MSHA Workplace Examination Requirements, Form & Checklist
A practical, plain-language guide to the MSHA workplace examination requirement, what has to be documented, and how long to keep records — with a free, printable examination form and checklist you can start using today. No signup required.
1. What is an MSHA workplace examination?
A workplace examination is a required, documented check of a working place — the specific area where miners are about to work — looking for anything that could hurt someone. It has to happen before work starts there, performed by someone qualified to recognize the hazards of that particular place, not a general walkthrough done by whoever is available.
The idea behind the rule is simple: conditions change shift to shift — a berm erodes, a guard gets left off, water pools where it didn’t before. The exam catches that before anyone is exposed to it, and the record proves it happened.
2. When must workplace examinations be performed?
That means once per shift, before work begins in that place — not once per day if a place is worked across multiple shifts, and not after work has already started.
3. Who can perform the examination?
A competent person designated by the operator. MSHA defines a competent person, at 30 CFR 56.2, as someone “having abilities and experience that fully qualify him to perform the duty to which he is assigned.” In practice, that means someone who knows that specific working place well enough to recognize its hazards — not necessarily a manager or an official safety title, and not necessarily the same person every shift.
4. What needs to be documented?
Under 30 CFR 56.18002(b)–(c) / 57.18002(b)–(c), the examination record must include:
- The examiner’s name
- The date of the examination
- The location(s) examined
- A description of any conditions found that may adversely affect safety or health
- If a condition is corrected, the date the corrective action was taken
The record must be completed by the end of the shift.
5. How long must records be retained?
One year is the regulatory floor. Many operations keep them longer for their own records or insurance purposes — that’s an operational choice, not an MSHA requirement.
6. What happens when an adverse condition is found?
The rule splits into two situations:
An ordinary adverse condition
The operator must promptly notify miners in the affected area and promptly initiate corrective action. The record must show the condition, and once it’s corrected, the date of that correction.
An imminent danger
7. Free workplace examination form
A clean, practical workplace examination form covering mine/company, area examined, date and time, the competent person, conditions observed, whether an adverse condition was found, corrective action, whether it was corrected immediately, who’s responsible, and a certification line. Free, no signup, no email required.
This is a practical example form, not an official MSHA form. Adapt it to your site’s own areas and procedures.
8. Workplace examination checklist
For the examiner walking the area, before signing off:
- Was the entire working place actually walked, not just glanced at from the entrance?
- Access, egress, and travelways clear and in safe condition?
- Ground conditions, highwalls, and banks checked for looseness or instability?
- Guards, barricades, and warning devices in place where required?
- Any equipment, water, or material accumulation creating a new hazard since last shift?
- Any condition found — is it recorded, with location and description?
- If corrected on the spot — is the correction date recorded?
- If not corrected on the spot — is a responsible person and a plan recorded?
- Is the record complete and signed before the shift ends?
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9. Official sources
- 30 CFR § 56.18002 — Examination of working places (surface metal/nonmetal)Requirement
- 30 CFR § 57.18002 — Examination of working places (underground metal/nonmetal)Requirement
- 30 CFR § 56.2 — Definition of “competent person”Requirement
- MSHA — Examinations of Working Places at Metal and Nonmetal MinesMSHA guidance
- eCFR — Title 30, Chapter I (Mine Safety and Health Administration)Full regulation
30 CFR §§ 56.18002 and 57.18002 were reinstated effective September 30, 2019 (84 FR 51401) following litigation over the 2017 rule. Regulations change — check the linked eCFR source for the current text before relying on a summary, including this one.
This page is a practical resource, not legal advice, and does not create or modify any MSHA requirement. DocuCircuit supports your inspection and recordkeeping processes; it does not determine or guarantee regulatory compliance and does not replace a competent person, your own procedures, training, or legal review. Requirements vary by operation — you remain responsible for determining what applies to your site. Where this page states a specific numeric requirement (timing, retention), that is drawn from the cited regulation above; where it offers a suggestion beyond that text, it is labeled as a recommended practice, not a requirement.