Mine agency seeks more information on protecting miners from respirable coal dust
Posted July 2, 2019
The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) extended the comment period on its Request for Information on a Retrospective Study of Respirable Coal Mine Dust Rule until July 9, 2022. The extension will give stakeholders time to provide input on:
- Developing the framework to assess the impact of the final rule titled “Lowering Miners’ Exposure to Respirable Coal Mine Dust, Including Continuous Personal Dust Monitors,” (the Dust Rule); and
- Providing MSHA information and data on engineering controls and best practices that lower miners’ exposure to respirable coal mine dust.
MSHA’s first request for information was published on July 9, 2018, and scheduled to closed on July 9, 2019. The Dust Rule is intended to reduce occupational lung disease in coal miners. The health effects from occupational exposure to respirable coal mine dust consist of interstitial and obstructive pulmonary diseases that can lead to permanent disability and death.
The health effects from exposure to respirable coal mind dust may not be noticed for more than 10 years until the disease becomes clinically apparent. In addition, the chronic effects of interstitial lung disease, such as coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP) and silicosis, may progress or become worse even after miners are no longer exposed to respirable coal mine dust.
Submit comments and informational materials, identified by RIN 1219-AB90 or Docket No. MSHA-2018-0014, to www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions.
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