The Vault: Chronicles of a 21st Century Coal Miner: Coal Miner Exam and Test

 I've added some quality of life improvements on the starter's guide. New 2024 contexts are in orange. The original post from April 2010 is in whatever-color-that-is. 

Coal Mining 101.

So over the last few years, I've had a lot of emails regarding the technicalities of coal mining, from how to become a miner, to some tricky test questions. So I'd like to take this time to explain some of it here in the wide open, in the blog. I hope this helps you guys out:

RED HAT/APPRENTICE MINER:

All coal miners must complete the 80-hr Apprentice Certification Class, and pass the test to become an Apprentice Miner. You can find a local Class in West Virginia, Here.

(or 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.

Once you complete your 6months and 108 shifts, you take a test and become an Experienced Miner. (hereafter, 'Black Hat')

A bossman (White Hat) can have 4 red hats under his authority, whereas a Black hat can have only 1 Redhat under his direct authority.

There's no age limit to be a red hat, though I highly recommend you be physically fit and younger, 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, I recommend Matterhorns) your belt (about 100 bucks) i recommend one with shoulder straps, your gear is heavy. Also remember your hard hat (another 100 bucks, I recommend the Low Pro if your mine site allows them) and your tools (standard is a heavy hammer [22oz+], pick hammer, channel locks, and 1inch crescent wrench, Lowes.) tools will vary based on job assigned.  And a good sturdy lunch bucket that can handle some dings and scratches (befriend a miner man, and ask for one of his "bit buckets", or get this.). Seriously though, just find a miner to give you a bit bucket , these flimsy buckets are used only once, as waste 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, given your mine has a varmit problem.

Your mine should supply you your uniforms, cap light, spotter (air sensor), rescuer, knee pads, eye-wear and gloves. So don't worry about those.

For a free study guide, check out this link, its downloadable.

What to expect as a red hat:

If you don't have family in the coal industry, entering can be somewhat intimidating. Don't sweat it, like any blue collar job you will find the forums and Facebook communities overexaggerate things some, namely because the industry is still undyingly competitive and a new miner means new threats to those in the industry. Aside from that, there's a lot of camaraderie that veers its face. As I used to tell my redhats, "you gotta earn your keep." 

That is, you have to work harder than everyone else. At least at first. You will die at the hands of a shovel on the beltlines. It's the most thankless, awful job in the coal mines; one of the few that actually still requires a strong back and lots of grunt work. But hey, a few months of hell for some of the best pay in Appalachia :) 

Also worth noting is that every other miserable stupid job gets tossed on the redhat. You're like a janitor at the airport. Muddy soggy gob-filled entry that needs a sump pump? You're hit. Sketchy roof fall needing some timbering? Batter up. Rock dusting a gob pile until it's snow white? Winner winner. 

You may not always have the best black hat for your field training, and that's okay. Remember what you learned in your classes. If you are nervous or question something unethical, say so. Just because he wants to lose his life doesn't mean you should in the process! 

Also, prepare to work your life away; but you want to be a coal miner to escape poverty like I did, right? Take as many shifts as you can, they do count and consider absenteeism when the inevitable layoffs start. Plus, if your state has shift requirements (I think all do now), it's another shift down and a day closer to....

BLACK HAT TEST POINTERS:

My test was mostly safety (surprise) questions. Here's some that myself and peers found pertinent to know:

• 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.
• 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.

Hope this helps you guys out.

As always feel free to shoot me a message as some this has been grandfathered over the years. I don't earn commission on the links, Amazon makes me say that... just trying to help y'all out!