The purpose of this brochure is to provide you with some general information about the Mine Safety and Health Administration's (MSHA) part 46 training regulation. We want to make sure that you, as an independent contractor, are aware of your training responsibilities while working on part 46 mine properties.

To further assist you, we have helpful materials that you can get through the Internet, mail, and directly through MSHA's Educational Field Services. Also, EFS personnel are available throughout the country to answer questions and assist in complying with this rule. (See the Assistance section of this brochure.)

This brochure was developed to make you aware that as an independent contractor you may have training responsibilities while working at mines covered by part 46. You should read the part 46 rule to understand your complete training responsibilities.

As an independent contractor, you fall in one of the following two training categories which have different requirements:

New Miner Training or Newly Hired Experienced Miner Training

This training is required if you are:

• engaged in mining operations, including developing, drilling, blasting, extracting, milling, crushing, screening or sizing materials, or hauling materials within the mine;
  
  
• a maintenance or service worker, working on mining equipment for frequent (a pattern of recurring exposure) or extended periods (more than five consecutive work days); or
  
  
• a construction worker who is exposed to hazards of mining operations for frequent or extended periods.

office or staff employees;
scientific workers;
delivery workers;
customers, including commercial over-the-road truck drivers;
construction workers who are not exposed to mine hazards;
vendors or visitors;
maintenance or service workers who are not at a mine for frequent or extended periods;
maintenance or service workers who are working on non-mining equipment;
or miners (such as drillers or blasters) who move from one mine to another while remaining employed by the same independent contractor.