Onboarding plan
Underground Mining Loader Operator Onboarding Plan (30-60-90 Days)
A practical, printable plan to take a new underground mining loader operator from first day to full productivity.
Underground Mining Loader Operator onboarding at a glance
Week one covers orientation, safety and shadowing. Days 1–30 build vocabulary and supervised practice on core procedures; days 31–60 move to independent work with competency sign-offs; days 61–90 focus on full productivity, cross-training and a credential plan.
Before day one
- Confirm start date, schedule, pay and supervisor in writing
- Verify required credentials: MSHA Part 48, Equipment certification (as applicable)
- Prepare equipment and access: LHD loaders; shuttle cars; scoops; radios
- Assign a buddy or preceptor
- Enroll the new hire in Underground Mining Loader Operator training so foundations are covered before or during week one
Week one: orient and protect
- Workplace tour, emergency procedures and incident reporting
- Follow MSHA rules
- Watch for pedestrians
- Check gas
- Wear self-rescuers
- Shadow an experienced underground mining loader operator through a full shift
- Training modules 1–3: role foundations, a day on the job and essential vocabulary (15 terms)
Days 1–30: learn
Goal: perform core tasks safely under supervision.
- Supervised practice: muck a heading safely
- Supervised practice: drive an LHD in tight drifts
- Supervised practice: pre-op an underground loader
- Training modules 4–7: duties, step-by-step tasks, tools and safety
- 30-day check-in: confidence, questions and early wins
Days 31–60: contribute
Goal: handle a regular workload independently.
- Operate loaders: independently
- Load ore or coal: independently
- Run shuttle cars: independently
- Clean up spills: independently
- Competency sign-offs completed (see checklist below)
- Training final knowledge check and certificate of completion
- 60-day check-in
Days 61–90: own
Goal: full productivity and a growth plan.
- Meet productivity and quality targets for the role
- Begin cross-training on a secondary task
- Agree on a credential goal (for example, MSHA Part 48)
- Discuss the career path: Miner → Loader Operator → Lead Operator
- 90-day review
Competency checklist
| Skill or task | Trained | Observed | Signed off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muck a Heading Safely | |||
| Drive an LHD in Tight Drifts | |||
| Pre-Op an Underground Loader | |||
| LHD operation | |||
| Shuttle car operation | |||
| Pre-op inspection | |||
| Tight-space driving |
How to measure onboarding success
- Weeks to first qualification sign-off
- Procedure compliance and safety observations
- Recordable incidents and near-misses
- First-year retention
How Underground Mining Loader Operator training maps to this plan
- Introduction to the Underground Mining Loader Operator Role
- A Day on the Job
- Essential Underground Mining Loader Operator Vocabulary
- Core Duties and Responsibilities
- Common Tasks, Step by Step
- Tools, Equipment and Technology
- Safety, Compliance and Professional Standards
- Skills Employers Look For
- Launching Your Underground Mining Loader Operator Career
- Final Knowledge Check