MSHA Part 48 New Miner & Newly Hired Experienced Miner

About This Course

Course Objectives

Introduction to MSHA Part 48 — New Miner Training Course

• MSHA Regulations
• MSHA Part 46 vs. Part 48
• Part 48 Applicability
• Training Plans
• Subpart A—New Miner Training Hours
• Subpart B—New Miner Training Hours
• Hazard Training
• Additional Training
• Training Records

Introduction to the Mine Environment

Underground Mining Methods

• Unsupported Methods
• Supported Methods
• Caving Methods
• Mining Operations
• Common Mining Tasks
• Mining Equipment
• Equipment Maintenance
• Mine Specific Work Environment

Mine Site Rules

• Entering and Leaving the Mine
• Mine Transportation Systems
• Mine Communication
• Transportation Signals and Signs
• Warning Signs and Barriers
• Security

Hazard Recognition and Avoidance

• Electrical Hazards
• Electrical Safety
• Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)
• Fire and Explosions Hazards
• Fire Controls
• Use of Explosives
• Storage and Transportation of Explosive Material
• Rock Dusting
• Respiratory Hazards
• Oxygen-deficient Atmosphere
• Flammable Atmosphere
• Toxic Atmosphere
• Dust
• Dust Control
• Gases
• Gas Sampling
• Diesel Exhaust
• Structural Hazards
• Roof and Rib Support
• Equipment Hazards
• Blind Spots
• Pinch Points
• Hand Tools
• Ergonomics
• Falls, Slips, and Trips

Health Protection

• Hearing Protection
• Noise Intensity and Maximum Daily Exposure
• Noise Exposure Levels
• Hearing Conservation Program
• Types of Hearing Protection
• Respiratory Protection
• Health Effects of Dust
• Black Lung
• Part 90
• Respiratory Protection Program
• Ventilation
• Respiratory Protection Equipment
• Respirator Components
• Types of Respirators
• Vibrations
• Heat Stress
• Health of Mineworkers

Emergency Procedures and First Aid

• Emergency Response Plan
• Emergency Communications
• HAZCOM
• Mine Map
• Mine Map Contents
• Emergency Warning Systems
• Emergency Evacuations
• Escapeways
• Escapeway Map
• Evacuation Plans
• Evacuation Procedures
• Emergency Response
• Barricades
• Rescue Operations
• Mine Rescue Teams
• Self-Rescue Devices
• First Aid
• First Aid Versus Medical Treatment

Hazard and Accident Reporting

• Accident Reporting Procedures
• Immediately Reportable Accidents and Injuries
• The Dirty Dozen
• Accident Reports
• Mining Inspection

Rights of Miners

• Miners’ Representative
• Participation in Inspections
• Requesting Inspection or Reporting Violations
• Withdrawal Orders
• 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

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 § 48.8:

Annual refresher training.

Each miner shall receive a minimum of 8 hours of annual refresher training as prescribed in this section.

The annual refresher training program for all miners shall include the following courses of instruction:

• Mandatory health and safety standards. The course shall include mandatory health and safety standard requirements which are related to the miner’s tasks.
• Transportation controls and communication systems. The course shall include instruction on the procedures for riding on and in mine conveyances; the controls in effect for the transportation of miners and materials; and the use of the mine communication systems, warning signals, and directional signs.
• Barricading. The course shall include a review of the methods of barricading and locations of barricading materials, where applicable.
• Roof or ground control, ventilation, emergency evacuation and firefighting plans. The course shall include a review of roof or ground control plans in effect at the mine and the procedures for maintaining and controlling ventilation. In addition, for underground coal mines, except for miners who receive this training under 30 CFR 75.1504, the course shall include a review of the emergency evacuation and firefighting program of instruction in effect at the mine.
• First aid. The course shall include a review of first aid methods acceptable to MSHA.
• Electrical hazards. The course shall include recognition and avoidance of electrical hazards.
• Prevention of accidents. The course shall include a review of accidents and causes of accidents and instruction in accident prevention in the work environment.
• Self-rescue and respiratory devices. The course shall include instruction and demonstration in the use, care, and maintenance of self-rescue and respiratory devices used at the mine. In addition, except for miners who receive this training under 30 CFR 75.1504, the training for self-contained self-rescue (SCSR) devices shall include:
  • Hands-on training in the complete donning of all types of self- contained self-rescue devices used at the mine, which includes assuming a donning position, opening the device, activating the device, inserting the mouthpiece, and putting on the nose clip; and
  • Hands-on training in transferring between all applicable self- rescue devices.
    Explosives. The course shall include a review and instruction on the hazards related to explosives. The only exception to this course component is when there are no explosives used or stored on the mine property.
  • Mine gases. The course shall include instruction in the detection and avoidance of hazards associated with mine gases.
  • Health. The course shall include instruction on the purpose of taking dust, noise, and other health measurements and any health control plan in effect at the mine shall be explained. The health provisions of the Act and warning labels shall also be explained.
  • Such other courses as may be required by the District Manager based on circumstances and conditions at the mine.
• Refresher training may include other health and safety subjects that are relevant to mining operations at the mine. Recommended subjects include, but are not limited to, 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.
• Where annual refresher training is conducted periodically, such sessions shall not be less than 30 minutes of actual instruction time and the miners shall be notified that the session is part of annual refresher training.

This course presents an overview of the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) New Miner Training for MSHA Part 48 training requirements. The mine operator must provide task and site-specific training in addition to the topics covered herein.