MSP Reference Guide
Mine Safety Professional Reference Guide Outline
(updated 5/28/05)
key:
Green: Complete
Black: Incomplete
Red:
Not currently covered on the examination; to be completed in the future.
A. SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM MANAGEMENT (22.5%)
1. Hearing Conservation
a. Elements of a Model Hearing Conservation Program
b. Ear Protection and Proper Fit
c. TWA Calculations
2. Mine Rescue
a. Determination of Ventilation Changes (when appropriate)
b. Determination of Mine Rescue Team Requirements
c. Mine Rescue Team Training
3. Loss Control
a. A Review of Loss Control Management Fundamentals
b. Accident Prevention and Hazard Recognition
c. Tracking Loss Control Costs
4. Risk Management
5. Recognition
a. Recognition Techniques
b. Successful Recognition Programs
6. Leadership
a. Principles of Leadership
i.
Styles
ii. The Difference between Leadership and Management
b. Effective Leadership Tools
7. Standard Operating Procedures/Job Safety Analysis
a. The Need for SOPs and JSAs
b. How to Structure an SOP
c. How to Create a JSA
8. Accident
Investigation Terry Tew
a. Requirements of Part 50
b. Supervisory Roles and Responsibilities
c. Data Collection and Documentation
d. Fact Finding vs. Fault Finding
e. Barrier Analysis
B. OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY (23.0%)

Ground Control
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Roof Control Plan Requirements
Roof Control Components and Materials
Roof Bolt Installation Procedures (Resin/Conventional)
Roof Control Theory
Surface Mining Ground Control

Ventilation
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Ventilation Fundamentals
Air Measurements
Fundamentals of Airflow
Fan Systems and Requirements
Ventilation Plan Requirements

Guarding
1. Fall Protection
a. Fall Protection Systems
b. Guardrails and Handrails
c. Barriers
d. Care, and Inspection of Fall Protection Equipment
e. Proper Use and Application of Fall Protection Equipment
f. Stairs, Ladders, and Scaffolds

Diesel Equipment
a. Safety Standards
b. Particulate Matter Control
1. Fire Protection
a. Fire Extinguisher Use and Procedures
b. Flammable and Combustible Materials
c. Fire Fighting Procedures
d. Fire Protection Requirements
i.
Styles
ii.
Working Sections
iii. General Mines
iv.
Surface Areas and Plants
e. Fire Suppression Systems and Requirements
i.
Beltlines
ii.
Underground Equipment
iii. Surface Equipment
2. Personnel Transportation, Material Haulage and Hoisting
a. Hoist and Rope Requirements
b. Personnel Transportation on Belts
c. Safety Examinations of Personnel Carriers
d. Securing of Loads
e. Belt Conveyor Safety

Cutting and Welding
1. Explosives
a. Transportation of Explosives
b. Storage of Explosives
c. Detonators
d. Disposal of Damaged or Deteriorated Explosives
e. Blasting Devices
f. Magazine Requirements
g. Loading of Explosives into Boreholes
h. Stemming Requirements
i. Misfire Procedures
j. Explosive Gases

Emergency Preparedness
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
First Aid and Supplies
Drills
Evacuation
Training
Medical Management (Incident/Injury Management)
Disaster Procedures
Dealing with the Media

Electrical Systems
a. Lockout/Tagout
b. Grounding
c. Circuit Breakers
d. Trailing Cables
e. Distribution Centers
C. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH / INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE (18.5%)

Noise
a. Sound and Noise
b. The Human Ear

Thermal Stress

Ionizing and Non-Ionizing Radiation

Gases and Sampling Procedures
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
Gas Table
Gas Rules (i.e., minimum O2 requirements, etc.)
Composition of fresh air
Withdrawal of personal due to gas content
Relationship between specific pressure, vapor pressure, density, and vapor volume
Effects of gases on humans
Gas meter scale readings and interpretations
1. Hazardous Materials
a. Requirements of Part 47
b. Basic Industrial Hygiene Terminology
c. Explanation of MSDS
d. Explanation of HAZCOM Plan
e. Hazard Determination
f. Identification, Placards, and Labels
g. Handling and Storage Procedures
2. Ergonomics
a. Ergonomic Principles and Musculoskeletal Disorders
b. NIOSH Lifting Equation

Personal Protection Equipment
a. Hierarchy of Controls

Respirator Selection, Fitting, and Use
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Hearing Protection
Face Protection
Foot Protection
Hand Protection
Body Protection
1. Dust Control and Evaluation
a. Dust Sampling Equipment and Techniques
b. Implementation of Dust Control Procedures
D. EDUCATION AND TRAINING (23.0%)
a. 30 CFR Parts 46/48
a. Part 46 Link
b. Part 48 Link
b. Teaching and Training Techniques and
Evaluation (Terry Tew)
a. Recordkeeping (Parts 46/48)
b. Approved MSHA Training Plans (Parts 46/48)
c. Annual Refresher Training Requirements
d. New Miner Training Requirements
i.
Inexperienced
ii.
Experienced
e. Task Training
f. Contractor Training
g. Hazard Training
h. Safety Meetings
i. Teaching Techniques
j. Techniques Designed for Adult Learning
k. Training Needs Assessment
l. Verification of Knowledge and Competency
m. Qualified and Competent Persons
n. Designing Effective Training Programs
a. Safety Committees
a. Basic Mine Calculations
a. Stopping distance for vehicles given speed, coefficients of friction for the road
and tires, and the distance of an object in front of the vehicle
b. Weight by volume of container
c. Force on a steel plate given size and applied force
d. Relationship between ohms, voltage, and amps
e. Relationship between specific gravity of a liquid, vapor pressure density, and
vapor volume
f. Relationship between allowable working loads on equipment, capacity (in lbs.) on
the vehicle, and safety factor
g. Relationship between pumps, pipes, and fluid flow
h. Basic Probability
i. Noise Reduction in Ducts
E. ETHICAL AND LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES (13.0%)



Ethics
ISMSP/CMSP/MSP Code of Ethics
Definitions of Liabilities
1. 30 CFR Part 50
a. Part 50 Link
2. 30 CFR Parts 47/56/57
a. Part 47 Link
b. Part 56 Link
c. Part 57 Link
3. 30 CFR 70/75
a. Part 70 Link
b. Part 75 Link
4. 30 CFR Part 62
a. Part 62 Link

MSHA’s New Noise Regulations
1. 1977 Mine Health and Safety Act
a. Link to the 1977 Act
b. Miners’ Rights
c. Supervisors’ Responsibilities
2. MSHA Enforcement Tools
3. Employee Personal Safety Responsibilities
a. Examination of Work Areas
b. Examination of Equipment
c. Protection of Fellow Workers
d. Proper Use and Care of PPE