May 8, 2014 1 min read

State Rep. Jesse White this week introduced legislation that would require all natural-gas employees working at well sites in Pennsylvania to complete safety and emergency-response training.

White said this program is modeled after the successful “Red Hat” training program for underground coal miners in West Virginia, where new employees are identified by the color of their hardhats.

Under White’s legislation, H.B. 2245, the state Department of Environmental Protection would develop and administer a training program that would provide for general orientation at well sites, as well as health and safety, emergency response, accident prevention, hazard recognition, and worker and operator rights and responsibilities.

White, D-Cecil, said this training would be required for all natural-gas employees and subcontractors working at well sites in Pennsylvania.

Newly hired employees who have completed the training program would be required to wear a green hard hat while at well sites for one year following the completion of the training, designating them as certified but new to the industry.

White’s bill has been sent to the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee for further consideration.