; and educational programs. National Mine Health and Safety Academy. Ante, p. 1320. Ante, p. 1319. eooperative agreements.

Facilities and personnel.

Ante, p. 1320.

SAVINGS PROVISION

SEC. 304. Nothing contained in this Act or any amendment made by this Act shall be construed to reduce the number of inspectors engaged in enforcement of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 and the Federal Metal and Nonmetallic Mine Safety Act as in effect prior to the effective date of this Act or to reduce the number of inspectors engaged in the enforcement of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.

30 USC 954 note, 30 USC 801 note, 30 USC 721 note, 29 USC 651 note.

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