MSHA Public Hearings on Rulemaking to Lower Miner Coal Dust Exposure
MSHA has announced it will hold six public hearings on its proposed rule addressing Lowering Miners’ Exposure to Respirable Coal Mine Dust, Including Continuous Personal Dust Monitors. The proposed rule was published on October 19, 2010 (75 FR 64412) and is available on MSHA’s Web site at http://www.msha.gov/REGS/FEDREG/PROPOSED/2010Prop/2010-25249.pdf. The proposal would lower the existing exposure limits for respirable coal mine dust; implement full-shift sampling to address extended work shifts; redefine the term “normal production shift;” and provide for the use of a single full-shift sample to determine compliance under the mine operator and MSHA’s inspector sampling program. The proposed rule would also require the use of the Continuous Personal Dust Monitor (CPDM) for exposure monitoring and expand requirements for medical surveillance. Hearing dates and locations can be found at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-28676.htm