MSHA - Safety Program for Surface Mobile Equipment
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is requiring that mine operators develop, implement, and update, periodically or when necessary, a written safety program for surface mobile equipment (excluding belt conveyors) at surface mines and surface areas of underground mines. The written safety program must be developed and updated with input from miners and their representatives. The written safety program must include actions mine operators will take to identify hazards and risks to reduce accidents, injuries, and fatalities related to surface mobile equipment.
The final rule is effective January 19, 2024, however, compliance with this final rule is not required until July 17, 2024
Identical regulations - Safety Program for Surface Mobile Equipment - can be found in:
SUBCHAPTER K—METAL AND NONMETAL MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH
PART 56—SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS—SURFACE METAL AND NONMETAL MINES Subpart T
PART 57—SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS—UNDERGROUND METAL AND NONMETAL MINES Subpart U
SUBCHAPTER O—COAL MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH
PART 77—MANDATORY SAFETY STANDARDS, SURFACE COAL MINES AND SURFACE WORK AREAS OF UNDERGROUND COAL MINES Subpart V
Purpose and scope.
This subpart requires operators to develop, implement, and update a written safety program for surface mobile equipment to reduce the number and rates of accidents, injuries, and fatalities. This subpart applies to surface mobile equipment at surface metal and nonmetal mines. The purpose of this safety program is to promote and support a positive safety culture and improve miners' safety at the mine.
Definitions
The following definitions apply in this subpart—
Responsible person means a person with authority and responsibility to evaluate and update a written safety program for surface mobile equipment.
Surface mobile equipment means 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, excluding belt conveyors, at surface metal and nonmetal mines.
Written safety program
 (a) Each operator shall develop and implement a written safety program for surface mobile equipment that contains the elements in this subpart, no later than July 17, 2024.
(b) Each operator shall designate at least one responsible person to evaluate and update the written safety program, no later than July 17, 2024.
Requirements for written safety program
 (a) The operator shall develop and implement a written safety program that includes actions the operator will take to:
(1) Identify and analyze hazards and reduce the resulting risks related to the movement and the 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 necessary to perform work to identify and address or avoid hazards related to surface mobile equipment.
(b) The responsible person shall evaluate and update the written safety program at least annually, or as mining conditions or practices change that may adversely affect the health and safety of miners or other persons, as accidents or injuries occur, or as surface mobile equipment changes or modifications are made.
(c) The operator shall solicit input from miners and their representatives in developing and updating the written safety program.
Record and inspection
(a) The operator shall make the written safety program available for inspection by authorized representatives of the Secretary and provide a copy upon request.
(b) The operator shall make the written safety program available for inspection by miners and their representatives and, at no cost, provide a copy upon request.
MSHA has also developed guidance intended to help miners, mine operators, and contractors prevent accidents caused by working with, on, or near powered haulage equipment.  This document (Powered Haulage Guidance) can be found at https://www.oshapdf.com/collections/forms
