---
title: "What training must a coal mine operator provide before authorizing a person to go underground, per 30 CFR 75.1714 and 30 CFR Part 48? Answer in under 100 words."
canonical: https://www.m-i-n-d.ai/minds/mining-safety/training-must-coal-mine-operator-provide-before-authorizing-person-go
jurisdiction: "US Federal · MSHA / 30 CFR"
last_verified: 2026-08-26
license: CC BY 4.0 — https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
attribution: "Source: MIND (m-i-n-d.ai)"
---

# What training must a coal mine operator provide before authorizing a person to go underground, per 30 CFR 75.1714 and 30 CFR Part 48? Answer in under 100 words.

Per 30 CFR 75.1714(b), before any person authorized by the mine operator goes underground, the operator must instruct and train that person in accordance with the training provisions of Title 30 CFR Part 48, which governs training and retraining of miners and other persons at mining operations. This applies to both miners and authorized visitors. Separately, §75.1714(a) requires the operator to make available to each miner and visitor an MSHA-approved self-rescue device (SCSR) adequate to protect them for at least one hour.

## Details / How it works

**Training obligation (§75.1714(b)):** Before any person authorized by the mine operator goes underground, the mine operator shall instruct and train such person in accordance with the training provisions set forth in **Title 30 CFR Part 48**, which addresses training and retraining of miners and other persons at mining operations.

**Who is covered:** Both *miners* (individuals going underground) and *visitors* (non-miner individuals authorized by the operator to enter underground areas) must receive this instruction and training before entry.

## Numbers & thresholds

| Requirement | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Self-contained self-rescue device (SCSR) protection duration | At least **one hour (60 minutes)** or longer |
| Training timing | **Before** any authorized person goes underground |

Source: 30 CFR 75.1714.

## Exceptions & edge cases

- **Visitors:** Non-miners authorized by the operator to enter underground areas are subject to the same device-availability and pre-entry training requirements as miners under §75.1714(a)–(b).
- **Device approval:** Only devices approved by MSHA (self-contained self-rescuers) satisfy §75.1714(a).
- No exemption from pre-underground training appears in §75.1714; all authorized entrants must be trained per 30 CFR Part 48.

## Sources

- [1] U.S. National Archives, Electronic Code of Federal Regulations — 30 CFR 75.1714 — Availability of approved self-rescue devices; instruction in use and location · https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-30/section-75.1714 · as of 2026-08-26