EFFECTIVE DATE: 05/22/2012 EXPIRATION DATE: 03/31/2012 

 (Re-issue of I08-V-6) 

PROCEDURE INSTRUCTION LETTER NO. I12-V-17 

FROM: KEVIN G. STRICKLIN

Administrator for

Coal Mine Safety and Health

SUBJECT: Reissue of I08-V-6 - Weekend E01 Inspections 

Scope

This Procedure Instruction Letter (PIL) applies to Coal Mine Safety and Health 

(CMS&H) enforcement personnel.

Purpose

An important aspect of regular inspections is the physical presence of the inspector 

during active mining. The inspector's presence, visibility, and interaction with the 

miners promote improved attitudes towards health and safety which can result in 

reduced accident and injury and illness rates.

During regular safety and health inspections (E01) at coal mines, the inspector should 

plan to visit the miners on each shift to assess their work practices and procedures. This 

also permits miners on each shift to talk with the inspector concerning safety and health 

issues. The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) intends that inspectors 

have a presence on all regular working shifts.

Procedure Instruction

In mines where regular weekend production occurs, a representative number of regular 

E01 inspection days should be allocated for weekend inspections. Accordingly, at 

mines which regularly (more than two weekends per month) produce coal on Saturday 

and/or Sunday, at least one Saturday or one Sunday should be included in each regular 

inspection. At small mines requiring relatively few E01 inspection days, a 

representative number of weekend inspection days should be allocated over the course 

of each year if production regularly occurs on weekends. This step is intended to 

ensure that all production shifts and crews are observed and inspected by the regular
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inspector during E01 inspections. Application of this procedure is mandatory only to 

the extent that resources are available within the district for the resulting overtime costs.

Background

Currently, many surface and underground coal mines regularly schedule compacted 

weekend production work. Some miners work exclusively two or three extendedlength shifts per week. Production often begins Friday or Saturday and ends Sunday 

night. It is possible that no inspection of this activity could occur for considerable 

periods where regular inspections are limited to on-site days of Monday through 

Thursday. As a result, distinct crews and shifts involved in weekend work may not be 

observed by an inspector during regular inspections. 

Authority

Section 103(a) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, as amended, 30 U.S.C. 

§ 801 et seq. at § 813(a). 

Filing Instructions

This Procedure Instruction Letter should be filed behind the tab marked "Procedure 

Instruction Letters" in the binder entitled MSHA Program Handbooks and Procedure 

Instruction Letters.

Issuing Office and Contact Person

Coal Mine Safety and Health, Division of Safety

John Arrington, (202) 693-9549 

E-mail address: arrington.john@dol.gov 

Internet Availability

This instruction letter may be viewed on the Internet by accessing the MSHA Home 

Page (www.msha.gov) and then choosing "Compliance Info" and Procedures 

Instruction Letters.

Distribution

Coal and All-Volume Program Policy Manual Holders