MSHA Part 46 New Miner & Newly Hired
Experienced Miner

About This Course

Course Objectives

Introduction to MSHA Part 46 — New Miner Training Course

• Applicability
  • Other Agencies
  • New Miner
  • Newly Hired Experienced Miner
  • Annual Refresher
  • New Task
  • Site-specific Hazard
• Training Records
• Key Terms

Introduction to the Mine Environment

• Surface Mining Development
• Surface Mining Operations
• Surface Mining Reclamation
• Types of Surface Mines
• Strip Mining
• Open Pit Mining
• Mountaintop Removal Mining
• Physical Characteristics of a Surface Mine
• Specialized Machinery
• Common Surface Mining Tasks
• Leveling
• Drilling
• Blasting
• Removing Overburden
• Dumping
• Backfilling
• Extraction
• Reclamation
• Transporting
• Mining Equipment
• Equipment Maintenance

Hazard Recognition and Avoidance

• SLAM
• Weather Conditions
• Airborne Particulates and Fumes
• Unsafe Ground Conditions
• Walls and Benches
• Equipment Hazards
• Mobile Equipment Hazards
• Blind Spots
• Pinch Points
• Physical Hazards
• Noise Exposure
• Use of Explosives
• Storage of Explosive Material
• Fires
• Vibrations
• Heat Stress
• Ergonomics
• Chemical Hazards
  • Class 1—Explosives
  • Class 2—Gases
  • Class 3—Flammable and Combustible Liquids
  • Class 4—Flammable Solids
  • Class 5—Oxidizers and Organic Peroxide
  • Class 6—Toxic Materials and Infectious Substances
  • Class 7—Radioactive Material
  • Class 8—Corrosive Materials
  • Class 9—Miscellaneous Hazardous Material
• Helpful Resources
• HAZCOM Program

Health and Safety Aspects of Mining

• Warning Signs and Barriers
• Best Practices
• Personal Protective Equipment
• Additional Personal Protective Equipment
• Equipment Inspections

Site Rules and Hazard Reporting

• Mine Site Rules
• Health of Mineworkers
• First Aid
• Mine Closures
• Idle Mining Operations
• Surface Mining Inspection
• Accident Reporting Procedures
• Immediately Reportable Accidents and Injuries
• The Dirty Dozen
• Emergency Procedures

Rights of Miners

• Participation in Inspections
• Requesting Inspection or Reporting Violations
• Withdrawal Orders
• Payment during a Withdrawal Order
• Contesting Enforcement Actions
• Training
• Health Protection
• Commenting Upon and Challenging New Rules
• Right to Information
• Protection against Discrimination
• Responsibility of the Miner

Line of Authority

• Supervisor
• Miners’ Representative
• Designated Safety Personnel

Summary

Additional Resources

Exam

New miners and newly hired experienced miners must receive training BEFORE they begin work at the mine.

According to MSHA 30 CFR § 46.8:

Annual refresher training.

• You must provide each miner with no less than 8 hours of annual refresher training:
  • No later than 12 months after the miner begins work at the mine, or no later than March 30, 2001, whichever is later; and
  • Thereafter, no later than 12 months after the previous annual refresher training was completed.
    The refresher training must include instruction on changes at the mine that could adversely affect the miner’s health or safety.
• Refresher training must also address other health and safety subjects that are relevant to mining operations at the mine. Recommended subjects include, but are not limited to: applicable health and safety requirements, including mandatory health and safety standards; information about the physical and health hazards of chemicals in the miner’s work area, the protective measures a miner can take against these hazards, and the contents of the mine’s HazCom program; transportation controls and communication systems; escape and emergency evacuation plans, firewarning and firefighting; ground conditions and control; traffic patterns and control; working in areas of highwalls; water hazards, pits, and spoil banks; illumination and night work; first aid; electrical hazards; prevention of accidents; health; explosives; and respiratory devices. Training is also recommended on the hazards associated with the equipment that has accounted for the most fatalities and serious injuries at the mines covered by this rule, including mobile equipment (haulage and service trucks, front-end loaders and tractors); conveyor systems; cranes; crushers; excavators; and dredges. Other recommended subjects include maintenance and repair (use of hand tools and welding equipment); material handling; fall prevention and protection; and working around moving objects (machine guarding).

This course presents an overview of the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) New Miner Training; particularly, this course covers the initial four hour training material requirements of MSHA Part 46 for surface mining. The mine operator must provide task and site-specific training in addition to the topics covered herein.