Miner Responsibilities

In addition to their rights, miners also have responsibilities that they must practice to ensure a safe work environment.

Refusal to Work

If a miner refuses to work in a condition that is unsafe or unhealthy, he or she must notify the operator, supervisor, or other responsible person. This will give the operator the opportunity to evaluate and correct the situation.

False Statements and False Representations

Under Section 110(f) of the Mine Act, miners must provide truthful statements or representations, both orally and in writing, for all communication involving mine operations, including the following:

• Investigation documentation
• Inspection documentation
• Applications
• Reports
• Plans
• Training certificates
• All other documents that are kept or filed as mandated by the Mine Act

Failure to follow this regulation may result in fines, imprisonment for up to five years, or both.

Advance Notice of MSHA Inspection

Under Section 110(e) of the Mine Act, miners may be fined, imprisoned, or both if they give advance notice of an MSHA inspection.

Smoking Restrictions

Under Section 110(f) of the Mine Act, surface miners are prohibited from smoking in the following areas:

• Areas around combustible or flammable storage, waste, or distribution facilities
• Explosives magazines
• Other surface areas where smoking could cause a fire or explosion

The following prohibitions also apply to all surface mine employees:

• Employees may not smoke or use an open flame in any areas of a surface coal mine where it might cause a fire or explosion.
• Employees may not smoke within 50 feet of areas where explosives or detonators are stored in non-coal mines.
• Employees may not smoke in a uranium mine where radon daughter exposure measurements are required to be taken.

Failure to observe these prohibitions may result in a fine for each separate violation.

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