ISSUE DATE: 3/16/2011

PROGRAM INFORMATION BULLETIN NO. P11-04

FROM: KEVIN G. STRICKLIN 

 Administrator for 

 Coal Mine Safety and Health 

 JEFFREY A. DUNCAN 

 Director, Educational Policy and Development 

 NEAL H. MERRIFIELD 

 Administrator for 

 Metal and Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health 

SUBJECT: Re-Issue of P09-19 - Tree Cutting on Mine Property 

Who needs this information?

Mine operators, independent contractors, miners' representatives and Mine Safety and 

Health Administration (MSHA) personnel should have this information. 

What is the purpose of this bulletin?

This Program Information Bulletin (PIB) focuses on the requirements for training 

workers involved in tree cutting on mine property. Tree cutting has associated hazards 

that need to be covered by training under Part 48 (Subpart B) or Part 46, of Title 30, 

Code of Federal Regulations. 

What are the main points of this bulletin?

Contractors that cut trees on the mine property as mine service work for frequent or 

extended periods are subject to the comprehensive training requirements under Part 48 

or Part 46. Such contractors that are not on the mine property for frequent or extended 

periods must receive hazard training under Section 48.31 or Section 46.11. Some mine 

employees also cut trees. Their training may need to be supplemented, such as in task 

and annual refresher training, to cover tree cutting. 

Other persons, who are involved in timbering or tree harvesting unrelated to the 
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mining operation but who are incidentally exposed to mining hazards, generally receive 

the hazard training under Part 48 or Part 46.

What is the training basis of this bulletin?

The Part 48 training applies to all surface mines and surface areas of underground 

mines, except as covered by Part 46. Part 46 training applies to shell dredging, sand, 

gravel, surface stone, surface clay, colloidal phosphate, and surface limestone mines. 

The Part 48 regulations cover new and experienced miners, annual refresher and task 

training. This type of training is commonly called "comprehensive training." It is 

required for workers who are regularly exposed to mine hazards, or who are service 

workers employed or contracted by the operator to work at the mine for frequent or 

extended periods. The Part 46 regulations require comprehensive training for persons

engaged in mining operations including service workers who work at a mine site for 

frequent or extended periods. Per existing policy, "frequent" exposure involves a 

pattern of recurring exposure, and "extended" exposure is exposure of more than 5 

consecutive workdays. 

Under both Parts 48 and 46, workers who are not required to have comprehensive 

training, take hazard training. 

What Assistance will MSHA Provide?

Some of the courses listed in Part 48 or Part 46 may not be completely applicable to tree 

cutting projects. However, existing courses can be modified to include relevant training 

for people involved in cutting trees. Through our Educational Field Services (EFS), we 

will provide compliance assistance for operators and contractors. Our EFS personnel 

will be available to help set up appropriate training within the flexible framework of 

Part 48 or Part 46. This training may include instruction in, among other things, chain 

saw safety, proper tree cutting techniques, and tree cutting hazards (such as domino 

felling, bucking and limbing, and "danger trees.") 

For EFS assistance, please contact EFS East 1-800-678-6746 or EFS West 1-800-579-2647. 

What is the background for this bulletin?

In 2008, a fatal accident occurred involving tree cutting, in 2006, another mine fatality 

occurred involving tree cutting, in 2004, two mine fatalities involving tree cutting 

occurred following another such fatality in 2003. These fatalities have highlighted that 

workers performing tree cutting on mine property may not be receiving needed 

training. 

What is MSHA's authority for this bulletin?

The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, Section 115; 30 C.F.R. Parts 48 and 46. 
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Internet Availability

This information bulletin may be viewed on the Internet by accessing MSHA's home 

page at (www.msha.gov) and then choosing "Compliance Info" and "Program 

Information Bulletins." We are also posting on our web page a frequently asked 

questions document which will provide additional information. 

Who are the MSHA contact persons for this bulletin?

Coal Mine Safety and Health, Division of Safety

John Arrington, (202) 693-9549

E-mail: arrington.john@dol.gov

Metal and Nonmetal Safety and Health

Marvin Lichtenfels, (202) 693-9606

E-mail: lichtenfels.marvin@dol.gov

Educational Policy and Development

Thomas MacLeod, (202) 693-9578

E-mail: macleod.thomas@dol.gov

Who will receive this bulletin?

MSHA Program Policy Manual Holders

Miners' Representatives

All Mine Operators

Independent Contractors

Special Interest Groups