Training is an essential part of MSHA’s mission to keep miners safe and healthy. Our goal is to help the mining industry develop high-quality training programs, and to strengthen and modernize training through collaboration with industry stakeholders. Federal law requires that all miners receive basic and annual refresher training, and that all mine operators maintain an effective training plan. MSHA provides materials, guidance, and hands-on assistance to help miners and operators meet their training obligations and more. We have gathered many of our materials on this page for your convenience, and will add to them over time.
Questions? Comments? Materials to share? Please contact us at mshatraining@dol.gov for assistance or to suggest improvements to the training page.
Part 48 or Part 46? Learn what it means here.
Training requirements are governed by sections of the federal code - 30 CFR Part 48 and Part 46. Part 48 covers all underground mining and surface mining of coal and some metals, like gold. Part 46 covers the aggregate industry, including granite, sand, gravel, lime and cement operations. There are key differences: Part 48 trainers must be approved by MSHA, and their instructor certification is kept on file by the agency; Part 46 trainers don’t need MSHA approval but must be deemed competent persons by the mine operator. Training plans for Part 48 mines must be approved by MSHA; Part 46 training plans do not require MSHA approval as long as they meet the requirements of the rule.
Spotlight
- Materials for 4th quarter 2015 conference call
- Slideshow with information on training materials, and fatal accidents and near-misses from Coal and Metal/Nonmetal.
- Materials for 3rd quarter 2015 conference call
- Slideshow with information on training materials, and fatal accidents and near-misses from Coal and Metal/Nonmetal.
Listen to a recording of the call here - Materials for 2nd quarter 2015 conference call
- Slideshow with information on training materials, and fatal accidents and near-misses from Coal and Metal/Nonmetal.
- Materials for 1st quarter 2015 conference call
- Slideshow with information on training materials, and fatal accidents and near-misses from Coal and Metal/Nonmetal.
- Materials for quarterly conference call
- Slideshow with presentations on new training materials, and fatal accidents and near-misses from Coal and Metal/Nonmetal
- Recording of 3rd quarter conference call
- Listen to a one-hour MSHA call with trainers, held Nov. 13, regarding recent fatalities and training resources
- Materials for 3rd quarter conference call
- Slideshows on Coal fatalities, MNM fatalities, and EPD presentation on task training and adult learning.
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Training Programs and Courses
“Part 50 Training Program” - This program is designed to clarify reporting requirements for accidents, injuries, and illnesses in the mining industry. This program will enhance MSHA’s ability to evaluate and develop mine safety and health standards and programs which benefit the industry.
- Academy Courses: Coal | Metal/Nonmetal
- A catalog of 2014 & 2015 courses offered by the National Mine Health and Safety Academy
- Continuous Personal Dust Monitor (CPDM) Training
- Schedule of upcoming CPDM Certification Training classes, including course materials and exam questions
- State Grant Programs
- Training and resources to support mine safety and health
- Miners’ Rights and Responsibilities
- An online training program to learn specific information about the rights and responsibilities of miners
- Miners’ Representatives Guide
- A supplement to the Miners’ Rights and Responsibilities program designed to further understand the roles, rights, and responsibilities of miners' representatives
- Rules to Live By I: Fatality Prevention
- Spotlights the safety standards most frequently cited during fatal accident investigations
- Rules to Live By II: Preventing Catastrophic Accidents
- A continuation of the Rules to Live By program with a focus on underground coal mine accidents
- Rules to Live By III: Preventing Common Mining Deaths
- The last part of the Rules to Live By program focusing on a variety of coal and metal/nonmetal accidents
- Workplace Examinations
Metal/Nonmetal - Presentations discussing workplace examinations for underground metal/nonmetal mines
- Principles of Adult Learning
- Provides information about Adult Learning and how it differs from traditional student courses
Training Materials
- Small Mine Handbook
- A compliance assistance tool for small mine operators covering health and safety programs, training plan development, reporting practices, and more.
- 2014 TRAM Conference Presentations
- Download PowerPoint presentations from the 2014 Training Resources Applied to Mining (TRAM) Conference
- Training Videos
- A large collection of videos covering health, safety and other mining-related topics
- Best Practices Pocket Cards
- Concise pocket cards outlining a range of health and safety best practices
- Fatalgrams
- Mining fatality summaries with associated best practices to help prevent similar incidents
- Task Training
- Concise guidelines for effective task training
- Job Task Analysis Materials
- Sample JTAs developed for dozens of tasks, for your customization
- Health and Safety Alerts
- Information on current and previous health, safety and equipment hazard alerts
- MSHA Handbook Series
- A variety of handbooks describing inspection procedures, education & training procedures and technical support procedures
- NIOSH Training Page
- Education and training resources from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
- Industry Shared Safety Material
- This section contains material submitted to MSHA by the mining industry that has shown to be effective in reducing accidents and injuries. Please feel free to use any of this material to help prevent accidents and injuries at your mine or facility site.
Develop a Training Plan
The following resources may be useful in developing training plans for Part 46 and Part 48 mines. If this is your first time creating a training plan, we highly recommend getting in touch with Educational Field and Small Mine Services for assistance. You can also review the most current regulations set forth in 30 CFR Part 46 and Part 48. The official regulations outline the required components of an approved training plan, the types of training programs that must be included in a plan, and appropriate record-keeping procedures.
Review the most current regulations: Part 46 | Part 48
- MSHA Training Plan Advisor
- Provides guidance in developing federally required training plans for Part 46 and Part 48 mines, and allows plans to be submitted online.
- MSHA Program Policy Manual
- Provides assistance in interpreting and clarifying the various training requirements outlined in 30 CFR Part 46 and Part 48.
- Part 46 Training Plan Starter Kit also En Español
- Provides help in developing an effective, mine-specific training program that meets the provisions of Part 46. This starter kit includes a sample training plan.
- Part 46 Training Plan Guide
- Outlines the minimum requirements for a Part 46 training plan and answers some of the most common questions regarding Part 46 training plan components.
FAQs
- For Trainers
- Training plan development, instructor qualifications, and more
- For Miners
- Basic training requirements, training records, and more
- For Mine Operators
- Training plan requirements, approvals, and more
- For Contractors
- Training obligations, procedures, and more
Further Assistance
- Educational Field and Small Mine Services
- For on-site compliance assistance
- National Mine Health and Safety Academy
- Training and Resources Library
- District Offices
- Contact information and other district-specific resources for coal and metal/nonmetal mines