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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: (703) 235-1452.
Secretary of Labor Robert B. Reich today announced his
intention to appoint an advisory committee to make recom- mendations for the
elimination of black lung and silicosis among coal miners.
"In the 25 years that the federal government has regulated
dust levels in coal mines, coal miners' dust exposure and the devastating toll
of lung disease have declined sharply," Reich said. "However, despite the
knowledge and technology now available to control this hazard, too many miners
still run a risk of developing occupational lung disease. The time is right for
industry, labor and government to join in a combined effort to bring this
disease to an end."
Reich said he will select seven individuals for the
committee: one representing labor, one representing industry, and five
persons--including the chairman--with no economic interest in the mining
industry. Once appointed, the advisory committee is expected to convene early
this year and deliver its recommendations within 180 days.
"The committee will provide a collective expertise to
address the complex issues involved in ending occupational lung disease among
coal miners," Reich said.
Since the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969
set limits for respirable dust in coal mines, average dust levels in
underground coal mines have declined from 8.0 milligrams per cubic meter to the
current standard of 2.0 milligrams per cubic meter.
However, recent medical evidence indicates that miners
continue to develop the debilitating effects of black lung and silicosis. Black
lung is a commonly used term for lung disease resulting from excessive exposure
to respirable coal mine dust, while silicosis results specifically from quartz
dust (respirable crystalline silica). In severe cases, both black lung and
silicosis can be disabling.
"We will be asking the advisory committee to address the
full range of respirable dust issues," said Davitt McAteer, assistant secretary
of labor for mine safety and health. "That includes the available means to
control the dust, improved dust monitoring, the exposure limits necessary to
prevent disease, the role of the miner in dust monitoring and the adequacy of
the programs under which mine operators take samples to determine the dust
levels to which miners are exposed."
Under existing Mine Safety and Health Administration
(MSHA) rules, mine operators are required control the amount of dust in the
mine atmosphere, to obtain MSHA approval of those measures, and to monitor
through sampling the amount of hazardous coal mine dust in areas where miners
work or travel. If samples by either the mine operator or MSHA show
noncompliance with the dust standard, MSHA issues a citation and requires the
mine operator to correct the problem.
The 1969 law also established a black lung disability
benefits program to compensate coal miners and the dependents of miners who
have been disabled by occupational dust exposure. In the 25 years since the
program was established, federal black lung benefit payments have totaled more
than $30 billion.
Currently, the annual cost to the federal government of
black lung disability benefits exceeds $1.3 billion, with 75,000 former miners
receiving benefits.
The U.S. coal mining industry today employs roughly
140,000 miners, of whom more than 50,000 work underground. In recent years,
U.S. coal production has reached record levels, with the value of coal mined
totaling nearly $19 billion in 1993. Coal provides over half of U.S. electric
power nationwide.
Notice of the Secretary's intent to establish an advisory
committee is in today's Federal Register. Comments from interested members of
the public are requested by Feb. 15, 1995. Copies of the Federal Register
notice may be obtained from MSHA's Office of Standards, Regulations, and
Variances, telephone (703) 235-1910.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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