Oil and gas contractors are often asked to provide both SafeLand USA and MSHA Part 46 training records. This can create confusion because the two programs serve different purposes.
SafeLand USA, also called PEC SafeLand through the Veriforce system, is an industry-driven contractor orientation for oil and gas work. MSHA Part 46 is a federal training requirement for specific surface mining operations, including sand, gravel, and surface stone mines.
A contractor may need one, the other, or both. The correct answer depends on the client’s written requirements, the work location, and the worker’s role.
The Core Difference
SafeLand USA is an oil and gas contractor orientation
SafeLand USA is designed to prepare workers for common hazards and expectations on oil and gas sites. Operators and major contractors frequently use it as part of their contractor prequalification and site-access process.
The current Veriforce Basic Orientation 7.0 course is a six-hour, one-day instructor-led course. It is available in person and through instructor-led distance learning. The course covers general oil and gas hazards, hazard controls, worker rights, environmental health and safety topics, and related industry expectations.
Basic Orientation 7.0 replaced SafeLand USA Basic 2021 on November 15, 2024. Veriforce states that the current credential does not expire. However, an operator may still require an annual review, refresher, or updated orientation as a condition of site access.
Review the SafeLand USA Basic course information and confirm the version required by the client before scheduling training.
MSHA Part 46 is a federal mining requirement
MSHA Part 46 applies to miners and certain contractor employees working at operations covered by the regulation. These operations include:
- Sand and gravel mines
- Surface stone mines
- Surface clay mines
- Colloidal phosphate mines
- Surface limestone mines
- Shell dredging operations
The requirements are established in 30 CFR Part 46. They include initial training, site-specific subjects, task training, and an annual refresher.
Part 46 is not an oil and gas orientation. It is required because the work takes place at a mine covered by MSHA regulations.
Why Contractors Get Asked for Both
Oil and gas contractors may perform work across several types of facilities. A pipeline contractor, for example, may work at a natural gas facility, a compressor station, a pipeline project, and an aggregate yard during the same year.
Common situations that create overlapping requirements include:
-
Pipeline and midstream projects near mine property
A contractor may need SafeLand for the oil and gas operator and MSHA Part 46 training to enter or perform work at a surface mine. -
Aggregate, sand, and gravel yards
A yard may be classified as an MSHA-covered mine even when the contractor’s work involves welding, electrical work, maintenance, inspection, or construction. -
Operator-wide prequalification systems
Some oil and gas operators standardize on SafeLand for all contractors. Their prequalification system may also list MSHA training because certain projects involve mine sites. -
Multiple clients with different access rules
SafeLand may be required by one client as a contractor orientation. Another client may require MSHA Part 46 because of the site classification.
The presence of one credential does not automatically satisfy the other.
Which Training Does the Worker Need?
Use this decision path before registering a worker for training.
Step 1: Identify the site
Ask:
- Is the worker entering an oil and gas location?
- Is the worker entering a surface stone, sand, gravel, clay, limestone, phosphate, or dredging operation?
- Is the site classified under MSHA Part 46 or another MSHA part?
- Does the client identify a specific training requirement in writing?
Do not assume that a yard, plant, or construction area is outside MSHA requirements. Confirm the site classification with the operator.
Step 2: Identify the worker’s status
For MSHA Part 46, determine whether the person is:
- A new miner
- A newly hired experienced miner
- A returning experienced miner
- A site visitor
- A contractor employee performing work at the mine
A worker’s previous experience does not automatically remove the initial training requirement at a new mine.
Step 3: Check the client’s written requirement
Review the project specification, contractor management system, purchase order, or prequalification portal. If the requirement lists both SafeLand and MSHA Part 46, plan for both unless the client confirms an exception in writing.
Step 4: Match the training to the work
SafeLand provides general oil and gas orientation. MSHA Part 46 includes mine-specific requirements, including a mine walkaround, emergency procedures, hazards, and assigned-task information.
Additional task training may be required for equipment, tools, chemicals, mobile equipment, or other assigned duties.
Training Hours and Refresher Basics
SafeLand USA Basic Orientation 7.0
- Initial course: Six-hour, one-day instructor-led orientation
- Delivery: In person or instructor-led distance learning
- Credential: Physical and digital Veriforce identification and database record
- Current version: Basic Orientation 7.0
- Expiration: Veriforce states that the credential does not expire
- Refresher: No SafeLand-mandated expiration cycle is stated for Basic Orientation 7.0
- Client requirement: An operator may still require periodic refresher or site-specific training
A separate refresher course may be useful for maintaining current knowledge, but do not treat a provider’s annual recommendation as the same as a federal expiration requirement.
MSHA Part 46 new miner training
A new miner generally requires at least 24 hours of training under 30 CFR 46.5.
The structure includes:
- At least four hours before the miner begins work
- Training on self-rescue and respiratory devices, when applicable, and first aid within 60 calendar days
- The balance of the 24 hours within 90 calendar days
- Work under close observation by an experienced miner until the full training requirement is completed
The initial training must address the specific mine, including its work environment, hazards, emergency procedures, assigned tasks, reporting procedures, and chain of authority.
Newly hired experienced miner training
A newly hired experienced miner is not automatically treated as a new miner, but the worker still requires training under 30 CFR 46.6.
The required subjects must be provided before work begins at the mine. They include a mine walkaround, site hazards, emergency procedures, assigned-task safety, Hazard Communication, miner rights, and hazard reporting.
Training on self-rescue and respiratory devices, when applicable, must be completed within 60 calendar days. The regulation does not establish a fixed total number of hours for this category.
MSHA annual refresher
Each miner must receive at least eight hours of annual refresher training under 30 CFR 46.8.
The first refresher is due no later than 12 months after the miner begins work at the mine. Later refreshers are due no later than 12 months after the previous refresher was completed.
The deadline is based on the 12-month training cycle. It is not automatically the end of the calendar year.
SafeLand USA vs. MSHA Part 46
| Category | SafeLand USA / PEC SafeLand | MSHA Part 46 |
|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | Oil and gas contractor orientation | Federal mine safety training |
| Main driver | Operator, client, or prequalification requirement | Federal regulation |
| Typical application | Oil and gas production, pipeline, midstream, and related sites | Surface stone, sand, gravel, clay, limestone, phosphate, and shell dredging operations |
| Initial training | Basic Orientation 7.0 is six hours | New miner training is generally 24 hours; newly hired experienced miner training has no fixed total duration |
| Refresher cycle | No stated expiration for current Basic Orientation 7.0; client policies may differ | At least eight hours every 12 months |
| Site-specific training | Usually supplemented by operator orientation and task training | Required as part of initial and refresher training |
| Verification | Veriforce digital record, physical or digital card, client portal | Part 46 training records, certificates, rosters, subjects, dates, duration, and responsible trainer information |
How to Cover Both Online
Online and virtual training can reduce travel, scheduling conflicts, and lost production time for dispersed crews. A small contractor can use a blended approach:
-
Complete the foundational training online or virtually
Use an instructor-led virtual SafeLand USA course for the oil and gas orientation. For MSHA, select the correct Part 46 new miner or refresher course and confirm that the provider and format meet the mine’s requirements. -
Complete site-specific training onsite
A generic online course cannot replace a required mine walkaround, site emergency review, task training, or instruction on current mine hazards. -
Document hands-on and task training
Record equipment training, demonstrations, supervised practice, and competency evaluations separately from the general orientation. -
Use onsite safety training when the job requires direct observation
Dare 2B Safe provides onsite safety training options for hazards and tasks that require field instruction.
Online SafeLand training and MSHA refresher training may be completed by the same worker, but the records should remain separate in the training matrix.
Copyable Training Matrix Checklist
Use one row for each worker and each requirement.
| Requirement | Complete |
|---|---|
| Confirm the project site classification | ☐ |
| Review the client’s written prequalification requirements | ☐ |
| Determine whether the worker is a new miner or newly hired experienced miner | ☐ |
| Confirm SafeLand course version, such as Basic Orientation 7.0 | ☐ |
| Record SafeLand completion date and provider | ☐ |
| Save the SafeLand card and Veriforce record | ☐ |
| Record MSHA Part 46 initial or refresher training | ☐ |
| Record the MSHA training date, duration, subjects, and trainer | ☐ |
| Schedule the next MSHA refresher within 12 months | ☐ |
| Complete mine walkaround and site-specific hazard training | ☐ |
| Complete assigned-task and equipment training | ☐ |
| Save attendance rosters and signed training records | ☐ |
| Upload records to the client or prequalification portal | ☐ |
| Review records before mobilization | ☐ |
Bookkeeping and Audit-Ready Records
For SafeLand, retain:
- Physical or digital certificate or card
- Completion date
- Course title and version
- Training provider or instructor
- Veriforce database confirmation
- Client or operator acceptance, when applicable
For MSHA Part 46, retain:
- Worker name
- Type of training
- Training date
- Duration
- Subjects covered
- Trainer or competent person information
- Signed roster or training record
- Site-specific and task-training records
- Device training records, when applicable
- Next annual refresher deadline
Store records in a central digital folder using a consistent file name, such as:
LastName_FirstName_TrainingType_Site_Date_Version
Review the matrix before each mobilization. A current certificate is not enough if the worker is missing site-specific training or task documentation.
How an Outsourced Safety Department Helps
A fractional safety director or outsourced safety department can manage these requirements without the cost of a full-time hire. The support may include:
- Reviewing client prequalification requirements
- Identifying the correct MSHA part for each site
- Scheduling SafeLand and MSHA courses
- Maintaining a training matrix
- Tracking annual refresher deadlines
- Coordinating onsite hazard and task training
- Preparing records for client audits
- Updating written safety programs and procedures
Dare 2B Safe provides risk management consulting and safety support for small industrial contractors. Its training and consulting services can be structured around the company’s projects, workforce, and client requirements.
For related guidance, review 7 Mistakes You’re Making with Your MSHA Refresher. For current SafeLand course availability, see the virtual training classes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SafeLand the same as MSHA Part 46?
No. SafeLand is an industry-driven oil and gas orientation. MSHA Part 46 is a federal training requirement for covered surface mining operations.
Can a worker take both courses online?
Often, yes. SafeLand Basic Orientation 7.0 is available through instructor-led distance learning. MSHA training may also be offered virtually, but required mine walkarounds, site-specific instruction, and task training may need to be completed onsite.
Does SafeLand count toward MSHA Part 46?
No. SafeLand does not replace the required MSHA Part 46 new miner, newly hired experienced miner, annual refresher, or task training requirements.
How long is SafeLand valid?
Veriforce states that Basic Orientation 7.0 does not expire. The client or operator may still require an annual review, refresher, or updated orientation.
How long is MSHA Part 46 valid?
The annual refresher must be completed no later than 12 months after the miner begins work at the mine and every 12 months after the previous refresher. Initial training and task training requirements also apply when a worker starts at a mine or receives a new assignment.