Main hosted a web chat Tuesday highlighting some of MSHA’s priorities, including planned regulations due in September 2010 for reducing respirable coal dust limits at US underground operations. Earlier this year the agency said the outlines would likely not be ready until April 2011.
“We are aggressively enforcing our current regulations while bringing greater attention to the health risk from silica and coal mine dust overexposures,” Main said.
“We are also working with NIOSH [National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health] to disseminate information about best practices in dust control.”
MSHA discussed its plans regarding personal coal dust monitors, expecting regulations requiring the unit’s use next April. Main said the agency would release a request for information on December 14 and it was encouraging industry comment.
“This administration has decided to move forward and is seeking information on how MSHA can develop an effective and comprehensive monitoring strategy for coal mine dust incorporating the use of continuous personal dust monitor,” he said.
Both the exposure limit and CPDM moves are part of MSHA’s renewed focus on reducing black lung, a disease which has caused about 10,000 deaths in the last 10 years, according to NIOSH. Pneumoconiosis has seen a resurgence in US underground mines – where an estimated 49,575 miners worked in 2008 – and no age has been exempt.
"Miners – even young miners – are continuing to get this disease," Main said.
"The risk of black lung is a result of the intensity and duration of exposure. Our efforts are directed at making sure that miners spending a working lifetime in coal mines do not develop lung disease.”
The current federal exposure limit for workers is 2 milligrams per cubic meter of air, a rule that has been in place since the 1970s. While NIOSH recommended a reduction to 1mg in 1995, no changes were made under the two subsequent presidential administrations.
Main said MSHA was planning to boost enforcement efforts based on current exposure limits as well as educate mines to a greater extent on the health risks associated with dust exposure.
"Any overexposure putting miners at risk is unacceptable," he said.
The agency also discussed proximity protection systems, another hot topic where it will be making progress in the near future. MSHA’s regulatory agenda includes a rulemaking item regarding the technology, but Main noted the outline was an information-seeking mission at this time.
“Since 1983, there have been 31 fatalities involving miners that have been pinned, struck or crushed by remote-controlled mining machines,” he said.
“This [the agenda bullet] is a request for information so that MSHA can determine how these systems can increase protection for miners working or traveling in close proximity to mobile equipment.”
A review of drug testing regulations will also be addressed in the agenda. The entire document includes rulemakings and plans for the agency through April 2011.
“MSHA will collect data to determine the extent to which the use of alcohol or drugs contributes to mine accidents, and will continue to consider options available to the agency,” Main said, but added that so far there had been no new developments in this area.
According to MSHA and NIOSH statistics, the US has about 800 active underground mines.
A complete listing of MSHA’s Semiannual Unified Agenda can be found at www.msha.gov/REGSINF1.htm.
