MSHA Proposes Rule to Address Black Lung Risk
MSHA has proposed to lower miners’ exposure to respirable coal mine dust by revising its existing standards on miners’ occupational exposure to respirable coal mine dust. The major provisions of the proposal would lower the existing exposure limit; provide for full-shift sampling; redefine the term “normal production shift; ” and add reexamination and decertification requirements for persons certified to sample, and maintain and calibrate sampling devices. In addition, the proposed rule would provide for single shift compliance sampling under the mine operator and MSHA’s inspector sampling programs, and would establish sampling requirements for use of the Continuous Personal Dust Monitor (CPDM) and expanded requirements for medical surveillance. Comments are due February 28, 2011 (http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-25249.htm). MSHA calls this rulemaking “another step in its ‘End Black Lung — Act Now!’ campaign” and has developed various resources for the campaign, including a video related to the proposed rule at http://www.dol.gov/dol/media/webcast/20101013-coal/, a comprehensive campaign at http://www.dol.gov/dol/media/webcast/20101013-coal/strategy.htm, and a fact sheet at http://www.dol.gov/_sec/newsletter/2010/20101014-3.htm.