Part 46 & Part 48 | Which Training Do I Need?
Are you new to the mining world? Are you just coming back to mining? Do you just need to do your annual mine safety training? You may be wondering what training you need to do. Don’t worry you are not alone.
Many people wonder which training they need to take and if you do the wrong training they may not let you on the mine site. Don’t worry. In the post below we will go through which trainings you need based upon where you are working.
Part 46 Training
This training is for those working in “shell dredging or employed at sand, gravel, surface stone, surface clay, colloidal phosphate, surface limestone, marble, granite, sandstone, slate, shale, traprock, kaolin, cement, feldspar, and lime mines (MSHA, 2017).” Are you working in one of those mine types? If you are, continue down this section if not you can skip to the next section.
Who can give Part 46 training?
MSHA says that a competent person can give part 46 training. Who is a competent person? “A competent person is a person who is designated by the production operator or independent contractor who has the ability, training, knowledge, or experience to provide training to miners in his or her area of expertise. The competent person must be able to effectively communicate the training subject to miners, and evaluate whether the training given to miners is effective (MSHA, 2001).” Basically anyone can be deemed a competent person by either the production operator or an independent contractor with knowledge and experience in mining. They don’t have to be approved by MSHA like they do for Part 48 training.
How long is new miner training for Part 46?
This is an interesting question because Part 46 has a small loophole for training. If an employee is newly hired and inexperienced miner then he can technically have 4 hours of miner training at a mine and start working as long as he gets all his training within 90 days (see section 46.5 for what has be trained by what days). If that employee, then went to another mine to work he would still be considered an inexperienced new miner because he doesn’t have 24 hours of new miner training (don’t forget you also have to have 1 year of experience).
How long is annual refresher training for Part 46?
Annual refresher training for experienced miners must be conducted every 12 months and is a minimum of 8 hours. Just make sure you are covering the required topics of the approved training plan.
How do you know if you are a new miner or experienced miner?
Do you meet these requirements?
An experienced miner is a person who:
- Is employed as a miner on April 14, 1999; or
- Has at least 12 months of cumulative surface mining or equivalent experience on or before October 2, 2000; or
- Began employment as a miner after April 14, 1999, but before October 2, 2000 and who has received new miner training under § 48.25 or under the proposed requirements published April 14, 1999; or
- Is employed as a miner on or after October 2, 2000 who has completed 24 hours of new miner training under § 46.5 of this part or under § 48.25 of this title and who has at least 12 cumulative months of surface mining or equivalent experience (MSHA, 2017).
Does it matter if your mining experience was 5 years ago?
If you met the requirements of the experienced miner, you will always be an experienced miner. You will however have to have some additional training before returning to work. Typically, this is done in an annual refresher type training session, where newly hired experienced miner training is required. Most companies provide at least 8 hours of training for this. Click here for Part 46 help
Part 48 Training
What if I work in Part 46 and Part 48 surface mines?
“MSHA will allow independent contractors who work at both Part 46 and Part 48 surface mining operations to comply with the training requirements of Part 48, instead of complying with both training rules. This will eliminate the need for developing two training plans and complying with two record-keeping requirements (MSHA, 2017).” This means that you only have to attend the part 48 training and not the part 46 training. It doesn’t work the other way around. You must be trained
Who can give part 48 surface mine training?
MSHA part 48 training is required to be completed by someone who has been approved by MSHA. A person non-approved person can also give the training as long as an approved instructor is present.
How long is new miner training for Part 48 surface mines?
New miner training for part 48 is the same time allotment of 24 hours as part 46 new miner. Again just ensure you are covering the site required training plan topics.
How long is annual refresher training for Part 48 surface mines?
Annual refresher training for experienced miners must be conducted every 12 months and is a minimum of 8 hours. Just make sure you are covering the required topics of the approved training plan. Click here for Part 48 surface mines help
Now that you understand a little better your requirements ensure you get the correct training to protect yourself and your employees.
If you would like to learn more about training and training plans or would like some assistance with your training or building training plans feel free to reach out to us. We specialize in provided the best training and ensuring your MSHA training plans (Part 46 and Part 48) are ready to keep you and your employees safe and compliant.