The Mine Emergency Response Development (MERD) exercise contest guidelines provide for the development of MERD exercises that will fulfill the requirements of a mine rescue contest for the purpose of 30 C.F.R. §49.60. A local mine rescue contest is training that provides an objective evaluation of demonstrated mine rescue team skills and can be a MERD exercise or a practical simulation exercise, such as a fire or explosion drill, where the team participates in simulated mine rescue team exercises and wears breathing apparatus.

• Supplement to the Questions and Answers
  for MSHA's Final Rule on Conveyor Belt, Fire Prevention and Detection, and Use of Air from the Belt Entry (Flame-Resistant Conveyor Belt)(Added 10/07/2009)



• Supplement to the Questions and Answers
  for MSHA's Final Rule on Conveyor Belt, Fire Prevention and Detection, and Use of Air from the Belt Entry (Flame-Resistant Conveyor Belt) (Added 12/30/2009)



• Supplement to the Questions and Answers
  for MSHA's Final Rule on Conveyor Belt, Fire Prevention and Detection, and Use of Air from the Belt Entry (Coverage) (Added 03/25/2010)



• Supplement to the Questions and Answers
  for MSHA's Final Rule on Conveyor Belt, Fire Prevention and Detection, and Use of Air from the Belt Entry (Coverage) (Added 03/25/2010)



• All Documents Combined

The Mine Rescue Teams Final Rule was effective on February 8, 2008. MSHA held five stakeholder meetings across the country to discuss the final rule. This compliance guide was developed to address questions and comments received during those meetings. An optional form which operators may use to certify annually that each team meets the requirements of 30 CFR part 49 Subpart B is also available. For more information contact Mike Kalich at kalich.michael@dol.gov or call 202-693-9714.

   See Form

MSHA has developed an Instructor Guide (IG-110); "Responding to a Mine Emergency" specifically designed to assist in developing a training program that meets the requirements of 30 CFR Part 75.1501(a)(2). The IG is organized into 11 sections, corresponding with the topics listed in Part 75.1501(a)(2). To assist in making the training appropriate for each mine, each section lists recommended site-specific materials that should be used in developing an effective program, tailored to your operation.

   See IG-110

The Mine Rescue Teams Final Rule was effective on February 8, 2008. MSHA held five stakeholder meetings across the country to discuss the final rule. This power point was developed for use at stakeholder meetings. This is not a stand-alone document. Please consult the final rule and other guidance documents for compliance information. For more information contact Mike Kalich at kalich.michael@dol.gov or call 202-693-9714.

   PPT Version     PDF Version

Training and Retraining of Miners Engaged in Shell Dredging or Employed at Sand, Gravel, Surface Stone, Surface Clay, Colloidal Phosphate, or Surface Limestone Mines - Version 3 - Published May 28, 2001.

We developed this guide to provide information to the surface nonmetal mining community about the new Part 46 training regulations. This is the third edition of this Compliance Guide. We have added additional questions and answers based on questions we have received since the release of the first guide.

We (MSHA) also wrote this Compliance Guideline in the more personal style advocated by the President's executive order on "Plain Language." In this guideline "you" refers to the mine operator and independent contractor, and "we" and "us" refer to MSHA.

This is a supplement to the Compliance Guide issued October of 1997

This document is presented in a question and answer format with the questions asked from the perspective of the mine operator. The terms "standard" and "rule" are interchangeable and mean the same thing in this guide.

Developing a Comprehensive Slope and Shaft Sinking Plan

MSHA Online Forms Advisor - Helps mine operators and others in the mining industry understand and fulfill their filing requirements.

MSHA Fire Suppression and Fire Protection Advisor - Helps mine operators determine minimum fire protection requirements for electrical and diesel equipment.

MSHA Training Plan Advisor - Helps mine operators develop training plans based on the information required by federal regulations.

Drug-Free Workplace Advisor - Helps employers build tailored drug-free workplace policies and programs and provides information about coverage and requirements of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988.