Labor Department Launches Major Attack on Black Lung

by James Parks, Dec 3, 2009

The Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) today launched a major initiative to end new cases of black lung among the nation’s coal miners. MSHA’s initiative includes more focused enforcement, targeted education and training, rulemaking and collaboration with stakeholders.

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), cases of black lung are increasing among coal miners. Even younger miners are showing evidence of advanced and debilitating lung disease from excessive dust exposure. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that more than 10,000 miners have died from black lung over the past decade

“The Department of Labor is absolutely committed to ending black lung disease,” Labor Secretary Hilda Solis said in a video message today at the launch of the initiative in Beckley, W.Va.

We will use all the tools necessary to control dust in coal mines and reduce the risk of disease to our nation’s coal miners.

Mine Workers spokesman Phil Smith praised the initiative, saying:

It is refreshing for MSHA to call in industry, unions and government to make clear that MSHA is going to attack black lung and prevent this disease.

Smith said the UMWA has long supported strict, across-the-board standards on coal dust in the mines, which are a part of the MSHA initiative.

As part of the initiative, MSHA will:

• Distribute new materials on a variety of dust-related topics, including black lung, controlling dust, on-shift examinations and controlling exposure to coal mine dust. MSHA also will post additional reports, educational materials and resources on its “End Black Lung” webpage here.
• Hold a series of regional one-day workshops jointly sponsored with NIOSH on the  ”Best Practices for Controlling Respirable Dust in Coal Mines.”
• Begin its “Dust Sweep” program next week where every coal mine inspector will dedicate a part of each inspection to health-related activities and review the quality of dust controls.
• Work on a final rule concerning the approval of coal mine dust personal monitors.
• Implement some of the recommendations from NIOSH and a high-level Labor Department advisory group. The recommendations include reducing the level of exposure to coal mine dust and developing a separate exposure level for coal mine dust and silica.

“While considerable progress has been made in reducing miners’ exposure to respirable coal mine dust, miners continue to develop black lung and silicosis,” said Joseph Main, assistant labor secretary for mine safety and health.

Having a comprehensive strategy is essential to tackle the occurrence of this highly preventable condition.

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