Released Wednesday, Oct. 21, 1998

Hearings on Proposed Rule to Protect Miners from Diesel Particulate Matter Announced

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) will hold a series of public hearings regarding the Agency's proposed rule addressing diesel particulate matter exposure of underground coal miners. The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on April 9, 1998.

Diesel particulate matter, or DPM, is composed of very small particles -- usually less than a micron in size -- which can readily penetrate into the deepest recesses of the lung. Underground miners are exposed to far higher concentrations of DPM than any other occupational group and face a significantly higher risk of dying from such diseases as lung cancer, heart failure and other cardiopulmonary problems than do miners who are not so exposed.

"MSHA must act when it knows that miners' health is at risk -- it's the law," said J. Davitt McAteer, assistant labor secretary for mine safety and health. "We've determined that the high levels of DPM found in underground coal mines place miners at just such a risk. These proposed regulations will significantly reduce DPM exposure and help ensure that miners remain healthy throughout their working lifetimes."

Underground coal mines are confined environments which, despite ventilation requirements, tend to accumulate significant concentrations of particles and gases -- both those produced by the mine itself (e.g., methane gas) and those produced by equipment used in the mine.

MSHA estimates that more than 13,000 underground coal miners are exposed to diesel emissions. Some underground miners are exposed to concentrations of DPM that are more than 10 times as high as the average workplace exposures recorded in any other industry.

The proposed rule would require mine operators to install and maintain high-efficiency particulate filters on the most polluting types of diesel engines found in underground coal mines and to train miners about the hazards of DPM exposure.

MSHA estimates that the compliance cost per year to the underground coal industry is about $10 million. For a mine employing fewer than 20 miners, the estimated average annual cost is about $8,000; for larger mines, the estimated average cost is about $62,000.

The dates and locations of the public hearings are as follows:

Nov. 17, 1998 Salt Palace Convention Center, 100 S. West Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah
Nov. 19, 1998 National Mine Health & Safety Academy, 1301 Airport Road, Beaver, WVa.
Dec. 15, 1998 Ramada Inn, 405 S. 44th St., Mt. Vernon, Ill.
Dec. 17, 1998 Radisson Hotel, 808 20th St., So., Birmingham, Ala.

Each hearing will last from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The record will remain open until February 16, 1999. Requests for oral presentations should be sent to MSHA, Office of Standards, Regulations and Variances, Room 631, 4015 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, Va., 22203, (703) 235-1910.