PART 48—TRAINING AND RETRAINING OF MINERS Authority: 30 U.S.C. 811, 825. Source: 43 FR 47459, Oct. 13, 1978, unless otherwise noted. Subpart A—Training and Retraining of Underground Miners § 48.1 Scope. The provisions of this subpart A set forth the mandatory requirements for submitting and obtaining approval of programs for training and retraining miners working in underground mines. Requirements regarding compensation for training and retraining are also included. The requirements for training and retraining miners working at surface mines and surface areas of underground mines are set forth in subpart B of this part. § 48.2 Definitions. For the purposes of this subpart A— (a)(1) Miner (i) Workers under subpart C of this part 48, engaged in the construction of major additions to an existing mine which requires the mine to cease operations; (ii) Any person covered under paragraph (a)(2) of this section. (2) Miner (b) Experienced miner (1) A miner who has completed MSHA-approved new miner training for underground miners or training acceptable to MSHA from a State agency and who has had at least 12 months of underground mining experience; or (2) A supervisor who is certified under an MSHA-approved State certification program and who is employed as an underground supervisor on October 6, 1998; or (3) An experienced underground miner on February 3, 1999. (4)(i) A person employed as an underground shaft or slope construction worker on June 28, 2006; or (ii) A person who has six months of underground shaft or slope experience within 24 months before June 28, 2006. (c) New miner (d) Normal working hours (e) Operator (f) Task (g) Act [43 FR 47459, Oct. 13, 1978, as amended at 63 FR 53759, Oct. 6, 1998; 70 FR 77727, Dec. 30, 2005] § 48.3 Training plans; time of submission; where filed; information required; time for approval; method for disapproval; commencement of training; approval of instructors. (a) Except as provided in paragraphs (o) and (p) of this section, each operator of an underground mine shall have an MSHA approved plan containing programs for training new miners, training experienced miners, training miners for new tasks, annual refresher training, and hazard training for miners as follows: (1) In the case of an underground mine which is operating on the effective date of this subpart A, the operator of the mine shall submit such plan for approval within 90 days after the effective date of this subpart A. (2) Within 60 days after the operator submits the plan for approval, unless extended by MSHA, the operator shall have an approved plan for the mine. (3) In the case of a new underground mine which is to be opened or a mine which is to be reopened or reactivated after the effective date of this subpart A, the operator shall have an approved plan prior to opening the new mine, or reopening or reactivating the mine. (b) The training plan shall be filed with the District Manager for the area in which the mine is located. (c) Each operator shall submit to the District Manager the following information: (1) The company name, mine name, and MSHA identification number of the mine. (2) The name and position of the person designated by the operator who is responsible for health and safety training at the mine. This person may be the operator. (3) A list of MSHA approved instructors with whom the operator proposes to make arrangements to teach the courses, and the courses each instructor is qualified to teach. (4) The location where training will be given for each course. (5) A description of the teaching methods and the course materials which are to be used in training. (6) The approximate number of miners employed at the mine and the maximum number who will attend each session of training. (7) The predicted time or periods of time when regularly scheduled refresher training will be given. This schedule shall include the titles of courses to be taught, the total number of instruction hours for each course, and the predicted time and length of each session of training. (8) For the purposes of § 48.7 (New task training of miners) of this subpart A, the operator shall submit: (i) A complete list of task assignments to correspond with the definition of “task” in § 48.2 (f) of this subpart A. (ii) The titles of personnel conducting the training for this section. (iii) The outline of training procedures used in training miners in those work assignments listed according to paragraph (c)(8)(i) of this section. (iv) The evaluation procedures used to determine the effectiveness of training under § 48.7 of this subpart A. (d) The operator shall furnish to the representative of the miners a copy of the training plan two weeks prior to its submission to the District Manager. Where a miners' representative is not designated, a copy of the plan shall be posted on the mine bulletin board 2 weeks prior to its submission to the District Manager. Written comments received by the operator from miners or their representatives shall be submitted to the District Manager. Miners or their representatives may submit written comments directly to the District Manager. (e) All training required by the training plan submitted to and approved by the District Manager as required by this subpart A shall be subject to evaluation by the District Manager to determine the effectiveness of the training programs. If it is deemed necessary, the District Manager may require changes in, or additions to, programs. Upon request from the District Manager the operator shall make available for evaluation the instructional materials, handouts, visual aids and other teaching accessories used or to be used in the training programs. Upon request from the District Manager the operator shall provide information concerning the schedules of upcoming training. (f) The operator shall make a copy of the MSHA approved training plan available at the mine site for MSHA inspection and for examination by the miners and their representatives. (g) Except as provided in § 48.7 (New task training of miners) and § 48.11 (Hazard training) of this subpart A, all courses shall be conducted by MSHA approved instructors. (h) Instructors shall be approved by the District Manager in one or more of the following ways: (1) Instructors shall take an instructor's training course conducted by the District Manager or given by persons designated by the District Manager to give such instruction; and instructors shall have satisfactorily completed a program of instruction approved by the Office of Educational Policy and Development, MSHA, in the subject matter to be taught. (2) Instructors may be designated by MSHA as approved instructors to teach specific courses based on written evidence of the instructors' qualifications and teaching experience. (3) At the discretion of the District Manager, instructors may be designated by MSHA as approved instructors to teach specific courses based on the performance of the instructors while teaching classes monitored by MSHA. Operators shall indicate in the training plans submitted for approval whether they want to have instructors approved based on monitored performance. The District Manager shall consider such factors as the size of the mine, the number of employees, the mine safety record and remoteness from a training facility when determining whether instructor approval based on monitored performance is appropriate. (4) On the effective date of this subpart A, cooperative instructors who have been designated by MSHA to teach MSHA approved courses and who have taught such courses within the 24 months prior to the effective date of this subpart shall be considered approved instructors for such courses. (i) Instructors may have their approval revoked by MSHA for good cause which may include not teaching a course at least once every 24 months. Before any revocation is effective, the District Manager must send written reasons for revocation to the instructor and the instructor shall be given an opportunity to demonstrate or achieve compliance before the District Manager on the matter. A decision by the District Manager to revoke an instructor's approval may be appealed by the instructor to the Administrator for Coal Mine Safety and Health or Administrator for Metal and Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health, as appropriate, MSHA, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20210. Such an appeal shall be submitted to the Administrator within 5 days of notification of the District Manager's decision. Upon revocation of an instructor's approval, the District Manager shall immediately notify operators who use the instructor for training. (j) The District Manager for the area in which the mine is located shall notify the operator and the miners' representative, in writing, within 60 days from the date on which the training plan is filed, of the approval or status of the approval of the training programs. (1) If revisions are required for approval, or to retain approval thereafter, the revisions required shall be specified to the operator and the miners' representative and the operator and the miners' representative shall be afforded an opportunity to discuss the revisions with the District Manager, or to propose alternate revisions or changes. The District Manager, in consultation with the operator and the representative of the miners, shall fix a time within which the discussion will be held, or alternate revisions or changes submitted, before final approval is made. (2) The District Manager may approve separate programs of the training plan and withhold approval of other programs, pending discussion of revisions or submission of alternate revisions or changes. (k) Except as provided under § 48.8(c) (Annual refresher training of miners) of this subpart A, the operator shall commence training of miners within 60 days after approval of the training plan, or approved programs of the training plan. (l) The operator shall notify the District Manager of the area in which the mine is located, and the miners' representative of any changes or modifications the operator proposes to make in the approved training plan. The operator shall obtain the approval of the District Manager for such changes or modifications. (m) In the event the District Manager disapproves a training plan or a proposed modification of a training plan or requires changes in a training plan or modification, the District Manager shall notify the operator and the miners' representative in writing of: (1) The specific changes or items of deficiency. (2) The action necessary to effect the changes or bring the disapproved training plan or modification into compliance. (3) The deadline for completion of remedial action to effect compliance, which shall serve to suspend punitive action under the provisions of sections 104 and 110 of the Act and other related regulations until that established deadline date, except that no such suspension shall take place in imminent danger situations. (n) The operator shall post on the mine bulletin board, and provide to the miners' representative, a copy of all MSHA revisions and decisions which concern the training plan at the mine and which are issued by the District Manager. (o) Each operator engaged in shaft or slope construction shall have an MSHA-approved training plan, as outlined in this section, containing programs for training new miners, training experienced miners, training miners for new tasks, annual refresher training, and hazard training for miners as follows: (1) In the case of an operator engaged in shaft or slope construction on December 30, 2005, the operator shall submit a plan for approval by May 1, 2006, unless extended by MSHA. (2) In the case of a new shaft or slope construction operator after June 28, 2006, the operator shall have an approved plan prior to commencing shaft or slope construction. (p) Each underground coal operator, who is required to submit a revised program of instruction for 30 CFR 75.1502, shall also submit a revised training plan under this part 48. (Pub. L. No. 96-511, 94 Stat. 2812 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. [43 FR 47459, Oct. 13, 1978; 44 FR 1980, Jan. 9, 1979, as amended at 47 FR 14696, Apr. 6, 1982; 47 FR 23640, May 28, 1982; 47 FR 28095, June 29, 1982; 60 FR 33722, June 29, 1995; 63 FR 53759, Oct. 6, 1998; 67 FR 38384, June 4, 2002; 70 FR 77727, Dec. 30, 2005; 71 FR 12268, Mar. 9, 2006; 71 FR 71451, Dec. 8, 2006; 80 FR 52986, Sept. 2, 2015; 91 FR 9448, Feb. 26, 2026] § 48.4 Cooperative training program. (a) An operator of a mine may conduct his own training programs, or may participate in training programs conducted by MSHA, or may participate in MSHA approved training programs conducted by State or other Federal agencies, or associations of mine operators, miners' representatives, other mine operators, private associations, or educational institutions. (b) Each program and course of instruction shall be given by instructors who have been approved by MSHA to instruct in the courses which are given, and such courses and the training programs shall be adapted to the mining operations and practices existing at the mine and shall be approved by the District Manager for the area in which the mine is located. [43 FR 47459, Oct. 13, 1978, as amended at 47 FR 23640, May 28, 1982] § 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. (2) Self-rescue and respiratory devices. (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. (4) Introduction to the work environment. (5) Mine map; escapeways; emergency evacuation; barricading. (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. (7) Health. (8) Cleanup; rock dusting. (9) Hazard recognition. (10) Electrical hazards. (11) First aid. (12) Mine gases. (13) Health and safety aspects of the tasks to which the new miner will be assigned. (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. [43 FR 47459, Oct. 13, 1978, as amended at 47 FR 23640, May 28, 1982; 53 FR 10335, Mar. 30, 1988; 63 FR 53760, Oct. 6, 1998; 67 FR 42388, June 21, 2002; 71 FR 12268, Mar. 9, 2006; 71 FR 71451, Dec. 8, 2006] § 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. (2) Mandatory health and safety standards. (3) Authority and responsibility of supervisors and miners' representatives. (4) Entering and leaving the mine; transportation; communications. (5) Mine map; escapeways; emergency evacuation; barricading. (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. (7) Hazard recognition. (8) Prevention of accidents. (9) Emergency medical procedures. (10) Health. (11) Health and safety aspects of the tasks to which the experienced miner is assigned. (12) Self-rescue and respiratory devices. (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. [43 FR 47459, Oct. 13, 1978, as amended at 47 FR 23640, May 28, 1982; 53 FR 10335, Mar. 30, 1988; 53 FR 12415, Apr. 14, 1988; 63 FR 53760, Oct. 6, 1998; 67 FR 42388, June 21, 2002; 71 FR 12268, Mar. 9, 2006; 71 FR 71451, Dec. 8, 2006] § 48.7 Training of miners assigned to a task in which they have had no previous experience; minimum courses of instruction. (a) Miners assigned to new work tasks as mobile equipment operators, drilling machine operators, haulage and conveyor systems operators, roof and ground control machine operators, and those in blasting operations shall not perform new work tasks in these categories until training prescribed in this paragraph and paragraph (b) of this section has been completed. This training shall not be required for miners who have been trained and who have demonstrated safe operating procedures for such new work tasks within 12 months preceding assignment. This training shall also not be required for miners who have performed the new work tasks and who have demonstrated safe operating procedures for such new work tasks within 12 months preceding assignment. The training program shall include the following: (1) Health and safety aspects and safe operating procedures for work tasks, equipment, and machinery. (2)(i) Supervised practice during nonproduction. (ii) Supervised operation during production. (3) New or modified machines and equipment. (4) Such other courses as may be required by the District Manager based on circumstances and conditions at the mine. (b) Miners under paragraph (a) of this section shall not operate the equipment or machine or engage in blasting operations without direction and immediate supervision until such miners have demonstrated safe operating procedures for the equipment or machine or blasting operation to the operator or the operator's agent. (c) Miners assigned a new task not covered in paragraph (a) of this section shall be instructed in the safety and health aspects and safe work procedures of the task, including 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, prior to performing such task. (d) Any person who controls or directs haulage operations at a mine shall receive and complete training courses in safe haulage procedures related to the haulage system, ventilation system, firefighting procedures, and emergency evacuation procedures in effect at the mine before assignment to such duties. (e) All training and supervised practice and operation required by this section shall be given by a qualified trainer, or a supervisor experienced in the assigned tasks, or other person experienced in the assigned tasks. [43 FR 47459, Oct. 13, 1978, as amended at 44 FR 1980, Jan. 9, 1979; 47 FR 23640, May 28, 1982; 67 FR 42388, June 21, 2002] § 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 courses of instruction: (1) Mandatory health and safety standards. (2) Transportation controls and communication systems. (3) Barricading. (4) Roof or ground control, ventilation, emergency evacuation and firefighting plans. (5) First aid. (6) Electrical hazards. (7) Prevention of accidents. (8) Self-rescue and respiratory devices. (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. (10) Mine gases. (11) Health. (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. [43 FR 47459, Oct. 13, 1978, as amended at 47 FR 23640, May 28, 1982; 53 FR 10336, Mar. 30, 1988; 63 FR 53760, Oct. 6, 1998; 67 FR 42389, June 21, 2002; 67 FR 76665, Dec. 12, 2002; 68 FR 53049, Sept. 9, 2003; 71 FR 12269, Mar. 9, 2006; 70 FR 77727, Dec. 30, 2005; 71 FR 71451, Dec. 8, 2006] § 48.9 Records of training. (a) Upon a miner's completion of each MSHA approved training program, the operator shall record and certify on MSHA form 5000-23 that the miner has received the specified training. A copy of the training certificate shall be given to the miner at the completion of the training. The training certificates for each miner shall be available at the minesite for inspection by MSHA and for examination by the miners, the miner's representative, and State inspection agencies. When a miner leaves the operator's employ, the miner shall be entitled to a copy of his training certificates. (b) False certification that training was given shall be punishable under section 110 (a) and (f) of the Act. (c) Copies of training certificates for currently employed miners shall be kept at the minesite for 2 years, or for 60 days after termination of employment. (Pub. L. No. 96-511, 94 Stat. 2812 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. [43 FR 47459, Oct. 13, 1978, as amended at 47 FR 14706, Apr. 6, 1982; 60 FR 33722, June 29, 1995] § 48.10 Compensation for training. (a) Training shall be conducted during normal working hours; miners attending such training shall receive the rate of pay as provided in § 48.2(d) (Definition of normal working hours) of this subpart A. (b) If such training shall be given at a location other than the normal place of work, miners shall be compensated for the additional cost, such as mileage, meals, and lodging, they may incur in attending such training sessions. § 48.11 Hazard training. (a) Operators shall provide to those miners, as defined in § 48.2(a)(2) (Definition of miner) of this subpart A, a training program before such miners commence their work duties. This training program shall include the following instruction, which is applicable to the duties of such miners: (1) Hazard recognition and avoidance; (2) Emergency and evacuation procedures; (3) Health and safety standards, safety rules, and safe working procedures; (4) Use of self-rescue and respiratory devices, including: (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; and (5) Such other instruction as may be required by the District Manager based on circumstances and conditions at the mine. (b) Miners shall receive the instruction required by this section at least once every 12 months. (c) The training program required by this section shall be submitted with the training plan required by § 48.3(a) (Training plans: Submission and approval) of this subpart A and shall include a statement on the methods of instruction to be used. (d) In accordance with § 48.9 (Records of training) of this subpart A, the operator shall maintain and make available for inspection certificates that miners have received the hazard training required by this section. (e) Miners subject to hazard training shall be accompanied at all times while underground by an experienced miner, as defined in § 48.2(b) (Definition of miner) of this subpart A. [43 FR 47459, Oct. 13, 1978, as amended at 47 FR 23640, May 25, 1982; 53 FR 10336, Mar. 30, 1988; 71 FR 12269, Mar. 9, 2006; 71 FR 71452, Dec. 8, 2006] § 48.12 Appeals procedures. The operator, miner, and miners' representative shall have the right of appeal from a decision of the District Manager. (a) In the event an operator, miner, or miners' representative decides to appeal a decision by a District Manager, such an appeal shall be submitted, in writing, to the Administrator for Coal Mine Safety and Health or the Administrator for Metal and Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health, as appropriate, MSHA, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20210, within 30 days of notification of the District Manager's decision. (b) The Administrator may require additional information from the operator, the miners, or their representatives, and the District Manager, if the Administrator determines such information is necessary. (c) The Administrator shall render a decision on the appeal within 30 days after receipt of the appeal. [43 FR 47459, Oct. 13, 1978, as amended at 47 FR 23640, May 28, 1982; 71 FR 16666, Apr. 3, 2006; 80 FR 52986, Sept. 2, 2015; 91 FR 9448, Feb. 26, 2026] Subpart B—Training and Retraining of Miners Working at Surface Mines and Surface Areas of Underground Mines § 48.21 Scope. The provisions of this subpart B set forth the mandatory requirements for submitting and obtaining approval of programs for training and retraining miners working at surface mines and surface areas of underground mines. Requirements regarding compensation for training and retraining are also included. The requirements for training and retraining miners working in underground mines are set forth in subpart A of this part. This part does not apply to training and retraining of miners at shell dredging, sand, gravel, surface stone, surface clay, colloidal phosphate, and surface limestone mines, which are covered under 30 CFR Part 46. [43 FR 47459, Oct. 13, 1978, as amended at 64 FR 53130, Sept. 30, 1999] § 48.22 Definitions. For the purposes of this subpart B— (a)(1) Miner (i) Construction workers under subpart C of this Part 48; (ii) Any person covered under paragraph (a)(2) of this section. (2) Miner (b) Experienced miner (1) A miner who has completed MSHA-approved new miner training for surface miners or training acceptable to MSHA from a State agency and who has had at least 12 months of surface mining experience; or (2) A supervisor who is certified under an MSHA-approved State certification program and who is employed as a surface supervisor on October 6, 1998; or (3) An experienced surface miner on February 3, 1999. (4)(i) A person employed as a surface shaft or slope construction worker on the June 28, 2006; or, (ii) A person who has six months of surface shaft or slope experience within 24 months before June 28, 2006. (c) New miner (d) Normal working hours (e) Operator (f) Task (g) Act [43 FR 47459, Oct. 13, 1978; 44 FR 1980, Jan. 9, 1979, as amended at 63 FR 53759, 53760, Oct. 6, 1998; 70 FR 77727, Dec. 30, 2005] § 48.23 Training plans; time of submission; where filed; information required; time for approval; method for disapproval; commencement of training; approval of instructors. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (o) of this section, each operator of a surface mine shall have an MSHA-approved plan containing programs for training new miners, training experienced miners, training miners for new tasks, annual refresher training, and hazard training for miners as follows: (1) In the case of a mine which is operating on the effective date of this subpart B, the operator of the mine shall submit such plan for approval within 150 days after the effective date of this subpart B. (2) Within 60 days after the operator submits the plan for approval, unless extended by MSHA, the operator shall have an approved plan for the mine. (3) In the case of a new mine which is to be opened or a mine which is to be reopened or reactivated after the effective date of this subpart B, the operator shall have an approved plan prior to opening the new mine, or reopening or reactivating the mine unless the mine is reopened or reactivated periodically using portable equipment and mobile teams of miners as a normal method of operation by the operator. The operator to be so excepted shall maintain an approved plan for training covering all mine locations which are operated with portable equipment and mobile teams of miners. (b) The training plan shall be filed with the District Manager for the area in which the mine is located. (c) Each operator shall submit to the District Manager the following information: (1) The company name, mine name, and MSHA identification number of the mine. (2) The name and position of the person designated by the operator who is responsible for health and safety training at the mine. This person may be the operator. (3) A list of MSHA approved instructors with whom the operator proposes to make arrangements to teach the courses, and the courses each instructor is qualified to teach. (4) The location where training will be given for each course. (5) A description of the teaching methods and the course materials which are to be used in training. (6) The approximate number of miners employed at the mine and the maximum number who will attend each session of training. (7) The predicted time or periods of time when regularly scheduled refresher training will be given. This schedule shall include the titles of courses to be taught, the total number of instruction hours for each course, and the predicted time and length of each session of training. (8) For the purposes of § 48.27 (New task training of miners) of this subpart B, the operator shall submit: (i) A complete list of task assignments to correspond with the definition of “task” in § 48.22(f) of this subpart B. (ii) The titles of personnel conducting the training for this section. (iii) The outline of training procedures used in training miners in those work assignments listed according to paragraph (c)(8)(i) of this section. (iv) The evaluation procedures used to determine the effectiveness of training under § 48.27 of this subpart B. (d) The operator shall furnish to the representative of the miners a copy of the training plan 2 weeks prior to its submission to the District Manager. Where a miners' representative is not designated, a copy of the plan shall be posted on the mine bulletin board 2 weeks prior to its submission to the District Manager. Written comments received by the operator from miners or their representatives shall be submitted to the District Manager. Miners or their representatives may submit written comments directly to the District Manager. (e) All training required by the training plan submitted to and approved by the District Manager as required by this subpart B shall be subject to evaluation by the District Manager to determine the effectiveness of the training programs. If it is deemed necessary, the District Manager may require changes in, or additions to, programs. Upon request from the District Manager the operator shall make available for evaluation the instructional materials, handouts, visual aids, and other teaching accessories used or to be used in the training programs. Upon request from the District Manager the operator shall provide information concerning schedules of upcoming training. (f) The operator shall make a copy of the MSHA approved training plan available at the mine site for MSHA inspection and examination by the miners and their representatives. (g) Except as provided in § 48.27 (New task training of miners) and § 48.31 (Hazard training) of this subpart B, all courses shall be conducted by MSHA approved instructors. (h) Instructors shall be approved by the District Manager in one or more of the following ways: (1) Instructors shall take an instructor's training course conducted by the District Manager or given by persons designated by the District Manager to give such instruction; and instructors shall have satisfactorily completed a program of instruction approved by the Office of Educational Policy and Development, MSHA, in the subject matter to be taught. (2) Instructors may be designated by MSHA as approved instructors to teach specific courses based on written evidence of the instructors' qualifications and teaching experience. (3) At the discretion of the District Manager, instructors may be designated by MSHA as approved instructors to teach specific courses based on the performance of the instructors while teaching classes monitored by MSHA. Operators shall indicate in training plans submitted for approval whether they want to have instructors approved based on monitored performance. The District Manager shall consider such factors as the size of the mine, the number of employees, the mine safety record and remoteness from a training facility when determining whether instructor approval based on monitored performance is appropriate. (4) On the effective date of this subpart B, cooperative instructors who have been designated by MSHA to teach MSHA approved courses and who have taught such courses within 24 months prior to the effective date of this subpart shall be considered approved instructors for such courses. (i) Instructors may have their approval revoked by MSHA for good cause which may include not teaching a course at least once every 24 months. Before any revocation is effective, the District Manager must send written reasons for revocation to the instructor and the instructor shall be given an opportunity to demonstrate or achieve compliance before the District Manager on the matter. A decision by the District Manager to revoke an instructor's approval may be appealed by the instructor to the Administrator for Coal Mine Safety and Health or the Administrator for Metal and Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health, as appropriate, MSHA, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20210. Such an appeal shall be submitted to the Administrator within 5 days of notification of the District Manager's decision. Upon revocation of an instructor's approval, the District Manager shall immediately notify operators who use the instructor for training. (j) The District Manager for the area in which the mine is located shall notify the operator and the miners' representative, in writing, within 60 days from the date on which the training plan is filed, of the approval or status of the approval of the training programs. (1) If revisions are required for approval, or to retain approval thereafter, the revisions required shall be specified to the operator and the miners' representative and the operator and the miners' representative shall be afforded an opportunity to discuss the revisions with the District Manager, or propose alternate revisions or changes. The District Manager, in consultation with the operator and the representative of miners, shall fix a time within which the discussion will be held, or alternate revisions or changes submitted, before final approval is made. (2) The District Manager may approve separate programs of the training plan and withhold approval of other programs, pending discussion of revisions or submission of alternate revisions or changes. (k) Except as provided under § 48.28(c) (Annual refresher training of miners) of this subpart B, the operator shall commence training of miners within 60 days after approval of the training plan, or approved programs of the training plan. (l) The operator shall notify the District Manager of the area in which the mine is located and the miners' representative of any changes of modifications which the operator proposes to make in the approval training plan. The operator shall obtain the approval of the District Manager for such changes or modifications. (m) In the event the District Manager disapproves a training plan or a proposed modification of a training plan or requires changes in a training plan or modification, the District Manager shall notify the operator and the miners' representative in writing of: (1) The specific changes or items of deficiency. (2) The action necessary to effect the changes or bring the disapproved training plan or modification into compliance. (3) The deadline for completion of remedial action to effect compliance, which shall serve to suspend punitive action under the provisions of sections 104 and 110 of the Act and other related regulations until that established deadline date, except that no such suspension shall take place in imminent danger situations. (n) The operator shall post on the mine bulletin board, and provide to the miners' representative, a copy of all MSHA revisions and decisions which concern the training plan at the mine and which are issued by the District Manager. (o) Each operator engaged in shaft or slope construction shall have an MSHA-approved training plan, as outlined in this section, containing programs for training new miners, training experienced miners, training miners for new tasks, annual refresher training, and hazard training for miners as follows: (1) In the case of an operator engaged in shaft or slope construction on December 30, 2005, the operator shall submit a plan for approval by May 1, 2006, unless extended by MSHA. (2) In the case of a new shaft or slope construction operator after June 28, 2006, the operator shall have an approved plan prior to commencing shaft or slope construction. (Pub. L. No. 96-511, 94 Stat. 2812 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. [43 FR 47459, Oct. 13, 1978, as amended at 47 FR 14696, Apr. 6, 1982; 47 FR 23640, May 28, 1982; 47 FR 28095, June 29, 1982; 60 FR 33723, June 29, 1995; 63 FR 52759, Oct. 6, 1998; 67 FR 38384, June 4, 2002; 70 FR 77727, Dec. 30, 2005; 80 FR 52986, Sept. 2, 2015; 91 FR 9448, Feb. 26, 2026] § 48.24 Cooperative training program. (a) An operator of a mine may conduct his own training programs, or may participate in training programs conducted by MSHA, or may participate in MSHA approved training programs conducted by State or other Federal agencies, or associations of mine operators, miners' representatives, other mine operators, private associations, or educational institutions. (b) Each program and course of instruction shall be given by instructors who have been approved by MSHA to instruct in the courses which are given, and such courses and the training programs shall be adapted to the mining operations and practices existing at the mine and shall be approved by the District Manager for the area in which the mine is located. [43 FR 47459, Oct. 13, 1978, as amended at 47 FR 23641, May 28, 1982] § 48.25 Training of new miners; minimum courses of instruction; hours of instruction. (a) Each new miner shall receive no less than 24 hours of training as prescribed in this section. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, new miners shall receive this training before they are assigned to work duties. At the discretion of the District Manager, new miners may receive a portion of this training after assignment to work duties: Provided, (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. (2) Self-rescue and respiratory devices. (3) Transportation controls and communication systems. (4) Introduction to work environment. (5) Escape and emergency evacuation plans; firewarning and firefighting. (6) Ground control; working in areas of highwalls, water hazards, pits and spoil banks; illumination and night work. (7) Health. (8) Hazard recognition. (9) Electrical hazards. (10) First aid. (11) Explosives. (12) Health and safety aspects of the tasks to which the new miner will be assigned. (13) 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. Upon completion of training, the methods for determining successful completion shall be administered to the miner. The method for determining successful completion of pre-assignment training under paragraph (a) of this section shall be administered to the miner before he is assigned to 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 § 48.26(b) of this part and, if applicable, the new task training in § 48.27 of this part. The operator must also provide the miner with annual refresher training and additional new task training, as applicable. [43 FR 47459, Oct. 13, 1978, as amended at 47 FR 23641, May 28, 1982; 63 FR 53760, Oct. 6, 1998; 67 FR 42389, June 21, 2002] § 48.26 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 surface miners transferred from underground to surface; 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. (2) Mandatory health and safety standards. (3) Authority and responsibility of supervisors and miners' representatives. (4) Transportation controls and communication systems. (5) Escape and emergency evacuation plans; firewarning and firefighting. (6) Ground controls; working in areas of highwalls, water hazards, pits, and spoil banks; illumination and night work. (7) Hazard recognition. (8) Prevention of accidents. (9) Emergency medical procedures. (10) Health. (11) Health and safety aspects of the tasks to which the experienced miner is assigned. (12) 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 in 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 complete annual refresher training as required in § 48.28, if the miner missed taking that training during the absence. [43 FR 47459, Oct. 13, 1978, as amended at 47 FR 23641, May 28, 1982; 63 FR 53760, Oct. 6, 1998; 67 FR 42389, June 21, 2002] § 48.27 Training of miners assigned to a task in which they have had no previous experience; minimum courses of instruction. (a) Miners assigned to new work tasks as mobile equipment operators, drilling machine operators, haulage and conveyor systems operators, ground control machine operators, AMS operators, and those in blasting operations shall not perform new work tasks in these categories until training prescribed in this paragraph and paragraph (b) of this section has been completed. This training shall not be required for miners who have been trained and who have demonstrated safe operating procedures for such new work tasks within 12 months preceding assignment. This training shall also not be required for miners who have performed the new work tasks and who have demonstrated safe operating procedures for such new work tasks within 12 months preceding assignment. The training program shall include the following: (1) Health and safety aspects and safe operating procedures for work tasks, equipment, and machinery. (2)(i) Supervised practice during nonproduction. (ii) Supervised operation during production. (3) New or modified machines and equipment. (4) Such other courses as may be required by the District Manager based on circumstances and conditions at the mine. (b) Miners under paragraph (a) of this section shall not operate the equipment or machine or engage in blasting operations without direction and immediate supervision until such miners have demonstrated safe operating procedures for the equipment or machine or blasting operation to the operator or the operator's agent. (c) Miners assigned a new task not covered in paragraph (a) of this section shall be instructed in the safety and health aspects and safe work procedures of the task, including 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, prior to performing such task. (d) All training and supervised practice and operation required by this section shall be given by a qualified trainer, or a supervisor experienced in the assigned tasks, or other person experienced in the assigned tasks. [43 FR 47459, Oct. 13, 1978, as amended at 47 FR 23640, May 28, 1982; 67 FR 42389, June 21, 2002; 73 FR 80612, Dec. 31, 2008] § 48.28 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 courses of instruction: (1) Mandatory health and safety standards. (2) Transportation controls and communication systems. (3) Escape and emergency evacuation plans; firewarning and firefighting. (4) Ground control; working in areas of highwalls, water hazards, pits, and spoil banks; illumination and night work. (5) First aid. (6) Electrical hazards. (7) Prevention of accidents. (8) Health. (9) Explosives. (10) Self-rescue and respiratory devices. (11) 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. [43 FR 47459, Oct. 13, 1978, as amended at 47 FR 23641, May 28, 1982; 63 FR 53761, Oct. 6, 1998; 70 FR 77728, Dec. 30, 2005] § 48.29 Records of training. (a) Upon a miner's completion of each MSHA approved training program, the operator shall record and certify on MSHA form 5000-23 that the miner has received the specified training. A copy of the training certificate shall be given to the miner at the completion of the training. The training certificates for each miner shall be available at the mine site for inspection by MSHA and for examination by the miners, the miners' representative and State inspection agencies. When a miner leaves the operator's employ, the miner shall be entitled to a copy of his training certificates. (b) False certification that training was given shall be punishable under section 110 (a) and (f) of the Act. (c) Copies of training certificates for currently employed miners shall be kept at the mine site for 2 years, or for 60 days after termination of employment. (Pub. L. No. 96-511, 94 Stat. 2812 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. [43 FR 47459, Oct. 13, 1978, as amended at 47 FR 14706, Apr. 6, 1982; 60 FR 33723, June 29, 1995] § 48.30 Compensation for training. (a) Training shall be conducted during normal working hours; miners attending such training shall receive the rate of pay as provided in § 48.22(d) (Definition of normal working hours) of this subpart B. (b) If such training shall be given at a location other than the normal place of work, miners shall be compensated for the additional costs, such a mileage, meals, and lodging, they may incur in attending such training sessions. § 48.31 Hazard training. (a) Operators shall provide to those miners, as defined in § 48.22(a) (2) (Definition of miner) of this subpart B, a training program before such miners commence their work duties. This training program shall include the following instruction, which is applicable to the duties of such miners: (1) Hazard recognition and avoidance; (2) Emergency and evacuation procedures; (3) Health and safety standards, safety rules and safe working procedures; (4) Self-rescue and respiratory devices; and, (5) Such other instruction as may be required by the District Manager based on circumstances and conditions at the mine. (b) Miners shall receive the instruction required by this section at least once every 12 months. (c) The training program required by this section shall be submitted with the training plan required by § 48.23(a) (Training plans: Submission and approval) of this subpart B and shall include a statement on the methods of instruction to be used. (d) In accordance with § 48.29 (Records of training) of this subpart B, the operator shall maintain and make available for inspection, certificates that miners have received the instruction required by this section. [43 FR 47459, Oct. 13, 1978, as amended at 47 FR 23641, May 28, 1982] § 48.32 Appeals procedures. The operator, miner, and miners' representative shall have the right of appeal from a decision of the District Manager. (a) In the event an operator, miner, or miners' representative decides to appeal a decision by the District Manager, such an appeal shall be submitted, in writing, to the Administrator for Coal Mine Safety and Health or the Administrator for Metal and Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health, as appropriate, MSHA, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20210, within 30 days of notification of the District Manager's decision. (b) The Administrator may require additional information from the operator, the miners or their representatives, and the District Manager, if the Administrator determines such information is necessary. (c) The Administrator shall render a decision on the appeal within 30 days after receipt of the appeal. [43 FR 47459, Oct. 13, 1978, as amended at 47 FR 23641, May 28, 1982; 67 FR 38384, June 4, 2002; 80 FR 52986, Sept. 2, 2015; 91 FR 9448, Feb. 26, 2026]