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Appendix A
Regulations Relevant to Self-Escape
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Appendix A
Regulations Relevant to Self-Escape
The text in this appendix is excerpted from the Code of Federal Regulations on
mine emergencies and training. It is taken from two major sections of Part 30:
30 CFR § 75 sets forth safety standards compliance with which is mandatory
in each underground coal mine subject to the Federal Mine Safety and Health
Act of 1977. Some standards also are applicable to surface operations.
Regulations and criteria supplementary to these standards also are set forth in
this part.
30 CFR § 48 sets forth training and retraining of miners which includes new
miner training; experienced miner training; annual refresher training; task
training; and hazard training. Mine safety training in the United States is
regulated by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA).
Regulations mandate which miners must be trained; how much training is
required; who may provide the training; and the subject areas that need to be
covered by the training. They also require certification that training has been
completed as well as impose record keeping requirements.
Topics covered in the following pages include:
escapeway requirements—number, location, size, conditions (p. )
lifeline requirements (p. )
primary escapeway conditions (p. )
alternate escapeway (p. )
responsible person duties during emergency evacuations (p. )
emergency preparedness program (p. )
quarterly evacuation drills (p. )
escapeway maps (p. )
refuge alternatives (p. )
communications (p. )
training of new miners (p. )
experienced miner training (p. )
annual refresher training (p. )
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[ESCAPEWAY REQUIREMENTS – NUMBER, LOCATION, SIZE,
CONDITIONS]
§ 75.380 Escapeways; bituminous and lignite mines.
(61 FR 9829, Mar. 11, 1996; 61 FR 20877, May 8, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 55527,
Oct. 25, 1996; 69 FR 17530, Apr. 2, 2004; 71 FR 12269, Mar. 9, 2006; 71 FR 71452,
Dec. 8, 2006; 73 FR 80613, Dec. 31, 2008)
(a) Except in situations addressed in §75.381, §75.385 and §75.386, at least two separate
and distinct travelable passageways shall be designated as escapeways and shall meet the
requirements of this section.
(b)
(1) Escapeways shall be provided from each working section, and each area
where mechanized mining equipment is being installed or removed, continuous to
the surface escape drift opening or continuous to the escape shaft or slope
facilities to the surface.
(2) During equipment installation, these escapeways shall begin at the projected
location for the section loading point. During equipment removal, they shall begin
at the location of the last loading point.
(c) The two separate and distinct escapeways required by this section shall not end at a
common shaft, slope, or drift opening, except that multiple compartment shafts or slopes
separated by walls constructed of noncombustible material may be used as separate and
distinct passageways.
(d) Each escapeway shall be—
(1) Maintained in a safe condition to always assure passage of anyone, including
disabled persons;
(2) Clearly marked to show the route and direction of travel to the surface;
(3) Maintained to at least a height of 5 feet from the mine floor to the mine roof,
excluding the thickness of any roof support, except that the escapeways shall be
maintained to at least the height of the coalbed, excluding the thickness of any
roof support, where the coalbed is less than 5 feet…. When there is a need to
determine whether sufficient height is provided, MSHA may require a stretcher
test where 4 persons carry a miner through the area in question on a stretcher;
(4) Maintained at least 6 feet wide [with some exceptions where no less than 4
feet wide is allowed]
(5) Located to follow the most direct, safe and practical route to the nearest mine
opening suitable for the safe evacuation of miners; and
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(6) Provided with ladders, stairways, ramps, or similar facilities where the
escapeways cross over obstructions.
[LIFELINE REQUIREMENTS]
(7) Provided with a continuous, durable directional lifeline or equivalent device
that shall be—
(i) Installed and maintained throughout the entire length of each
escapeway as defined in paragraph (b)(1) of this section;
(ii) Flame-resistant in accordance with the requirements of part 18 of this
chapter upon replacement of existing lifelines; but in no case later than
June 15, 2009;
(iii) Marked with a reflective material every 25 feet;
(iv) Located in such a manner for miners to use effectively to escape;
(v) Equipped with one directional indicator cone securely attached to the
lifeline, signifying the route of escape, placed at intervals not exceeding
100 feet. Cones shall be installed so that the tapered section points inby;
(vi) Equipped with one sphere securely attached to the lifeline at each
intersection where personnel doors are installed in adjacent crosscuts;
(vii) Equipped with two securely attached cones, installed consecutively
with the tapered section pointing inby, to signify an attached branch line is
immediately ahead.
(A) A branch line leading from the lifeline to an SCSR cache will
be marked with four cones with the base sections in contact to
form two diamond shapes. The cones must be placed within reach
of the lifeline.
(B) A branch line leading from the lifeline to a refuge alternative
will be marked with a rigid spiraled coil at least eight inches in
length. The spiraled coil must be placed within reach of the lifeline
(see Illustration 1 below).
(e) Surface openings shall be adequately protected to prevent surface fires, fumes, smoke,
and flood water from entering the mine.
[PRIMARY ESCAPEWAY CONDITIONS]
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(f) Primary escapeway.
(1) One escapeway that is ventilated with intake air shall be designated as the
primary escapeway. The primary escapeway shall have a higher ventilation
pressure than the belt entry unless the mine operator submits an alternative in the
mine ventilation plan to protect the integrity of the primary escapeway, based on
mine specific conditions, which is approved by the district manager.
(2) Paragraphs (f)(3) through (f)(7) of this section apply as follows:
(i) To all areas of a primary escapeway developed on or after November
16, 1992;
(ii) Effective as of June 10, 1997, to all areas of a primary escapeway
developed between March 30, 1970 and November 16, 1992; and
(iii) Effective as of June 10, 1997, to all areas of the primary escapeway
developed prior to March 30, 1970 where separation of the belt and trolley
haulage entries from the primary escapeway existed prior to November 16,
1992.
(3) The following equipment is not permitted in the primary escapeway:
(i) Mobile equipment hauling coal except for hauling coal incidental to
cleanup or maintenance of the primary escapeway.
(ii) Compressors [with exceptions]
(iii) Underground transformer stations, battery charging stations,
substations, and rectifiers [with exceptions]
(iv) Water pumps [with exceptions]
(4) Mobile equipment operated in the primary escapeway, except for continuous
miners and as provided in paragraphs (f)(5), (f)(6), and (f)(7) of this section, shall
be equipped with a fire suppression system installed according to §§75.1107–3
through 75.1107–16 that is—
(i) Manually operated and attended continuously by a person trained in the
systems function and use, or
(ii) A multipurpose dry chemical type capable of both automatic and
manual activation.
(5) Personnel carriers and small mobile equipment designed and used only for
carrying people and small hand tools may be operated in primary escapeways if—
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(i) The equipment is provided with a multipurpose dry chemical type fire
suppression system capable of both automatic and manual activation, and
the suppression system is suitable for the intended application and is listed
or approved by a nationally recognized independent testing laboratory, or,
(ii) Battery powered and provided with two 10 pound multipurpose dry
chemical portable fire extinguishers.
(6) Notwithstanding the requirements of paragraph (f)(3)(i), mobile equipment not
provided with a fire suppression system may operate in the primary escapeway if
no one is inby except those persons directly engaged in using or moving the
equipment.
(7) Notwithstanding the requirements of paragraph (f)(3)(i), mobile equipment
designated and used only as emergency vehicles or ambulances, may be operated
in the primary escapeway without fire suppression systems.
(g) Except where separation of belt and trolley haulage entries from designated
escapeways did not exist before November 15, 1992, and except as provided in
§75.350(c), the primary escapeway must be separated from belt and trolley haulage
entries for its entire length, to and including the first connecting crosscut outby each
loading point except when a greater or lesser distance for this separation is specified and
approved in the mine ventilation plan and does not pose a hazard to miners.
[ALTERNATE ESCAPEWAY]
(h) Alternate escapeway. One escapeway shall be designated as the alternate escapeway.
The alternate escapeway shall be separated from the primary escapeway for its entire
length, except that the alternate and primary escapeways may be ventilated from a
common intake air shaft or slope opening.
[MECHNICAL ESCAPE FACILITIES]
(i) Mechanical escape facilities shall be provided and maintained for—
(1) Each shaft that is part of a designated escapeway and is greater than 50 feet in
depth; and
(2) Each slope from the coal seam to the surface that is part of a designated
escapeway and is inclined more than 9 degrees from the horizontal.
(j) Within 30 minutes after mine personnel on the surface have been notified of an
emergency requiring evacuation, mechanical escape facilities provided under paragraph
(i) of this section shall be operational at the bottom of shaft and slope openings that are
part of escapeways.
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(k) Except where automatically activated hoisting equipment is used, the bottom of each
shaft or slope opening that is part of a designated escapeway shall be equipped with a
means of signaling a surface location where a person is always on duty when anyone is
underground. When the signal is activated or the evacuation of persons underground is
necessary, the person shall assure that mechanical escape facilities are operational as
required by paragraph (j) of this section.
(l)(1) Stairways or mechanical escape facilities shall be installed in shafts that are
part of the designated escapeways and that are 50 feet or less in depth, except
ladders may be used in shafts that are part of the designated escapeways and that
are 5 feet or less in depth.
(2) Stairways shall be constructed of concrete or metal, set on an angle not to
exceed 45 degrees from the horizontal, and equipped on the open side with
handrails. In addition, landing platforms that are at least 2 feet by 4 feet shall be
installed at intervals not to exceed 20 vertical feet on the stairways and equipped
on the open side with handrails.
(3) Ladders shall be constructed of metal, anchored securely, and set on an angle
not to exceed 60 degrees from the horizontal.
(m) A travelway designed to prevent slippage shall be provided in slope and drift
openings that are part of designated escapeways, unless mechanical escape facilities are
installed.
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§ 75.381 Escapeways; anthracite mines.
(61 FR 9829, Mar. 11, 1996, as amended at 71 FR 12269, Mar. 9, 2006; 71 FR 71452,
Dec. 8, 2006; 73 FR 80614, Dec. 31, 2008)
(a) Except as provided in §§75.385 and 75.386, at least two separate and distinct
travelable passageways shall be designated as escapeways and shall meet the
requirements of this section.
(b) Escapeways shall be provided from each working section continuous to the surface.
(c) Each escapeway shall be—
(1) Maintained in a safe condition to always assure passage of anyone, including
disabled persons;
(2) Clearly marked to show the route of travel to the surface;
(3) Provided with ladders, stairways, ramps, or similar facilities where the
escapeways cross over obstructions; and
(4) Maintained at least 4 feet wide by 5 feet high. If the pitch or thickness of the
coal seam does not permit these dimensions to be maintained other dimensions
may be approved in the ventilation plan.
(5) Provided with a continuous, durable directional lifeline or equivalent device
that shall be [See Above.]
(d) Surface openings shall be adequately protected to prevent surface fires, fumes, smoke,
and flood water from entering the mine.
(e) Primary escapeway. One escapeway that shall be ventilated with intake air shall be
designated as the primary escapeway. The primary escapeway shall have a higher
ventilation pressure than the belt entry unless the mine operator submits an alternative in
the mine ventilation plan to protect the integrity of the primary escapeway, based on mine
specific conditions, which is approved by the district manager.
(f) Alternate escapeway. One escapeway that shall be designated as the alternate
escapeway shall be separated from the primary escapeway for its entire length.
(g) Mechanical escape facilities shall be provided—
(1) For each shaft or slope opening that is part of a primary escapeway; and
(2) For slopes that are part of escapeways, unless ladders are installed.
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(h) Within 30 minutes after mine personnel on the surface have been notified of an
emergency requiring evacuation, mechanical escape facilities shall be operational at the
bottom of each shaft and slope opening that is part of an escapeway.
(i) Except where automatically activated hoisting equipment is used, the bottom of each
shaft or slope opening that is part of a primary escapeway shall be equipped with a means
of signaling a surface location where a person is always on duty when anyone is
underground. When the signal is activated or the evacuation of personnel is necessary,
the person on duty shall assure that mechanical escape facilities are operational as
required by paragraph (h) of this section.
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[RESPONSIBLE PERSON DUTIES DURING EMERGENCY EVACUATIONS]
§ 75.1501 Emergency evacuations.
(68 FR 53049, Sept. 9, 2003, as amended at 73 FR 7655, Feb. 8, 2008; 73 FR 80697,
Dec. 31, 2008)
(a) For each shift that miners work underground, there shall be in attendance a
responsible person designated by the mine operator to take charge during mine
emergencies involving a fire, explosion, or gas or water inundation.
(1) The responsible person shall have current knowledge of the assigned location
and expected movements of miners underground, the operation of the mine
ventilation system, the locations of the mine escapeways and refuge alternatives,
the mine communications system, any mine monitoring system if used, locations
of firefighting equipment, the mine's Emergency Response Plan, the Mine Rescue
Notification Plan, and the Mine Emergency Evacuation and Firefighting Program
of Instruction.
(2) The responsible person shall be trained annually in a course of instruction in
mine emergency response, as prescribed by MSHA's Office of Educational Policy
and Development. The course will include topics such as the following:
(i) Organizing a command center;
(ii) Coordinating firefighting personnel;
(iii) Deploying firefighting equipment;
(iv) Coordinating mine rescue personnel;
(v) Establishing fresh air base;
(vi) Deploying mine rescue teams;
(vii) Providing for mine gas sampling and analysis;
(viii) Establishing security;
(ix) Initiating an emergency mine evacuation;
(x) Contacting emergency personnel; and
(xi) Communicating appropriate information related to the emergency.
(3) The operator shall certify by signature and date after each responsible person
has completed the training and keep the certification at the mine for 1 year.
(b) The responsible person shall initiate and conduct an immediate mine evacuation when
there is a mine emergency which presents an imminent danger to miners due to fire or
explosion or gas or water inundation. Only properly trained and equipped persons
essential to respond to the mine emergency may remain underground.
(c) The mine operator shall instruct all miners of the identity of the responsible person
designated by the operator for their workshift. The mine operator shall instruct miners of
any change in the identity of the responsible person before the start of their workshift.
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(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict the ability of other persons in the
mine to warn of an imminent danger which warrants evacuation.
[EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PROGRAM]
§ 75.1502 Mine emergency evacuation and firefighting program of instruction.
(71 FR 71452, Dec. 8, 2006, as amended at 73 FR 80697, Dec. 31, 2008)
Each operator of an underground coal mine shall adopt and follow a mine emergency
evacuation and firefighting program that instructs all miners in the proper procedures
they must follow if a mine emergency occurs.
(a) Program approval. The operator shall submit this program of instruction, and any
revisions, for approval to the District Manager of the Coal Mine Safety and Health
district in which the mine is located. Within 30 days of approval, the operator shall
conduct training in accordance with the revised program.
(b) New or revised provisions. Before implementing any new or revised approved
provision in the program of instruction, the operator shall instruct miners in the change.
(c) Instruction plan. The approved program shall include a specific plan designed to
instruct miners on all shifts on the following:
(1) Procedures for—
(i) Evacuating the mine for mine emergencies that present an imminent
danger to miners due to fire, explosion, or gas or water inundation;
(ii) Evacuating all miners not required for a mine emergency response;
and
(iii) The rapid assembly and transportation of necessary miners, fire
suppression equipment, and rescue apparatus to the scene of the mine
emergency.
(2) The use, care, and maintenance of self-rescue devices, including hands-on
training in the complete donning and transferring of all types of self-rescue
devices used at the mine.
(3) The deployment, use, and maintenance of refuge alternatives.
(4) Scenarios requiring a discussion of options and a decision as to the best option
for evacuation under each of the various mine emergencies (fires, explosions, or
gas or water inundations). These options shall include:
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and fuel, oil, or other flammable or combustible material storage.
However, the operator may request and the District Manager may approve
an alternative location in the ERP if mining involves two-entry systems or
yield pillars in a longwall that would prohibit locating the refuge
alternative out of direct line of sight of the working face.
(12) The maximum mine air temperature at each of the locations where refuge
alternatives are to be placed.
(b) For a refuge alternative consisting of 15 psi stoppings constructed prior to an event in
a secure space and an isolated atmosphere, the ERP shall specify that—
(1) The breathable air components shall be approved by MSHA; and
(2) The refuge alternative can withstand exposure to a flash fire of 300 degrees
Fahrenheit ( °F) for 3 seconds and a pressure wave of 15 pounds per square inch
(psi) overpressure for 0.2 seconds.
(c) If the refuge alternative sustains persons for only 48 hours, the ERP shall detail
advanced arrangements that have been made to assure that persons who cannot be
rescued within 48 hours will receive additional supplies to sustain them until rescue.
Advance arrangements shall include the following:
(1) Pre-surveyed areas for refuge alternatives with closure errors of less than
20,000:1.
(2) An analysis to demonstrate that the surface terrain, the strata, the capabilities
of the drill rig, and all other factors that could affect drilling are such that a hole
sufficient to provide required supplies and materials reliably can be promptly
drilled within 48 hours of an accident at a mine.
(3) Permissions to cross properties, build roads, and construct drill sites.
(4) Arrangement with a drilling contractor or other supplier of drilling services to
provide a suitable drilling rig, personnel and support so that a hole can be
completed to the refuge alternative within 48 hours.
(5) Capability to promptly transport a drill rig to a pre-surveyed location such that
a drilled hole would be completed and located near a refuge alternative structure
within 48 hours of an accident at a mine.
(6) The specifications of pipes, air lines, and approved fans or approved
compressors that will be used.
(7) A method for assuring that within 48 hours, breathable air shall be provided.
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(8) A method for assuring the immediate availability of a backup source for
supplying breathable air and a backup power source for surface installations.
(d) The ERP shall specify that the refuge alternative is stocked with the following:
(1) A minimum of 2,000 calories of food and 2.25 quarts of potable water per
person per day in approved containers sufficient to sustain the maximum number
of persons reasonably expected to use the refuge alternative for at least 96 hours,
or for 48 hours if advance arrangements are made under paragraph (c) of this
section;
(2) A manual that contains sufficient detail for each refuge alternative or
component addressing in-mine transportation, operation, and maintenance of the
unit;
(3) Sufficient quantities of materials and tools to repair components; and
(4) First aid supplies.
§ 75.1508 Training and records for examination, maintenance and repair of refuge
alternatives and components.
(73 FR 80699, Dec. 31, 2008)
(a) Persons examining, maintaining, or repairing refuge alternatives and components shall
be instructed in how to perform this work.
(1) The operator shall assure that all persons assigned to examine, maintain, and
repair refuge alternatives and components are trained.
(2) The mine operator shall certify, by signature and date, the training of persons
who examine, maintain, and repair refuge alternatives and components.
(b) At the completion of each repair, the person conducting the maintenance or repair
shall make a record of all corrective action taken.
(c) Training certifications and repair records shall be kept at the mine for one year.
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[COMMUNICATIONS]
Subpart Q
§ 75.1600 Communications.
(Statutory Provisions)
Telephone service or equivalent two-way communication facilities, approved by the
Secretary or his authorized representative, shall be provided between the surface and each
landing of main shafts and slopes and between the surface and each working section of
any coal mine that is more than 100 feet from a portal.
§ 75.1600-1 Communication facilities; main portals; installation requirements.
(38 FR 29999, Oct. 31, 1973)
A telephone or equivalent two-way communication facility shall be located on the surface
within 500 feet of all main portals, and shall be installed either in a building or in a box-
like structure designed to protect the facilities from damage by inclement weather. At
least one of these communication facilities shall be at a location where a responsible
person who is always on duty when men are underground can hear the facility and
respond immediately in the event of an emergency.
§ 75.1600-2 Communication facilities; working sections; installation and
maintenance requirements; audible or visual alarms.
(38 FR 29999, Oct. 31, 1973)
(a) Telephones or equivalent two-way communication facilities provided at each working
section shall be located not more than 500 feet outby the last open crosscut and not more
than 800 feet from the farthest point of penetration of the working places on such section.
(b) The incoming communication signal shall activate an audible alarm, distinguishable
from the surrounding noise level, or a visual alarm that can be seen by a miner regularly
employed on the working section.
(c) If a communication system other than telephones is used and its operation depends
entirely upon power from the mine electric system, means shall be provided to permit
continued communication in the event the mine electric power fails or is cut off;
provided, however, that where trolley phones and telephones are both used, an alternate
source of power for the trolley phone system is not required.
(d) Trolley phones connected to the trolley wire shall be grounded in accordance with
Subpart H of this part.
(e) Telephones or equivalent two-way communication facilities shall be maintained in
good operating condition at all times. In the event of any failure in the system that results
in loss of communication, repairs shall be started immediately, and the system restored to
operating condition as soon as possible.
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§ 75.1600-3 Communications facilities; refuge alternatives.
(73 FR 80700, Dec. 31, 2008)
(a) Refuge alternatives shall be provided with a communications system that consists of
(1) A two-way communication facility that is a part of the mine communication
system, which can be used from inside the refuge alternative; and
(2) An additional communication system and other requirements as defined in the
communications portion of the operator's approved Emergency Response Plan.
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[TRAINING OF NEW MINERS]
30 CFR § 48.5 Training of new miners; minimum courses of instruction; hours of
instruction
(a) Each new miner shall receive no less than 40 hours of training as prescribed in this
section before such miner is assigned to work duties. Such training shall be conducted in
conditions which as closely as practicable duplicate actual underground conditions, and
approximately 8 hours of training shall be given at the minesite.
(b) The training program for new miners shall include the following courses:
(1) Instruction in the statutory rights of miners and their representatives
under the Act; authority and responsibility of supervisors. The course shall
include instruction in the statutory rights of miners and their representatives under
the Act, including a discussion of section 2 of the Act; a review and description of
the line of authority of supervisors and miners' representatives and the
responsibilities of such supervisors and miners' representatives; and an
introduction to the operator's rules and the procedures for reporting hazards.
(2) Self-rescue and respiratory devices. The course shall be given before a
new miner goes underground and shall include--
(i) Instruction and demonstration in the use, care, and maintenance of self-
rescue and respiratory devices used at the mine;
(ii) 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
(iii) Hands-on training in transferring between all applicable self-rescue
devices.
(3) Entering and leaving the mine; transportation; communications. The course
shall include instruction on the procedures in effect for entering and leaving the
mine; the check-in and checkout system in effect at the mine; 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.
(4) Introduction to the work environment. The course shall include a visit and tour
of the mine, or portions of the mine which are representative of the entire mine. A
method of mining utilized at the mine shall be observed and explained.
(3) Mine map; escapeways; emergency evacuation; barricading. The program
of instruction for mine emergency evacuation and firefighting approved by the
District Manager under 30 CFR 75.1502 or the escape and evacuation plan under
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30 CFR 57.11053, as applicable, shall be used for this course. The course shall
include--
(i) A review of the mine map; the escapeway system; the escape,
firefighting, and emergency evacuation plans in effect at the mine; and the
location of abandoned areas; and
(ii) An introduction to the methods of barricading and the locations of the
barricading materials, where applicable.
(6) Roof or ground control and ventilation plans. The course shall include an
introduction to and instruction on the roof or ground control plan in effect at the
mine and procedures for roof and rib or ground control; and an introduction to and
instruction on the ventilation plan in effect at the mine and the procedures for
maintaining and controlling ventilation.
(7) 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.
(8) Cleanup; rock dusting. The course shall include instruction on the purpose of
rock dusting and the cleanup and rock dusting program in effect at the mine,
where applicable.
(9) Hazard recognition. The course shall include the recognition and avoidance of
hazards present in the mine, particularly any hazards related to explosives where
explosives are used or stored at the mine.
(10) Electrical hazards. The course shall include recognition and avoidance of
electrical hazards.
(11) First aid. The course shall include instruction in first aid methods acceptable
to MSHA.
(12) Mine gases. The course shall include instruction in the detection and
avoidance of hazards associated with mine gases.
(13) Health and safety aspects of the tasks to which the new miner will be
assigned. The course shall include instruction in 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.
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(14) Such other courses as may be required by the District Manager based on
circumstances and conditions at the mine.
(c) Methods, including oral, written, or practical demonstration, to determine successful
completion of the training shall be included in the training plan. The methods for
determining such completion shall be administered to the miner before he is assigned
work duties.
(d) A newly employed miner who has less than 12 months of mining experience and has
received the courses and hours of instruction in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section,
within 36 months preceding employment at a mine, does not have to repeat this training.
Before the miner starts work, the operator must provide the miner with the experienced
miner training in § 48.6(b) of this part and, if applicable, the new task training in § 48.7
of this part. The operator must also provide the miner with annual refresher training and
additional new task training, as applicable.
[EXPERIENCED MINER TRAINING]
30 CFR § 48.6 ; Experienced miner training
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (e), this section applies to experienced miners who
are--
(1) Newly employed by the operator;
(2) Transferred to the mine;
(3) Experienced underground miners transferred from surface to underground; or
(4) Returning to the mine after an absence of more than 12 months.
(b) Experienced miners must complete the training prescribed in this section before
beginning work duties. Each experienced miner returning to mining following an absence
of 5 years or more, must receive at least 8 hours of training. The training must include the
following instruction:
(1) Introduction to work environment. The course shall include a visit and tour of the
mine. The methods of mining utilized at the mine shall be observed and explained.
(2) Mandatory health and safety standards. The course shall include the mandatory
health and safety standards pertinent to the tasks to be assigned.
(3) Authority and responsibility of supervisors and miners' representatives. The course
shall include a review and description of the line of authority of supervisors and miners'
representatives and the responsibilities of such supervisors and miners' representatives;
and an introduction to the operator's rules and the procedures for reporting hazards.
(4) Entering and leaving the mine; transportation; communications. The course shall
include instruction in the procedures in effect for entering and leaving the mine; the
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check-in and checkout system in effect at the mine; 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.
(5) Mine map; escapeways; emergency evacuation; barricading. The program of
instruction for mine emergency evacuation and firefighting approved by the District
Manager under 30 CFR 75.1502 or the escape and evacuation plan under 30 CFR
57.11053, as applicable, shall be used for this course. The course shall include--
(i) A review of the mine map; the escapeway system; the escape, firefighting, and
emergency evacuation plans in effect at the mine; and the location of abandoned areas;
and
(ii) Methods of barricading and the locations of barricading materials, where applicable.
(6) Roof or ground control and ventilation plans. The course shall include an introduction
to and instruction on the roof or ground control plan in effect at the mine and procedures
for roof and rib or ground control; and an introduction to and instruction on the
ventilation plan in effect at the mine and the procedures for maintaining and controlling
ventilation.
(7) Hazard recognition. The course must include the recognition and avoidance of
hazards present in the mine.
(8) Prevention of accidents. The course must include a review of the general causes of
accidents applicable to the mine environment, causes of specific accidents at the mine,
and instruction in accident prevention in the work environment.
(9) Emergency medical procedures. The course must include instruction on the mine's
emergency medical arrangements and the location of the mine's first aid equipment and
supplies.
(10) Health. The course must include instruction on the purpose of taking dust, noise, and
other health measurements, where applicable; must review the health provisions of the
Act; and must explain warning labels and any health control plan in effect at the mine.
(11) Health and safety aspects of the tasks to which the experienced miner is assigned.
The course must include instruction in the health and safety aspects of the tasks assigned,
including the safe work procedures of 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. Experienced
miners who must complete new task training under § 48.7 do not need to take training
under this paragraph.
(12) Self-rescue and respiratory devices. The course shall be given before the miner goes
underground and shall include--
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(i) Instruction and demonstration in the use, care, and maintenance of self-rescue and
respiratory devices used at the mine;
(ii) 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
(iii) Hands-on training in transferring between all applicable self-rescue devices.
(13) Such other courses as may be required by the District Manager based on
circumstances and conditions at the mine.
(c) The operator may include instruction on additional safety and health subjects based on
circumstances and conditions at the mine.
(d) The training time spent on individual subjects must vary depending upon the training
needs of the miners.
(e) Any miner returning to the same mine, following an absence of 12 months or less,
must receive training on any major changes to the mine environment that have occurred
during the miner's absence and that could adversely affect the miner's health or safety.
(1) A person designated by the operator who is knowledgeable of these changes must
conduct the training in this paragraph. An MSHA approved instructor is not required to
conduct the training outlined in this paragraph.
(2) No record of this training is required.
(3) The miner must also complete annual refresher training as required in § 48.8, if the
miner missed taking that training during the absence.
(f) Coal miners receiving training under this section shall participate in the next drill as
required in § § 75.383(b) or 75.1502(c) of this chapter, as applicable.
For more information: See MSHA's Program Policy Manual
[ANNUAL REFRESHER TRAINING]
30 CFR § 48.8;Annual refresher training of miners; minimum courses of
instruction; hours of instruction
(a) Each miner shall receive a minimum of 8 hours of annual refresher training as
prescribed in this section.
(b) The annual refresher training program for all miners shall include the following
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courses of instruction:
(1) Mandatory health and safety standards. The course shall include mandatory health
and safety standard requirements which are related to the miner's tasks.
(2) 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.
(3) Barricading. The course shall include a review of the methods of barricading and
locations of barricading materials, where applicable.
(4) 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.
(5) First aid. The course shall include a review of first aid methods acceptable to MSHA.
(6) Electrical hazards. The course shall include recognition and avoidance of electrical
hazards.
(7) Prevention of accidents. The course shall include a review of accidents and causes of
accidents, and instruction in accident prevention in the work environment.
(8) 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:
(i) 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
(ii) Hands-on training in transferring between all applicable self- rescue devices.
(9) 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.
(10) Mine gases. The course shall include instruction in the detection and avoidance of
hazards associated with mine gases.
(11) 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
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explained. The health provisions of the Act and warning labels shall also be explained.
(12) Such other courses as may be required by the District Manager based on
circumstances and conditions at the mine.
(c) 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.
(d) All persons employed as shaft or slope construction workers on June 28, 2006 must
receive annual refresher training within 12 months of June 2006.
(e) 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.
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