Updated July 29, 2024
60.1 – Scope; Compliance Dates
Occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica results in adverse health effects and increases risk of death. The adverse health effects include silicosis (i.e., acute silicosis, accelerated silicosis, chronic silicosis, and progressive massive fibrosis), nonmalignant respiratory diseases (e.g., emphysema and chronic bronchitis), lung cancer, and kidney disease. Each of these effects is chronic, irreversible, and potentially disabling or fatal. Exposure to mixed coal mine dust containing respirable crystalline silica can lead to the development of coal workers’ pneumoconiosis, progressive massive fibrosis, and multi-dust pneumoconiosis. Occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a human carcinogen.
60.10 – Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL)
The former PELs for the three polymorphs of respirable crystalline silica were based on the TLVs® Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances in Workroom Air Adopted by the ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists) for 1973. The TLV® for respirable dust containing greater than 1% quartz was designed to limit exposures to less than 100 μg/m3 for quartz, and to less than 50 μg/m3 for cristobalite and tridymite, calculated as an 8-hour TWA.
Part 60 establishes a uniform PEL for respirable crystalline silica at 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air (μg/m3) over a full shift, and an action level at 25 μg/m3 over a full shift, calculated as an 8-hour TWA. (Also see Question 5 below regarding the MRE vs. ISO sampling conventions.) The full-shift, 8-hour TWA calculation provides greater protection for coal miners than the full-shift TWA calculation under the previous standards, which made no adjustment for extended shifts.
Starting on April 14, 2025, only those dust samples collected under part 60 will be used to determine the concentration of respirable crystalline silica and miners’ exposures to respirable crystalline silica. Respirable coal mine dust (RCMD) samples collected under parts 70, 71, or 90 will be used for the analysis of RCMD concentration only.
The MRE and ISO represent different sampling conventions that yield different concentrations based on the mass of dust collected. Different samplers will operate at specified flow rates, resulting in different volumes of collected respirable dust.
Under part 60, MSHA requires mine operators to use respirable-particle-size-selective samplers that conform to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 7708:1995: Air Quality—Particle Size Fraction Definitions for Health-Related Sampling (ISO 7708:1995(E)) standard to determine compliance with the PEL. Mine operators are allowed to use any type of sampling device for respirable crystalline silica sampling, as long as the device is designed to meet the characteristics for respirable-particle-size-selective samplers that conform to the ISO 7708:1995(E) standard and, where appropriate, meet MSHA permissibility requirements.
One specific type of sampler that may be used for respirable crystalline silica sampling is the coal mine dust personal sampling unit (CMDPSU), which some coal operators may already own. The CMDPSU is a gravimetric sampler consisting of a sampling pump with a 10 mm Dorr-Oliver Cyclone. For respirable crystalline silica sampling under part 60, the sampling pump must be operated at a flow rate of 1.7 liters per minute (L/min) to conform to the ISO standard. (By contrast, for respirable coal mine dust sampling under parts 70, 71, and 90, the sampling pump is operated at a flow rate of 2.0 L/min.)
60.11 – Methods of Compliance
60.12 – Exposure Monitoring
You do not need MSHA approval to use a specific sampler provided it conforms to the ISO 7708:1995(E) standard.
Mine operators must ensure that no miner is exposed to an airborne concentration of respirable crystalline silica in excess of 50 micrograms per cubic meters for a full-shift exposure, calculated as an 8-hour TWA (§ 60.10). When a mine operator elects to engage in representative sampling, the mine operator may take, and submit for analysis, fewer samples. Under this rule, mine operators must assess the typical circumstances of each shift and each miner to identify miners most at risk for overexposure and choose those miners to be “representative” for sampling purposes. This approach allows mine operators to assess the highest likely exposure levels and implement and adjust engineering controls to address the highest likely concentrations of respirable crystalline silica.
For example, suppose an MNM operator starts sampling in September 2024 and collects two consecutive samples below the action level. To demonstrate compliance with the rule in April 2026, the operator must show that the September 2024 samples satisfy the rule’s requirements (e.g., the samples must be representative, taken at least seven days and no more than three months apart, recorded, and posted on the mine bulletin board). Also, the operator must show that periodic evaluations conducted between September 2024 and April 2026 indicate no change was reasonably expected to result in new or increased respirable crystalline silica exposures. MSHA inspectors will review records on or after the compliance date to confirm compliance with the rule. These records will be reviewed for each group of miners who perform the same tasks on the same shift and in the same work area.
If an MSHA or operator sample taken after September 2024 is above the action level, the more recent sample would supersede the September 2024 samples and trigger additional sampling. In that situation, MSHA would not accept the September 2024 samples for compliance in April 2026.
60.13 – Corrective Actions
60.14 – Respiratory Protection
Elastomeric half and full facepiece respirators are tight-fitting, reusable, air-purifying respirators that can be equipped with 100 series particulate filters. Tight-fitting, disposable, filtering facepiece respirators are also available with 100 series particulate filters. Powered-air purifying respirators (PAPRs) use only High Efficiency "HE" particulate filters which are also permitted under part 60 when respirable crystalline silica exposures exceed the PEL.
In addition, operators can provide to miners NIOSH-approved atmosphere supplying respirators that provide clean breathing air from a source independent of the work area. Examples include supplied-air respirators (SARs), self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBAs), and combination SAR/SCBA units.
PAPRs used in underground coal mines and in underground gassy metal/nonmetal mines must meet MSHA’s permissibility requirements under part 18 of 30 CFR. Mine operators must have a granted petition for modification to use non-permissible PAPRs. Part 44 of 30 CFR sets forth procedures for filing, processing, and deciding petitions filed under Section 101(c) of the Mine Act for modifying applications of any mandatory safety standard to a coal or other mine. MSHA will grant a petition for modification if the agency determines that the requested alternative provides miners at least the same level of protection as the existing standard. Additional information can be found on MSHA’s Petitions for Modifications website.
60.15 – Medical Surveillance for Metal and Non-Metal Mines
60.16 – Recordkeeping Requirements
Record | Standard | Retention Period |
---|---|---|
Evaluation records | 60.12(c) | At least 5 years from date of each evaluation |
Sampling records | 60.12(g) | At least 5 years from sample date |
Corrective actions records | 60.13(c) | At least 5 years from date of each corrective action |
Written determination records received from a PLHCP | 60.14(b) | Duration of miner's employment plus 6 months |
Written medical opinion records received from a PLHCP or specialist | 60.15(f) | Duration of miner's employment plus 6 months |