The Mine Safety and Health Administration’s proposed new regulations would reduce worker exposure to silica dust, but advocates say better enforcement measures are needed.
Blog Archives
Upcoming public hearings should highlight weaknesses of new silica rule proposal
The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration is planning three hybrid hearings on its proposed rule to strengthen silica exposure standards for coal miners. These hearings will give miners and their advocates an opportunity to point out some of the weaknesses of the proposal.
Appalachian senators introduce bill to support families of deceased miners
Today, Sens. Mark Warner (VA), Tim Kaine (VA), Joe Manchin (WV), Sherrod Brown (OH), Bob Casey (PA) and John Fetterman (PA) introduced legislation to ease the process for families of deceased miners to apply for black lung benefits. Surviving dependents can apply to receive black lung benefits after a miner’s death, but filing for benefits is complex and burdensome.
TAGS: Appalachian Citizens Law Center Black Lung National Black Lung Association Relief for Survivors of Miners Act Sen. Joe Manchin Sen. John Fetterman Sen. Mark Warner Sen. Sherrod Brpwm. Sen. Bob Casey Sen. Tim Kaine
Advocates, coal miners applaud progress towards new silica dust rule
Today, the Biden Administration’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) released a long-delayed draft rule to protect coal miners from exposure to respirable silica — the principal cause of the resurgence of deadly black lung disease.
TAGS: Appalachian Citizens Law Center Black Lung Mine Safety and Health Administration National Black Lung Association ReImagine Appalachia silica dust
Advocates to Biden admin. on silica dust rule delays: “The longer the administration waits, the more miners will suffer and die”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 29, 2023 CONTACT: Trey Pollard, trey@pollardcommunications.com, 202-904-9187 COAL COUNTRY – Today, 28 groups sent a letter to the Biden Administration urging the release of a long-delayed rule to protect coal miners from exposure to respirable silica…
Gaming the system — Part III
In 2021, the Government Accountability Office found big problems with the Labor Department’s current rules because they do not require sufficient collateral to cover both current and future black lung liabilities.
TAGS: Alpha Natural Resources Black Lung Black Lung Benefits Act Black Lung Disability Trust Fund black lung excise tax Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act U.S. Department of Labor
Gaming the system — Part II
Congress stated clearly that coal operators, instead of taxpayers, would shoulder the cost of black lung when it set up the Black Lung Trust Fund. The trust fund was intended to be a backstop for miners rather than a means for coal operators to underinsure their liabilities.
TAGS: Alpha Natural Resources Black Lung Black Lung Benefits Act Black Lung Disability Trust Fund black lung excise tax Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act U.S. Department of Labor
Gaming the system — Part I
At its core, this is the age-old story of corporate greed whereby rapacious mine operators, who have subjected generations of miners to disabling and fatal black lung disease, managed to transfer their responsibility to pay black lung benefits to suffering coal miners from their corporate coffers to the taxpayer’s pockets.
TAGS: Alpha Natural Resources Black Lung Black Lung Benefits Act Black Lung Disability Trust Fund black lung excise tax Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act U.S. Department of Labor
Black Lung Resurgence Drives Push to Protect Coal Miners Against Silica Dust
Silica dust is behind a dramatic increase in the number of miners becoming ill with the most severe form of black lung disease.
Senators from Appalachian states request a federal study of whether black lung benefits are adequate
A study by the Government Accountability Office looking at the adequacy of current black lung benefits for miners and their families requested by U.S. senators should bolster ongoing efforts to improve those benefits.
TAGS: Black Lung Black Lung Benefits Act Government Accountability Office National Black Lung Association
