To assist mine operators and contractors in complying with federal regulations to report accidents, illnesses and injuries, the Mine Safety and Health Administration has created a new interactive, online training tool (http://www.msha.gov/training/distance/Part50Outreach/index.html ). 

Part 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations requires mine operators to notify MSHA of accidents, illnesses and injuries as well as report quarterly employment and production data.  The new tool helps clarify reporting requirements for mine operators to better document injuries and illnesses.

The Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General raised concerns in a March 2014 report about the accurate reporting of mine injuries and illnesses by mine operators. In 2014, mine operators reported 8,176 injuries and illnesses to MSHA. 

The new online training program pulls together all available information on Part 50 in one location. Among its available resources are the Part 50 Program Policy Manual; reporting deaths on mine property; reporting roof falls; filling out forms on accidents, injuries and illnesses; access to the Mine Data Retrieval System; pattern of violations criteria; and training modules for both miners and mine operators.