The mining industry presents hazardous working conditions to both new and current miners. Because of this, MSHA requires specialized safety training to teach miners hazard and accident minimization, how to protect themselves and others in emergency situations, and how to facilitate MSHA compliance.

Independent contractors working on mine property must comply with the requirements of Part 48 A/B. This includes developing their own training plan that meets the minimum requirements of Part 48 A/B and providing appropriate training.

Who needs msha part 48 A/B training?

First time workers must complete a minimum of 24 hours of training within their first 90 days of employment, 4 hours of which must be completed prior to beginning work at the mine. Everyone employed at surface shell dredging or the following surface mines must complete MHSA Part 48 A/B training:

what to
expect

What is required

Before a new miner begins work at the mine - You must provide the miner with no less than 4 hours of training in the following subjects, which must also address site-specific hazards:

1. An introduction to the work environment, including a visit and tour of the mine, or portions of the mine that are representative of the entire mine (walk-around training). The method of mining or operation utilized must be explained and observed;

2. Instruction on the recognition and avoidance of electrical hazards and other hazards present at the mine, such as traffic patterns and control, mobile equipment (e.g., haul trucks and front-end loaders), and loose or unstable ground conditions;

3. A review of the emergency medical procedures, escape and emergency evacuation plans, in effect at the mine, and instruction on the fire-warning signals and firefighting procedures;

4. Instruction on the health and safety aspects of the tasks to be assigned, including the safe work procedures of such tasks, the mandatory health and safety standards pertinent to such tasks, 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;

5. Instruction on the statutory rights of miners and their representatives under the Act;

6. A review and description of the line of authority of supervisors and miners' representatives and the responsibilities of such supervisors and miners' representatives;

7. An introduction to your rules and procedures for reporting hazards.