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PROGRAM POLICY LETTER NO. P08-III-1 FROM: JEFFREY A. DUNCAN  Director for Educational Policy and Development KEVIN G. STRICKLIN  Administrator for Coal Mine Safety and Health FELIX A. QUINTANA  Administrator for Metal and Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health SUBJECT: Replacing Social Security Numbers with a Unique Identifier - MSHA Individual Identification Number (MIIN) Scope This program policy letter applies to Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) personnel, mine operators, independent contractors, miners, state grantees, MSHA qualified and certified persons and approved instructors. Purpose This policy letter notifies persons who are applying for, or updating an MSHA qualification, certification, or approval that a new process is being implemented effective April 21, 2008. Policy Currently, MSHA uses individual Social Security numbers (SSN) for tracking qualifications, certifications and approvals. In an effort to reduce the use of SSNs by both MSHA and third parties, MSHA is changing the process to one in which miners will register first with MSHA to obtain an MSHA Individual Identification Number (MIIN). A MIIN is a unique 8-digit number preceded by the letter "M" and will be used in place of SSNs for tracking all qualifications, certifications, and approvals issued by MSHA. Beginning April 21, 2008, MSHA is requiring all persons applying for or updating an MSHA qualification, certification, or instructor approval to first obtain a MIIN. Personnel who hold an MSHA certification for collection of respirable dust samples and/or certification for the maintenance and calibration of respirable dust sampling units must obtain a MIIN to continue to perform these functions. MSHA will void any respirable dust sample submitted on or after July 1, 2008, that does not have a valid MIIN recorded in the certified person (item 13) section of the dust data card that accompanies each respirable dust sample. It is important that certified persons planning to submit respirable dust samples to MSHA on or after July 1, 2008, register for the new MIIN as soon as possible. MSHA will not accept samples with a SSN or blanks in the certified person section of the dust data card on or after July 1, 2008. In addition to persons holding an MSHA certification to collect respirable dust samples and/or certification to maintenance and calibrate respirable dust sampling units, a MIIN is only required for persons applying for or modifying one of the following qualifications, certifications, or approvals:
- Electrical Qualification Retraining, Low/Medium Voltage (Underground) - Methane/Oxygen Qualification (Underground/Surface) - Hoisting Qualification (Underground/Surface) - Explosives/Blasting Qualification - Impoundment Qualification - MSHA Approved Instructors (Part 48 and Part 49, Electrical) - Underground Foreman - Underground Assistant Foreman - Preshift Examiner - Surface Foreman
With the increase in identity theft, MSHA is aware that mining industry personnel are concerned with the recording and collection of their SSNs. MSHA has implemented a process of maintaining records that does not require using an individual SSN as a tracking identifier. With the MIIN process, MSHA will eliminate the use of SSNs to identify mining industry personnel on its documents. Authority Sections 101(a) and 103(a)(2) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, as amended, 30 U.S.C. § 801 et seq. at §§ 811(a) and 813(a)(2). Filing Instructions This policy letter should be filed behind the tab marked "Program Policy Letters" at the back of Volume III of the Program Policy Manual. Internet Availability This policy letter may be viewed on the Internet by accessing MSHA's home page (http://www.msha.gov) and then choosing "Rules & Regs" and "Compliance Assistance Information" and selecting "Program Policy Letters." Issuing Office and Contact Persons Educational Policy and Development Donna Wolf (800) 579-2647 wolf.donna@dol.gov Distribution Program Policy Manual Holders Mine Operators Independent Contractors State Grantees Attachment  |
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