The agency announced Monday that a deadline for input on its proposed Lowering Miners’ Exposure to Respirable Coal Mine Dust, Including Continuous Personal Dust Monitors ruling initially set for May 2 is now midnight Eastern Daylight Time on May 31.

It is the second comment period extension for the rule; an initial February 28 deadline was pushed in January to May 2.

“Our goal to end black lung is a long-standing one and was one of the commitments I made when I came to MSHA,” assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health Joseph Main said.

“Not surprisingly, there has been an overwhelming response to this proposed rule. The additional time hopefully will give everyone who wants to comment the opportunity to do so.”

Those wishing to submit comments by the new deadline can do so by marking the documentation “RIN 1219-AB64” and submitting it to MSHA electronically through www.regulations.gov, or by fax, mail or hand delivery.

A full version of the proposed rule, published in the Federal Register October 19, 2010 (75 FR 64412), is available at the MSHA web site.