The purpose of this part is to reduce injuries and illnesses by ensuring that each operator—

(a) Identifies the chemicals at the mine,

(b) Determines which chemicals are hazardous,

(c) Establishes a HazCom program, and

(d) Informs each miner who can be exposed, and other on-site operators whose miners can be exposed, about chemical hazards and appropriate protective measures.

(e) As of September 23, 2002, all mines employing six or more miners are required to comply with this part.

(f) As of March 21, 2003, all mines employing five or fewer miners are required to comply with this part.

(a) This part applies to any operator producing or using a hazardous chemical to which a miner can be exposed under normal conditions of use or in a foreseeable emergency. (Subpart J of this part lists exemptions from coverage.)

(b) Operators of mines which employ six or more miners must instruct each miner with information about the physical and health hazards of chemicals in the miner's work area, the protective measures a miner can take against these hazards, and the contents of the mine's HazCom program by September 23, 2002. Operators of mines that employ five or fewer miners must instruct each miner with information about the physical and health hazards of chemicals in the miner's work area, the protective measures a miner can take against these hazards, and the contents of the mine's HazCom program by March 21, 2003.