EFFECTIVE DATE: 10/22/2010 EXPIRATION DATE: 03/31/2012 

PROGRAM POLICY LETTER NO. P10-IV-02 

FROM: NEAL H. MERRIFIELD

 Administrator for Metal and Nonmetal 

 Mine Safety and Health 

 

SUBJECT: Mine Operator Requirements for Exposure Monitoring of 

Harmful Airborne Contaminants 

Scope

This Program Policy Letter (PPL) applies to all Metal and Nonmetal underground and surface 

mine operators and independent contractors, miners, miners’ representatives, Mine Safety and 

Health (MSHA) personnel, and other interested parties. 

 

Purpose

This PPL informs the mining community of existing MSHA standards at 30 C.F.R. §§ 56.5002 

and 57.5002 that require mine operators to conduct surveys for harmful airborne contaminants, 

including surveys of respirable dust containing crystalline silica, gas, mist, and fumes, to 

determine the adequacy of control measures. The purpose of these standards is to reduce 

illnesses or diseases due to overexposures to harmful airborne contaminants in the mining 

industry. 

Policy 

Under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act), mine operators have the 

primary responsibility for protecting the health of miners. Mine operators must demonstrate 

compliance rather than relying on enforcement interventions. MSHA will emphasize that mine 

operators: 

o Plan - A system to survey for dust, fume, gas, and mist to determine adequacy of 

control measures. 

o Prevent - Miners’ exposure to these hazards. 

o Protect - Miners from health hazards. 

Consistent with the Secretary’s vision of “Good Jobs for Everyone” and her goal for safe and 

healthful workplaces, MSHA is placing increased emphasis on identifying and controlling health 

hazards in the mining workplace. In accordance with 30 C.F.R. §§ 56.5002 and 57.5002 on 

Exposure Monitoring, mine operators are required to conduct dust, gas, mist, and fume surveys 

as frequently as necessary to determine the adequacy of control measures. In Agency 

inspections, MSHA will be evaluating operator activities to verify evidence of surveys. 

To conduct an effective survey, persons conducting the sampling must be knowledgeable or 

experienced on how to measure a particular contaminant. 
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If the result of any samples taken during a survey under 30 C.F.R. §§ 56.5002 and 57.5002 

indicates that a miner’s exposure to a dust, gas, mist or fume is greater than the exposure limit, 

MSHA expects the operator to adjust control measures and conduct additional surveys to 

determine whether control measures are adequate. Thereafter, the operator is required to survey 

as frequently as necessary to determine the adequacy of control measures. 

MSHA is providing additional information at the following website: 

www.msha.gov/S&HINFO/ExposureGuidance/ExposureGuidance.asp to assist mine operators 

in planning and implementing a system to conduct surveys as frequently as necessary to 

determine the adequacy of control measures. 

Background

Operators must have effective exposure monitoring programs to control miners’ exposures to 

harmful airborne contaminants. Failure to implement necessary control measures may result in 

occupational disease. 

MSHA's Program Policy Manual (PPM) provides that the sampling and analytical methods used 

by the mine operator for surveys conducted under §§ 56.5002 and 57.5002 should be consistent 

with established principles, such as the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's 

(NIOSH) Manual of Analytical Methods, or MSHA’s Metal and Nonmetal Health Inspection 

Procedures used by MSHA inspectors. 

The referenced PPM excerpt is available at 

http://www.msha.gov/REGS/COMPLIAN/PPM/PMVOL4C.HTM#34

The NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods is available at

http://cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2003-154/

The MSHA Metal Nonmetal Health Inspection Procedures Handbook is available at 

http://www.msha.gov/READROOM/HANDBOOK/PH06-IV1(1)MNMHealthInspectionProc.pdf

Authority

Sections 101 and 103 of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, as amended, 

30 U.S.C. §§ 811 and 813, and 30 C.F.R. §§ 56.5002 and 57.5002. 

Internet Availability

This PPL may be viewed on the Internet on the following web site: 

http://www.msha.gov/REGS/COMPLIAN/PPLMEN.HTM or by accessing MSHA’s home page 

at www.msha.gov then choosing “Compliance Info” and then “Program Policy Letters”. 

Filing Policy
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This PPL should be filed behind the tab marked “Program Policy Letters” in the Program Policy 

Manual. 

Issuing Office and Contact Persons

Metal and Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health, Division of Health 

Reginald J. Richards, DrPH, CIH, (202) 693-9632 

E-mail: richards.reginald.j@dol.gov 

The Agency encourages metal and nonmetal operators to contact their district or field office if 

they have questions or need further assistance. 

Distribution

All MNM Program Policy Manual Holders 

All Underground/Surface Mine Operators 

All Independent Contractors 

All representatives of miners 

All Special Interest Groups