Printer-Friendly Version

Archived News Release--Caution: information may be out of date.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

MSHA Press Release: Federal Agency Moves To Take Over Dust Sampling At Underground Coal Mines [07/06/2000]

For more information call: (703) 235-1452

The Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration has scheduled three public hearings to receive comments on a new proposal for taking over coal dust sampling at the nation's underground coal mines.

Under two new proposed rules, federal mine safety inspectors would take over air sampling and testing at all underground coal mines, something that has been the mine operators' responsibility for 30 years. The move was prompted in part by cases of sampling fraud and too many samples with unreasonably low amounts of respirable coal dust.

"Thi is another important step in reducing the risk of lung diseases for miners," Labor Secretary Alexis M. Herman said. "Underground coal miners must have confidence that the system being used to test the air they breathe is producing accurate results. We also are offering miners free, confidential chest X-rays to determine the rate of lung disease among coal miners across the country."

The agency also would verify the effectiveness of the operators' dust control measures specified in the mine ventilation plan under more typical production levels before these plans are approved.

Hearings on the proposal are scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 7 at the Holiday Inn, 1400 Saratoga Ave., in Morgantown, W. Va.; on Aug.10 at the Holiday Inn, 1887 N. US 23, in Prestonsburg, Ky., and on Aug.16 at the Hilton Salt Lake City Center, 255 S. West Temple, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Comments may also be mailed to MSHA, Office of Standards, Regulations and Variances, 4015 Wilson Blvd., Arlington VA 22203, faxed to 703-235-5551 or e-mailed to comments@msha.gov. The deadline for written comments is August 24th.

The proposed rules will appear in the Federal Register tomorrow or may be found then at www.msha.gov under Statutory and Regulatory Information, Federal Register Documents, Proposed Rules. The Mine Safety and Health Administration plans to issue final rules by the end of the year.

Archived News Release--Caution: information may be out of date.