MSHA Part 46 training is the federal mine safety training regulation that applies to surface metal and nonmetal mining operations, including sand and gravel, crushed stone, and industrial minerals operations. If you work at one of these mines—or you're responsible for compliance—understanding Part 46 is non-negotiable. Violations can result in citations, fines, and in serious cases, shutdowns.
This guide covers who Part 46 applies to, what training types it requires, how records must be kept, and what MSHA inspectors look for when they audit your training program.
30 CFR Part 46 (Title 30, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 46) is the MSHA regulation that sets minimum mandatory safety training requirements for miners at surface metal and nonmetal mines. It was promulgated in 1999 and significantly simplified the training requirements compared to the older Part 48 framework that it replaced for these operations.
Part 46's defining feature is flexibility. Rather than specifying exact training topics or hours for every category, it allows operators to develop site-specific training plans that reflect the actual hazards at their operation. The tradeoff: operators must document their plans, keep training records, and be able to demonstrate to MSHA inspectors that their program meets the performance standards the regulation sets.
Part 46 covers surface metal and nonmetal mining operations, which includes:
Part 46 does NOT cover: underground mines, surface coal mines, or underground coal mines—all of which fall under Part 48. Dredging operations may fall under either part depending on the minerals being extracted and the method used. When in doubt, contact MSHA's Metal and Nonmetal mine safety district office for a determination.
Part 46 requires training in five distinct categories, each with specific rules about who must receive it and when.
All new miners must receive a minimum of 24 hours of training before beginning work at a mine site. This training must cover: the miner's rights under MSHA, hazard recognition and avoidance, emergency medical procedures, introduction to the work environment, transportation controls, communication systems, and escape and emergency evacuation procedures.
Crucially, 4 of those 24 hours must be site-specific training that familiarizes the new miner with the specific hazards, emergency procedures, and work practices at that particular mine. Generic online training doesn't satisfy the site-specific requirement.
A miner may begin work before completing all 24 hours if they work under the close supervision of an experienced miner—but you must document this arrangement and complete the training within 60 days.
Miners with more than 12 months of surface metal/nonmetal mining experience who transfer to your mine are considered experienced miners. They must receive site-specific hazard training before starting work—the full 24-hour new miner training isn't required, but they must be trained on the hazards, emergency procedures, and site-specific conditions at your operation. The regulation doesn't specify a minimum number of hours for this category; your training plan defines the scope.
All miners must receive a minimum of 8 hours of annual refresher training each calendar year. This training must address mine hazards, safety policies and rules, and other topics relevant to the operation. Unlike new miner training, there's no specific topic list mandated—your training plan defines the content.
Annual refresher is where many operators fall out of compliance. A miner who misses their 8 hours by December 31 is out of compliance for that calendar year, even if they complete the training in January. Keep your training calendar tight and don't let this slip to the last week of December.
Any miner who is assigned to a new task that presents a safety hazard must receive task-specific training before performing that task. This applies to equipment assignments, process changes, and changes in job duties. Task training must be documented, but there's no minimum hour requirement—the training must be appropriate to the hazard involved.
MSHA inspectors pay close attention to task training records. A miner operating a loader who has no documented task training for that equipment is a citation waiting to happen.
Contractors and contract workers who are present at your mine must receive site-specific hazard awareness training before entering areas where they may be exposed to hazards. This is a separate requirement from new miner training—it applies even to contractors who have extensive mining experience elsewhere. The operator is responsible for ensuring contractor training is completed and documented, even if the contractor's employer provides the trainer.
One of Part 46's most important and most overlooked requirements is the written training plan. Every operation covered by Part 46 must have a written training plan that describes:
This plan doesn't need MSHA's advance approval—but it must be available at the mine site for inspection. When an MSHA inspector arrives and asks for your training plan, you need to produce it immediately. If it doesn't exist or doesn't reflect what you're actually doing, you're looking at a citation for failure to maintain a training plan.
Training plans should be reviewed and updated annually or whenever the mine's conditions, operations, or hazards change significantly. A plan written in 2018 that hasn't been updated since doesn't reflect current operations and won't satisfy an inspector who sees equipment or processes not covered in the plan.
Part 46 requires that training records be maintained for each miner for the duration of their employment, plus one year after the miner leaves. Records must include the miner's name, the type of training received, the date of training, the duration of training, and the signature of the person who provided the training.
Common documentation errors that result in citations:
Store training records at the mine site in a location accessible to MSHA inspectors. Cloud-based training management systems are acceptable as long as records can be printed or shown on-screen during an inspection. MSHA inspectors will ask to review records for randomly selected miners—having an organized, complete file for every current employee is essential.
Part 46 allows considerable flexibility in who can serve as a trainer. Qualified trainers include:
Your training plan must identify who provides training and describe why they're qualified. For new miner training, using someone with no documented training qualification is a red flag. MSHA wants to see that trainers have content knowledge and some instructional capability—not just seniority.
MSHA offers free Train-the-Trainer courses through its National Mine Health and Safety Academy (MHSA) in Beckley, West Virginia, and through regional offices. These courses qualify trainers under Part 46 and are a cost-effective way to build in-house training capacity.
MSHA's violation data shows these are the most frequently cited Part 46 issues:
Failure to provide task training: Miners operating equipment for which they have no training records. Fix: institute a process where supervisors document task training before any miner starts a new equipment assignment.
Annual refresher not completed: Miners without 8 hours of annual refresher within the calendar year. Fix: track completion by employee in a spreadsheet or training management system with automated reminders in Q3.
Inadequate training plan: Plan doesn't describe actual training being provided, or hasn't been updated to reflect current operations. Fix: review and update the plan annually as part of your year-end safety program review.
Missing contractor documentation: No records of site hazard training for contractors. Fix: create a contractor sign-in/training checklist that's completed before any contractor accesses the mine site.
For comprehensive mine safety exam preparation covering MSHA regulations and safety protocols, see our msha certification and take our MSHA practice test to test your knowledge.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| msha — structured MSHA training builds a solid foundation of skills | Training programs can be time-intensive (weeks to months) |
| Multiple training formats available: online, in-person, and hybrid | Quality varies significantly between training providers |
| Hands-on practice prepares you for real-world job scenarios | Costs for comprehensive programs can be substantial |
| Training programs often include job placement assistance | Hands-on components may require travel or in-person attendance |
| Continuing education keeps your skills current with industry changes | Self-paced learning requires strong discipline and motivation |
Try these questions from our free MSHA - Mine Safety and Health Administration practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
Under MSHA rules for underground coal mines (30 CFR Part 75), permissible explosives are required because they:
Answer: B. Produce a flame and gas that will not ignite coal dust or methane
Permissible explosives are specially formulated so that their detonation flame and gases will not ignite coal dust or methane gas, which is critical for safety in gassy coal mines.
By law, a team is only required to have 6 team members. Can a team with only 6 team members compete at the National Contest?
Answer: B. No, they must have at least 7 team members to compete.
Explanation: While the legal requirement set by 30 CFR Part 49 mandates a minimum of 6 team members, the National Rules for Mine Rescue Contests stipulate a minimum of 7 team members to compete. Therefore, a team with only 6 members would not meet the eligibility criteria for the National Contest.
If the problem statement states mine has three headings and the team enters from the side, how do you explore? The team map also shows headings.
Answer: A. Explore each heading sequentially starting from the leftmost heading and moving to the right.
Explanation: By exploring each heading sequentially from left to right, the mine rescue team ensures systematic coverage of the mine and minimizes the risk of missing any areas. This approach aligns with standard mine rescue procedures and ensures thorough exploration of the mine.
A team is advancing in an entry and is stopped by an unsafe roof. There is a gas placard 10 feet out by the unsafe roof. The other entries are blocked, but the team has timbers. If the team timbers through the unsafe roof, does the gas extend through the unsafe roof?
Answer: C. No, the gas does not extend through the unsafe roof if there was no placard indicating its presence.
Explanation: According to mine safety regulations, the presence of a gas placard indicates the extent of the gas. Since there is no placard at the unsafe roof, the gas is not assumed to extend beyond that point. Therefore, timbers can be used to secure the unsafe roof without the assumption that gas extends through it.
Take the full MSHA - Mine Safety and Health Administration practice test