ISSUE DATE: 07/08/2010 

PROGRAM INFORMATION BULLETIN NO. P10-07 

FROM: KEVIN G. STRICKLIN

 Administrator for 

 Coal Mine Safety and Health 

 THOMAS KESSLER 

 Acting Director for Educational Policy and Development 

SUBJECT: Re-Issue P01-06 - Diesel Particulate Matter in Underground 

 Coal Mines - Training Program Guide 

To whom does this bulletin apply?

This information bulletin applies to underground coal mine operators, independent 

contractors working at underground coal mines, and Mine Safety and Health 

Administration (MSHA) enforcement personnel. 

What is the purpose of this bulletin?

This bulletin provides the underground coal mining industry with a training guide and 

sample lesson plan for use in complying with the miner health training regulations for 

diesel particulate matter (30 C.F.R. Section 72.510) that were effective May 21, 2001. The 

attached guide is designed to assist mine operators and independent contractors, along 

with the persons who will provide this training at the mines, in developing effective 

mine-specific training programs. 

The use of this guide is strictly voluntary, and you are encouraged to modify the 

program to meet your own specific needs. 

Does this training have to be included under my Part 48 Training Program?

The training required by Part 72 can be conducted within a Part 48 training program or 

as a separate program. If you choose to incorporate this training into Part 48, you must 

submit a revised training plan to the appropriate MSHA district office for approval; and 

all applicable Part 48 requirements must be met. If conducted separately from Part 48, 

there are no specifications on trainer qualifications, no minimal training time, and no 

training plans. This guide is designed to be used whether you choose to conduct the 

training under Part 48 or as a separate program under Part 72. 
2 

What is the background information for this bulletin?

Underground coal miners who are exposed to high concentrations of diesel particulate 

matter may face a significantly greater risk than other workers of developing such 

diseases as lung cancer, heart failure, serious allergic responses, and other 

cardiopulmonary problems. The Mine Safety and Health Administration standard to 

protect underground coal miners from diesel exhaust particulate matter was effective as 

of May 21, 2001. The new rules, which require annual training for all underground coal 

miners who can reasonably be expected to be exposed to diesel emissions, will help to 

ensure that miner exposures do not exceed dangerous levels and cause injury or 

disease. 

What is the authority for this bulletin?

The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 and 30 C.F.R. Part 72. 

Who is the contact person for this bulletin?

Coal Mine Safety and Health, Division of Health 

Robert A. Thaxton, (202) 693-9515 

E-mail: thaxton.robert@dol.gov

Educational Policy and Development 

Thomas W. MacLeod, (202) 693-9578 

E-mail: macleod.thomas@dol.gov

Is this bulletin on the Internet?

This bulletin may be viewed on the Internet by accessing MSHA’s home page 

(http://www.msha.gov) and finding this under the "Diesel Particulate Final Rules 

Single Source Page." Or you may choose "Statutory and Regulatory Info" and then, 

under "Compliance Assistance Information," select "Program Information Bulletins." 

Who will receive this bulletin?

Program Policy Manual Holders 

Underground Coal Mine Operators 

Independent Contractors at Underground Coal Mines 

Special Interest Groups 

Attachment 
Diesel Particulate Matter in Underground Coal Mines 

Training Program Guide 

INTRODUCTION 

This guide is designed to assist coal mine operators and independent contractors that are covered 

by 30 CFR Section 72.510 (the miner health training regulations for diesel particulate matter) in 

developing effective mine-specific training programs. The target audience for this guide is the 

persons who will be providing this training at the mine. 

Use of this guide is strictly voluntary, and you are encouraged to modify the program to meet 

your own specific needs. Teaching methods were chosen to closely match established methods 

people use to train employees. Paperwork has been kept to a minimum. Most of the required 

training can be taught on-site with minimal cost and with minimal disruption. 

The training required by Part 72 can be conducted within a Part 48 training program, such as 

annual refresher training, or as a separate program. If you choose to incorporate this training 

into Part 48, you will be required to submit a revised training plan to the appropriate MSHA 

district office for approval. Further, all applicable Part 48 requirements will have to be met. If 

conducted separately from Part 48, there are no specifications on trainer qualifications, no 

minimal training time, and no training plans. In either case, you must make a record of the 

training. However, if the training is within Part 48, you must use MSHA Form 5000-23 to 

record the training. This guide is designed to be used whether you choose to conduct the training 

under Part 48 or as a separate program. 

This guide leads you in preparing your own class by providing a lesson plan outline with 

teaching objectives, training materials, topics/areas to cover, and suggestions for evaluating the 

effectiveness of the training. 

A copy of the guide is found on the MSHA Internet home page at www.msha.gov. The guide 

can be downloaded and the electronic copy revised for additional space or to input your mine 

specifics. You can also develop your own program using this guide as an outline. 

05/21/2001 Page 1 of 3 
Diesel Particulate Matter 

30 CFR Part 72 

Training Program Guide 

Note to mine operator/instructor: The person conducting the training is expected to be familiar 

with the basic requirements of Section 72.510. The following guidelines will help you gain a 

better understanding of the training requirements. For additional information, please refer to the 

text of the regulation. The following lesson plan can be used as a model to train miners for the 

indicated Part 72 training. This training is provided annually to all miners at a mine who can 

reasonably be expected to be exposed to diesel emissions on that property. A record of the 

training must be completed and retained for 1 year after completion of the training. 

Lesson Plan Outline 

Introduction 

The purpose of this course is to increase underground coal miners awareness of the hazards 

associated with exposure to diesel particulate matter and the control systems utilized at the mine 

to reduce such exposure. 

The objectives of the training are to: 

• Explain health risks associated with exposure to diesel particulate matter (DPM); 

• Describe the methods used at the mine to control DPM concentrations; 

• Identify the personnel responsible for maintaining those controls; and 

• Describe actions miners must take to ensure the controls operate as intended. 

Some Suggested Training Materials: 

• MSHA-produced publication “Practical Ways to Reduce Exposure to Diesel Exhaust in 

Mining--A Toolbox,” 1997 

• Company safety and health procedures/reporting, including responsible persons 

• 30 CFR Sections 72.500 - 72.520 and associated preamble 

05/21/2001 Page 2 of 3 
Topics/Areas: 

• Health risks associated with exposure to DPM. Exposure may cause “acute” effects, such 

as eyes burning, throat burning, susceptible to colds/influenza, and other respiratory 

illness; and “chronic” effects, such as heart risks, and suspected carcinogen for lung 

cancer. 

• DPM control methods at your mine. For each engine listed on the Diesel Equipment 

Inventory, go over the approved engine operating specifications, type of filters, any other 

control methods. Use and define terms that identify the equipment, location and 

operations so the miner will be able to understand and communicate problems accurately 

with other miners and the designated responsible person. 

• Person responsible for maintaining DPM controls. For each shift (as applicable), identify 

the responsible person for reporting any problems, including the company’s procedures. 

• Actions to ensure DPM controls operate properly. Point out general operating 

parameters and the possible hazards associated with each item. Equipment 

review/inspection may include communication with previous equipment operator, 

checking filter indicator, direct examination of filters, and review of maintenance 

records. 

Allow time for questions. 

Evaluation 

Ask the miner to identify any potential health risks that he/she can be exposed to at the work site. 

Discuss these ideas with the miner and how the miner could avoid being hurt by the health 

hazard. Ask the miner to summarize what he/she has learned about each of the major areas. 

Correct any confusion or misunderstanding. Have the miner relate to actual machines, 

processes, controls, etc., wherever possible. 

05/21/2001 Page 3 of 3