The Dirty Dozen

The Dirty Dozen are:

1. Death of an individual at a mine
2. Injury to an individual at a mine that could potentially result in death
3. Entrapment of an individual for over 30 minutes that could potentially result in death
4. Unplanned inundation of a mine by a liquid or gas
5. Unplanned ignition or explosion of gas or dust
6. Unplanned fire that is not extinguished within 30 minutes of discovery in surface mines
7. Unplanned ignition or explosion of a blasting agent or explosive
8. Unplanned roof fall at or above the anchorage zone in active working places where roof bolts are in use; or, an unplanned roof or rib fall in active work places that impairs ventilation or impedes passage
9. Coal or rock outburst that causes the withdrawal of miners or disrupts regular mining activity for more than an hour
10. Failure of an impoundment, refuse pile, or culm bank; or, an unstable condition at an impoundment, refuse pile, or culm bank that requires emergency action to prevent structural failure or which causes individuals to evacuate an area
11. Damage to hoisting equipment or slope that endangers an individual or interferes with the use of the equipment for longer than 30 minutes
12. Event at a mine that causes death or bodily injury to an individual who was not present at the mine at the time the event occurred (for instance, a resident of a community that is close to the mine site)

To learn more about MSHA Part 48 training requirements visit our MSHA Part 48 Subpart B Surface Mining Online Training web page.