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Free MSHA workplace examination checklist

Free MSHA workplace examination checklist (PDF-ready). Covers 30 CFR 56/57 ground conditions, ventilation, equipment guards, electrical and egress.

Updated 10 Aug 2026

MSHA Workplace Examination Checklist

Pre-shift and on-shift workplace examination per 30 CFR Part 56/57

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0 of 22 checks

Ground Conditions

1Ground stability assessed, no signs of slumping or cracks
2Roof and ribs scaled and supported as required
3Rock bolts, mesh and ground support intact

Ventilation

4Adequate airflow confirmed at working faces
5Ventilation controls (stoppings, curtains) in place and intact
6Methane and gas readings within permissible limits

Electrical

7Trailing cables free from damage and properly spliced
8Electrical panels and switchgear covers secured
9Ground fault protection devices tested and functional

Equipment Guards

10All rotating parts guarded and guards secure
11Conveyor belt guards, nip points and pull cords in place
12Crusher and mill guarding intact and access gates locked
13Emergency stop devices accessible and operational

Housekeeping

14Walkways and travelways clear of obstructions
15Materials stored safely and not blocking exits
16Spillage and accumulation of combustible materials cleared
17Drainage adequate, no standing water in work areas

Emergency Facilities

18Fire extinguishers present, tagged and accessible
19Self-contained self-rescuers (SCSRs) available and in date
20Escape routes clearly marked and unobstructed
21First aid supplies stocked and accessible
22Communication systems (phones, radios) operational

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Jarrod Milford

Jarrod Milford

Co-Founder & Commercial Director

Updated 10 August 2026
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Short answer

An MSHA workplace examination checklist records the examination of each working place at a metal or nonmetal mine: ground conditions, ventilation, guarding, electrical, water and access. Under 30 CFR 56.18002 (surface) and 57.18002 (underground), a competent person designated by the operator examines each working place at least once each shift, before miners begin work there, and a record is kept.

Checked against 30 CFR Part 56 (Current eCFR text as at 2026-10-26) on by the MapTrack templates team. How we check templates

Key takeaways

  • The MapTrack MSHA workplace examination checklist contains 22 checks across 6 sections. Sections covered: Ground Conditions, Ventilation, Electrical, Equipment Guards, Housekeeping, Emergency Facilities.
  • A competent person designated by the operator examines each working place at least once each shift, before miners begin work there.
  • The record lists the examiner, date, areas examined and each adverse condition, and is completed before the end of the shift.
  • Add the date each condition is corrected; operators keep examination records for at least one year.
  • If the examiner finds an imminent danger, the operator withdraws everyone from the area, apart from section 104(c) persons, until it is abated.
  • Guard moving machine parts (56.14107) and keep berms or guardrails where a drop-off could overturn equipment (56.9300).

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What is an MSHA workplace examination checklist?

An MSHA workplace examination checklist is a structured document used to conduct and record the workplace examination required by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) under 30 CFR 56.18002 (surface metal and nonmetal mines) and 30 CFR 57.18002 (underground metal and nonmetal mines). These regulations require that a competent person designated by the mine operator examine each working place at least once each shift before miners begin work in that place. The examination must identify conditions that may adversely affect safety or health; the operator must promptly notify miners in affected areas and promptly initiate action to correct those conditions, and where a condition may present an imminent danger, withdraw all persons from the affected area until the danger is abated. The checklist covers ground conditions (stability, scaling, bench faces, highwalls, berms), ventilation (airflow, dust control, gas monitoring in underground operations), equipment guards (guarding on moving parts, conveyor guards, nip point protection), electrical systems (lockout/tagout, cable condition, grounding, switchgear), water management (pumps, sumps, drainage, surface water diversion), emergency access (travelways clear, escapeway condition, refuge stations in underground), housekeeping (walkways clear, material storage, waste management), and PPE compliance (hard hats, safety glasses, hearing protection, high-visibility clothing). Using this checklist ensures that the mine operator meets the MSHA workplace examination requirements, maintains a documented record for MSHA inspector review, and identifies and corrects hazards before miners are exposed to them.

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Benefits of using this MSHA workplace examination checklist

  • MSHA compliance: document the workplace examination required by 30 CFR 56/57.18002 with a structured record that MSHA inspectors can review during inspections.
  • Hazard identification: systematic examination catches ground instability, ventilation failures, unguarded equipment, electrical faults and water accumulation before they injure miners.
  • Shift-by-shift protection: examinations at the start of each shift ensure that conditions are safe as miners enter the work area, not just at the time of the last inspection.
  • Corrective action tracking: the defect register prompts immediate correction or area withdrawal, creating accountability for hazard resolution.
  • Citation prevention: proactive workplace examinations and documented corrective actions reduce the likelihood of MSHA citations and associated penalties.
  • Incident investigation support: completed examination records provide contemporaneous evidence of conditions for accident investigations and litigation.

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What to include in an MSHA workplace examination checklist

This MSHA workplace examination checklist covers 11 key areas:

  • Mine and examiner details: mine name and MSHA ID, section or area examined, examiner name and competency designation, date, shift, time of examination.
  • Ground conditions: stability of walls, benches, highwalls and roof (underground), scaling completed, berms and barriers in place, ground support (bolts, mesh, shotcrete) condition.
  • Ventilation: airflow adequate (underground), dust suppression operating, gas monitoring results (methane, CO, O2 in underground), ventilation controls in place.
  • Equipment guards: guarding on moving parts (belts, pulleys, gears, chains), conveyor guards, nip point protection, emergency stops accessible.
  • Electrical: lockout/tagout procedures followed, cable condition (no splices, cuts, exposed conductors), grounding (ground fault protection), switchgear and breaker panels closed.
  • Water management: pumps operational, sumps not overflowing, drainage clear, surface water diverted from work areas.
  • Emergency access and egress: travelways clear and in good condition, escapeways clear (underground), refuge stations stocked (underground), emergency telephone operational.
  • Housekeeping: walkways and work areas clear of debris, material stored safely, waste management containers available.
  • PPE compliance: miners wearing required PPE (hard hat, safety glasses, hearing protection, high-visibility clothing, steel-toe boots).
  • Defect register: item, 30 CFR reference, hazard description, corrective action taken or area withdrawn, completion status.
  • Examiner sign-off: examiner signature confirming the examination was completed before miners entered the work area.

How to use this MSHA workplace examination checklist

  1. Before miners enter the work area, the designated competent person records the mine name, MSHA ID, date, shift, area being examined and current conditions.: Enter the mine name and MSHA mine identification number for proper recordkeeping. Note the shift (day, afternoon, night), the specific area or section being examined (pit, bench, level, heading, processing plant) and the current weather conditions for surface operations (rain, wind, temperature, visibility). This header information ties the examination to a specific time and place for MSHA inspector review.
  2. Examine ground conditions throughout the work area. For surface mines, inspect highwalls, benches, pit floors and haul road berms. For underground mines, inspect roof, ribs, supported ground and scaling conditions.: Walk the work area and visually assess highwall faces for signs of instability such as tension cracks, overhangs, sloughing or water seepage. Check bench widths and catch bench conditions. Inspect pit floor drainage and footing conditions for mobile equipment. On haul roads, verify berm heights are at least mid-axle height of the largest vehicle using the road per 30 CFR 56/57.9300. In underground workings, sound the roof with a scaling bar, check rock bolt plates for deformation, and inspect mesh and shotcrete for damage or separation.
  3. Check ventilation adequacy, dust suppression systems and atmospheric conditions. Take gas readings where required.: Verify that ventilation provides adequate airflow at all active working faces and that dust suppression systems (water sprays, fog cannons, enclosed cabs with filtration) are operational. In underground mines, take atmospheric readings for oxygen (minimum 19.5%), methane, carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide at required monitoring points. Record all readings on the checklist. Confirm auxiliary ventilation fans and ducting are in place and directing air to the working face. Report any deficiencies to the shift supervisor immediately.
  4. Inspect equipment guarding on all operating machinery, including conveyors, crushers and processing equipment. Verify emergency stops and pull cords function correctly.: Check that all belt conveyor guards are in place at the head pulley, tail pulley, take-up, return rollers and any nip points accessible to personnel. Inspect crusher guards, screen guards, gear guards and rotating shaft covers. Test emergency stop pull cords and push buttons by activating them and confirming the equipment shuts down. Verify lockout/tagout devices are in place on equipment under maintenance. Guards that are missing, damaged or bypassed constitute an immediate hazard and must be corrected before the area is opened to miners.
  5. Inspect electrical systems, travelways, water accumulation and any blasting areas. Verify PPE availability and emergency equipment.: Check trailing cables for cuts, splices, kinks and proper strain relief. Verify switchgear covers are closed and grounding conductors are intact. Inspect travelways for obstructions, adequate lighting and proper signage. Check water levels in sumps and pits, and confirm pumps are operating. If blasting occurred on the previous shift, confirm the blast area has been examined for misfires per 30 CFR 56/57.6300. Verify that required PPE (hard hats, eye protection, hearing protection, high-visibility clothing) is available and that emergency equipment (self-rescuers, fire extinguishers, first aid kits) is accessible and in serviceable condition.
  6. Record all identified hazards with the applicable 30 CFR reference and corrective action. Barricade or post any area that cannot be immediately corrected. Sign and date the examination record.: For each hazard found, document the location, a clear description of the condition, the applicable 30 CFR standard (for example, 56.14107 for unguarded equipment or 56.9300 for inadequate berms), the corrective action taken and the time corrected. If a hazard cannot be corrected before miners arrive, barricade the area and post a warning, and record the condition in the examination record required by 30 CFR 56/57.18002(b). The competent person signs and dates the record. Retain the examination record on site for MSHA inspector review.

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How often should you complete this checklist?

MSHA 30 CFR 56.18002 and 57.18002 require a workplace examination at least once each shift before miners begin work in that place. The examination must be conducted by a competent person designated by the mine operator. If conditions change during the shift (e.g. after blasting, heavy rain, equipment breakdown or a ground fall), a re-examination of the affected area is required before work resumes. MSHA inspectors review examination records during regular inspections, which occur at least twice per year for surface mines and four times per year for underground mines. In MapTrack, you can schedule shift-based workplace examinations per mine section and receive alerts if an examination is overdue.

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Frequently asked questions

MSHA 30 CFR 56.18002 (surface metal and nonmetal mines) and 30 CFR 57.18002 (underground metal and nonmetal mines) require that a competent person designated by the mine operator examine each working place at least once each shift before miners begin work in that place. The examination must identify conditions that may adversely affect safety or health. The operator must promptly notify miners in affected areas and promptly initiate action to correct those conditions, and must withdraw all persons from an area affected by an imminent danger until the danger is abated.

Under MSHA regulations, a competent person is someone designated by the mine operator who has the ability to recognise hazardous conditions and the authority to take prompt corrective action. This is typically an experienced miner, shift supervisor, safety officer or other person with sufficient training and knowledge of the mining operation to identify the types of hazards that may be present, such as ground instability, ventilation failures, unguarded equipment and electrical faults. The mine operator must ensure that designated examiners are competent for the specific conditions of the mine.

MSHA conducts regular inspections of all active mines in the United States. Underground mines are inspected at least four times per year (quarterly). Surface mines and surface areas of underground mines are inspected at least twice per year (semi-annually). In addition, MSHA may conduct spot inspections, compliance assistance visits and special investigations following accidents or complaints. During inspections, MSHA inspectors review workplace examination records, so maintaining complete and current checklists is essential for compliance.

If a hazardous condition is identified during a workplace examination, the operator must promptly notify miners in the affected area and promptly initiate action to correct it, and if the condition may present an imminent danger, the operator must withdraw all persons from the affected area until the danger is abated. The hazard must be recorded in the examination record (defect register) with a description, the corrective action taken and the completion status. Where persons were withdrawn for an imminent danger, they must not return until the danger is abated, and the record must show the date the condition was corrected. Failure to correct known hazards or to withdraw miners can result in MSHA citations, penalties and potential criminal liability for wilful violations.

Yes. Download and use this MSHA workplace examination checklist at no cost. It downloads as a ready-to-print PDF. No MapTrack account is required. If you later want digital examination forms with GPS location tagging, photo evidence capture, automatic defect tracking and scheduled examination reminders per work area, MapTrack can help. Book a demo to see how it works.

Applicable regulatory standards

This template is a starting point. Check the current requirements that apply to your equipment, work and location. The template alone does not establish compliance.

  • Safety and Health Standards-Surface Metal and Nonmetal Mines

    Edition: Current eCFR text as at 2026-10-26

    Surface mines: shift examinations, withdrawal from imminent danger, records kept one year, guarding, berms and pre-shift checks of mobile equipment.

    • 56.18002: A competent person examines each working place at least once each shift for hazards, and a record of the examination is kept.
    • 56.14107: Guarding of moving machine parts such as gears, sprockets, belts, pulleys and shafts that can injure people.
    • 56.9300: Berms or guardrails on the banks of roadways where a drop-off could overturn a vehicle or endanger people in equipment.
    • 56.14100: Pre-shift inspection of self-propelled mobile equipment, timely correction of safety defects, tagging out unsafe equipment and recording defects.
    • 56.18002(a): A competent person examines each working place at least once each shift before work starts; miners are told of hazards, corrections begun, and people withdrawn from imminent danger.
    • 56.18002(b): A record of each examination is made before the end of the shift: examiner's name, date, areas examined and each adverse condition found.
    • 56.18002(c): When an adverse condition is corrected, the examination record includes, or is supplemented with, the date of the corrective action.
    • 56.18002(d): The operator keeps examination records for at least one year and makes them available to the Secretary's representatives and miners' representatives, with copies on request.

    US government via eCFR

  • Safety and Health Standards-Underground Metal and Nonmetal Mines

    Edition: Current eCFR text as at 2026-10-26

    Underground mines: the same examination, guarding and berm rules.

    • 57.18002: A competent person examines each working place at least once each shift for hazards, and a record of the examination is kept.
    • 57.14107: Guarding of moving machine parts such as gears, sprockets, belts, pulleys and shafts that can injure people.
    • 57.9300: Berms or guardrails on the banks of roadways where a drop-off could overturn a vehicle or endanger people in equipment.

    US government via eCFR

Each source was read at its publisher and the page checked on 26 October 2026. The publisher's current text is the authority.

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  <p style="font-size:12px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0.05em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#071D49;margin:0;">Free template</p>
  <p style="font-size:18px;font-weight:700;color:#071D49;margin:6px 0 0;">MSHA Workplace Examination Checklist</p>
  <ul style="margin:12px 0 0;padding-left:18px;color:#374151;font-size:14px;line-height:1.6;">
    <li style="margin:4px 0;">Mine and examiner details: mine name and MSHA ID, section or area examined, examiner name and competency designation, date, shift, time of examination.</li>
    <li style="margin:4px 0;">Ground conditions: stability of walls, benches, highwalls and roof (underground), scaling completed, berms and barriers in place, ground support (bolts, mesh, shotcrete) condition.</li>
    <li style="margin:4px 0;">Ventilation: airflow adequate (underground), dust suppression operating, gas monitoring results (methane, CO, O2 in underground), ventilation controls in place.</li>
    <li style="margin:4px 0;">Equipment guards: guarding on moving parts (belts, pulleys, gears, chains), conveyor guards, nip point protection, emergency stops accessible.</li>
    <li style="margin:4px 0;">Electrical: lockout/tagout procedures followed, cable condition (no splices, cuts, exposed conductors), grounding (ground fault protection), switchgear and breaker panels closed.</li>
    <li style="margin:4px 0;">Water management: pumps operational, sumps not overflowing, drainage clear, surface water diverted from work areas.</li>
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  <p style="font-size:13px;color:#6B7280;margin:14px 0 0;padding-top:12px;border-top:1px solid #E5E7EB;">Free <a href="https://www.maptrack.com/templates/msha-workplace-examination-checklist" style="color:#071D49;font-weight:600;text-decoration:none;">MSHA Workplace Examination Checklist</a> by MapTrack</p>
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The MapTrack MSHA workplace examination checklist contains 22 checks across 6 sections.

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