EFFECTIVE DATE: 08/22/2012 EXPIRATION DATE: 03/31/2014

PROCEDURE INSTRUCTION LETTER NO. I12-III-02

FROM: KEVIN G. STRICKLIN 

Administrator for

Coal Mine Safety and Health

NEAL H. MERRRIFIELD

Administrator for

Metal and Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health

JAY P. MATTOS

Director, Office of Assessments, Accountability, Special Enforcement and 

Investigations (OAASEI)

SUBJECT: Criteria for Issuance and Maintenance of Special Investigation 

Credentials

Scope

This Procedure Instruction Letter (PIL) applies to all Coal and Metal and Nonmetal 

Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) enforcement personnel and OAASEI’s 

Technical Compliance and Investigation Office personnel.

Purpose

The purpose of this PIL is to establish uniform criteria for the training and retraining of 

MSHA personnel assigned to conduct special investigations pursuant to Sections 105(c), 

108, and 110 of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977. 

Procedure Instructions

Individuals selected for training and assignment as special investigators must complete 

all required training prior to the issuance of Special Investigation Credentials. The 

required training consists of two modules (five weeks) of classroom training and 

specific on-the-job training conducted in the district. Every individual selected as a 
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special investigator must complete the required training and be credentialed within 18 

months of the selection. 

All individuals issued Special Investigation Credentials must complete two weeks of 

designated special investigator refresher training every two years and complete at least 

one investigation each year under Section 105(c) or 110 of the Mine Act in order to 

retain their credentials.

District Managers shall be responsible for the selection of individuals for the special 

investigation program, for their attendance at the scheduled classroom training, the 

completion of the on-the-job training, and the attendance of credentialed investigators 

at scheduled refresher training.

The Technical Compliance and Investigations Office (TCIO) shall be responsible for 

scheduling and conducting all required classroom and refresher training. 

Failure to comply with the training and retraining provisions of this policy can result in 

the suspension or revocation of Special Investigation Credentials.

Special Investigation Credentials will be collected by the Supervisory Special 

Investigator when a special investigator separates from MSHA or is reassigned to 

another position within the Agency. The credentials should be forwarded to TCIO by 

certified mail for cancellation. The District Manager may request, in writing, that 

credentials be retained for a designated period of time for specific reasons. The 

memorandum should include a justification for the retention request such as, 

manpower issues or influx of open investigations, etc. The request must be approved

by OAASEI’s TCIO. 

Background

This PIL establishes uniform procedures and training requirements regarding the 

issuance and maintenance of Special Investigation Credentials. It brings MSHA’s 

credential policy in compliance with existing Department of Labor policies and specifies 

the special investigation training requirements referred to in the Special Investigations 

Procedures Handbook.

Authority 

§505 of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977; 30 U.S.C. §954.

Filing Instructions

This Procedure Instruction Letter should be filed in the Special Investigation Procedures 

Handbook. 
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Issuing Office and Contact Person

Office of Assessments, Accountability, Special Enforcement and Investigations

Technical Compliance and Investigation Office 

Carolyn T. James, Chief (202) 693-9564

Email address: James.Carolyn@dol.gov

Distribution

All Program Policy Manual Holders

District Managers