What are the governing regulations?
MSHA specializes in enforcing health and safety legislation in mining, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) implements safety and health legislation across all industries. So although there is a separation of powers, MSHA and OSHA work in tandem to develop compatible safety and health standards for miners. The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) Health and Safety (H&S) Department monitors both OSHA and MSHA to ensure that each is enforcing effective rules and regulations to protect the health and safety of miners.
To be MSHA compliant your company must have a training plan that is approved by MSHA and administered by a competent person. Your company can use this or any of our courses as part of that plan.
If you are unsure how to write a training plan we can help with our Part 46 Surface Mining Training Plan course, the only one like it in the mining industry.
Who must take this training?
Significant hazards exist in confined spaces at surface mine sites. In order to moderate them, miners and other individuals who work on mine sites must acquire a better understanding of the risks and hazards of working in a confined space as well as the associated preventative procedures and behaviors.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
Specific topics covered in this course include:
- About This Course
- Course Objectives
- Introduction to the MSHA Surface Mining Confined Spaces Training Course
- Regulatory Agencies
- Record Keeping
- Accident Statistics
- Applicability
- Key Terms and Definitions
- Overview of Confined Spaces
- Types of Confined Spaces: Permit-Required Confined Space (PRCS)
- Types of Confined Spaces: Non-Permit-required Confined Space
- Entry Requirements and Responsibilities
- Confined Space Program Requirements
- Confined Space Permit
- Elements of a Confined Space Permit
- Pre-Entry Preparation
- Atmospheric Hazards
- Classification of Atmospheric Hazards
- Oxygen-Deficient Atmospheres
- Flammable Atmospheres
- Toxic Atmospheres
- Atmospheric Testing and Monitoring
- Physical Hazards
- Engulfment
- Equipment Hazards
- Electrical Hazards
- Temperature Extremes
- Noise
- Vibration
- Radiation
- Wet Surfaces
- Psychological Hazards
- Confined Space Hazard Control
- Engineering Controls
- Administrative Controls
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Controls
- Emergency Response Plan
- Fire Safety
- Respiratory Equipment
- Isolating Hazardous Energy
- Purging
- Ventilation
- Summary
- Additional Resources
- Exam
Our Surface Mining Confined Spaces online course consists of content, graphics, audio, self-check questions, and a final exam.
It will take a MINIMUM of 2 hours to complete this online course. The student may log on and off as needed. A bookmark will be set so when they log back in they will return to where they left off.
We have no restrictions on how long a person takes to complete a course.
Likewise, if you are purchasing for others, we have no time limit on assigning courses. So you can purchase a larger quantity then you currently need and take advantage of volume discounts.
According to MSHA 30 CFR § 46.8:
Annual refresher training.- You must provide each miner with no less than 8 hours of annual refresher training:
- No later than 12 months after the miner begins work at the mine, or no later than March 30, 2001, whichever is later; and
- Thereafter, no later than 12 months after the previous annual refresher training was completed.
- The refresher training must include instruction on changes at the mine that could adversely affect the miner's health or safety.
- Refresher training must also address other health and safety subjects that are relevant to mining operations at the mine. Recommended subjects include, but are not limited to: applicable health and safety requirements, including mandatory health and safety standards; 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; transportation controls and communication systems; escape and emergency evacuation plans, firewarning and firefighting; ground conditions and control; traffic patterns and control; working in areas of highwalls; water hazards, pits, and spoil banks; illumination and night work; first aid; electrical hazards; prevention of accidents; health; explosives; and respiratory devices. Training is also recommended on the hazards associated with the equipment that has accounted for the most fatalities and serious injuries at the mines covered by this rule, including: mobile equipment (haulage and service trucks, front-end loaders and tractors); conveyor systems; cranes; crushers; excavators; and dredges. Other recommended subjects include: maintenance and repair (use of hand tools and welding equipment); material handling; fall prevention and protection; and working around moving objects (machine guarding).
Upon successful completion each student will have immediate access to a printable certificate and wallet card for MSHA Surface Mining Confined Spaces proof of training.
Each student will receive 0.2 CEUs (or 2 CMEs) from Compliance Training Online® for completing this course.
