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MSHA Training Plan Advisor


The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) Training Plan Advisor provides guidance to help mine owners and operators develop their Federally required training plans. In some cases, independent contractors must develop their own training plans. State grantees and others may also develop their own plans.

There are two different types of training plans required, depending on the type of mine or operation:

  • Surface nonmetal mines that are designated as shell dredging, sand, gravel, surface stone, surface clay, colloidal phosphate, and surface limestone mines are required to have a Part 46 training plan. Other types also include surface operations that produce marble, granite, sandstone, slate, shale, traprock, kaolin, cement, feldspar, and lime, even though these types are not specifically included in the title of the Part 46 regulations.
  • All coal mines, all underground metal and nonmetal mines, and other surface metal and nonmetal mines (not included above) are required to have a Part 48 training plan.

If you are a first time user, we recommend you read all applicable regulations and policy documents. Additional help may be obtained from MSHA's Educational Policy and Development Directorate (EPD), MSHA Coal Mine Safety and Health District Offices, MSHA Metal and Nonmetal District Offices, or from an MSHA-approved state grant program.

If you need assistance working through this computerized version of the training plan, you may contact your local Educational Field Services representative or call EPD Headquarters in Arlington at 202-693-9570. This assistance is to help you with completing the plan. We would not be able to address specific problems with your internet service provider, browser software, or computer hardware.

Review the applicable training regulations:

  • Training and retraining of miners--shell dredging, sand, gravel, surface stone, surface clay, colloidal phosphate, and surface limestone-- 30 CFR Part 46.
  • Training and retraining of miners--coal and metal/nonmetal-- 30 CFR Part 48.
  • Mandatory safety standards--underground coal mines--subpart B Qualified and Certified Persons-- 30 CFR Part 75.
  • Mandatory safety standards--surface coal mines and surface work areas of underground coal mines-- subpart B Qualified and Certified Persons-- 30 CFR Part 77.

Review the MSHA policy documents--coal and metal/nonmetal-- Program Policy Manual.

The MSHA Training Plan Advisor is one of a series of elaws (Employment Laws Assistance for Workers and Small Businesses) Advisors developed by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to help employers and employees understand their rights and responsibilities under Federal employment laws. To view the entire list of elaws Advisors please visit the elaws website. To learn more about DOL's efforts to prevent death, disease and injury from mining and to promote safe and healthful workplaces for the nation's miners, visit the MSHA website.