Surface Mobile Equipment 

Safety Program

Mine Safety and Health Administration
Safety Program for Surface Mobile 

Equipment - Standard

Compliance Dates

• The final rule became effective on January 19, 2024. 

• MSHA will begin enforcing the standard on July 17, 2024. 
Safety Program for Surface Mobile Equipment -

Standard

Purpose

• The purpose of the standard is to promote and support a positive safety 

culture and improve miners’ safety at the mine.

Scope

• All production operators and part 45 independent contractors must 

have a written safety program for surface mobile equipment at surface 

coal and metal and nonmetal mines.

• The standard also applies to surface mobile equipment at surface areas 

of underground coal mines and metal and nonmetal mines. 
Safety Program for Surface Mobile 

Equipment - Standard

Part 45 Independent Contractors

• Part 45 independent contractors have the same responsibilities as production 

operators. 

• MSHA expects most independent contractors will develop and implement their 

own safety program or integrate their safety programs into the production 

operators’ safety program. 

• MSHA expects production operators and part 45 independent contractors to 

communicate and coordinate with each other on their respective safety programs. 

If they agree to integrate their safety programs, the independent contractor does 

not need to develop a separate safety program.
Safety Program for Surface Mobile 

Equipment - Standard

Surface mobile equipment includes:

• Wheeled, skid-mounted, track-mounted, or rail-mounted equipment capable 

of moving or being moved, and any powered equipment that transports 

people, equipment, or materials. 

• The rule excludes belt conveyors and any manually powered tools such as 

wheelbarrows, hand carts, push carts, welding carts, cylinder carts, basic 

hand trucks, or dollies. 
Safety Program for Surface Mobile Equipment -

Standard

Written Safety Program Requirements

• A written safety program includes actions taken to:

1. Identify and analyze hazards and reduce the risks related to the movement and operation of 

surface mobile equipment.

2. Develop and maintain procedures and schedules for routine maintenance and non-routine 

repairs for surface mobile equipment;

3. Identify currently available and newly emerging feasible technologies that can enhance 

safety at the mine and evaluate whether to adopt them; and

4. Train miners and other persons at the mine to identify and address or avoid hazards related 

to surface mobile equipment. 

• Production operators and part 45 independent contractors must solicit input from miners 

and their representatives in developing and updating the written safety program.
Safety Program for Surface Mobile Equipment -

Standard

Written Safety Program Requirements

• Identify and analyze hazards and reduce the risks related to the 

movement and operation of surface mobile equipment.

A responsible person must evaluate and update the safety program at least 

annually or as:

• mining conditions or practices change that may affect miners’ safety or 

health;

• accidents or injuries occur; or as

• surface mobile equipment changes or modifications are made.
Safety Program for Surface Mobile Equipment -

Standard

The Responsible Person

• Production operators and part 45 independent contractors must 

designate at least one person to evaluate and update the safety 

program.

• The responsible person must have experience and knowledge about 

mining conditions and processes necessary to evaluate and update 

the written safety program.

• Multiple persons can be designated as a responsible person.
Safety Program for Surface Mobile Equipment -

Standard

Written Safety Program Requirements

• Identify currently available and newly emerging feasible technologies that 

can enhance safety at the mine and evaluate whether to adopt them. • Consider feasible technologies that are capable of being used successfully at the 

mine.

• Demonstrate compliance by showing, for example, that the operator or their 

personnel:

1. attended industry meetings, or NIOSH and/or MSHA meetings that discuss 

available or newly emerging technologies;

2. reviewed equipment vendor material; or

3. attended mine safety and health conferences that include vendor exhibits and 

equipment demonstrations.
Safety Program for Surface Mobile Equipment -

Standard

Written Safety Program Requirements

• Develop and maintain procedures and schedules for routine 

maintenance and non-routine repairs for surface mobile equipment.

• Procedures and schedules for maintenance and repairs can reflect or 

reference existing procedures and schedules.

• New procedures and schedules are not necessary unless the operator 

does not have them in place already.
Safety Program for Surface Mobile Equipment -

Standard

Written Safety Program Requirements

• Train miners and other persons at the mine to identify and address or 

avoid hazards related to surface mobile equipment. 

• Parts 46 and 48 training plans, which already should include hazard training, 

are incorporated into the safety program.

• No new training is required unless the mine operator has not addressed any 

newly identified hazards in the operator’s applicable training plans.
Safety Program for Surface Mobile Equipment -

Standard

Records and Inspection 

Production operators and part 45 independent contractors must:

• make the written safety program available for inspection by MSHA, 

miners, and miners’ representatives; and

• provide copies, upon request, at no cost.
Safety Program for Surface Mobile 

Equipment - Standard

Compliance Assistance

• MSHA will work with industry, labor, and other stakeholders to develop 

written safety program templates.

• MSHA will also provide the mining community training materials, best 

practices and guidance, and technical assistance.

• All compliance assistance materials will be posted on MSHA’s website.