Rights Relating to New & Revised Standards or Regulations

MSHA is required to publish all proposed changes to the standards and regulations governing mines. MSHA must make copies available to the mine operator and the miners' representative. Miners and their representatives have a right to discuss or object to any proposal. They may also request a hearing to state their views to MSHA officials.

If a miner wishes to challenge a proposal, he or she must file a petition within 60 days after a proposal is published in its final form. Petitions may be filed with the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Washington, DC, or with a local circuit court of appeals. A miner's objections will not be considered by the court if those objections were not brought to the attention of MSHA officials during the proposal process.

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