WorldWide Drilling Resource

50 AUGUST 2014 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® Black Lung - A Killer! Adapted from Information by the Mine Safety and Health Administration The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) announced the release of a final rule to lower miners' exposure to res- pirable coal mine dust in both surface and underground coal mines. Prolonged exposure to respirable coal mine dust causes lung diseases, such as coal workers' pneumoconiosis, emphysema, and progressive massive fibrosis. These diseases, commonly re- ferred to as black lung, can lead to perma- nent disability and death. According to NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) estimates, more than $45 billion in federal compensation ben- efits have been paid out to coal miners disabled by black lung, and their survivors. Evidence indicates miners, young and old, are continually being diagnosed with the disease. "Today we advance a very basic principle: you shouldn't have to sacrifice your life for your livelihood. But that's been the fate of more than 76,000 miners who have died at least in part because of black lung since 1968," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez. "I believe we can have both healthy miners and a thriving coal industry. The nation made a promise to American miners when we passed the Coal Act in 1969 - with today's rule we're making good on that promise." This rule was approved after seven public hearings in locations accessible to the coal mining public; extended com- ment period; and approximately 2000 pages of comments from industry, labor, public health professionals, academia, and others. "This final rule fulfills a longstanding commitment that I made on my first day with MSHA, and one to which I have been dedicated most of my working life," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health Joseph A. Main. "We are finally moving forward to overhaul an outdated program that has failed to ade- quately protect miners from breathing unhealthy levels of coal mine dust and achieving the intent of Congress to elim- inate black lung disease. In developing the final rule, we carefully considered public comments and applied a strategic approach; it is the product of years of MSHA's efforts to improve health pro- tections for coal miners." Here are some highlights of the final rule: Z Increased sampling making use of cutting-edge technology developed for the mining environment to pro- vide real-time information about dust levels; also requires immediate cor- rective action when a sample finds an excessive concentration of dust. Z Reduces the overall dust stan- dard from 2.0 to 1.5 milligrams per cubic meter of air and cuts in half the standard from 1.0 to 0.5 for certain mine entries and miners with pneumoconiosis. Z More frequent sampling of areas known to have relatively high dust levels, such as those closest to the production area. Focus on ExpoMINA PERU 2014 ExpoMINA PERU 2014 is the fourth edition of this large mining industry trade fair in Lima, Peru, being held at the Jockey Exhibition Center September 10- 12. Industry-leading mining companies and producers from around the world attend ExpoMINA PERU to exhibit their latest products, machinery, equipment, and services. Also, through seven major forums, participants can analyze the prospects of mining and challenges to be faced in the coming years. Be sure to look for your copy of WorldWide Drilling Resource ® in the U.S. International Pavilion organized by Kallman Worldwide, Inc. For more information, visit www.kallman.com Z Sampling for the full shift a miner works to ensure protection for all working hours, rather than stopping measurement after 8 hours, as under the previous requirement. Z Dust samples must be taken when mines are operating at 80% of pro- duction, as opposed to the previous 50% requirement, so the samples will be more representative of actual working conditions. The new requirements will be phased in over a two-year period to give the industry time to adjust to the new require- ments, acquire monitoring equipment, and obtain compliance assistance from MSHA. Remember black lung is NOT CURABLE...but it is preventable. Visit the MSHA Web site for more information. "0",-" - 0 &' '" & &) (*-. -&2"- )! )/( ", *# ' !"- "1 -"! &.- *'" +")",- , $ &.- &)$- ((",- ((", &.- &0",.",- " .&++&)$ . &'&2",- ' 1 &.- &+" &+"- *'. *) "".% / - * &'" &. *&) ,*! %*.( &' *( 111 &. *&) *(