Mining Group Urges MSHA to Withdraw Proposals

Aug. 25, 2000
The National Mining Association (NMA) told MSHA that the dust sampling proposals under consideration would not\r\nrestore confidence in the program or improve miners' health.

In testimony last week before the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), the National Mining Association (NMA) told the agency that the dust sampling proposals under consideration would not restore confidence in the program or improve miners'' health.

According to NMA''s statement presented by Bruce Watzman, NMA''s vice president for safety and health, "The industry has long sought performance rather than prescriptive regulations, yet the proposals are, in their current form, neither."

The proposals, said NMA, are "too subjective and open to numerous, ever-changing interpretations."

MSHA is proposing to take over all sampling in underground coal mines to check for compliance with dust limits set to prevent lung disease.

NMA criticized the agency for stating it will develop and issue policy guidance documents to supplement a final rule.

"As you are aware, we have historically opposed the agency''s attempts to regulate through policy. We will continue to do so should this be finalized in its current form," said Watzman.

Watzman said NMA supports MSHA assuming responsibility for all compliance and abatement sampling, and the agency''s recognition "at long last" that supplied air helmets can and must play a crucial role in protecting miner''s health.

However, he said, the proposal should be withdrawn.

According to Watzman, the mining industry is "on the verge of introducing new personal monitoring technology that will enable miners to know, on a real-time basis, their individual dust exposure."

He urged the agency not to preempt the introduction of this technology "because of an arbitrarily determined regulatory schedule."

"Finalization of the current proposal, whose benefits are minimal at best, must not thwart the development and introduction of this new technology," said Watzman.

by Virginia Sutcliffe

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeekEHS Today, Material Handling & LogisticsLogistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor:  Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.

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