Mine Safety and Health Administration officials say they are increasing discussions with mine operators after a spike in mine fatalities last year.
MSHA reported 40 mining-related deaths last year, including three deaths at mines in Kentucky.
So far in 2024, 15 fatal crashes have been reported, with zero in Kentucky.
Christopher Williamson is deputy secretary for the Mine Safety and Health Administration, which he says is holding safety days at mines to continue to reduce the numbers.
“We've been proactive in issuing safety and health alerts, we've been using our enforcement tools, our outreach tools, our education tools, and I've spoken about this issue every time I've given a speech or addressed a group,” Williamson said.
The agency also will begin enforcing new federal rules limiting the amount of silica dust miners inhale per shift to 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air, down from 100. Silica has been linked to respiratory diseases including black lung and lung cancer.
The rule, which took effect this spring, also requires mine operators to monitor the air workers breathe and immediately adjust operations if excessive levels of silica are reported.
Williamson said the rule brings the mining industry in line with recommendations made by federal researchers for 50 years.
“MSHA will be able to use the full force of its enforcement authority to require mine operators to take immediate corrective action if there are overexposures to address known health hazards,” Williamson said, “and if they don't mitigate the hazards and take immediate corrective action, we can use other enforcement tools.”
It also requires metallic and non-metallic mines to develop medical surveillance programs similar to those in place for coal mines.
The rules will come into force for coal mines from April next year and for metal mines in 2026.
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