EKB News

KENTUCKY...
Officials proposed a new rule that could save miners in the future.

MSHA officials say thousands of young miners are being diagnosed with black lung disease and others are dying from it. Officials say it shows current regulations are not working to prevent the disease.

“The disease has affected tens of thousands of miners destroying their lungs, cutting their lives short, and leaving people gasping air just to survive. The U.S. Department of Labor will not tolerate this,” Hilda Solis said.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration is proposing new rules that lower coal mine dust exposure to miners.

The proposal would lower limits for respirable coal dust from 2 milligrams of dust per cubic meter of air to 1 milligram; require the use of personal air supply monitors in the dustiest areas, and change dust sampling from eight hours to a full shift.

“All the features of this rule combined will reduce miners exposure to unhealthy dust and will reduce a miner's chance of getting the terrible black lung disease,” Jospeh Main of MSHA said.

MSHA estimates it could cost the coal industry nearly 45 million dollars per year.

Coal leaders say they are evaluating the changes.

“Everyone wants the safest work place for our miners and no one wants black lung. We want to do all we can to prevent any kind of issue with that nature,” Bill Bissett said.

The rule would also require more medical surveillance.

MSHA is accepting public comments on the rule proposal.